Short answer: the KEF LSX II LT for better sound quality, the Neumi BS5P-ARC for the lower price. The KEF LSX II LT ranks #27 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $469.99. The Neumi BS5P-ARC ranks #61 at $219.99, $250 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 Neumi BS5P-ARC offers: Adds an HDMI ARC input over Neumi’s standard BS5P, plus USB-C, optical and coaxial digital inputs, useful as a simple TV soundbar alternative. Watch for: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.617dB, on-axis smoothness of just 0.167, and a mild +0.08dB per octave upward tilt, with predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.26. A -3dB point of 112.8Hz and a Harman in-room extension estimate of just 79Hz mean very little real bass extension without a subwoofer.
Buy the KEF LSX II LT if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Neumi BS5P-ARC if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Neumi BS5P-ARC. 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 | Neumi BS5P-ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $469.99 | $219.99 |
| Ranked | #27 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #61 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 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Inputs | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Outputs | RCA Subwoofer | - |
| Drivers | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter | 1" silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5" poly-cone 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 | - | 2-way active |
| Power Output | - | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Country | - | China |
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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
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- KEF LSX II LT vs Mackie MR524
- KEF LSX II LT vs KRK Classic 5
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Neumi BS5P-ARC: $219.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Adds an HDMI ARC input over Neumi’s standard BS5P, plus USB-C, optical and coaxial digital inputs, useful as a simple TV soundbar alternative.
Cons: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.617dB, on-axis smoothness of just 0.167, and a mild +0.08dB per octave upward tilt, with predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.26. A -3dB point of 112.8Hz and a Harman in-room extension estimate of just 79Hz mean very little real bass extension without a subwoofer.
Full Neumi BS5P-ARC review and specifications →
| Country | China |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Drivers | 1" silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5" poly-cone woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Power Output | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs Edifier R1280DB
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs KRK Classic 5
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs Kali Audio IN-5
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