Before I submit a support ticket, wondering if anyone who uses KEF LS50 Wireless IIs as a Roon endpoint experiences anything similar, which is: frequent (every few seconds) audible wireless interference (clicks and pops) during playback. I listen to a lot of classical and it is particularly annoying during quieter moments.
For reference, I experience rock solid quiet, stable streaming through Qobuz and Tidal connect of the same tracks. In fact, zero issues with any other type of streaming (incl Chromecast) - ONLY happens with Roon.
Any suggestions? Already did the standard actions - assigned static IP and reset/rebooted network and router, etc.
This isn’t likely to be “wireless interference”, but rather dropped packets, and consequently missing samples.
This points firmly to a weak or congested wireless signal. Roon technical support can confirm if this is the case by examining the logs.
This affects Roon because it is far more demanding on the network. How is your Roon Server connected to the network, and does it use the same router providing Wi-Fi.
Does this happen with locally stored files or with streamed content?
I only ask as I am auditioning a pair of LSX II’s at home and I noticed that when playing locally stored content I would get the same issue, same as you I noticed it in quieter moments (for reference I was listening to Sade - Lovers Rock). I have my speakers hard wired together but wirelessly connected to my 5Ghz network.
I think KEF have acknowledged that there is an issue with the latest firmware with TIDAL content in MQA format as it is completely distorted. This is easily cured by turning off MQA support within Roon for the LSX II speaker. I wonder if this is also caused by the current firmware.
I noticed that the current firmware for the LSX II states that “Roon Library” was updated, I’m taking a wild guess and wondering if this maybe the root of the issue. A couple of years ago there was a similar issue with an Allo USBridge Signature running RoPieee, this was caused by Allo’s Ethernet drivers being out of date.
It might also be an idea to raise the issue with KEF.
I’ve owned a pair since their initial release (I even gave feedback about documentation problems early on) and have not had this issue. I’ve run them wired together, wireless, and wired to router. I have had bad WiFi issues over the years that resulted in one channel or both not connecting and required fully resetting them and onboarding them again.
So, sorry, negative data point but a data point nonetheless!
To get rid of the clicking, set the MQA capabilities to No MQA support using roon remote for that speaker in settings → audio then speaker name.
Otherwise I hear this clicking, but only when MQA songs are played on my Kef LS50 w2 speakers using RAAT via “roon ready”. There is no issue when playing using Airplay.
The issue started with the Kef LS50 w2 4.0+ firmware update and is still there as of 4.1.191. Prior to 4.0 there was no issue. It’s annoying, but the speakers still sound great with No MQA.
For me, this is not a network issue. I get 500 Mbs to 800 Mbs by the speaker. Kef connect also has a speed and latency test in Settings → performance, so you can test your speaker.
