In this review, we will be comparing G Four and LS50 Wireless, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Genelec and KEF. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Genelec G Four and KEF LS50 Wireless first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Genelec G Four | KEF LS50 Wireless |
|---|
| Brand | Genelec
Finland · founded 1978 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 180-watt RMS | 230-watt RMS |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cone | 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-20k Hz | 79-28k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | Built-in 4.0 |
|---|
| App control | — | Yes |
|---|
| Weight | 8.60kg / 18.9lbs | 10.00kg / 22lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.4" x 9.3" x 8.8"
365 x 237 x 223 mm | 11.875" x 7.875" x 13.25"
301.6 x 200.0 x 336.5mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both G Four and LS50 Wireless are 2-way speakers.
Genelec G FourKEF LS50 Wireless
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Genelec G Four |
KEF LS50 Wireless |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
G Four features a 0.75" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the LS50 Wireless features a 1" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy Woofer.
Frequency Response
G Four has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz whereas LS50 Wireless has a frequency range of 79-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the G Four can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LS50 Wireless's min frequency of 79Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both G Four and LS50 Wireless have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Genelec G Four's and KEF LS50 Wireless's external dimensions. Genelec G Four has external dimensions of 365 x 237 x 223 mm (13.8 x 9.3 x 8.8) whereas KEF LS50 Wireless has external dimensions of 301.6 x 200.0 x 336.5mm (11.875 x 7.875 x 13.25inch).
KEF LS50 Wireless is 37mm narrower and 63.4mm shorter than Genelec G Four but it is also 113.5mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
KEF LS50 Wireless needs about 27% more floor or shelf area. KEF LS50 Wireless is 114mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Genelec G Four is 63mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Genelec G Four is approximately 528.5cm2 / 81.9inch2 and base area of the KEF LS50 Wireless is approximately 673.0cm2 / 104.3inch2. The G Four requires 21% less surface area than the LS50 Wireless which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Genelec G Four weighs 8.60kg / 18.9lbs and the KEF LS50 Wireless weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the LS50 Wireless 16% heavier than the G Four.
Here is a comparison of how G Four and LS50 Wireless's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Genelec G Four?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of G Four:
- Genelec G Four 2-Way Powered Bookshelf Speaker (Polar White, Single)
- Iso-Pod Stand
- 5.9-feet Power Cable
What's in the Box of KEF LS50 Wireless?
Here are the items that come with the LS50 Wireless:
- Wireless powered speaker (Right)
- Wireless powered speaker (Left)
- Two 6.5-feet AC power cords
- 10-feet Cat-6 interconnect speaker cable
- 6.5-feet USB-B to USB-A cable
- 42
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
79 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
528cm2
vs
673cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 XLR Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via XLR input |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
301mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
2200USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
USB-B
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
|
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Digital Input |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
| General |
Genelec G Four |
KEF LS50 Wireless |
| Brand |
Genelec |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
48-20k Hz |
79-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
180-watt RMS |
230-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
192 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Magnesium/aluminum alloy |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
365.0mm (14.4") |
301.6mm (11.9") |
| Width |
237.0mm (9.3") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
223.0mm (8.8") |
336.5mm (13.2") |
| Weight |
8.60kg (18.9lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Aluminum |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
White,Black,Raw(Aluminum) |
n/a |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA,XLR |
RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
USB-B |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
n/a |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your sources and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Genelec G Four digs deeper - 48Hz against 79Hz. |
| Built-in power | B | KEF LS50 Wireless has the bigger amplifier (230W vs 180W RMS). |
| Connections | B | KEF LS50 Wireless adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, streaming and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | KEF LS50 Wireless: a sub output. KEF LS50 Wireless sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($2,300 vs $2,200 a pair). |
A Genelec G Four B KEF LS50 Wireless
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KEF LS50 Wireless has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 79Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.