In this review, we will be comparing M20 HD and LS50 Wireless II, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics 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 Q Acoustics M20 HD and KEF LS50 Wireless II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Q Acoustics M20 HD and KEF LS50 Wireless 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 M20 HD and LS50 Wireless II are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Q Acoustics M20 HD |
KEF LS50 Wireless II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.875-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
M20 HD features a 0.875" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woofer . On the other hand, the LS50 Wireless II features a 1" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer .
Frequency Response
M20 HD has a frequency range of 55-22k Hz whereas LS50 Wireless II has a frequency range of 45-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the LS50 Wireless II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the M20 HD's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 M20 HD and LS50 Wireless 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.
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 Q Acoustics M20 HD's and KEF LS50 Wireless II's external dimensions. Q Acoustics M20 HD has external dimensions of 278.0 x 170.0 x 310.0mm ( 10-15/16 x 6-11/16 x 12-3/16inch) whereas KEF LS50 Wireless II has external dimensions of 277.8 x 200.0 x 322.3mm ( 10.9375 x 7.875 x 12.6875inch) .
Q Acoustics M20 HD is 30mm narrower and 12.3mm less deeper than KEF LS50 Wireless II but it is also 0.19999999999999mm taller.
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 Q Acoustics M20 HD is approximately 527.0cm2 / 81.7inch2 and base area of the KEF LS50 Wireless II is approximately 644.6cm2 / 99.9inch2. The M20 HD requires 18% less surface area than the LS50 Wireless II which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Q Acoustics M20 HD weighs 5.10kg / 11.2lbs and the KEF LS50 Wireless II weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the LS50 Wireless II 96% heavier than the M20 HD.
Here is a comparison of how M20 HD and LS50 Wireless 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 Q Acoustics M20 HD?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of M20 HD:
Powered speaker Passive speaker 6-feet AC power cord Remote control 2 AAA batteries 13-feet Speaker wire 59-inch Optical digital cable 2 Foam port plugs Owners Manual
What's in the Box of KEF LS50 Wireless II?
Here are the items that come with the LS50 Wireless II:
2 Wireless powered speakersTwo 6.5-feet AC power cords10-feet Cat-6 interconnect speaker cableRemote control2 AAA batteries Quick Start Guide Important Safety Information Warranty Information
 Base Surface Area |
527cm2 (170x310mm)
vs
644cm2 (200x322mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
2499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
277mm
vs
278mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
Service only
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 HDMI Input |
eARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
| General |
Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System |
KEF LS50 Wireless II |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered stereo speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
55-22k Hz |
45-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
128-watt RMS |
380-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
760-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
32-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
384 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.875" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
278.0mm (10.9") |
277.8mm (10.9") |
| Width |
170.0mm (6.7") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
310.0mm (12.2") |
322.3mm (12.7") |
| Weight |
5.10kg (11.2lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut |
n/a |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm, Stereo RCA |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
USB-B |
Service only |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical, Coax |
| HDMI Input |
No |
eARC |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |