Short answer: the KEF LSX II LT for better sound quality, the Midiplus MI5 II for the lower price. The KEF LSX II LT ranks #27 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $469.99. The Midiplus MI5 II ranks #57 at $169, $300.99 cheaper.
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 Midiplus MI5 II offers: A compact 5-inch powered pair with balanced inputs, Bluetooth and 100W RMS total output. The local Spinorama snapshot measures 49Hz extension and reaches 4.09 with a subwoofer. Watch for: The 1.81 raw preference score reflects notable tonal unevenness, and one powered cabinet drives the other through a proprietary cable. Brand support and US retail availability are thinner than mainstream monitor alternatives.
Buy the KEF LSX II LT if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Midiplus MI5 II if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Midiplus MI5 II. 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 | Midiplus MI5 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $469.99 | $169/pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #57 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) | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer | - |
| Drivers | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg | - |
| 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 | - | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Power Output | - | 100W RMS per pair |
| Maximum SPL | - | 103dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Dayton Audio M4
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Audioengine HD4
- Kali LP-UNF vs Dayton Audio M4
- KEF LSX II LT vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- KEF LSX II LT vs Palmer STUDIMON 5
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Midiplus MI5 II: $169/pair eBay
Pros: A compact 5-inch powered pair with balanced inputs, Bluetooth and 100W RMS total output. The local Spinorama snapshot measures 49Hz extension and reaches 4.09 with a subwoofer.
Cons: The 1.81 raw preference score reflects notable tonal unevenness, and one powered cabinet drives the other through a proprietary cable. Brand support and US retail availability are thinner than mainstream monitor alternatives.
Full Midiplus MI5 II review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB |
| Power Output | 100W RMS per pair |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier R1280DB
- Midiplus MI5 II vs KRK Classic 5
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Yamaha HS5
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Adam Audio T5V
- Midiplus MI5 II vs JBL 305P MKII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 comparisons