Short answer: the KEF LS50 Wireless II on measured sound quality, the Kanto YU on price. The KEF LS50 Wireless II ranks #14 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $2999. The Kanto YU ranks #39 at $349.99, $2649.01 cheaper.
What the KEF LS50 Wireless II offers: Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 4.52 standalone and 6.59 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Kanto YU offers: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use. ASR’s measurements show a 2.9dB midrange span and a 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, supporting moderate desktop use with bass assistance. Watch for: Standalone preference is 2.59 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight. The response trends upward toward the treble and retains local irregularities across the listening window. A subwoofer adds bandwidth but does not make the speaker neutral. Connectivity is basic compared with models offering USB, optical or HDMI.
Buy the KEF LS50 Wireless II when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Kanto YU when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Wireless II | Kanto YU | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999.00 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #14 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #39 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Drivers | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer |
| App | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 | - |
| EQ | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction | - |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
| Amplifier Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7.9" x 12.2" (305 x 200 x 311 mm) each | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB | - |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.52 | 2.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 | 5.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer | Subwoofer |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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: $2,999.00 per pair Amazon KEF Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 4.52 standalone and 6.59 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
|---|---|
| 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) 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair |
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Kanto YU: $349.99 per pair Kanto Audio eBay
Pros: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use. ASR’s measurements show a 2.9dB midrange span and a 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, supporting moderate desktop use with bass assistance.
Cons: Standalone preference is 2.59 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight. The response trends upward toward the treble and retains local irregularities across the listening window. A subwoofer adds bandwidth but does not make the speaker neutral. Connectivity is basic compared with models offering USB, optical or HDMI.
Full Kanto YU review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Country | Canada (design) |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons