Short answer: the KEF LS50 Wireless II for better sound quality, the KRK Rokit 5 G4 for the lower price. The KEF LS50 Wireless II ranks #16 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $2749.99. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 ranks #18 at $337, $2412.99 cheaper.
What the KEF LS50 Wireless II offers: 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. The catch: 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 KRK Rokit 5 G4: Deeper bass than the HS5. Good horizontal directivity - the small woofer mates well with the waveguided tweeter. Set against that: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding.
Buy the KEF LS50 Wireless II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the KRK Rokit 5 G4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Wireless II | KRK Rokit 5 G4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,749.99 | $337 |
| Ranked | #16 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet, RCA subwoofer out | TRS/XLR |
| Drivers | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| 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 | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs / 20.1 kg (44.3 lb) for the pair | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg each |
| Output Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped | 55w Per Speaker |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7.9" x 12.2" (305 x 200 x 311 mm) (12.0 x 7.9 x 12.2 in) each | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 108dB at 1m | - |
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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
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- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Edifier Airpulse A100
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KRK Rokit 5 G4: $337 Amazon
Pros: Deeper bass than the HS5. Good horizontal directivity - the small woofer mates well with the waveguided tweeter. Distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL and scales gradually with volume rather than breaking up suddenly, tweeter hiss is nearly inaudible, and the onboard DSP/app lets you dial in EQ, including for the 680Hz port resonance.
Cons: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding
Full KRK Rokit 5 G4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS/XLR |
| Output Power | 55w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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