In this review, we will be comparing LSX 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 and KEF LSX first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF LSX | 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 | 59-28k Hz | 59-28k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 4.2 | Built-in 4.2 |
|---|
| App control | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Weight | 3.50kg / 7.7lbs | 3.50kg / 7.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9.4375" x 6.125" x 7.1"
239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm | 9.4375" x 6.125" x 7.1"
239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm |
|---|
LSX 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 and LSX are 2-way speakers.
KEF LSXKEF 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 |
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 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 and LSX has exactly the same frequency range of 59-28k Hz.
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 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
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's and KEF LSX'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 KEF LSX has external dimensions of 239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm (9.4375 x 6.125 x 7.1inch).
In this case, we can see that KEF LSX and KEF LSX have the exact same height, width and thickness.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF LSX and KEF LSX in scale.
Comparison image of KEF LSX 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 is approximately 280.1cm2 / 43.4inch2 and base area of the KEF LSX is approximately 280.1cm2 / 43.4inch2.
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 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 weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs and the KEF LSX weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs.
Here is a comparison of how LSX 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?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 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
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
| General |
KEF LSX |
KEF LSX |
| Brand |
KEF |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
59-28k Hz |
59-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 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 |
155.6mm (6.1") |
155.6mm (6.1") |
| Depth |
180.0mm (7.1") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Weight |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black, Olive Green, Gloss White |
Black, Olive Green, Gloss White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
Charge only |
Charge only |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (59Hz vs 59Hz). |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (200W vs 200W RMS). |
| Connections | evenly matched | The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | KEF LSX: a sub output; KEF LSX: a sub output. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,250 vs $1,250 a pair). |
A KEF LSX 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.