Short answer: the KEF LS50 Wireless II for better sound quality, the Audioengine A5+ Classic for the lower price. The KEF LS50 Wireless II ranks #18 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $2,999. The Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #36, rated 4.0/5, at $399, $2,600 cheaper.
The case for the Audioengine A5+ Classic: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. Watch for: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
The KEF LS50 Wireless II is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 5.43 standalone and 7.51 with an ideal subwoofer, with a -3dB point around 51Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.43 against 4.59 for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. Its bass reaches about 51.3Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Audioengine A5+ Classic lacks. The tradeoff: The 3.0dB response span is good but not reference-leading, and dispersion still varies with frequency.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the KEF LS50 Wireless II if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | KEF LS50 Wireless II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $2,999.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | 12” x 7.9” x 12.2” (305 x 200 x 311 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter |
| App | No | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
| EQ | No | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 5.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | RCA subwoofer |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Audioengine A2+ (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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KEF LS50 Wireless II: $2,999.00 per pair Amazon KEF Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the KEF LSX II LT (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4/5), the KEF LSX II (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.1/5) and the KEF LS60 (floorstanding, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 5.43 standalone and 7.51 with an ideal subwoofer, with a -3dB point around 51Hz. The coincident Uni-Q layout helps preserve tonal consistency across horizontal and vertical listening positions. Low listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.308 supports relatively clean midrange reproduction. HDMI eARC and streaming functions make it a capable all-in-one stereo system. Measured bass extension of 51.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.0dB response span is good but not reference-leading, and dispersion still varies with frequency. Compact bass drivers limit deep-bass output. App placement adjustments are not the same as microphone-based automatic room correction. The price and primary/secondary architecture are practical trade-offs; neither driver geometry nor a single directivity statistic guarantees the best sound in every room.
Full KEF LS50 Wireless II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| App | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.9” x 12.2” (305 x 200 x 311 mm) 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 |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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