In this review, we will be comparing G Four and LS50 Wireless II, 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 II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Genelec G Four | KEF LS50 Wireless II |
|---|
| Brand | Genelec
Finland · founded 1978 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 180-watt RMS | 380-watt RMS (760-watt peak) |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cone | 5.25" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-20k Hz | 45-28k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | Yes / 384 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | Built-in |
|---|
| App control | — | Yes |
|---|
| Weight | 8.60kg / 18.9lbs | 20.10kg / 44.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.4" x 9.3" x 8.8"
365 x 237 x 223 mm | 10.9375" x 7.875" x 12.6875"
277.8 x 200.0 x 322.3mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both G Four and LS50 Wireless II are 2-way speakers.
Genelec G FourKEF LS50 Wireless II
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 II |
|
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 II features a 1" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woofer.
Frequency Response
G Four has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz whereas LS50 Wireless II has a frequency range of 45-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the LS50 Wireless II can go slightly deeper then the G Four's min frequency of 48Hz.
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 II 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 II'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 II has external dimensions of 277.8 x 200.0 x 322.3mm (10.9375 x 7.875 x 12.6875inch).
KEF LS50 Wireless II is 37mm narrower and 87.2mm shorter than Genelec G Four but it is also 99.3mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Genelec G Four and KEF LS50 Wireless II in scale.
Comparison image of Genelec G Four and KEF LS50 Wireless II Size and External Dimensions
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 II is approximately 644.6cm2 / 99.9inch2. The G Four requires 18% less surface area than the LS50 Wireless II which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Genelec G Four and KEF LS50 Wireless II on a Media Console
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 II weighs 20.10kg / 44.2lbs. This makes the LS50 Wireless II 134% heavier than the G Four.
Here is a comparison of how G Four and LS50 Wireless II'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 II?
Here are the items that come with the LS50 Wireless II:
- 2 Wireless powered speakers
- Two 6.5' AC power cords
- 10' Cat-6 interconnect speaker cable
- Remote control
- 2 \"AAA\" batteries
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
528cm2
vs
644cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2300USD
vs
2999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 XLR Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via XLR input |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 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 |
277mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
Service only
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 Digital Input |
1
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
 HDMI Input |
eARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
| General |
Genelec G Four |
KEF LS50 Wireless II |
| Brand |
Genelec |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
48-20k Hz |
45-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
180-watt RMS |
380-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
760-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
Yes |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
384 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
|
| 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") |
277.8mm (10.9") |
| Width |
237.0mm (9.3") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
223.0mm (8.8") |
322.3mm (12.7") |
| Weight |
8.60kg (18.9lbs) |
20.10kg (44.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Aluminum |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
White,Black,Raw(Aluminum) |
n/a |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA,XLR |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
No |
Service only |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
n/a |
mono-RCA |
| Digital Input |
No |
1 |
| HDMI Input |
No |
eARC |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Year w/ registration |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Year w/ registration |
A generation apart: KEF LS50 Wireless II is the newer design, against a 2013 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KEF LS50 Wireless II digs deeper - 45Hz against 48Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | B | KEF LS50 Wireless II has the bigger amplifier (380W vs 180W RMS). |
| Connections | B | KEF LS50 Wireless II adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, streaming, HDMI and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | KEF LS50 Wireless II: a sub output. KEF LS50 Wireless II sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Genelec G Four is cheaper - $2,300 against $2,999, about 23% less. |
A Genelec G Four B KEF LS50 Wireless II
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 II leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Genelec G Four is the one to take if it does not.
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.