Short answer: the KEF LS50 Meta for better sound quality, the Klipsch RP-500M II for the lower price. The KEF LS50 Meta ranks #4 of 179 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $1,199. The Klipsch RP-500M II ranks #27, rated 4.0/5, at $389.99, $809.01 cheaper.
The KEF LS50 Meta is the more accurate pick. An iconic compact KEF speaker with highly accurate sound, pinpoint imaging and a coaxial driver that keeps tone even across the room. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.74 against 5.22 for the Klipsch RP-500M II. 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.
Why pick the Klipsch RP-500M II: Clear, detailed bookshelf speakers with a horn tweeter, precise imaging and a much cleaner midrange than the first version. The tradeoff: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies.
Buy the KEF LS50 Meta when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Klipsch RP-500M II when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the KEF LS50 Meta reaches 43 Hz (10 dB down) against 53 Hz for the Klipsch RP-500M II, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Efficiency: the Klipsch RP-500M II is rated at 85 dB sensitivity against 83 dB for the KEF LS50 Meta, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: preference score with a subwoofer (7.9 vs 7.8).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Meta | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 per pair | $389.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 11”D (302 x 200 x 280.5 mm) | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption tweeter | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.88 | 7.84 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1530Hz |
Where the Ratings Come From
- KEF LS50 Meta: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner, Audio Science Review and GR-Research.
- Klipsch RP-500M II: 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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