These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The KEF LSX II ranks #8 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1,499.99; the KEF LS50 ranks #37 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1,499.99.
The case for the KEF LSX II: Full-featured active stereo bookshelf system featuring an 11th-generation 4.5-inch Uni-Q driver with 200W of system bi-amplification. Watch for: Compact 4.5-inch drivers run into bass compression and rising distortion beyond 88dB/1m, making the system ideal for desktop and small-room listening rather than large living areas without a companion subwoofer.
The case for the KEF LS50: A compact two-way built around KEF’s 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver, which places a 1” aluminium tweeter in the center of the woofer. The catch: Bass is limited, 82.8Hz (-3dB) and about 44Hz (-10dB), and sensitivity is low at 85dB, so it needs a capable amplifier and benefits from a subwoofer.
One note: the KEF LS50 is discontinued, but it still ranks #37 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used. The KEF LS50’s replacement, the KEF LS50 Meta, is still sold new.
Buy the KEF LSX II at $1,499.99 for a powered bookshelf speaker, or the KEF LS50 at $1,499.99 for a bookshelf speaker instead.
Worth knowing: the KEF LSX II has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.9 to 4.3, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LSX II | KEF LS50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 per pair | $1,499.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #37 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported, rear | - |
| Drivers | 0.75” aluminum dome tweeter, 4.5” magnesium/aluminum alloy cone woofer | 5.25” (130mm) Uni-Q magnesium/aluminium alloy woofer with coaxial 1” (25mm) vented aluminium dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | - |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (manufacturer specified) | 79Hz-28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102 dB | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| HDMI Input | Yes | - |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| Ethernet | Yes | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Stereo | pair | - |
| Dimensions | 9.4”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D (240 x 155 x 180 mm) | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 10.9”D (302 x 200 x 278 mm) |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) each |
| Cabinet Color | Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, Soundwave by Terence Conran | - |
| Country | United Kingdom | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 82.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 44.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.62 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How KEF LSX II compares with other leading options:
- KEF LS50 Meta vs KEF LSX II
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs KEF LSX II
- KEF LS50 vs KEF Q150
- Klipsch The Fives vs KEF LSX II
- Wharfedale EVO 5.1 vs PSB Imagine B50
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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: $1,499.99 per pair Amazon $1,499.99 KEF $1,499.99 eBay
Same family: the KEF LSX II LT (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the KEF LS50 Wireless II (larger bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the KEF LS60 (floorstanding, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: Full-featured active stereo bookshelf system featuring an 11th-generation 4.5-inch Uni-Q driver with 200W of system bi-amplification. Unlike the LT variant, it includes 3.5mm analog auxiliary input, Roon Ready certification, wireless inter-speaker pairing without requiring a tether cable, and expanded streaming options over dual-band Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect) plus HDMI ARC and USB-C.
Cons: Compact 4.5-inch drivers run into bass compression and rising distortion beyond 88dB/1m, making the system ideal for desktop and small-room listening rather than large living areas without a companion subwoofer.
Full KEF LSX II review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Color | Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, Soundwave by Terence Conran |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 9.4”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D (240 x 155 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” aluminum dome tweeter, 4.5” magnesium/aluminum alloy cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 102 dB |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Stereo | pair |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF LS50: $1,499.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the KEF LS50 Meta, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5, released Sep 2020. See every KEF LS50 generation.
Pros: A compact two-way built around KEF’s 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver, which places a 1” aluminium tweeter in the center of the woofer. Audio Science Review measured a very flat on-axis response (0.21 average deviation) and smooth sound power, so it sounds natural in a room. Measured bass extension of 82.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is limited, 82.8Hz (-3dB) and about 44Hz (-10dB), and sensitivity is low at 85dB, so it needs a capable amplifier and benefits from a subwoofer. Directivity is less even than its flat on-axis response suggests, for a preference score of 4.39 that reaches 6.62 with an ideal subwoofer. KEF replaced it with the KEF LS50 Meta in 2020. Discontinued.
Full KEF LS50 review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 44.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 10.9”D (302 x 200 x 278 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (130mm) Uni-Q magnesium/aluminium alloy woofer with coaxial 1” (25mm) vented aluminium dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 79Hz-28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.62 |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons