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  1. Home
  2. KEF Speakers
  3. KEF LS LUXE vs KEF LS50

KEF LS LUXE vs KEF LS50 Comparison

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KEF LS LUXE

Powered Bookshelf | 42-28k Hz

KEF LS LUXE
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KEF LS50

Passive Bookshelf | 79-28k Hz

KEF LS50
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KEF LS LUXE KEF LS LUXE
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KEF LS50 KEF LS50
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KEF LS LUXE
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KEF LS50
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KEF LS LUXE vs KEF LS50 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing LS LUXE and LS50, two Bookshelf speakers by KEF. The main difference between these two speakers is that the KEF LS LUXE is a Powered speaker which means that it has a built-in amplifier inside the speaker body so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp whereas the KEF LS50 is a Passive speaker so has to be matched with an amplifier to get any sound from it.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF LS LUXE and KEF LS50 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsKEF LS LUXEKEF LS50
BrandKEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961
KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier380-watt RMS—
Uni-Q driver12th Generation Uni-Q11th Generation Uni-Q
Tweeter1" Hard-Dome1" Vented dome
Woofer6.5"5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy
Frequency response42-28k Hz79-28k Hz
Sensitivity—85 dB
Impedance—8 ohms
Power range—25-100 watts
Weight20.00kg / 44lbs7.20kg / 15.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)13.25" x 8.8125" x 11.75"
336.0 x 223.0 x 298.0mm
11.8" x 7.8" x 10.9"
302.0 x 200.0 x 278.0mm

LS LUXE and LS50 are members of KEF's LS series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

KEF LS Series History
Model Body Frequency Watts RMSMax Depth / Sample Rate Woofer
KEF LSX II LT
  
Bookshelf 54-28k Hz 200-watt24-bit/384 kHzΩ 1 x 4.5"
KEF LSX II
  
Bookshelf 54-28k Hz 200-watt24-bit/384 kHzΩ 1 x 4.5"
KEF LS60 Wireless
  
Floor-standing 31-24k Hz 1400-watt24-bit/384 kHzΩ 4 x 5.25"
KEF LS50 Wireless II
  
Bookshelf 45-28k Hz 380-wattYes/384 kHzΩ 1 x 5.25"
KEF LSX
  
Bookshelf 59-28k Hz 200-watt24-bit/96 kHzΩ 1 x 4.5"
KEF LS50 Wireless
  
Bookshelf 79-28k Hz 230-watt24-bit/192 kHzΩ 1 x 5.25"
KEF LS LUXE
Bookshelf 42-28k Hz 380-watt/Ω 1 x 6.5"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

Both LS LUXE and LS50 are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 6.5 inch
KEF LS LUXE
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
KEF LS50

TweeterWoofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver KEF LS LUXE KEF LS50
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 6.5-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

LS LUXE features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the LS50 features a 1" Aluminum Vented dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.

Frequency Response

LS LUXE has a frequency range of 42-28k Hz whereas LS50 has a frequency range of 79-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the LS LUXE can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LS50'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

LS LUXE
LS50
Min
Average
Median

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.

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 KEF LS LUXE's and KEF LS50's external dimensions. KEF LS LUXE has external dimensions of 336.0 x 223.0 x 298.0mm () whereas KEF LS50 has external dimensions of 302.0 x 200.0 x 278.0mm (11.8 x 7.8 x 10.9inch).

KEF LS LUXE is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 23mm wider, 34mm taller and 20mm deeper than KEF LS50.

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 KEF LS LUXE is approximately 664.5cm2 / 103.0inch2 and base area of the KEF LS50 is approximately 556.0cm2 / 86.2inch2. The LS LUXE requires 20% more surface area than the LS50 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of KEF LS50?

Here are the items that come with the LS50:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Foam port plugs
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual
  • Warranty Registration Card


Reasons to choose KEF LS LUXE over KEF LS50

Speaker Type Powered vs Passive Built-in amplifier
Uni-Q Driver 12th Generation vs 11th Generation Newer generation Driver
Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 42 Hz vs 79 Hz Generates deeper bass

Reasons to choose KEF LS50 over KEF LS LUXE

Height 302mm vs 336mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 556cm2 vs 664cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 1300USD vs 4000USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

KEF LS LUXE vs KEF LS50 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General KEF LS LUXE KEF LS50
Brand KEF KEF
Speaker Type Powered Stereo Speakers Bookshelf speakers
Sensitivity n/a 85 dB
Impedance n/a 8 ohms
Impedance n/a 3.2 ohms
Frequency Response 42-28k Hz 79-28k Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 380-watt RMS n/a
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 6.5" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Magnesium/aluminum alloy
Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
Tweeter Size 1" 1"
Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Vented dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Crossover Frequency n/a 2200Hz
Firing Direction n/a rear
Physical Specs
Height 336.0mm (13.2") 302.0mm (11.9")
Width 223.0mm (8.8") 200.0mm (7.9")
Depth 298.0mm (11.7") 278.0mm (10.9")
Weight 20.00kg (44lbs) 7.20kg (15.8lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex
Finish n/a Polymer/Lacquer
Available Colors n/a Black, High Gloss Piano Black, High Gloss Piano White
Mounting Bracket No
Recommended Stand Height n/a 18-28"
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs n/a No
HDMI Input eARC n/a
Other
Parts Warranty 3 Year w/ registration 5 Years
Labor Warranty 3 Year w/ registration 5 Years

Verdict

Different kinds of product: one is active with its amplifier built in, the other passive and needs one. Judge them on how you want to own the system, not just the specs.

AreaBetterWhy
BassAKEF LS LUXE digs deeper - 42Hz against 79Hz.
What you buydependsKEF LS LUXE is a complete system - just add a source. KEF LS50 also needs an amplifier: more money and another box, but you choose it.
ConnectionsdependsKEF LS LUXE has HDMI built in. With KEF LS50 that all comes from the amplifier you pair it with.
Upgrade pathdependsKEF LS50 can be re-amped later and outlive several amplifiers; KEF LS LUXE ages as one unit.
SizedependsKEF LS50 is easier to place; KEF LS LUXE is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
PriceBKEF LS50 is cheaper - $1,300 against $4,000, about 68% less; arguably a different class. Speakers only - an amplifier narrows that gap.

A KEF LS LUXE  B KEF LS50
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 LS LUXE suits you if you want one box, ready to play, with nothing else to buy. KEF LS50 suits you if you already have an amplifier, want to choose the electronics, or expect to upgrade in stages. Neither is the better speaker in the abstract. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 79Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF LS50 much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $2,700 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.

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.


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