KEF Coda W: Active Speakers For Everyone?

For the last three decades of the 20th century, the name Coda was synonymous with high-value loudspeakers from the British manufacturer KEF. The brand sold a long line of popular Coda models from the early 1970s until Y2K, all of which were positioned as affordable entry-points into high-end audio. Now KEF is back with the all-new Coda W ($999.99/pair), an active speaker system that “honors the original Coda speakers with modern enhancements, designed to bring your turntable to life with impeccable clarity (and) shifting seamlessly to the untethered freedom of wireless streaming,” according to the company. Priced at a grand per pair, the Coda W might not be quite as accessibly priced as the Coda speakers of yesteryear, but those were passive loudspeakers that required separate amplification, cabling, and source components. Many Coda W customers will get started with nothing but the speakers themselves and a phone, or perhaps a turntable. The W in the name hints at wireless capability, but if (like me) you were expecting the speakers to offer built-in network streaming, or perhaps a wireless inter-speaker link, you might be disappointed. While both of those features are offered by KEF’s pricier LS50 Wireless II ($3K/pair), LS60 ($6K/pair), and LSX II ($1,500/pair), the Coda W’s claim to wireless fame is limited to its Bluetooth input, which does offer support for Qualcomm’s high-quality aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs (see our article Is Qualcomm’s New ‘aptX Lossless’ Technology The Holy Grail of Bluetooth?). But the Coda W does offer a number of other useful features, including HDMI ARC and a built-in phono preamp. While the lack of Wi-Fi and network streaming might be a deal-breaker for some, it doesn’t bother me one bit, and I’ll explain why in a moment. First, let’s take a look at the speakers themselves.

KEF Coda W: Acoustic Technology

Even after the advent of KEF’s signature Uni-Q driver array in the late 1980s, speakers in the brand’s Coda series used more traditional (i.e., non-concentric) drivers to keep prices down. But the new Coda W uses a large 12th generation Uni-Q driver array, in which a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter sits at the acoustic center of a 5.25-inch mid-woofer with a magnesium/aluminum alloy cone. As in other KEF speakers, the Uni-Q driver array acts as a point source, delivering “remarkably detailed performance… recreating how sound is produced naturally,” according to KEF. A well-designed concentric driver array like the Uni-Q ensures uniform dispersion throughout the room, creating what KEF describes as an exceptionally natural and immersive listening experience. KEF is not the only manufacturer going this route — you’ll find similar concentric arrays from brands like Fyne Audio, MoFi, Elac, and TAD — but KEF was the first to build a truly coincident source driver, and the company’s decades of acoustic expertise are now backed by advanced simulation and precision engineering.

In each Coda W speaker, the tweeter is powered by a dedicated 30-watt Class D amplifier, and the mid-woofer gets 70 watts of Class D power from its own beefier amp. With a combined 200 watts of system power, the Coda W promises the all-important “room-filling sound” from a compact cabinet measuring 11.2 inches tall, by 6.6 inches wide, by 10.55 inches deep. All that power is tamed by KEF’s Music Integrity Engine, a proprietary suite of DSP algorithms handling everything from the crossover to distortion reduction. The Music Integrity Engine has been specially tuned for the Coda W, according to KEF, enhancing overall performance by providing “remarkable sound integrity, detail, and accuracy.”

Our goal has always been to deliver the most authentic sound possible – the kind that forges an emotional connection. We designed the Coda W for those of us who love the ritual of vinyl – the magic of dropping a needle on a record, that moment of anticipation. With Coda W, you can get completely immersed in the depth of your records, appreciating the richness and nuance in every note, then switch to streaming a new track seamlessly. It’s about rediscovering your favorite songs like never before.

— Grace Lo, President and Head of Global Marketing at KEF

KEF Coda W: Connectivity

The Coda W uses Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, Qualcomm’s high-quality, low-latency codec that promises both clarity and a reliable connection for content up to 24-bit/96kHz (although it’s worth remembering that this is a lossy codec, so some info will be sacrificed to the gods of data compression and bandwidth reduction). Purists might prefer to take advantage of the Coda W’s support for aptX Lossless, which can deliver CD-quality resolution up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz without resorting to lossy compression. But here, there is yet another caveat: very few source devices support aptX Lossless, and it only works when both the source (such as a smartphone) and the receiving device support the tech. You can work around that limitation by attaching a compatible dongle, such as the $60 Sennheiser BTD 700, to your source device, but I would recommend skipping Bluetooth altogether and adding a network streamer with a digital output instead — more on that later.

