Short answer: the JBL 705P for flat on-axis response, the KEF LS50 Wireless II for tight directivity. The 705P’s CEA2034 spinorama is flat with excellent directivity, but a likely port-related cancellation around 750Hz and boost at the 1.75kHz crossover show in the on-axis curve. The LS50 Wireless II’s Uni-Q array pairs a 130mm aluminum woofer with a 25mm MAT dome tweeter, though placement is less flexible than a symmetric pair.
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.
Buy the KEF LS50 Wireless II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,001.99 with the JBL 705P does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Wireless II | JBL 705P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999.99 per pair | $1998 per pair |
| Ranked | #14 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #32 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| 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 | No |
| EQ | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction | No |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| Amplifier 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) 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) |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.43 | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 | 6.71 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| DSP | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How KEF LS50 Wireless II compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Genelec 8030C vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF LS50 Wireless II: $2,999.99 per pair Amazon KEF Crutchfield eBay
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, 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
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JBL 705P: $1998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its waveguided compression driver and dedicated amplification are suited to studio use, and the broad response trend is close to level. It has useful low-frequency reach for a five-inch monitor. Measured bass extension of 47.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span. A crossover-region rise also prevents reference-flat reproduction. An average flat trend does not erase these features, and amplifier wattage is not a measured clean-SPL rating. The data does not support calling it uniformly flat simply because it shares technology with larger JBL models.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons