In this review, we will be comparing LSX II and LS50 Meta, two Bookshelf speakers by KEF The main difference between these two speakers is that the KEF LSX II 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 Meta 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 LSX II and KEF LS50 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
LSX II and LS50 Meta are members of KEF's LS series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF LSX II and KEF LS50 Meta 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 LSX II and LS50 Meta are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
KEF LSX II |
KEF LS50 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
LSX II features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy Woofer . On the other hand, the LS50 Meta features a 1" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100Hz.
Frequency Response
LSX II has a frequency range of 54-28k Hz whereas LS50 Meta has a frequency range of 79-28k 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 LS50 Meta'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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both LSX II and LS50 Meta 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
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 LSX II's and KEF LS50 Meta's external dimensions. KEF LSX II has external dimensions of 240 × 155 × 180 mm ( 9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 inch) whereas KEF LS50 Meta has external dimensions of 303.0 x 201.0 x 281.0mm ( 11-15/16 x 7.875 x 11-1/16inch) .
KEF LS50 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 46mm wider, 63mm taller and 101mm deeper than KEF LSX II.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF LSX II and KEF LS50 Meta in scale.
Comparison image of KEF LSX II and KEF LS50 Meta 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 KEF LSX II is approximately 279.0cm2 / 43.2inch2 and base area of the KEF LS50 Meta is approximately 564.8cm2 / 87.5inch2. The LSX II requires 51% less surface area than the LS50 Meta which gives it a small advantage 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:
Size Comparison image of KEF LSX II and KEF LS50 Meta on a Media Console
What's in the Box of KEF LSX II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of LSX II:
2 Wireless powered speakersTwo 6.5-feet AC power cords10-feet Cat-6 interconnect speaker cableRemote control2 AAA batteries Quick Start Guide Important Safety Information Warranty Information Maintenance Guide
What's in the Box of KEF LS50 Meta?
Here are the items that come with the LS50 Meta:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualWarranty Registration Card