In this review, we will be comparing LS50 and D310, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF LS50 and Wharfedale D310 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF LS50 and Wharfedale D310 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF LS50 and Wharfedale D310 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both LS50 and D310 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
KEF LS50 |
Wharfedale D310 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
LS50 features a 1" Aluminum Vented dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the D310 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
LS50 has a frequency range of 79-28k Hz whereas D310 has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the D310 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LS50's min frequency of 79Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
LS50 and D310 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. LS50 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the D310's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale D310 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF LS50, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
LS50 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas D310 has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the LS50.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
LS50 features Post type posts and D310 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
LS50 has a rear firing port whereas D310 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale D310's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to KEF LS50 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 LS50's and Wharfedale D310's external dimensions. KEF LS50 has external dimensions of 302.0 x 200.0 x 278.0mm ( 11.8 x 7.8 x 10.9inch) whereas Wharfedale D310 has external dimensions of 266.0 x 156.0 x 224.0mm ( 10-7/16 x 6-1/8 x 8-13/16inch) .
KEF LS50 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 44mm wider, 36mm taller and 54mm deeper than Wharfedale D310.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF LS50 and Wharfedale D310 in scale.
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 LS50 is approximately 556.0cm2 / 86.2inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale D310 is approximately 349.4cm2 / 54.2inch2. The LS50 requires 59% more surface area than the D310 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 KEF LS50 weighs 7.20kg / 15.8lbs and the Wharfedale D310 weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs. This makes the LS50 80% heavier than the D310.
Here is a comparison of how LS50 and D310's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF LS50?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of LS50:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Foam port plugs 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Warranty Registration Card
What's in the Box of Wharfedale D310?
Here are the items that come with the D310:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Tweeter grilles (pre-installed)2 Woofer grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Minimum Impedance |
3.6 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
79 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
266mm
vs
302mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
349cm2 (156x224mm)
vs
556cm2 (200x278mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
KEF LS50 |
Wharfedale D310 |
Brand |
KEF |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Compact bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
20-60 watts |
Sensitivity |
85 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
3.6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
79-28k Hz |
65-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
Woofer Composition |
Magnesium/aluminum alloy |
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Foamed Polyether |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Vented dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2200Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
302.0mm (11.9") |
266.0mm (10.5") |
Width |
200.0mm (7.9") |
156.0mm (6.1") |
Depth |
278.0mm (10.9") |
224.0mm (8.8") |
Weight |
7.20kg (15.8lbs) |
4.00kg (8.8lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Polymer/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black, High Gloss Piano Black, High Gloss Piano White |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
18-28" |
22-26" |
Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |