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.
| Key Specs | KEF LSX II | KEF LSX |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 200-watt RMS | 200-watt RMS |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 11th Generation Uni-Q | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Hard-Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy | 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy |
|---|
| Frequency response | 54-28k Hz | 59-28k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 384 kHz | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 4.2 | Built-in 4.2 |
|---|
| App control | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Weight | 3.60kg / 7.9lbs | 3.50kg / 7.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9.5" x 6.1" x 7.1"
240 × 155 × 180 mm | 9.4375" x 6.125" x 7.1"
239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm |
|---|
LSX II and LSX are members of KEF's LS series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
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 LSX II and LSX are 2-way speakers.
KEF LSX IIKEF LSX
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
Comparison image of KEF LSX II and KEF LSX 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 LSX is approximately 280.1cm2 / 43.4inch2. The LSX II requires 0% less surface area than the LSX 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 KEF LSX II and KEF LSX 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 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 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
What's in the Box of KEF LSX?
Here are the items that come with the LSX:
- 2 Powered wireless audio speaker
- Two 6.5-feet AC power cords
- 10-feet Ethernet cable
- Remote control (CR2032 3V battery pre-installed)
- Maintenance Guide
- Specifications
- Warranty Information
- Important Safety Information
 Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
279cm2
vs
280cm2
|
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 |
Siblings in KEF's LS series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | KEF LSX II digs deeper - 54Hz against 59Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (200W vs 200W RMS). |
| Connections | A | KEF LSX II adds HDMI. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | KEF LSX II: a sub output; KEF LSX: a sub output. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,299 vs $1,250 a pair). |
A KEF LSX II B KEF LSX
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 LSX II has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 59Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.
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.