19 Verified Hands-On Reviews
To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.
Expert reviews [19]
- with a score: 9
- without a score: 10
| Highest score by What Hi-Fi |
100
|
| Average score based on 19 reviews |
94
|
| Lowest score by World of Turntables |
80
|
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert consensus
The Kef LS50 bookshelf speakers are highly recommended for their exceptional sound quality, versatile frequency response, unique design, and range of connectivity options, making them suitable for a range of music genres and listening environments.
The Kef LS50 bookshelf speakers are highly recommended for their exceptional sound quality, versatile frequency response, unique design, and range of connectivity options. The speakers deliver a transparent, clear, and detailed sound with a rich and big soundstage, making them suitable for a range of music genres and listening environments.
The LS50 speakers are constructed using an injection-molded Dough Moulding Compound (DMC) that creates a dense, low-resonance enclosure, and are available in four color options. The speakers offer a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4. 0 with aptX, USB Type B, TOSLINK Optical, RCA Analog Line Level, and Ethernet, making them easy to connect to a variety of devices.
The LS50 speakers have a recommended amplifier power of 25-100W and a maximum output of 106dB, making them suitable for home theater systems, music production studios, and audiophile setups. The LS50 Meta has a power handling of 100W, making it an excellent performer with low coloration and distortion.
Overall, the Kef LS50 speakers are a versatile and high-quality product that will appeal to users who value both design and performance.
Sound quality
The Kef LS50 speakers are highly regarded for their exceptional sound quality, versatile performance, and innovative features, making them a great value for a range of music genres and listening environments.
The Kef LS50 speakers are highly regarded for their exceptional sound quality, with a transparent, clear, and detailed presentation that is agile and precise. The speakers create a rich and big soundstage, with separation and spacing of instruments that is finely precise. The bass performance is impressive, considering the size of the speakers, but if you are looking for very loud and powerful bass, a subwoofer may be necessary.
The LS50's are versatile and can handle all genres of music, with no glaring flaws. The speakers boast several innovative features and technologies, including KEF's breakthrough Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver, Driver Performance Optimization, and reduced coloration.
The front baffle is also constructed with engineered polymer and contoured to minimize diffraction effects, providing a seamless wave launch. Overall, the Kef LS50 speakers are highly recommended for their exceptional value and performance, and are suitable for a range of music genres and listening environments.
Frequency response
The Kef LS50 is a small speaker that handles a wide range of frequencies well, delivering accurate and detailed sound, making it a great choice for music enthusiasts, home theater setups, and small studio spaces.
The Kef LS50 has a frequency range of 47 Hz to 45 kHz (-6dB), which is considered decent for a speaker of its size and type. The speaker handles low frequencies well, with clean and evenly emphasized half-step-spaced low-frequency tonebursts, though it may not satisfy those looking for truly deep bass.
The LS50 also handles high frequencies very well, with the ability to eliminate 99% of high-frequency distortion and deliver strong details in the 4kHz-5kHz region, giving it a modern forward sound balance. Overall, the Kef LS50 is a great choice for those looking for a small speaker that can handle a wide range of frequencies and deliver accurate and detailed sound, making it ideal for music enthusiasts, home theater setups, and small studio spaces.
Design
The Kef LS50 speaker is a visually stunning bookshelf speaker with a unique design, constructed using high-quality materials, and available in four color options, making it suitable for use in a home theater or music setup.
The Kef LS50 speaker has a unique and visually stunning design that will fit in with most home decor styles. It is a bookshelf speaker that measures 302x200x280. 5mm (HWD) and weighs 7. 8kg. The speakers are constructed using an injection-molded Dough Moulding Compound (DMC) that creates a dense, low-resonance enclosure, and the baffle is constructed with engineered polymer and contoured to minimize diffraction effects almost completely.
The LS50 speakers are available in four color options: Black, White, Blue, and Silver, and they feature a modern finish and aesthetic. The speakers' build quality and sound performance are top-notch, making them suitable for use in a home theater or music setup. Overall, the Kef LS50 speaker is a high-quality product that will appeal to users who value both design and performance.
