Alternatives to KEF LSX II LT for PC desktop speakers?

[Snoochers]

I got some KEF LSX II LT for 699CAD (512USD). I intend to use them as PC speakers on desktop. I can return them so would like to consider some alternatives that might be as good or better. Please give me some potential alternatives that are:

1. Same price or cheaper with same quality
2. Can be laid on their side. I have fairly low clearance under my monitors so can't be massive either.
3. Actively powered. Don't want to fuss with an amp.
4. Mostly used for video calls and music. I usually game with headphones.

 

[staticV3]

Kali IN-UNF

Kanto ORA/ORA4

 

[Jiraya369]

adam d3v is unmatched for size to quality, why are you looking at alternatives tho lol

 

[staticV3]

adam d3v is unmatched for size to quality, why are you looking at alternatives tho lol

I imagine because of point #2

 

[Snoochers]

adam d3v is unmatched for size to quality, why are you looking at alternatives tho lol

Because I could get something cheaper that is just as good, maybe? But I don't know.

 

[Snoochers]

Kali IN-UNF

Kanto ORA/ORA4

What about these makes them as good or better than the KEF? And I don't think they can be put on their side? they appear to have more than one driver

 

[staticV3]

What about these makes them as good or better than the KEF?

Those are alternatives. Nothing more.

That they have to be better than the KEF was not outlined in your OP.

Though for one, the Kali will play deeper thanks to the subwoofer.

And I don't think they can be put on their side? they appear to have more than one driver

Are you talking about the Kanto Ora here?

If so, horizontal placement is endorsed by Kanto:


That picture is taken straight from the product page.

Traditional 2-way speakers can be placed horizontally just fine, so long as:
-Driver to driver distance is small
-Crossover is sufficiently steep
-Woofer and tweeter directivities are well matched at crossover.

 

[Snoochers]

Those are alternatives. Nothing more.

That they have to be better than the KEF was not outlined in your OP.

Though for one, the Kali will play deeper thanks to the subwoofer.


Are you talking about the Kanto Ora here?

If so, horizontal placement is endorsed by Kanto:
View attachment 500574

Hah, thanks. Well I thought it was a given that I wouldn't want an inferior speaker but that was a dumb assumption. I updated the OP.

 

[staticV3]

Here are professional measurements of the Ora, performed with actual measurement mics: https://www.audioholics.com/computer-speaker-reviews/kanto-living-ora

 

[brandall10]

Here are professional measurements of the Ora, performed with actual measurement mics: https://www.audioholics.com/computer-speaker-reviews/kanto-living-ora

I decided to remove my response as it didn't seem like the OP was seriously considering these, but since you reference the review I did in fact note that was out of accord with my own experience (I purchased these primarily based on this review), I will note post this again.

This is my measurement of the Oras using HouseCurve, which has been recommended by this site as being quite accurate, even with the standard iPhone mic. Both measured in the same ballpark individually and together, at approx 1m listener distance w/ tweeter aligned to ear level. Both dynamic and sweep produce similar results. I'm not new to this as I used REW w/ UIK-1 to calibrate LS50W about a decade back, as well as an LSX version 1 for my bedroom system. I also had Burchardt A500s for several years w/ their calibration system and there are multiple sources showing how flat those measure.

These sound mid hyped and a bit boomy out of the box nearfield, which prompted me to download HC to verify. Looking into it further, I've seen some similar sentiments expressed on reddit, though most youtube reviewers seem to really love these. I'll admit, I wouldn't have thought they would measure quite this bad and the the suggested corrections are a bit bright to my ears so I shelved them down 3 db in the treble, but with those, I get what sounds to my ear to be a good measuring speaker. Without PEQ, I'd probably gift them and pick up the D3V.

 

[EERecordist]

That a previous version of that speaker is reviewed at https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...sx-review-wireless-speaker.24802/#post-839364.

There might be spinoramas of your current version. Costco in the US has them at $600US, so you got a good price.

I would find it difficult to believe you could find a better measured performance alternative, especially when ultra-close placement on the desktop benefits from a coaxial driver.

 

[Jiraya369]

I imagine because of point #2

but only the kef is perfect for laying on its side due to being a coaxial

 

[Snoochers]

That a previous version of that speaker is reviewed at https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...sx-review-wireless-speaker.24802/#post-839364.

There might be spinoramas of your current version. Costco in the US has them at $600US, so you got a good price.

I would find it difficult to believe you could find a better measured performance alternative, especially when ultra-close placement on the desktop benefits from a coaxial driver.

Thank you. I was seeking reassurance that I made the right decision

 

[Jiraya369]

Because I could get something cheaper that is just as good, maybe? But I don't know.

the adam d3v might be just as good for the FR or even better in terms of loudness, but the kef does your task of laying on its side a bit better. The Adam's vertical directivity is narrow and i had to be stuck in one sweet spot, if you did it in the horizontal plane good luck lol it'd be a huge pain

 

[Mnyb]

Audiosmile LBM they’re tiny migth not need to be placed sideways sounds good too

 

[EERecordist]

Erin's Audio Corner has a Klippel tester like ASR. He published his graphs to Spinorama.org and produces out his reviews on his YouTube channel.

KEF LSX LT II Powered Speaker Review

KEF LSX LT II Speaker

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[Cogito]

Edifier S3000 MKII

 

[SeanTek]

Take a look at the Kali LP-UNF speakers.

 

[Ellebob]

I have had the Kef LSX II, the Kali IN-UNF and currently have the LP-UNF on my desk. Of these for performance I would go with the IN-UNF. Their disadvantage is space, they have a bass module that needs to be placed in certain areas to work well. It worked best under my monitor but I didn't like my monitor being higher for viewing. It didn't really fit well behind my monitor. If you can arrange these to work in your system definitely better than the Kef.

Between the LSX II and the LP-UNF I would say the Kef has better midrange but the Kali has deeper bass. For lower volume listening where humans do not hear bass as well, the deeper bass gives a more fuller, richer sound. If adding a sub then the Kef.

Other alternatives are the Adam D3V , iLoud MTM or Micro which all have deeper bass. Coaxial speakers do have an advantage if your position changes but if basically stay in the same area and the speakers are aimed towards you, any of these will work well.

 

[Bitoshi]

I bought these same speakers for the same price in Canada recently, however, the only speakers I have to compare them with are the genelec 8010A's. After testing them out for a week I don't believe you'll get better sound quality for the money, unless you buy used speakers. I seen some used genelec 8020's for $700 CAD locally which would sound better overall, although they'd have less bass, and you could probably get the 8010A's that I have for ~$500 CAD.

I do think the 8010A's sound clearer, have more detail, and seem to be less congested, however, they severely lack in the low end. The LSX seems to have better imagining and a surprising amount of low end for it's size. I find that the LSX seems to sound better for certain music, such as EDM or anything with a lot of bass, but the genelec's can sound better with vocal tracks or classical music.