In this review, we will be comparing ORA and LSX II, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Kanto and 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 Kanto ORA and KEF LSX II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Kanto ORA | KEF LSX II |
|---|
| Brand | Kanto
Canada · founded 2007 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 50-watt RMS (100-watt peak) | 200-watt RMS |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Soft-Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 3" Paper | 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy |
|---|
| Frequency response | 70-22k Hz | 54-28k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 384 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.0 | Built-in 4.2 |
|---|
| App control | — | Yes |
|---|
| Weight | 1.00kg / 2.2lbs | 3.60kg / 7.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6.9375" x 3.9375" x 7.4375"
177.0 x 101.0 x 189.0mm | 9.5" x 6.1" x 7.1"
240 × 155 × 180 mm |
|---|
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 ORA and LSX II are 2-way speakers.
Kanto ORAKEF LSX II
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Kanto ORA |
KEF LSX II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 3-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
ORA features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Paper Woofer. On the other hand, the LSX II features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy Woofer.
Frequency Response
ORA has a frequency range of 70-22k Hz whereas LSX II has a frequency range of 54-28k 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 ORA's min frequency of 70Hz.
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 ORA and LSX II 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 Kanto ORA's and KEF LSX II's external dimensions. Kanto ORA has external dimensions of 177.0 x 101.0 x 189.0mm (6.94inch x 3.94inch x 7.5inch) whereas KEF LSX II has external dimensions of 240 × 155 × 180 mm (9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 inch).
Kanto ORA is 54mm narrower and 63mm shorter than KEF LSX II but it is also 9mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Kanto ORA and KEF LSX II in scale.
Comparison image of Kanto ORA and KEF LSX II 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 Kanto ORA is approximately 190.9cm2 / 29.6inch2 and base area of the KEF LSX II is approximately 279.0cm2 / 43.2inch2. The ORA requires 32% less surface area than the LSX II 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 Kanto ORA and KEF LSX II 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 Kanto ORA weighs 1.00kg / 2.2lbs and the KEF LSX II weighs 3.60kg / 7.9lbs. This makes the LSX II 260% heavier than the ORA.
Here is a comparison of how ORA and LSX II's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Kanto ORA?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ORA:
- Powered speaker
- Passive speaker
- AC power adapter (attached 58
What's in the Box of KEF LSX II?
Here are the items that come with the 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
 Height |
177mm
vs
240mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
190cm2
vs
279cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
70 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
USB-C (connects to your computer)
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 Digital Input |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
 HDMI Input |
ARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
| General |
Kanto ORA |
KEF LSX II |
| Brand |
Kanto |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
70-22k Hz |
54-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
n/a |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
384 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Magnesium/Aluminium alloy |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
177.0mm (7") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
| Width |
101.0mm (4") |
155.0mm (6.1") |
| Depth |
189.0mm (7.4") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Weight |
1.00kg (2.2lbs) |
3.60kg (7.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, and Soundwave |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
No |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
USB-C |
USB-C (connects to your computer) |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
ARC |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
These sit in different price classes - KEF LSX II costs roughly 3.7x what Kanto ORA does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KEF LSX II digs deeper - 54Hz against 70Hz. |
| Built-in power | B | KEF LSX II has the bigger amplifier (200W vs 50W RMS). |
| Connections | B | KEF LSX II adds Wi-Fi, streaming, HDMI and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Kanto ORA is easier to place; KEF LSX II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Kanto ORA: a sub output; KEF LSX II: a sub output. KEF LSX II sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Kanto ORA is cheaper - $349 against $1,299, about 73% less; arguably a different class. |
A Kanto ORA B KEF LSX II
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?
The usual trade-off: KEF LSX II measures better, Kanto ORA costs about about 3.7x the price% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 70Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Kanto ORA much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, KEF LSX II has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Kanto ORA is the easier speaker to get right.
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.