In this review, we will be comparing LSX II and LSX, two Powered Bookshelf speakers by 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 KEF LSX II and KEF LSX first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
LSX II and LSX 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 LSX 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 LSX are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
KEF LSX II |
KEF LSX |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-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 LSX features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy Woofer .
Frequency Response
LSX II has a frequency range of 54-28k Hz whereas LSX has a frequency range of 59-28k 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 LSX's min frequency of 59Hz.
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 LSX 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
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 LSX's external dimensions. KEF LSX II has external dimensions of 240 × 155 × 180 mm ( 9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 inch) whereas KEF LSX has external dimensions of 239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm ( 9.4375 x 6.125 x 7.1inch) .
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF LSX II and KEF LSX 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 LSX II is approximately 279.0cm2 / 43.2inch2 and base area of the KEF LSX is approximately 365.7cm2 / 56.7inch2. The LSX II requires 24% less surface area than the LSX 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:
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 LSX II weighs 3.60kg / 7.9lbs and the KEF LSX weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs. This makes the LSX II 3% heavier than the LSX.
Here is a comparison of how LSX II and LSX's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
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 LSX?
Here are the items that come with the LSX:
2 Powered wireless audio speakerTwo 6.5-feet AC power cords10-feet Ethernet cableRemote control (CR2032 3V battery pre-installed)Maintenance GuideSpecificationsWarranty InformationImportant Safety Information
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Base Surface Area |
279cm2 (155x180mm)
vs
365cm2 (155x180mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
HDMI Input |
ARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
Price per pair* |
1250USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
KEF LSX II |
KEF LSX |
Brand |
KEF |
KEF |
Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Frequency Response |
54-28k Hz |
59-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
Max Sample Rate |
384 kHz |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.5" |
4.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Magnesium/Aluminium alloy |
Magnesium/Aluminium alloy |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
239.7mm (9.4") |
239.7mm (9.4") |
Width |
155.0mm (6.1") |
155.6mm (6.1") |
Depth |
180.0mm (7.1") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
Weight |
3.60kg (7.9lbs) |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Available Colors |
Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, and Soundwave |
Black, Olive Green, Gloss White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Aux Inputs |
3.5mm |
3.5mm |
USB Port |
USB-C (connects to your computer) |
Charge only |
Phone Input |
No |
No |
Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical |
HDMI Input |
ARC |
No |
Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
Ethernet Port |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |