Short answer: the Adam Audio T5V. It ranks #12 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $148.79; the KEF LS50 Wireless II ranks #16 and costs $2749.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Adam Audio T5V side: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end. The tradeoff: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts the response rather than flattening it.
What the KEF LS50 Wireless II gets right: Uni-Q coincident driver array (130mm aluminum woofer with a 25mm MAT dome tweeter mounted at its acoustic center) gives excellent, consistent off-axis dispersion, measuring the tightest directivity spread of this batch alongside a smooth listening-window response. Watch for: Primary/Secondary architecture means one speaker handles every input while the other depends on a wireless or wired Ethernet link back to it - placement is less flexible than a fully symmetric pair.
Buy the Adam Audio T5V. It ranks higher for sound quality than the KEF LS50 Wireless II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | KEF LS50 Wireless II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $148.79 | $2,749.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 12" x 7.9" x 12.2" (305 x 200 x 311 mm) (12.0 x 7.9 x 12.2 in) each |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet, RCA subwoofer out |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each | 44.3 lbs / 20.1 kg (44.3 lb) for the pair |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter |
| App | No | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 4.2 |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| Max SPL | - | 108dB at 1m |
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- Genelec 8330A vs JBL 305P MKII
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The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio T5V: $148.79 Amazon
Pros: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end.
Cons: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts the response rather than flattening it. Distortion, while better controlled than most speakers in this price range, isn’t reference quality.
Full Adam Audio T5V review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali LP-6 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Adam Audio T7V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Adam Audio T5V Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF LS50 Wireless II: $2,749.99 Amazon KEF Crutchfield
Pros: Uni-Q coincident driver array (130mm aluminum woofer with a 25mm MAT dome tweeter mounted at its acoustic center) gives excellent, consistent off-axis dispersion, measuring the tightest directivity spread of this batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 3.96) alongside a smooth listening-window response (smoothness_listening_window 0.375, aad_on_axis 0.343). Bass extends to a genuinely deep 51.3Hz at -3dB / 41.5Hz at -10dB for a compact standmount, backed by a bi-amped 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) design. One of the most complete input sets in its class: HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial, RCA, Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready, and Spotify/Tidal Connect, so it can replace a full receiver-based setup for TV, turntable, and streaming use.
Cons: Primary/Secondary architecture means one speaker handles every input while the other depends on a wireless or wired Ethernet link back to it - placement is less flexible than a fully symmetric pair. No mic-based automatic room correction, only fixed placement EQ presets in the KEF Connect app. Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.676) sits toward the higher end of typical ported values. At $2,999.99/pair it’s roughly double the price of KEF’s own smaller LSX II.
Full KEF LS50 Wireless II review and specifications →
| App | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7.9" x 12.2" (305 x 200 x 311 mm) (12.0 x 7.9 x 12.2 in) each |
| Drivers | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet, RCA subwoofer out |
| Max SPL | 108dB at 1m |
| Output Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs / 20.1 kg (44.3 lb) for the pair |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Edifier Airpulse A100
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- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Yamaha HS5
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs JBL 305P MKII
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
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