Short answer: The Fives on measured sound quality, the LSX II LT on price. The Fives ranks #35 of 100 medium powered bookshelf speakers against the LSX II LT’s #16, and the LSX II LT costs $225.04 less.
Erin’s Audio Corner measurements favor The Fives, but only in one specific mode. In its Bass Cut setting, The Fives scores a preference rating of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a tight 2.7dB midrange response span, our notes describe as considerably better tonal balance than its bass-heavy default. The LSX II LT scores lower at 4.81 standalone and 7.03 with a subwoofer, held back by a wider 3.4dB midrange response span and treble-region dips. Both measure similar bass extension: -3dB around 57-59Hz for The Fives and around 55-56Hz for the LSX II LT.
The LSX II LT wins on dispersion and app-based tuning. Its coaxial driver keeps the tweeter centered in the midrange, giving wide, consistent dispersion of about plus or minus 60 degrees both horizontally and vertically, so the tonal balance barely shifts off-axis. The companion KEF Connect app adds desk and wall boundary compensation, adjustable bass contour, and treble trim, letting you tune it to its placement. The Fives has no comparable app-based room correction, and its favorable score depends on manually selecting Bass Cut mode rather than the default.
Connectivity favors The Fives for a stereo setup replacing a soundbar. It includes HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, and a phono/line RCA input for a turntable. The LSX II LT variant tested here has no analog input at all, so a turntable can’t connect directly, though it does add HDMI and USB alongside Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Buy The Fives if raw measured sound quality is the priority and you’re willing to run it in Bass Cut mode. It also gives you a phono input for a turntable.
Buy the LSX II LT if you want app-based room tuning, wide consistent dispersion for multiple seats, and a lower price, and don’t need a turntable connection.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LSX II LT | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.99 per pair | $324.95 per pair |
| Ranked | #35 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 100 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) | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer | Subwoofer |
| Drivers | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100w RMS Per Speaker | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.81 | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | Yes | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| DSP | - | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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: $549.99 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 →
| 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
Klipsch The Fives: $324.95 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch The Fives II, ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5.
Same family: the Klipsch The Sevens (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch The Nines (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. That mode offers considerably better tonal balance than the bass-heavy default behavior. HDMI ARC, phono/line input, digital inputs and subwoofer output make it a versatile stereo alternative to a soundbar. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting. Bass reaches -3dB around 59Hz in that configuration. The review reports increasing compression around 200Hz and below 80Hz as volume rises, reducing bass dynamics. Careful placement and a subwoofer remain useful, and the horn/woofer transition is not perfectly uniform off-axis.
Full Klipsch The Fives review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Klipsch The Fives Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Klipsch The Fives
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Bookshelf Speakers For TV & Gaming - 2025 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8020D
- Klipsch The Fives vs Topping MA4
- Klipsch The Fives vs Klipsch The Fives II
- Klipsch The Fives vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Klipsch The Fives vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
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