Short answer: the Neumann KH80 DSP for the higher ranking, the KEF LSX II LT for the lower price. The Neumann KH80 DSP ranks #4 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers at $598.98. The KEF LSX II LT ranks #17 at $449.99, $148.99 cheaper.
What the KEF LSX II LT gets right: Coaxial (Uni-Q-style) driver keeps the tweeter centered in the midrange. The tradeoff: Small drivers mean it’s SPL-limited: bass compression kicks in around 88-92dB/1m per speaker.
On the Neumann KH80 DSP side: Near identical sound to the 8020D. Set against that: High price.
Buy the KEF LSX II LT if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Neumann KH80 DSP if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LSX II LT | Neumann KH80 DSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 | $598.98 |
| Ranked | #17 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 24 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) | 13.6"H x 10.8"W x 9.6"D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm) |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth | XLR |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer | - |
| Drivers | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter | 4.1" woofer, 1" fabric dome tweeter |
| Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg each |
| App | No | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (via DSP) |
| Output Power | 100w RMS Per Speaker | 140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Frequency Response | - | 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 51Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Max SPL | - | 110.7dB @ 1m |
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF LSX II LT: $449.99 Amazon
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.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Neumann KH80 DSP: $598.98 Amazon
Pros: Near identical sound to the 8020D. 8020D is slightly cleaner, KH80 is slightly warmer.
Cons: High price. Companion app for EQ/setup is iPad-only - no Android or Bluetooth option despite being control-only. There’s a dip in energy around the crossover that gets worse with ceiling/rear-wall reflections, and in one reviewer’s listening test the smoother-measuring KH80 actually sounded smaller and less present than the cheaper JBL 305P MKII, which had more perceived bass and clarity despite measuring worse.
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 51Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 10.8"W x 9.6"D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.1" woofer, 1" fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) |
| Frequency Response | 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 110.7dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Focal Shape 40 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frquency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KEF LSX vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio A3X vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Kali LP-UNF
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Adam Audio T5V
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Presonus Eris E5
- See all 14 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.