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  1. Home
  2. Powered Stereo Speakers
  3. Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 vs KEF LS50 Wireless

Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 vs KEF LS50 Wireless Comparison

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Sony Signature Series SA-Z1

Powered Bookshelf | 51-100k Hz

Sony Signature Series SA-Z1
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KEF LS50 Wireless

Powered Bookshelf | 79-28k Hz

KEF LS50 Wireless
Check price atAmazon›
Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 Sony Signature Serie...
Check price atAmazon›
KEF LS50 Wireless KEF LS50 Wireless
Check price atAmazon›
Sony Signature Serie...
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KEF LS50 Wireless
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Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 vs KEF LS50 Wireless Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Signature Series SA-Z1 and LS50 Wireless, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Sony 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 Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 and KEF LS50 Wireless first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsSony Signature Series SA-Z1KEF LS50 Wireless
BrandSony
Japan · founded 1946
KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier212-watt RMS230-watt RMS
Uni-Q driver—11th Generation Uni-Q
Tweeter0.75, 0.5 (2)" Hard-Dome1" Hard-Dome
Woofer2 x 4"5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy
Frequency response51-100k Hz79-28k Hz
Max depth / sample rate32-bit / 768 Hz24-bit / 192 kHz
BluetoothNoBuilt-in 4.0
App control—Yes
Weight10.49kg / 23.1lbs10.00kg / 22lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)8.25" x 7.875" x 12.875"
209.5 x 200.0 x 327.0mm
11.875" x 7.875" x 13.25"
301.6 x 200.0 x 336.5mm

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Signature Series SA-Z1 and LS50 Wireless are 2-way speakers.

Woofer - 4 inchWoofer - 4 inch
Sony Signature Series SA-Z1
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
KEF LS50 Wireless

TweeterWoofer

Drivers drawn to scale and directly comparable. Cabinet outlines are indicative: full dimensions are not published for both. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 KEF LS50 Wireless
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 0.75, 0.5 (2)-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 4-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

Signature Series SA-Z1 features a 0.75, 0.5 (2)" Titanium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Woofer. On the other hand, the LS50 Wireless features a 1" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy Woofer.

Frequency Response

Signature Series SA-Z1 has a frequency range of 51-100k Hz whereas LS50 Wireless has a frequency range of 79-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the Signature Series SA-Z1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LS50 Wireless's min frequency of 79Hz.

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

Signature Series SA-Z1
LS50 Wireless
Min
Average
Median

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.

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 Sony Signature Series SA-Z1's and KEF LS50 Wireless's external dimensions. Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 has external dimensions of 209.5 x 200.0 x 327.0mm (8.25 x 7.875 x 12.875inch) whereas KEF LS50 Wireless has external dimensions of 301.6 x 200.0 x 336.5mm (11.875 x 7.875 x 13.25inch).

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 Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 is approximately 654.0cm2 / 101.4inch2 and base area of the KEF LS50 Wireless is approximately 673.0cm2 / 104.3inch2. The Signature Series SA-Z1 requires 3% less surface area than the LS50 Wireless 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 Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 weighs 10.49kg / 23.1lbs and the KEF LS50 Wireless weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the Signature Series SA-Z1 5% heavier than the LS50 Wireless.

Here is a comparison of how Signature Series SA-Z1 and LS50 Wireless's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Sony Signature Series SA-Z1
KEF LS50 Wireless
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Sony Signature Series SA-Z1?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Signature Series SA-Z1:
  • 2 Desktop monitor speakers
  • 2 AC power cords
  • Digital sync cable
  • Walkman cable
  • USB-C to USB-B cable
  • Remote control
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Instruction Manual

What's in the Box of KEF LS50 Wireless?

Here are the items that come with the LS50 Wireless:
  • Wireless powered speaker (Right)
  • Wireless powered speaker (Left)
  • Two 6.5-feet AC power cords
  • 10-feet Cat-6 interconnect speaker cable
  • 6.5-feet USB-B to USB-A cable
  • 42


Reasons to choose Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 over KEF LS50 Wireless

Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
Low Frequency Response 51 Hz vs 79 Hz Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response 100k Hz vs 28k Hz Generates higher frequency
Height 209mm vs 301mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 654cm2 vs 673cm2 Takes less floor space
3.5mm Connection Yes vs No Connection via 3.5mm AUX input
RCA Connection Yes vs No Connection via RCA input
XLR Connection Yes vs No Connection via XLR input

Reasons to choose KEF LS50 Wireless over Sony Signature Series SA-Z1

Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
App-Based Control Apple iOS, Android vs None Control the speaker via an app
Price per pair* 2200USD vs 8000USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Ethernet Connection Yes vs No High quality streaming over Ethernet
USB Port USB-B vs No USB port adds flexibility
Subwoofer Output Wired vs No Pair your speakers with external subwoofer

Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 vs KEF LS50 Wireless Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 KEF LS50 Wireless
Brand Sony KEF
Speaker Type Powered Stereo Speakers Powered Stereo Speakers
Frequency Response 51-100k Hz 79-28k Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 212-watt RMS 230-watt RMS
Max Bit Depth 32-bit 24-bit
Max Sample Rate 768 Hz 192 kHz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 2 1
Woofer Size 4" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Magnesium/aluminum alloy
Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
Tweeter Size 0.75, 0.5 (2)" 1"
Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Firing Direction n/a rear
Physical Specs
Height 209.5mm (8.2") 301.6mm (11.9")
Width 200.0mm (7.9") 200.0mm (7.9")
Depth 327.0mm (12.9") 336.5mm (13.2")
Weight 10.49kg (23.1lbs) 10.00kg (22lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
Mounting Bracket No No
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Aux Inputs 3.5mm, RCA, XLR RCA
USB Port USB-B USB-B
Phone Input No No
Subwoofer Output No Wired
Digital Input Optical, Walkman Optical
HDMI Input No No
Headphone Jack No No
Ethernet Port No Yes
Other
Parts Warranty 2 Years 1 Year
Labor Warranty 2 Years 1 Year

Verdict

These sit in different price classes - Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 costs roughly 3.6x what KEF LS50 Wireless does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.

AreaBetterWhy
BassASony Signature Series SA-Z1 digs deeper - 51Hz against 79Hz.
Built-in powerevenly matchedSimilar onboard amplification (212W vs 230W RMS).
ConnectionsBKEF LS50 Wireless adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and streaming.
SizedependsSony Signature Series SA-Z1 is easier to place; KEF LS50 Wireless is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
ExpandabilityBKEF LS50 Wireless: a sub output.
PriceBKEF LS50 Wireless is cheaper - $2,200 against $8,000, about 73% less; arguably a different class.

A Sony Signature Series SA-Z1  B KEF LS50 Wireless
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?

KEF LS50 Wireless has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 79Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF LS50 Wireless much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, KEF LS50 Wireless has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Sony Signature Series SA-Z1 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.


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