Main trade-off
KEF LSX II LT
No analog input. A normal phono preamp alone cannot connect a record player.
Head-to-head
KEF LSX II LT vs Klipsch The Fives II: KEF keeps the room compact, Fives II connects records and a console directly
The short answer
Choose LSX II LT when the system is all digital and desk or console depth is scarce. Its 180 mm body is about 92 mm shallower than The Fives II. Choose Fives II when a compatible MM turntable, another RCA line player or an HDMI console needs a direct path. KEF has no analog input at all. Both offer network music and USB audio, and both require a cable between the speakers. Fives II’s HDMI passthrough still depends on the whole source and TV chain.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A future turntable can make a compact digital system a different project
LSX II LT has no analog input, so adding an ordinary phono preamp does not provide a direct turntable route. A compatible conversion or network-source path would need separate research. Fives II can take a compatible MM turntable directly and leave a separate RCA line input for another player. If records are already part of the household plan, include that entire future chain before choosing KEF solely for its smaller body.
What this is based on
No analog input versus dedicated phono and line paths crossed with planned vinyl use. No external converter compatibility is invented.
Main trade-off
Klipsch The Fives II
The cabinets are deeper and wider, and virtual Atmos does not create physical rear or height speakers.
KEF LSX II LT
- Choose it for
- TV, USB computer and network music cover every source, with shallow furniture.
- A compact wired pair with one mains connection fits the room.
- Main trade-off
- No analog input. A normal phono preamp alone cannot connect a record player.
Klipsch The Fives II
- Choose it for
- A compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source should connect without an external conversion path.
- The TV’s eARC port competes with a needed compatible gaming input.
- Main trade-off
- The cabinets are deeper and wider, and virtual Atmos does not create physical rear or height speakers.
About this comparison
LSX II LT vs Fives II for a shared small room. Compare the compact cabinet against the extra turntable and console hardware each source plan requires.
Both powered network pairs serve a TV, USB computer and shared streaming without a receiver. Their cabinet and analog-source differences matter before any listening preference.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
All-digital work and TV setup on shallow furniture
KEF retains the source types with about 92 mm less body depth.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Better fit
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Good
MM turntable and another RCA source belong in the room
Fives II supplies separate direct analog paths.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Caution
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Better fit
Compatible console needs the extra HDMI source route
Fives II offers source passthrough, subject to full-chain checks.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Caution
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Better fit
No safe cable route between speakers
Both require an interspeaker cable.
- KEF LSX II LT
- Not suitable
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A future turntable can make a compact digital system a different project
LSX II LT has no analog input, so adding an ordinary phono preamp does not provide a direct turntable route. A compatible conversion or network-source path would need separate research. Fives II can take a compatible MM turntable directly and leave a separate RCA line input for another player. If records are already part of the household plan, include that entire future chain before choosing KEF solely for its smaller body.
How we reached this conclusion
No analog input versus dedicated phono and line paths crossed with planned vinyl use. No external converter compatibility is invented.
The compact advantage is substantial when the source list stays digital
KEF saves 91.78 mm of body depth per cabinet, about 3.61 inches, and 55.76 mm of combined width across the pair. With a USB work computer, HDMI television and network music, it retains the required direct source types. That can leave more usable desk or console space in a small shared room. Add cable and placement clearance to either model, and remember that neither removes the interspeaker link.
How we reached this conclusion
271.78 − 180 = 91.78 mm depth, divided by 25.4 = 3.61 inches. 2 × (182.88 − 155) = 55.76 mm width. Shared digital functions are documented.
A console can make the larger pair avoid another switching box
If the TV’s eARC socket is also a needed gaming input, LSX II LT occupies that connection without supplying another HDMI source port. Fives II can accept a compatible source and pass the stated gaming formats through its HDMI input and eARC output. This may avoid an external source switch, but only after checking the exact console, TV and cables. A television with enough suitable spare ports removes much of that advantage.
How we reached this conclusion
HDMI topology crossed with a conditional port shortage, including the circumstance that removes the benefit.
Choice A
KEF, LSX II LT
LSX II LT
TV, USB computer and network music cover every source, with shallow furniture.
- Best matched use
- TV, USB computer and network music cover every source, with shallow furniture.
Checked facts
- Body depth: 180 mm
- Body width: 155 mm
- Records and analog: No analog input
- Console HDMI: TV ARC only
Choice B
Klipsch, The Fives II
The Fives II
A compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source should connect without an external conversion path.
- Best matched use
- A compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source should connect without an external conversion path.
Checked facts
- 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
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | KEF LSX II LT | Klipsch The Fives II | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body depth | 180 mm | 271.78 mm | KEF saves 91.78 mm before cables and placement clearance. |
| Body width | 155 mm | 182.88 mm | The KEF pair saves 55.76 mm of combined cabinet width. |
| Records and analog | No analog input | Separate MM phono and RCA line inputs | The source chain changes substantially when records join the room. |
| Console HDMI | TV ARC only | Separate source HDMI and TV eARC with stated 4K/120 passthrough | Fives II can preserve a compatible source route on a port-limited TV. |
| Computer and network music | USB-C audio and built-in streaming | USB-C audio and built-in streaming | These common jobs alone do not require the larger cabinets. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose KEF LSX II LT
- The supplied 3 m C-Link is mandatory. Measure its route and price a longer compatible cable only if needed.
If you choose Klipsch The Fives II
- Check console, TV, cables and format before relying on stated 4K/120, VRR and ALLM passthrough.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
The source list stays digital and furniture is tight
Choose KEF LSX II LT. LSX II LT provides the smaller complete digital setup.
Records or a console would otherwise need another source workaround
Choose Klipsch The Fives II. Fives II adds the relevant direct connections.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want compact speakers in a shared room without creating extra boxes for records or sacrificing a gaming connection.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured sound, bass or gaming-latency winner. Virtual surround processing is not physical surround hardware.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current powered speakers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEF LSX II LT |
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| Klipsch The Fives II |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
KEF LSX II LT
TV, USB computer and network music cover every source, with shallow furniture.
A compact wired pair with one mains connection fits the room.
See price & reviews on AmazonKlipsch The Fives II
A compatible MM turntable and another RCA line source should connect without an external conversion path.
The TV’s eARC port competes with a needed compatible gaming input.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.