Short answer: the KEF LS60. It ranks #1 of 8 powered floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $5,999.99; the B&O Beolab20 ranks #8, rated 3.5/5, and costs $15,000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KEF LS60 does well: Erin’s on-axis measurement combines a 1.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz with a 7.91 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting even vocal and instrumental balance. The catch: A diffraction dip around 9kHz can soften cymbal shimmer when aimed directly at the listener; 10-20 degrees of toe-out helps.
What the B&O Beolab20 does well: ASR measured bass reaching about 20Hz in a relatively compact enclosure, giving substantial low-end weight without a separate subwoofer. Watch for: A 4.88 ideal-subwoofer preference score shows that deep bass does not compensate for the tonal flaws.
One note: the B&O Beolab20 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the KEF LS60. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beolab20 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS60 | B&O Beolab20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,999.99 per pair | $15000 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 8 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers | #8 of 8 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <20Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | <20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 23Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 42.9”H x 8.3”W x 15.5”D (1089.7 x 210.8 x 393.7 mm) | 15.5”W x 32.3”H x 12”D (393.7 x 820.4 x 304.8 mm) |
| Inputs | Wifi, Optical, Digital coaxial, RCA, HDMI eARC, Ethernet | PowerLink (RJ45), RCA, TOSLINK optical, WiSA wireless |
| Drivers | 4 x 135 mm (5.25 in.) Uni-Core Force Cancelling Driver: woofers, 100 mm (4in.) aluminium cone midrange, 19 mm (0.75 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology tweeter | 10” driver woofer, 5” driver midrange, 0.75” Acoustic Lens tweeter |
| Weight | 69 lbs (31.3 kg) each | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) each |
| App | Yes (KEF Connect) | Yes (B&O app) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.0 with SBC, AAC) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| DSP | Yes (Music Integrity Engine) | Yes (Digital Sound Engine) |
| EQ | Yes (Normal and Expert modes, room adaptation) | Yes (Room adaptation: Free/Wall/Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 31Hz - 24kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 19.5Hz - 23.6kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | Subwoofer RCA | PowerLink, TOSLINK |
| Streaming Services | Yes (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer) | - |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (dual-band) | Yes (WiSA) |
| Amplifier Power | 700W (500W LF Class D + 100W MF Class D + 100W HF Class AB) | 640W (160W tweeter + 160W midrange + 320W dual woofer) |
| Sensitivity | 97.7dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB @ 1m (pink noise) (manufacturer specified) | 108dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.26 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KEF LS60:
- GGNTKT M3 vs KEF LS60
- KEF LS60 vs Buchardt A700
- Buchardt A700 vs B&O Beolab20
- Pitt & Giblin Superwax Mini vs Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1
- Pitt & Giblin Superwax vs GGNTKT M3
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 LS60: $5,999.99 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Erin’s on-axis measurement combines a 1.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz with a 7.91 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting even vocal and instrumental balance. Extended-mode bass reaches roughly 25Hz at -3dB. The coaxial Uni-Q arrangement maintains unusually consistent tonality across listening positions, while HDMI, digital and analog inputs plus network streaming make this a convenient complete music and TV system. Measured bass extension of 23Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 97.7dB.
Cons: A diffraction dip around 9kHz can soften cymbal shimmer when aimed directly at the listener; 10-20 degrees of toe-out helps. DSP limiting reduces bass reach and dynamic output at high volume, so its deep low-level extension is not a promise of the same performance on loud peaks. App placement and tone controls are less flexible than parametric room correction. Each roughly 31kg tower is awkward to move.
Full KEF LS60 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 700W (500W LF Class D + 100W MF Class D + 100W HF Class AB) |
| App | Yes (KEF Connect) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <20Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 23Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.0 with SBC, AAC) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| DSP | Yes (Music Integrity Engine) |
| Dimensions | 42.9”H x 8.3”W x 15.5”D (1089.7 x 210.8 x 393.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 4 x 135 mm (5.25 in.) Uni-Core Force Cancelling Driver: woofers, 100 mm (4in.) aluminium cone midrange, 19 mm (0.75 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Normal and Expert modes, room adaptation) |
| Frequency Response | 31Hz - 24kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | Wifi, Optical, Digital coaxial, RCA, HDMI eARC, Ethernet |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB @ 1m (pink noise) (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer RCA |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 97.7dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.26 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 |
| Streaming Services | Yes (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 69 lbs (31.3 kg) each |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (dual-band) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beolab20: $15000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: ASR measured bass reaching about 20Hz in a relatively compact enclosure, giving substantial low-end weight without a separate subwoofer. Distortion at ordinary listening levels is respectable for the size. Built-in amplification and Free/Wall/Corner adjustment simplify integration into a compatible home system. Measured bass extension of 20Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A 4.88 ideal-subwoofer preference score shows that deep bass does not compensate for the tonal flaws. A roughly 5dB dip near 7kHz and uneven vertical response make treble balance sensitive to ear height. Midrange distortion rises at higher playback levels, with resonance-related problems around 700-800Hz and 5kHz. Difficult to recommend for neutral monitoring at its premium price. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beolab20 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 640W (160W tweeter + 160W midrange + 320W dual woofer) |
| App | Yes (B&O app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (Digital Sound Engine) |
| Dimensions | 15.5”W x 32.3”H x 12”D (393.7 x 820.4 x 304.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” driver woofer, 5” driver midrange, 0.75” Acoustic Lens tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adaptation: Free/Wall/Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 19.5Hz - 23.6kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | PowerLink (RJ45), RCA, TOSLINK optical, WiSA wireless |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | PowerLink, TOSLINK |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) each |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (WiSA) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons