Short answer: the KEF LSX II LT. It ranks #36 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $699.99; the Airpulse A80 ranks #48, rated 3.9/5, at $699.99. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
Why pick the KEF LSX II LT: The coincident driver provides useful consistency across listening positions, and the app offers placement and subwoofer adjustments. The catch: The 3.4dB midrange response span and treble-region dips keep it below more neutral monitors.
Why pick the Airpulse A80: A compact AirPulse speaker with the brand’s horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter and a 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer, separately amplified with 40W per woofer and 10W per tweeter. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the larger Airpulse A100.
Buy the KEF LSX II LT. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Airpulse A80 at the same price, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Worth knowing: the Airpulse A80 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.5 to 4.2, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LSX II LT | Airpulse A80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $699.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Dimensions | 9.5”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D (241.3 x 154.9 x 180.3 mm) | 9.8”H x 5.5”W x 8.7”D (250 x 140 x 220 mm) |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth | - |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer | - |
| Drivers | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter | Horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter, 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | - |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100w RMS Per Speaker | 100W total (2x 40W woofer + 2x 10W tweeter) |
| 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) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.81 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| HDMI Input | Yes | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How KEF LSX II LT compares with other leading options:
- KEF LSX II LT vs Genelec 8331A
- KEF LSX II LT vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs KEF LSX II LT
- KEF LSX II LT vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- KEF LSX II LT vs Reflector Audio Square Two
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 LSX II LT: $699.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the KEF LSX II (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.1/5), the KEF LS50 Wireless II (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5) and the KEF LS60 (floorstanding, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: The coincident driver provides useful consistency across listening positions, and the app offers placement and subwoofer adjustments. Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 4.81 standalone and 7.03 with an ideal subwoofer, with -3dB bass around 56Hz. HDMI and USB connectivity make it convenient for a small TV or desktop system. Horizontal and vertical dispersion both reach about ±60°, giving a broad sweet spot for more than one seat. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84dB.
Cons: The 3.4dB midrange response span and treble-region dips keep it below more neutral monitors. The existing review finds bass compression around 88-92dB/1m and rising distortion at higher levels, so the small drivers suit close listening rather than a large room. This LT version has no analog input; a turntable cannot plug straight into it.
Full KEF LSX II LT review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | 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 |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Transform Your Sound System with the KEF LSX II LT Speaker More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: KEF LSX II LT
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Bookshelf Speakers For TV & Gaming - 2025
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Airpulse A80: $699.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A60 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the Airpulse A100 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4/5).
Pros: A compact AirPulse speaker with the brand’s horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter and a 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer, separately amplified with 40W per woofer and 10W per tweeter. The specified range runs from 52Hz to 40kHz. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, optical, USB, PC and AUX inputs, a subwoofer output and a remote make it an all-in-one desk or bookshelf system.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the larger Airpulse A100. Bass stops around 52Hz, so it benefits from a subwoofer, and the horn tweeter can narrow vertical dispersion, so keep it near ear height.
Full Airpulse A80 review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (2x 40W woofer + 2x 10W tweeter) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 5.5”W x 8.7”D (250 x 140 x 220 mm) |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter, 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons