In this review, we will be comparing G One and LSX 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 One and KEF LSX II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Genelec G One | KEF LSX II |
|---|
| Brand | Genelec
Finland · founded 1978 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 50-watt RMS | 200-watt RMS |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 3" Cone | 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy |
|---|
| Frequency response | 74-20k Hz | 54-28k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 24-bit / 384 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | Built-in 4.2 |
|---|
| App control | — | Yes |
|---|
| Weight | 1.70kg / 3.7lbs | 3.60kg / 7.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.7" x 4.8" x 4.5"
195 x 121 x 115 mm | 9.5" x 6.1" x 7.1"
240 × 155 × 180 mm |
|---|
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 One and LSX II are 2-way speakers.
Genelec G OneKEF LSX 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 One |
KEF LSX II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 3-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
G One features a 0.75" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the LSX II features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy Woofer.
Frequency Response
G One has a frequency range of 74-20k Hz whereas LSX II has a frequency range of 54-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 54Hz, the LSX II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the G One's min frequency of 74Hz.
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 One and LSX 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.
KEF LSX II Port
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 One's and KEF LSX II's external dimensions. Genelec G One has external dimensions of 195 x 121 x 115 mm (7.1 x 4.8 x 4.5) whereas KEF LSX II has external dimensions of 240 × 155 × 180 mm (9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 inch).
KEF LSX II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 34mm wider, 45mm taller and 65mm deeper than Genelec G One.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Genelec G One and KEF LSX II in scale.
Comparison image of Genelec G One and KEF LSX 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 One is approximately 139.2cm2 / 21.6inch2 and base area of the KEF LSX II is approximately 279.0cm2 / 43.2inch2. The G One requires 50% less surface area than the LSX 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 One and KEF LSX 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 One weighs 1.70kg / 3.7lbs and the KEF LSX II weighs 3.60kg / 7.9lbs. This makes the LSX II 112% heavier than the G One.
Here is a comparison of how G One and LSX 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 One?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of G One:
- Genelec G One 2-Way Powered Bookshelf Speaker (Polar White, Single)
- Iso-Pod Stand
- 5.9-feet Power Cable
What's in the Box of KEF LSX II?
Here are the items that come with the LSX II:
- 2 Wireless powered speakers
- Two 6.5-feet AC power cords
- 10-feet Cat-6 interconnect speaker cable
- Remote control
- 2 AAA batteries
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
- Maintenance Guide
 Height |
195mm
vs
240mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
139cm2
vs
279cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
700USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
74 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 |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
USB-C (connects to your computer)
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 Digital Input |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
 HDMI Input |
ARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
| General |
Genelec G One |
KEF LSX II |
| Brand |
Genelec |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
74-20k Hz |
54-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
384 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Magnesium/Aluminium alloy |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| 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 |
195.0mm (7.7") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
| Width |
121.0mm (4.8") |
155.0mm (6.1") |
| Depth |
115.0mm (4.5") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Weight |
1.70kg (3.7lbs) |
3.60kg (7.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Aluminum |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
White,Black |
Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, and Soundwave |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
No |
USB-C (connects to your computer) |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
n/a |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
ARC |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
These sit in different price classes - KEF LSX II costs roughly 1.9x what Genelec G One does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KEF LSX II digs deeper - 54Hz against 74Hz. |
| Built-in power | B | KEF LSX II has the bigger amplifier (200W vs 50W RMS). |
| Connections | B | KEF LSX II adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, streaming, HDMI and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Genelec G One is easier to place; KEF LSX II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | KEF LSX II: a sub output. KEF LSX II sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Genelec G One is cheaper - $700 against $1,299, about 46% less; arguably a different class. |
A Genelec G One B KEF LSX 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?
The usual trade-off: KEF LSX II measures better, Genelec G One costs about about 86% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 74Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Genelec G One much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, KEF LSX II has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Genelec G One is the easier speaker to get right.
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.