Short answer: the KEF LS50 Wireless II for better sound quality, the JBL 705P for the lower price. The KEF LS50 Wireless II ranks #16 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $2749.99. The JBL 705P ranks #22 at $1998, $751.99 cheaper.
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. Set against that: 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.
The case for the JBL 705P: CEA2034 spinorama shows flat response with excellent directivity, similar to its larger 708P sibling. Watch for: A cancellation around 750Hz (likely port-related) and a bit of boosted response at the 1.75kHz crossover show up in the on-axis curve.
Buy the KEF LS50 Wireless II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL 705P if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Wireless II | JBL 705P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,749.99 | $1998 |
| Ranked | #16 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet, RCA subwoofer out | - |
| Drivers | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter | 5" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| App | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 | - |
| EQ | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction | No |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs / 20.1 kg (44.3 lb) for the pair | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each |
| Output Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7.9" x 12.2" (305 x 200 x 311 mm) (12.0 x 7.9 x 12.2 in) each | 10.6"H x 5.9"W x 10.8"D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 108dB at 1m | - |
| DSP | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Kali Audio IN-5
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- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Yamaha HS5
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Adam Audio T5V
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
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JBL 705P: $1998 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows flat response with excellent directivity, similar to its larger 708P sibling. Bi-amplified 500W design (250W woofer, 250W compression driver) into a 5” woofer and JBL’s 2409H compression tweeter.
Cons: A cancellation around 750Hz (likely port-related) and a bit of boosted response at the 1.75kHz crossover show up in the on-axis curve. Sits right around the ear’s most sensitive hearing range near 100Hz, so that region is partially audible even at modest levels.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6"H x 5.9"W x 10.8"D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons