In this review, we will be comparing LSX and A5+ Wireless, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from KEF and Audioengine. 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 and Audioengine A5+ Wireless first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
KEF LSX Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 200-watt RMS Integrated Amplifier
- 0.75" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy Woofer
- 59-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 24-bit Max Depth / 96 kHz Max Sample Rate
- Built-in 4.2 Bluetooth
- App Control Feature
- Weight:3.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 239.7" x 6.125" x 7.1"( 239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm )
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 100-watt RMS Integrated Amplifier
- 0.75" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 5" Kevlar Woofer
- 50-22k Hz Frequency Response
- 24-bit Max Depth / 44.1 kHz Max Sample Rate
- Built-in 4.0 Bluetooth
- Weight:4.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 276.2" x 7.1875" x 9.75"( 276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF LSX and Audioengine A5+ Wireless 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 and A5+ Wireless are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
KEF LSX |
Audioengine A5+ Wireless |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
LSX features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy Woofer . On the other hand, the A5+ Wireless features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
LSX has a frequency range of 59-28k Hz whereas A5+ Wireless has a frequency range of 50-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the A5+ Wireless 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 and A5+ Wireless 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's and Audioengine A5+ Wireless's external dimensions. KEF LSX has external dimensions of 239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm ( 9.4375 x 6.125 x 7.1inch) whereas Audioengine A5+ Wireless has external dimensions of 276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6mm ( 10.875 x 7.1875 x 9.75inch) .
Audioengine A5+ Wireless is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27mm wider, 36.5mm taller and 67.6mm deeper than KEF LSX.
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 is approximately 365.7cm2 / 56.7inch2 and base area of the Audioengine A5+ Wireless is approximately 452.1cm2 / 70.1inch2. The LSX requires 19% less surface area than the A5+ Wireless which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.