Vinyl enthusiasts will love the fact that the Coda W is turntable-ready, featuring an integrated phono pre-amplifier that connects directly to any turntable running a moving-magnet cartridge. If memory serves, the Coda W is KEF's first active speaker system with a built-in phono preamp. While not everyone will take advantage of it, I think it’s a useful feature, and an appropriate one for this class of product. Any vinyl devotee spending $6K on KEF’s high-end LS60 wireless speakers probably has a separate phono preamp, but for a more “lifestyle” customer running a pair of the Coda W speakers, the ability to dispense with additional separate components will probably be much appreciated. For turntables with a built-in phono preamp (such as the $699 Cambridge Audio Alva ST), the Coda W also offers a line-level input.

For those replacing a soundbar, the Coda W’s HDMI input makes it simple to use the speakers with a TV. And for desktop duty, the USB Type-C input makes the Coda W a natural partner for a PC or Mac, offering support for files up to 24-bit/192kHz, though resolutions above 24-bit/96kHz will be downsampled. (While KEF’s LSX II and LSX II LT both make great computer speakers, some might find the Coda W a bit on the large side for this application. Your mileage may vary depending on the size of your desk and your aesthetic sensibilities.) An optical digital input on Toslink rounds out the input options, accommodating your favorite disk-spinner, an older TV, or — crucially — a network streaming device. The primary speaker, which handles all the IO for the pair, also includes a dedicated subwoofer output for easy connection to the subwoofer of your choice. KEF might steer you toward the KEF Kube 8 MIE, which sells for $700. An optional KW1 wireless subwoofer adapter kit ($250) enables a clean and stable wireless connection, minimizing cable clutter. 

Speaking of cables, the two speakers must be connected to each other by way of the included 3-meter inter-speaker C-Link cable, which looks suspiciously like a USB-C cable. This provides both the digital signal and power to the secondary speaker. Those needing a longer run can purchase an 8-meter inter-speaker cable for the relatively sane price of $60. 

The optional SQ1 floor stands might be a harder sell at $400, but they promise a stable platform for elevated positioning and optimal listening height, and they do look very nice indeed. The Coda W features intuitive top-panel buttons for quick access to essential functions and source switching. 

The speakers can also be controlled by the KEF Connect App, with which users can select EQ presets, manage settings, update firmware, and so on.

KEF Coda W: Design and Final Thoughts

Compared to KEF’s curvy LS50 Wireless II and LSX models, the Coda W veers more traditional in its styling, thanks to its clean rectilinear lines and subtle detailing. The minimalist, vintage-inspired look is lent some modern refinement by the five carefully-curated finishes: Vintage Burgundy, Nickel Grey, Moss Green, Midnight Blue, and Dark Titanium. I think the overall look is one of quiet sophistication — not screaming for attention, but not just another black box.

Priced at $1K/pair, the Coda W is larger than KEF’s equivalently-priced LSX II LT. That smaller speaker uses a 4.5-inch Uni-Q driver and therefore trades some bass extension and output for (limited) network connectivity. To get full streaming smarts, including Roon Ready certification, you’d need to move up to the much costlier LSX II or LS50 Wireless II. The Coda W’s inclusion of an MM phono preamp and aptX Lossless Bluetooth streaming land squarely in the pro column, as neither feature is matched by KEF’s more expensive models. But those speakers have Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, accommodating features like Spotify Connect, Google Cast, and most major streaming services. The lack of network streaming on the Coda W can easily be corrected, however, with the addition of an inexpensive streaming device, such as the WiiM Mini ($90) or FiiO SR11 ($110). Personally, I actually prefer using a separate device when it comes to anything that runs on software and requires backend updates. Over time these devices can become buggy or slow, and so using a separate streaming device might actually extend the useful life of the speakers themselves. Simply connect the digital output of the streaming device to the Coda W’s optical or USB input, and replace/upgrade your digital source over time as you see fit. This route also relieves the speaker manufacturer from the responsibility of creating and maintaining an up-to-date, glitch-free streaming interface. The wireless Sonus faber Duetto speakers sounded great, but the software side of things left much to be desired. The same can be said of KEF’s first-generation LS50 Wireless speakers (though to be fair, KEF’s current active streaming speakers are much improved in this area.) Is the Coda W’s lack of streaming smarts a deal-breaker for you, or you happy to BYO streamer? Share your thoughts in the related forum thread below.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.