Short answer: the KEF LS50 Meta. It ranks #4 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $1,199; the Q Acoustics 5020 ranks #157, rated 2.2/5, at $1,199. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
The KEF LS50 Meta is the more accurate, deeper-bass 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 3.63 for the Q Acoustics 5020. Its bass reaches about 68Hz before falling 3dB, against 103Hz for the Q Acoustics 5020. 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 case for the Q Acoustics 5020: An attractively finished standmount with low distortion at normal levels and a rear port that can be plugged for placement flexibility. The tradeoff: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range.
Buy the KEF LS50 Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Q Acoustics 5020 at the same price, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the KEF LS50 Meta scores 7.9 against 6.5 for the Q Acoustics 5020 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the Q Acoustics 5020 is rated at 87.1 dB sensitivity against 83 dB for the KEF LS50 Meta, so it plays as loud with roughly half the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (43 Hz vs 48 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Meta | Q Acoustics 5020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 per pair | $1,199.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #157 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 11”D (302 x 200 x 280.5 mm) | 11.2”H x 7.1”W x 11.5”D |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption tweeter | 5” (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) each | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | rear-ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 | 3.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.88 | 6.55 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | - | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- KEF LS50 Meta: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner, Audio Science Review and GR-Research.
- Q Acoustics 5020: 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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