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remove the Ethernet and line-in from the non-designer LS50W? If so, I'm not in agreement that the ante was upped.
The LS50W Nocturne Special Edition features 2.4GHz/5GHz Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 aptX, and optical (Toslink) connectivity; includes a 192/24 DAC for each driver (four total); and offers Spotify, Tidal, and Roon integration. A dedicated LS50W App, subwoofer output, eight-device Bluetooth memory, and 10m Bluetooth range add to the speaker's versatility. Auditioned via a Mac source running Roon, with the speakers placed on LS50 stands ($399.99/pair) and powered by Straight Wire Pro Thunder power cables ($1100/2m), the sound was notably lovely and warm.
Also in the room was KEF's white Q950 speaker ($1800/pair). Equipped with a new Uni-Q driver, new low frequency crossovers, and newly constructed ports and auxiliary bass radiators, the speaker is part of KEF's new eighth-iteration Q Series. Although I didn't audition the Q950 during my visit, the speaker was connected via Straight Wire Expressivo II bi-wireable speaker cable ($840/8ft pair).
remove the Ethernet and line-in from the non-designer LS50W? If so, I'm not in agreement that the ante was upped.