Short answer: the Audio First Fidelia. It ranks #1 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.8/5); the KEF LS50 Meta ranks #4 (rated 4.5/5).
Why pick the KEF LS50 Meta: An iconic compact KEF speaker with highly accurate sound, pinpoint imaging and a coaxial driver that keeps tone even across the room. The catch: F3 of 67Hz and F10 of 42Hz mean it doesn’t get much below 50Hz in-room; a subwoofer is recommended for real bass.
The Audio First Fidelia is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. An excellent medium bookshelf speaker, a compact kit with remarkably accurate sound and good bass for its size at a great value. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.45 against 5.74 for the KEF LS50 Meta. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the KEF LS50 Meta. The catch: Kit assembly required; lower sensitivity (~83-85 dB vs. typical 85 dB average) demands adequate amplifier power.
Buy the Audio First Fidelia. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KEF LS50 Meta.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Audio First Fidelia scores 8.5 against 7.9 for the KEF LS50 Meta on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (43 Hz vs 38 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Meta | Audio First Fidelia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 per pair | £950 per pair for the flatpack kit (assembly required) |
| Ranked | #4 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #1 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 11”D (302 x 200 x 280.5 mm) | 11.8”H x 7.1”W x 11.7”D (300 x 180 x 297.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 84dB |
| Drivers | 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption tweeter | 5” ceramic-aluminum cone woofer, 1” ceramic-aluminum tweeter |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) each | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 | 6.45 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.88 | 8.46 |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1560Hz |
Where the Ratings Come From
- KEF LS50 Meta: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner, Audio Science Review and GR-Research.
- Audio First Fidelia: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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