Using Sonos with KEF LS50 W

For the OP: buying a wireless speaker like this one would leave no place for Sonos, because the two wireless systems won't communicate. And Sonos isn't even needed if the KEF did its entire job well.

Of course if you are so swayed by both to want both, I suppose you could wire the Connect to any audio input jacks on the KEF and use it in wired mode, with Connect for the wireless front end.

But there are more elegant solutions as options worth fully evaluating.

And some more insights: I do have a highly rated pair of KEF Q100s driven by a Connect Amp in one zone that is doing very well for three years now. It essentially uses the same Unipoint driver that the LS50 has so I am not completely ignorant of the KEF sound signature. I am not saying that the LS 50 will not sound better, but my experience tells me that a lot of the sonic signature of a speaker is in the secret sauce in the drivers. Experience also tells me that the slicker finished LS50 will sound better in a sighted test than the Q100. As it tells me that any system moved into a better room from an acoustic point of view can be transformed into one delivering a day and night quality difference in the heard sound, Trueplay tech notwithstanding.

All points for consideration in helping you or anyone else going down this road to make a better purchasing decision.

So, good luck with that.

Wow, quite a conversation. Thanks to everyone for weighing in. My main concern is that a wireless external hard drive would work in this setup and it apparently will if I choose correctly. I may go to a small Synology NAS route and then I could also stream movies to the TV. As far as the LS50W is concerned, I am aware that the DAC is capable of higher performance than Sonos but this is mainly for casual listening in our pied-a-terre. The bulit in amps make life easier. WAF also played a role in the speaker selection- she likes the look.
I am an audiophile since the 60's and have a wonderful big rig in our home. We remodeled a couple years back and built a purpose built listening room for serious listening.
Thanks again for the input.

I use a Synology NAS for music and video streaming. Be aware that most Sonos-related NAS "solutions" are largely a bust, including Plex. However, Roon works very well for streaming music from a NAS or external hard drive to Sonos gear. It's not cheap, but it has all many other benefits for audiophiles. It also gets around the Sonos 16bit/44k file streaming limit.

I am an audiophile since the 60's and have a wonderful big rig in our home. We remodeled a couple years back and built a purpose built listening room for serious listening.

Could you share the make/model of speakers used? A discerning audiophile of that many years experience isn't common, and this will be useful/interesting information.

Sorry, didn't see this request. Here is my main system:
Avantgarde Duo Omega Speakers
BAT REX Preamp
Audiopax M-88, Mark II mono tube amps
Ayre C5xe-MP CD, SACD, DVD-A player
PS Audio Perfectwave DAC Mk. II
Audience Adept Response Conditioner aR12
BSG Technologies qol Signal Completion Stage
Also Avantgarde Solo Powered Speakers (3) for HT
Tron Seven Phono Preamp with two sets of inputs and NOS Telefunkens
TW Acustic Raven Two Turntable with Stillpoint feet with two tonearms-
Graham Phantom II Supreme tonearm with
Air Tight PC-1 Cartridge
Ortofon 309S 12" arm with
Ortofon Rondo Bronze cartridge
KL Audio KD-CLN-LP200 Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
Furutech DeStat tweak
Grand Prix Audio Monaco Stands (2)
Grand Prix Audio Apex Footers on Avantgarde Duo Omegas
WSS Kable Platin phono IC's
Elrod Signature 3 PC’s on Avantgarde Subs
Elrod Signature 2 PC’s on Audiopax amps
Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables
Cardas Golden Reference Jumpers on Duo Omegas
Cardas Golden Reference PC’s on Ayre and BAT
Cardas Golden Reference IC’s- Ayre to BAT and BAT to Audiopax amps
Shunyata Hydra 6
Sennheiser HD-600 Headphones
Audeze LCD-2 Headphones
Burson Audio HA 160D Headphone Amp
Musical Fidelity X-Can V2 Headphone Amp
Oyaide SWO-XXX AC Receptacles (2)
OPPO BDP 103D Blu-Ray Player
Marantz AV Processor
Revox Tuner
Nakamichi Dragon
PS Audio Noise Harvesters
10 AWG wired dedicated circuits (2)
Bunch of Sonos Gear

In how many houses is this installed?

LOL!
Just one. This is my main listening room. There are six smaller systems in other rooms in the home.
I've been at this for awhile-just enjoy music.

Interesting. I notice that the business end - speakers - are high impedance, high sensitivity type as all horn speakers are, with a powered subwoofer to boot. I would therefore think that these would work fine with almost any amplifier and not much more needed except for room acoustics treatment and well selected source files.

The best speakers I have owned are Harbeths, so I have no data point to compare these to the Duo sound, but all I now have in my 4 rooms is Sonos kit and a couple of pairs of passive speakers - KEF/Quad. Very little needed by way of wires, obviously. And I am content that I get equivalent sound quality to my since sold Harbeths, with just this and no ambition to add anything to this except Alexa voice control, if that turns out to be truly useful via Sonos.