KEF Coda W review: simple, versatile wireless hi-fi speakers

KEF, a major player in the wireless hi-fi speaker market, is expanding its catalog with a more affordable model, available for €899 per pair. At this price point, the Coda W lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and the ability to wirelessly connect the two speakers, unlike the KEF LSX II, for example. Faithful to the philosophy of the British company, they nevertheless adopt the famous Uni-Q driver as well as comprehensive analog and digital connectivity, allowing these speakers to become the heart of a flexible, compact audio system. Will the KEF Coda W active speakers prove to be the manufacturer’s best value for money?

Presentation

As with the KEF LSX 2 LT active speakers, a “light” version of the multi-award-winning KEF LSX 2, the manufacturer is working to make its expertise more accessible. While the Coda W speakers do forgo wireless streaming, they retain many of the features that have made the British brand famous. As the new entry-level model in KEF’s line of wireless hi-fi speakers, the Coda W carries on the British company’s legacy.

The KEF Coda W amplified speakers modernize the CODA hi-fi range marketed by the brand from the 1970s onwards. Until the dawn of the 2000s, there were several versions in this range, such as the Coda MK1, Coda III, Coda 7 and Coda 10, before being replaced by the KEF Cresta series. Over the years, KEF has become a benchmark in the hi-fi world, making this new generation a bridge between tradition and modernity.

Included accessories

The KEF Coda W speakers are delivered in a cardboard box that keeps the use of plastic to a minimum. They are supplied with an infrared remote control and batteries, a USB-C cable (3 m) to connect the two speakers, and a power cord (1.8 m). A booklet with all the documentation required for use is also included.

Elegant minimalist design

With the KEF Coda W, the manufacturer resurrects the spirit of the Coda range developed between the 1970s and 2000. This is reflected in a minimalist aesthetic approach, articulated around pure rectangular lines that contrast with the soft, rounded shapes of the LS range (LSX and LS50). The result is an instantly recognizable silhouette.

This simple geometry contributes to a successful balance between modernity and timelessness: the KEF Coda W blends seamlessly into both contemporary and more traditional interiors. The front panel, dominated by the Uni-Q driver, reinforces this strong visual signature while retaining its simplicity. As always with the manufacturer’s wireless speakers, the KEF Coda W is delivered without a grille, assuming a more technical appearance. A backlit and touch-sensitive control panel lets you select the source and adjust the volume.

12th generation KEF Uni-Q driver

A visual signature of the brand, the 13 cm Uni-Q driver sits at the center of the KEF Coda W active speakers. Its very presence indicates that this is much more than just an affordable version of the brand’s wireless speakers. This proprietary technology has played a major role in building KEF’s reputation.

Based on a coaxial architecture, the 12th generation Uni-Q driver places the tweeter at the heart of a midbass driver to create a single point source of sound. This design promotes uniform diffusion and excellent phase coherence, essential elements for achieving a stable, accurate soundstage. In the listening room, this configuration results in a natural tonal reproduction, a well-defined stereo image, and an enhanced sense of space, even when the listener is outside of the speaker’s axis.

This midbass driver features an aluminum-magnesium alloy cone, renowned for its rigidity and lightness. It is combined with a 25 mm aluminum dome tweeter, responsible for reproducing high frequencies with finesse and clarity. The driver benefits from a dedicated bi-amplification system, offering 70 watts for the midbass and 30 watts for the tweeter, totaling 100 watts per speaker. This configuration ensures control, dynamism, and precision, even at high volume levels.

High-definition Bluetooth and Auracast

The KEF Coda W speakers take a deliberately simplified wireless hi-fi approach, favoring a Bluetooth 5.4 connection compatible with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs. The former enables the transmission of an audio signal of up to 24-bit/48 kHz, dynamically adapting the bit rate according to the quality of the connection, while the latter aims for CD-quality reproduction (16-bit/44.1 kHz) when conditions are optimal. The result is detailed, dynamic sound that’s far superior to that of standard Bluetooth.

What’s more, Auracast technology enables a stream to be sent to several compatible audio devices. So, while the absence of a Wi-Fi module excludes network uses (multi-room, AirPlay, Google Cast) and helps make its price more affordable, it can also be bypassed by setting up an Auracast wireless system.

Analog and digital connectors

When it comes to connectivity, the KEF Coda W active speakers are particularly generous. The main speaker features a complete set of analog and digital inputs, making this system as flexible as it is versatile. This wealth of connectors perfectly complements Bluetooth use, making it easy to integrate the speakers into a hi-fi, home theater or office system.

The KEF Coda W wireless hi-fi speakers feature an RIAA preamplifier stage to connect a turntable. A line-level RCA stereo input is also provided for a CD or network player. An output for a subwoofer is also present to create a 2.1 hi-fi system with more bass for music or cinema.

