In this review, we will be comparing Kanto ORA4 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 ORA4 and KEF LSX II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Kanto ORA4 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 70-watt RMS( 140-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
- 0.75" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 4" Aluminum Woofer
- 60-22k Frequency Response
- 24-bit Max Depth / 96 kHz Max Sample Rate
- Built-in 5.0 Bluetooth
- App Control Feature
- Weight:1.80kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 211.0" x 4.7" x 7.2"( 210.82 x 119.38 x 182.88mm )
KEF LSX II Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 200-watt RMS Integrated Amplifier
- 11th Generation Uni-Q Driver
- 0.75" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 4.5" Magnesium/Aluminium alloy Woofer
- 54-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 24-bit Max Depth / 384 kHz Max Sample Rate
- Built-in 4.2 Bluetooth
- App Control Feature
- Weight:3.60kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 240.0" x 6.1" x 7.1"( 240 × 155 × 180 mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Kanto ORA4 and KEF LSX II 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 Kanto ORA4 and LSX II are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Kanto ORA4 |
KEF LSX II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Kanto ORA4 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aluminum 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
Kanto ORA4 has a frequency range of 60-22k 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 Kanto ORA4's min frequency of 60Hz.
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 Kanto ORA4 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
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 Kanto ORA4's and KEF LSX II's external dimensions. Kanto ORA4 has external dimensions of 210.82 x 119.38 x 182.88mm ( 8.3inch x 4.7inch x 7.2inch ) whereas KEF LSX II has external dimensions of 240 × 155 × 180 mm ( 9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 inch) .
Kanto ORA4 is 36mm narrower and 29mm shorter than KEF LSX II but it is also 3mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Kanto ORA4 and KEF LSX II in scale.
Comparison image of Kanto ORA4 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 ORA4 is approximately 217.8cm2 / 33.8inch2 and base area of the KEF LSX II is approximately 279.0cm2 / 43.2inch2. The Kanto ORA4 requires 22% less surface area than the LSX II 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:
Size Comparison image of Kanto ORA4 and KEF LSX II on a Media Console