The catch
KEF LSX II LT
There is no analog input, so a normal phono preamp by itself cannot connect a record player.
Side by side
KEF LSX II LT vs Klipsch The Fives II: Room stays compact with KEF, while Fives II connects records and a console directly
Quick verdict
LSX II LT is the choice when everything in the system is digital and desk or console depth is scarce. Its 180 mm body is about 92 mm shallower than The Fives II. Fives II is better when a compatible MM turntable, another RCA line player or an HDMI console needs a direct path. The KEF has no analog input whatsoever. Network music and USB audio come with both, and both need a cable between the speakers. HDMI passthrough on the Fives II still depends on the whole source and TV chain.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A turntable added later can turn a compact digital system into a different project
Because LSX II LT has no analog input, adding an ordinary phono preamp does not give a turntable a direct route. A compatible conversion or network-source path would call for separate research. Fives II takes a compatible MM turntable directly and leaves a separate RCA line input free for another player. If records are already in the household plan, count that whole future chain before choosing KEF only for its smaller body.
Where this comes from
No analog input versus dedicated phono and line paths, applied to planned vinyl use. No external converter compatibility is made up.
The catch
Klipsch The Fives II
The cabinets are both deeper and wider, and virtual Atmos creates no physical rear or height speakers.
KEF LSX II LT
- Why pick it
- Your sources are all covered by TV, a USB computer and network music, and the furniture is shallow.
- A compact wired pair with just one mains connection suits the room.
- The catch
- There is no analog input, so a normal phono preamp by itself cannot connect a record player.
Klipsch The Fives II
- Why pick it
- You want a compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source to plug in without any external conversion path.
- The TV's eARC port is in competition with a compatible gaming input you need.
- The catch
- The cabinets are both deeper and wider, and virtual Atmos creates no physical rear or height speakers.
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What this page compares
A shared small room with LSX II LT or Fives II: the compact cabinet weighed against the extra turntable and console hardware that each source plan requires.
Without a receiver, both powered network pairs serve a TV, a USB computer and shared streaming. Cabinet and analog-source differences matter before any listening preference does.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A work and TV setup that is all digital, on shallow furniture
KEF keeps the source types and its body is about 92 mm less deep.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Better fit
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Good
The room needs an MM turntable and another RCA source
Separate direct analog paths come with Fives II.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Caution
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Better fit
The extra HDMI source route is required for a compatible console
Source passthrough is offered by Fives II, provided the full chain checks out.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Caution
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Better fit
No safe way to run a cable between speakers
An interspeaker cable is needed with both.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Not suitable
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
A turntable added later can turn a compact digital system into a different project
Because LSX II LT has no analog input, adding an ordinary phono preamp does not give a turntable a direct route. A compatible conversion or network-source path would call for separate research. Fives II takes a compatible MM turntable directly and leaves a separate RCA line input free for another player. If records are already in the household plan, count that whole future chain before choosing KEF only for its smaller body.
How we worked this out
No analog input versus dedicated phono and line paths, applied to planned vinyl use. No external converter compatibility is made up.
With an all-digital source list, going compact is a substantial advantage
Per cabinet, KEF saves 91.78 mm of body depth, about 3.61 inches, and across the pair it saves 55.76 mm of combined width. A setup with a USB work computer, HDMI television and network music still gets the direct source types it requires. In a small shared room, that can leave more usable desk or console space. Allow for cable and placement clearance with either model, and keep in mind that neither model removes the interspeaker link.
How we worked this out
271.78 − 180 = 91.78 mm of depth, which divided by 25.4 gives 3.61 inches. 2 × (182.88 − 155) = 55.76 mm of width. The shared digital functions are documented.
With a console, the larger pair can spare you another switching box
Suppose the TV's eARC socket is also a gaming input you need. LSX II LT takes over that connection and gives no other HDMI source port. Fives II can take a compatible source and pass the stated gaming formats along through its HDMI input and eARC output. That may spare you an external source switch, but only once you have checked the exact console, TV and cables. A television with enough suitable spare ports takes away much of that advantage.
How we worked this out
HDMI layout, applied to a port shortage that may or may not occur, including the circumstance that removes the benefit.
Option A
KEF, LSX II LT
LSX II LT
Your sources are all covered by TV, a USB computer and network music, and the furniture is shallow.
- Best for
- Your sources are all covered by TV, a USB computer and network music, and the furniture is shallow.
Facts we checked
- Body depth: 180 mm
- Body width: 155 mm
- Records and analog: No analog input
- Console HDMI: TV ARC only
Option B
Klipsch, The Fives II
The Fives II
You want a compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source to plug in without any external conversion path.
- Best for
- You want a compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source to plug in without any external conversion path.
Facts we checked
- Body depth: 271.78 mm
- Body width: 182.88 mm
- Records and analog: Separate MM phono and RCA line inputs
- Console HDMI: Separate source HDMI and TV eARC with stated 4K/120 passthrough
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | KEF LSX II LT | Klipsch The Fives II | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body depth | 180 mm | 271.78 mm | KEF's 91.78 mm saving comes before cables and placement clearance. |
| Body width | 155 mm | 182.88 mm | Together the KEF cabinets save 55.76 mm of width. |
| Records and analog | No analog input | Separate MM phono and RCA line inputs | Once records enter the room, the source chain changes a lot. |
| Console HDMI | TV ARC only | Separate source HDMI and TV eARC with stated 4K/120 passthrough | On a TV with few ports, Fives II can keep a compatible source route. |
| Computer and network music | USB-C audio and built-in streaming | USB-C audio and built-in streaming | The larger cabinets are not needed for these common jobs alone. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With KEF LSX II LT
- You have to use the supplied 3 m C-Link. Measure its route, and price a longer compatible cable only if it is needed.
With Klipsch The Fives II
- Before relying on the stated 4K/120, VRR and ALLM passthrough, check the console, TV, cables and format.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Sources remain digital and furniture space is tight
Go with KEF LSX II LT. The smaller complete digital setup is what LSX II LT provides.
Without it, records or a console would need another workaround for the source
Go with Klipsch The Fives II. The relevant direct connections are what Fives II adds.
Decision guide
Before you buy
Compact speakers in a shared room are the aim, with no extra boxes for records and no gaming connection given up.
What this page can’t tell you
- No winner on measured sound, bass or gaming latency is named. Virtual surround processing does not amount to physical surround hardware.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the powered speakers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEF LSX II LT |
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| Klipsch The Fives II |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
KEF LSX II LT
Your sources are all covered by TV, a USB computer and network music, and the furniture is shallow.
A compact wired pair with just one mains connection suits the room.
See price & reviews on AmazonKlipsch The Fives II
You want a compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source to plug in without any external conversion path.
The TV's eARC port is in competition with a compatible gaming input you need.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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