Short answer: the KEF LSX II LT. It ranks #27 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $469.99; the Adam Audio A4V ranks #48 and costs $599.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KEF LSX II LT offers: Coaxial (Uni-Q-style) driver keeps the tweeter centered in the midrange, giving wide and consistent dispersion both horizontally and vertically (about ±60° each) - a wide sweet spot for multiple seats or positions. The KEF Connect app provides genuinely useful DSP control: desk/wall boundary compensation, adjustable bass contour (standard/less/extra), treble trim, and subwoofer integration, letting you tune the sound to wherever it’s placed. Distortion at a moderate 86dB looks good for the speaker’s compact size. Tonal profile stays consistent from 0° to 30° off-axis, so side-seat listeners hear essentially the same balance as someone centered. Extensive connectivity for its size: HDMI, USB, optical, sub output, plus Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. Clearly outperformed the reviewer’s soundbars, including ones bundled with their own subwoofers, as a TV audio replacement. Watch for: Small drivers mean it’s SPL-limited: bass compression kicks in around 88-92dB/1m per speaker, and multitone distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 96dB - not intended for loud or large-room duty. F3 of 55Hz and F10 of 46Hz mean it loses much of its bass by around 50Hz; a subwoofer (controllable through the same app) is needed for real low end. Diffraction dips appear around 4-5kHz and again near 8kHz, likely tied to the tweeter housing or surround, giving a mild reduction in treble attack and sibilance. A possible port or enclosure resonance shows up around 800Hz in the rear-radiation measurements, though the reviewer wasn’t certain of the exact cause or whether it’s audible. No analog input on this LT variant, so a turntable can’t be connected directly - only the pricier standard LSX II model includes one.
What the Adam Audio A4V offers: Compact current-generation monitor with an X-ART tweeter, onboard DSP, room controls and Sonarworks integration. ASR data shows good on-axis smoothness (0.132), a nearly neutral +0.23dB/octave slope and a 5.43 preference score with a subwoofer. Watch for: Measured bass extension is only 52Hz and the raw preference score falls to 3.02 without a subwoofer. Directivity-index consistency is middling at 3.77, and its analog-only XLR/RCA audio inputs omit USB and S/PDIF.
Buy the KEF LSX II LT. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Adam Audio A4V and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Adam Audio A4V. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LSX II LT | Adam Audio A4V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $469.99 | $599.99 each |
| Ranked | #27 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9.5"H x 6.1"W x 7.1"D (241.3 x 154.9 x 180.3 mm) | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer | - |
| Drivers | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer |
| Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg | 12.8 lbs each |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 100w RMS Per Speaker | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, dual front ports |
| Power Output | - | 130W RMS each |
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- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Dayton Audio M4
- Edifier S1000W vs KEF LSX II LT
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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 LSX II LT: $469.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Coaxial (Uni-Q-style) driver keeps the tweeter centered in the midrange, giving wide and consistent dispersion both horizontally and vertically (about ±60° each) - a wide sweet spot for multiple seats or positions. The KEF Connect app provides genuinely useful DSP control: desk/wall boundary compensation, adjustable bass contour (standard/less/extra), treble trim, and subwoofer integration, letting you tune the sound to wherever it’s placed. Distortion at a moderate 86dB looks good for the speaker’s compact size. Tonal profile stays consistent from 0° to 30° off-axis, so side-seat listeners hear essentially the same balance as someone centered. Extensive connectivity for its size: HDMI, USB, optical, sub output, plus Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. Clearly outperformed the reviewer’s soundbars, including ones bundled with their own subwoofers, as a TV audio replacement.
Cons: Small drivers mean it’s SPL-limited: bass compression kicks in around 88-92dB/1m per speaker, and multitone distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 96dB - not intended for loud or large-room duty. F3 of 55Hz and F10 of 46Hz mean it loses much of its bass by around 50Hz; a subwoofer (controllable through the same app) is needed for real low end. Diffraction dips appear around 4-5kHz and again near 8kHz, likely tied to the tweeter housing or surround, giving a mild reduction in treble attack and sibilance. A possible port or enclosure resonance shows up around 800Hz in the rear-radiation measurements, though the reviewer wasn’t certain of the exact cause or whether it’s audible. No analog input on this LT variant, so a turntable can’t be connected directly - only the pricier standard LSX II model includes one.
Full KEF LSX II LT review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5"H x 6.1"W x 7.1"D (241.3 x 154.9 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Output Power | 100w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF LSX II LT vs Dayton Audio M4
- KEF LSX II LT vs Reflector Audio Square Two
- KEF LSX II LT vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- KEF LSX II LT vs Mackie MR524
- KEF LSX II LT vs KRK Classic 5
- KEF LSX II LT vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- KEF LSX II LT vs Edifier MR4
- KEF LSX II LT vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- See all 64 comparisons
Adam Audio A4V: $599.99 each B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Compact current-generation monitor with an X-ART tweeter, onboard DSP, room controls and Sonarworks integration. ASR data shows good on-axis smoothness (0.132), a nearly neutral +0.23dB/octave slope and a 5.43 preference score with a subwoofer.
Cons: Measured bass extension is only 52Hz and the raw preference score falls to 3.02 without a subwoofer. Directivity-index consistency is middling at 3.77, and its analog-only XLR/RCA audio inputs omit USB and S/PDIF.
Full Adam Audio A4V review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Power Output | 130W RMS each |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Adam Audio A4V vs Edifier R1280DB
- Adam Audio A4V vs KRK Classic 5
- Adam Audio A4V vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Adam Audio A4V vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
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- Adam Audio A4V vs Yamaha HS5
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