The digital section, for its part, supports high resolutions. The optical input accepts signals up to 24-bit/96 kHz, while the USB-C port supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz, making it ideal for use with a computer. The HDMI ARC input, meanwhile, facilitates connection to a TV, with support for PCM signals up to 1,411 Mbps, guaranteeing uncompressed audio transmission. A powered USB-C port can also be used to charge a smartphone, further illustrating the impressive versatility of this pair of speakers, capable of forming a 2.0 home theater system or a hi-fi solution for the office.

Unlike the British brand’s more high-end models, the KEF Coda W adopt a wired connection between the two speakers, guaranteeing stable, latency-free transmission. With the USB-C wired connection, all sources are resampled to 24-bit/96 kHz PCM, ensuring precise synchronization.

Key specifications

• Active speakers, 2 x 100W
• Uni-Q driver with 13 cm midbass cone + 25 mm tweeter
• Bluetooth aptX Adaptive and LossLess receiver, Auracast compatible
• Phono, USB-C, HDMI ARC, optical and stereo RCA inputs
• Subwoofer output and powered USB-C port
• Wired connection via USB-C between the two speakers
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 168 x 285 x 268 mm
• Price: €899 per pair

Listening impressions

The KEF Coda W active speakers immediately captivated me with their beautiful musicality, in keeping with other KEF products. The sound signature was clear, elegant, and balanced, without any artificial emphasis on the upper midrange or high frequencies. This approach allowed tones to come through naturally, while brass instruments benefited from a rich and nuanced texture. As a result, they navigated effortlessly across different musical genres, from Billie Eilish’s pop to Norah Jones’s soul.

The soundstage unfolded with ease, offering a beautiful sense of depth and space. The verticality also contributed to this sense of scale, enhancing the realism of the stereo image.

At the lower end of the spectrum, the bass was articulate, clean, and surprisingly deep for the size of the KEF Coda W and its “small” 13 cm driver. It added depth and rhythm without ever weighing down the sound when the speakers are placed more than 20 cm from the wall, thanks to the rear bass-reflex port. The result was excellent clarity, even with dense tracks.

The Coda W’s reproduction was uniform, lively and particularly pleasant over time. The sound was smooth, expressive, and, above all, never tiring. The only fly in the ointment: the mobile app doesn’t have a personalized equalizer. This downside was already noted in my review of the KEF Muo portable speaker, and it may frustrate users wishing to fine-tune the sound signature according to their preferences or the acoustics of the room. Only two presets to boost or attenuate the bass and treble are available.

KEF Coda W vs KEF LSX II LT

The KEF Coda W and KEF LSX II LT active speakers have a similar architecture, with bi-amplification totalling 2 x 100 watts. The two models share the same power base and an accomplished active design, although the LSX 2 LT adopts an 11.5 cm Uni-Q driver.

However, the Coda Ws stand out for their more accessible price and more versatile connectivity. In particular, they feature a phono input and a powered USB-C port (5 V DC), which are absent from the LSX II LT, facilitating integration into a vinyl system or desktop hi-fi setup. Their USB-C audio input is also more powerful, with support for streams up to 24-bit/192 kHz, compared with 24-bit/96 kHz for the LSX II LT. Finally, the Coda Ws feature a 12th generation Uni-Q driver, more recent than the 11th generation driver used on the LSX II LTs.

For their part, the LSX II LT retain a significant advantage in terms of connected uses, thanks to their integrated Wi-Fi connection, compatible with AirPlay 2, Google Cast and UPnP, enabling network playback and multi-room integration, absent from the Coda W. Support for high-definition streaming explains why the KEF LSX II LT are priced higher (€990).

Who are these speakers for?

The KEF Coda W speakers are aimed at music lovers looking for a simple, high-quality and versatile Bluetooth audio solution, capable of centralizing all their sources without multiplying electronics. Their active design and comprehensive connectivity make for a compact system while maintaining a level of performance worthy of the brand’s acoustic tradition.

They fit naturally into a living room, either as a complement to a TV via the HDMI ARC input or on a sideboard-style piece of furniture thanks to their high-resolution USB-C port and compact design. The addition of a phono input also allows you to connect a turntable directly, making the KEF Coda W a particularly well-suited solution for vinyl enthusiasts seeking a streamlined setup. When paired with a subwoofer via the dedicated output, they can be expanded into a 2.1 configuration to deliver a richer, more immersive listening experience.

This versatility extends to wireless use: thanks to Bluetooth aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, they perform just as well with wireless streaming from a smartphone as they do with more traditional wired sources. What’s more, Auracast compatibility makes it possible to bypass the absence of Wi-Fi and, also, the lack of a multi-room protocol. The KEF Coda W active speakers are aimed at those who prefer sound quality and ease of use without necessarily looking for a Wi-Fi multi-room ecosystem. This is an excellent entry point into the British brand’s hi-fi world.

Frequently asked questions – FAQ KEF Coda W