Connectivity
The Kef LS50 bookshelf speakers offer a range of connectivity options and an intuitive app for customization, making them a versatile and convenient option for high-quality audio in a compact package.
The Kef LS50 bookshelf speakers offer a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4. 0 with aptX, USB Type B, TOSLINK Optical, RCA Analog Line Level, and Ethernet. This makes it easy to connect the speakers to a variety of devices, including TVs, computers, and smartphones. The LS50 Wireless speakers also come with an intuitive app that allows users to adjust the DSP and other settings, making it easy to customize the audio experience.
The speakers can play up to 24-bit/192kHz audio files, making them ideal for audiophiles who want high-quality sound. Overall, the Kef LS50 speakers are a versatile and convenient option for anyone looking for high-quality audio in a compact package.
Power handling
The Kef LS50 has a recommended amplifier power of 25-100W and a maximum output of 106dB, while the LS50 Meta has a power handling capacity of 100W and provides an overall excellent audio experience.
The Kef LS50 has a recommended amplifier power of 25-100W and a maximum output of 106dB, but the exact maximum power handling capacity is not specified. The power handling of the LS50 Meta is 100W, which allows it to handle up to 100 watts of power without damage. The LS50 Meta is a technically accurate reproducer with low coloration and distortion, making it an excellent performer.
However, it may lack tautness in bass response and lose some audio integrity at higher volumes. Despite these minor variations in quality, the LS50 provides an overall excellent audio experience. The power handling of the Kef LS50 is suitable for a variety of use cases, including home theater systems, music production studios, and audiophile setups.
Position in ranking
We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all bookshelf speakers.
| Rank | Change | Price | Speakers |
SoundGuys
|
ZD Net
|
Pitchfork
|
Wirecutter
|
T3
|
Gear Patrol
|
Rolling Stone
|
The Master Switch
|
What Hi-Fi
|
hifioasis.com
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $1450 |
Kef LS50
The Kef LS50 bookshelf speakers are highly recommended for their exceptional sound quality, versatile frequency response, unique design, and range of connectivity options, making them suitable for a range of music genres and listening environments.
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $449 |
Q Acoustics 3020i
The Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelf speakers offer excellent sound quality, versatility, and a modern design, making them a great option for audiophiles who prioritize accuracy and transparency in their sound system.
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
2
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
|
3
|
- | $655 |
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0
The Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 bookshelf speakers offer clear and balanced sound quality, versatile connectivity options, and a sleek design, making them a great choice for general listening purposes in medium-sized rooms and larger spaces.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
|
4
|
- | Check price |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition bookshelf speaker delivers excellent sound performance across the frequency range, with punchy and dynamic bass, a wide frequency response, and a purposeful design, making it a great choice for music and home theater use.
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
7
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Highest recommended bookshelf speakers this month
ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. bookshelf speakers below are at the top of our ranking this July.
|
|
|
|
| Kef LS50 (this item) | Q Acoustics 3020i | Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 | Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 |
|
Rank
#1
out of 183
|
Rank
#2
out of 183
Reviews
In comparison:
8.8
Great
|
Rank
#3
out of 183
Reviews
In comparison:
9.1
Great
|
Rank
#4
out of 183
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Kef LS50 bookshelf speakers are highly recommended for their exceptional sound quality, versatile frequency response, unique design, and range of connectivity options, making them suitable for a range of music genres and listening environments. | The Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelf speakers offer excellent sound quality, versatility, and a modern design, making them a great option for audiophiles who prioritize accuracy and transparency in their sound system. | The Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 bookshelf speakers offer clear and balanced sound quality, versatile connectivity options, and a sleek design, making them a great choice for general listening purposes in medium-sized rooms and larger spaces. | The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition bookshelf speaker delivers excellent sound performance across the frequency range, with punchy and dynamic bass, a wide frequency response, and a purposeful design, making it a great choice for music and home theater use. |
| Go to product | Go to product | Go to product | Go to product |