In this review, we will be comparing Active 200 and LSX, 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 Q Active 200 and KEF LSX first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 100-watt RMS( 280-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
- " Tweeter
- 2-1/4" Midrange
- 4.5" Woofer
- 46-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 24-bit Max Depth / 96 kHz Max Sample Rate
- Built-in 4.1 Bluetooth
- App Control Feature
- Weight:7.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 285.0" x 6-3/4" x 11-7/16"( 285.0 x 172.0 x 291.0mm )
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 )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Q Acoustics Q Active 200 and KEF LSX 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 Active 200 and LSX are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 |
KEF LSX |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
2 x 2-1/4-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Active 200 features a " Tweeter , a 2-1/4" Midrange and 1 x 4.5" 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
Active 200 has a frequency range of 46-20k Hz whereas LSX has a frequency range of 59-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Active 200 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 Active 200 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
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 Q Active 200's and KEF LSX's external dimensions. Q Acoustics Q Active 200 has external dimensions of 285.0 x 172.0 x 291.0mm ( 11-3/16 x 6-3/4 x 11-7/16inch) whereas KEF LSX has external dimensions of 239.7 x 155.6 x 180mm ( 9.4375 x 6.125 x 7.1inch) .
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 16.4mm wider, 45.3mm taller and 111mm 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 Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is approximately 500.5cm2 / 77.6inch2 and base area of the KEF LSX is approximately 365.7cm2 / 56.7inch2. The Active 200 requires 37% more surface area than the LSX which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Q Active 200 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the KEF LSX weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs. This makes the Active 200 114% heavier than the LSX.
Here is a comparison of how Active 200 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 Q Acoustics Q Active 200?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Active 200:
2 Powered speakers Two 6-feet AC power cords 2 Foam port plugs Important Safety Informtion and Warnings Wireless hub USB/AC power adapter with US connector EU/UK/AU AC adapter plugs 40-inch USB-C to USB-A cable 5-inch HDMI cable Remote control 2 AAA batteries Quick Start Guide
What's in the Box of KEF LSX?
Here are the items that come with the LSX:
2 Powered wireless audio speakerTwo 6.5-feet AC power cords10-feet Ethernet cableRemote control (CR2032 3V battery pre-installed)Maintenance GuideSpecificationsWarranty InformationImportant Safety Information
 Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Phono Input |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your turntable directly |
 HDMI Input |
ARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
239mm
vs
285mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
365cm2
vs
500cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1250USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
| General |
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 System |
KEF LSX |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered stereo speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
46-20k Hz |
59-28k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
280-watt RMS |
n/a |
| 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 |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
2-1/4" |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
285.0mm (11.2") |
239.7mm (9.4") |
| Width |
172.0mm (6.8") |
155.6mm (6.1") |
| Depth |
291.0mm (11.5") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black, White |
Black, Olive Green, Gloss White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
No |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
Update only |
Charge only |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
ARC |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |