Top KEF Speakers for 2025: Budget, Premium, Bookshelf, and Wireless Systems

Explore our top picks for KEF speakers in 2025, from budget-friendly options to premium choices, bookshelf, and wireless systems, all delivering exceptional sound.

The Legacy of KEF Speakers

KEF stands tall as a leading British Hi-Fi company with an impressive 60-year history, building a reputation for stylish speakers that produce outstanding sound quality. The speakers listed below epitomize the pinnacle of performance, each deserving a five-star rating from us. Each model not only excels in sound quality but also comes equipped with all the necessary connections and boasts solid construction, ensuring an ideal score of five out of five.

For nearly as long as KEF has been around, we have been testing their speakers. While the speakers themselves have evolved significantly over the decades, our evaluation criteria have remained steadfast. We assess each pair of speakers not only in isolation but also in comparison with their most relevant competitors within the same price bracket. Our verdict is a collective decision made by our team to eliminate personal bias, and we take pride in our unwavering commitment to honest reviews without being swayed by marketing tricks. For nearly 50 years, we have provided impartial reviews and intend to continue this tradition for many more.

Quick List of Our Top Picks

• Best Overall Speakers — KEF LS50 Meta: The redesigned driver array makes the LS50 Meta the best passive monitor for most users.
• Best Mid-Range Speakers — KEF R3 Meta: The R3 Meta delivers astonishingly clear and refined sound, all at an accessible price.
• Best Premium Speakers — KEF Reference 1 Meta: A remarkable all-round package that combines excellent sound, thoughtful design, and impressive build quality. If budget isn't a concern...
• Best Wireless Speakers — KEF LSX II: The KEF LSX II serves as a fantastic multifunctional streaming system, perfect for smaller spaces.
• Best Budget Wireless Speakers — KEF LSX II LT: This simplified version of the LSX II comes at a lower price point, making it highly attractive for those on a budget.
• Best Mid-Range Wireless Speakers — KEF LS50 Wireless II: With extensive connectivity options, this system stands out as an exceptional all-around music system for mid-range seekers.
• Best Premium Wireless Floor Standing Speakers — KEF LS60 Wireless: The KEF LS60 Wireless is a universal Hi-Fi system that combines attractive styling, useful features, and outstanding sound quality.

1. KEF LS50 Meta — Best Overall Speakers

Specifications:

• Type: Standmount
• Drivers: Uni-Q driver array (25mm tweeter, 13cm mid/bass driver)
• Ported: Yes (rear)
• Bi-wireable: No
• Impedance: 8 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 85 dB
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.2 x 20 x 28 cm
• Weight: 7.8 kg
• Finish Options: 4 (carbon black, titanium grey, mineral white, royal blue)

Pros:

• Exceptional sound transparency
• Smooth and precise presentation
• Innovative technology

Cons:

• Not ideal for placement on bookshelves or against walls

The original LS50 speakers had nothing wrong with them, but after eight years, KEF decided it was time for a makeover. With the LS50 Meta, the British audio brand introduced a truly worthy upgrade. The Uni-Q driver array, where the tweeter is positioned within the enclosure of the mid/bass driver, has been completely reworked with all the advancements made by KEF over the past eight years, including the addition of their renowned Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). MAT efficiently handles sound that reflects off the back of the tweeter dome, using a plastic round labyrinth of tubes on the rear to provide better absorption for cleaner, less distorted high frequencies.

While the core sound character is immediately recognizable, the Meta drivers achieve a level of clarity and finesse that the originals merely hinted at. They sound crisp yet deliver power and dynamism. The sound is precisely what KEF speakers should be, offering a balance and richness that only the best performers can deliver. We loved the original models, but the LS50 Meta takes performance to a noticeably higher — and award-winning — level. It is the best choice for most users.

2. KEF R3 Meta — Best Mid-Range Speakers

Specifications:

• Type: Standmount
• Drivers: Uni-Q driver array (25mm tweeter, 12.5cm midrange driver), 16.5cm bass driver
• Ported: Yes (rear)
• Bi-wireable: Yes
• Impedance: 4 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 87 dB
• Dimensions: 42.2 x 20 x 33.6 cm
• Weight: 12.4 kg
• Finish Options: 4 (gloss black, gloss white, walnut, limited edition gloss indigo)

Pros:

• Clear, refined, expressive sound
• Even tonal balance with ample enjoyment
• Innovative technology
• Excellent build and finish

Cons:

• Best positioned away from walls and paired with equally talented equipment

KEF’s innovative MAT has elevated the performance of many speakers to new heights. It was only a matter of time before this technology was integrated into the 2023 R Series speakers, and when it was incorporated into the premium R3 Meta standmounter (combined with the Uni-Q driver array), the success felt inevitable.

The three-way R3 Meta speakers are stunning to behold, with impeccable finish and build quality. The 12th generation Uni-Q driver array has been modified to accommodate the MAT-sized disk (which absorbs 99% of unwanted back emissions from the tweeter), resulting in a sound that is astonishingly pure and deep.

KEF has a refinement that conceals their superiority to the extent that you will enjoy listening to them regardless of the genre. They are remarkably transparent and effortlessly reproduce a spectrum of musical diversity: from heavy metal and 90s pop to classical compositions — everything we listened to during testing, and the KEFs handled it all, conveying the music with utmost accuracy.

If you need a louder and richer sound than the LS50 Meta (and can afford the next level), the R3 Meta is an excellent choice.

3. KEF Reference 1 Meta — Best Premium Speakers

Specifications:

• Type: Standmount
• Drivers: Uni-Q driver array (25mm tweeter, 12.5cm midrange driver), 16.5cm bass driver
• Ported: Yes (rear)
• Bi-wireable: Yes
• Impedance: 4 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 85 dB
• Dimensions: 44 x 20.5 x 42 cm
• Weight: 18.2 kg
• Finish Options: 5 (black copper, black grey, champagne white, blue white, walnut silver)

Pros:

• Balanced, refined, yet musical performance
• Accurate stereo imaging
• Impressive bass authority and power
• Excellent build and finish

Cons:

• Requires a high-noise amplifier
• Dedicated stands can be pricey

Similar to the KEF R3 Meta speakers in this list, KEF has updated their pricier Reference 1 speaker by adding innovative Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which absorbs around 99% of unwanted, distorting sound waves emanating from the rear of the tweeter, and again, it has been executed with great success.

The addition of MAT into KEF's signature Uni-Q driver array, which positions the 25mm aluminum tweeter in the throat of the midrange driver, is a far more complex process than simply applying the technology to the rear of the driver. In Reference 1 Meta, this required substantial refinements. The company took the opportunity to implement numerous improvements to the array design, motor systems, and geometry to enhance performance. The Uni-Q array is even isolated from the well-constructed Reference 1 Meta cabinet to reduce vibrations transmitted to the enclosure.

KEF engineers have done a fantastic job with these speakers. The original Reference 1 was fantastic, but the sonic enhancements brought by the Meta upgrade are significant. The soundstage is expansive and multilayered; they convincingly convey dynamic shifts in music, they are wonderfully transparent, tonally balanced, and rhythmically alive simultaneously.

As of this writing, it's hard to imagine a more perfect alternative at such a high level. Choose your system wisely, and these KEF speakers will undoubtedly delight you.

4. KEF LSX II — Best Wireless Speakers

Specifications:

• Type: Standmount
• Drivers: Uni-Q (19mm aluminum dome tweeter; 11.5cm mid/bass aluminum cone)
• Ported: Yes (rear)
• Bi-wireable: No
• Dimensions: 97.5 x 18 x 34.8 cm
• Weight: 19.6 kg
• Finish Options: 3 (light oak, black oak, walnut pearlescent)

Pros:

• Magnificently balanced presentation
• Expressive and revealing midrange
• Quality assembly and finish

Cons:

• Performs best with some breathing space

From an aesthetic standpoint, the LSX II shares a striking resemblance to their predecessors, the impressively expressive original LSX. These powered speakers with streaming and connectivity look similar to their predecessors but have significant upgrades that elevate them to the next level.

Most notably, there are greater connectivity options. First is HDMI ARC and USB-C for connecting to televisions and laptops, respectively. Like other KEF wireless speakers, they also feature an Ethernet port to connect the speakers directly to a router or switch, plus a second port used for connecting the supplied Ethernet cable between the two speakers. This is necessary if you want to play digital music files at 24-bit resolution and 96kHz (higher resolution files downsample to 24-bit and 96kHz).

The LSX II deliver confident musical sound with a genuine sense of refinement. They maintain a pleasant rhythmic feel and warmth. KEF's formula for success has become even better, and it's no surprise.

5. KEF LSX II LT — Best Budget Wireless Speakers

Specifications:

• Type: Standmount
• Drivers: Uni-Q (19mm aluminum dome tweeter; 11.5cm mid/bass aluminum cone)
• Ported: Yes (rear)
• Bi-wireable: No
• Dimensions: 24 x 15.5 x 18 cm
• Weight: 6.8 kg
• Finish Options: 3 (graphite grey, white stone, sage green)

Pros:

• Cohesive, well-balanced performance
• Full, well-defined bass
• Excellent value for most users
• Compact size for desktop use

Cons:

• No auxiliary input
• Less luxurious finish options
• Loss of wireless connectivity between speakers

As you can see above, the LSX II is a fantastic wireless audio system. Now, the LSX II LT has arrived — essentially the same system, but slightly simplified and at a lower price point.

KEF has removed wireless connectivity between the speakers, the AUX input, and a few color options. That’s it. You still get the same core offering but for a price of 89,000 rubles. In practice, this is quite appealing.

In person, they look even more attractive. Virtually indistinguishable from the standard LSX II, they are sturdy and well-made. The ribbed rear panel is a nice touch, even if you don't see it often, and the smooth, unobtrusive cabinets seem impervious to scratches and stains.

Despite the lack of an AUX input, you still get USB-C, an HDMI ARC port for your TV, an optical input, and even a subwoofer output. To connect to the network, only one cable is necessary (with the LSX II, both speakers had to be connected to the network), and the updated power supply simplifies the setup.

All major streaming services are included, but unlike the LSX II, the LT does not support Roon.

Fortunately, there are no compromises in the audio department. The sound from the LT speakers is solid, clear, and bass-heavy, with a powerful punch and excellent sense of dynamics. The high frequencies rarely become too exuberant, while the rich bass never feels sluggish. They offer much of what made the LSX II speakers award-winners, with very few compromises.

6. KEF LS50 Wireless II — Best Mid-Range Wireless Speakers

Specifications:

• Type: Standmount
• Drivers: Uni-Q driver array (25mm tweeter, 13cm midrange/bass driver)
• Ported: Yes (rear)
• Bi-wireable: No
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.5 x 20 x 31.1 cm
• Weight: 10 kg
• Finish Options: 4 (mineral white, titanium grey, carbon black, special release raspberry red)

Pros:

• Focused, highly engaging sound
• Excellent driver integration
• Built-in streaming and amplification

Cons:

• The app may be glitchy to the touch
• Some may miss the USB type B input

Compared to the outstanding first-generation wireless KEF LS50 speakers, these have improved even further, which is no small feat for a reliable audio brand like KEF.

Like their acclaimed predecessors, the new LS50 Wireless II represents an excellent all-in-one system (with built-in streaming and sound amplification) thanks to its expanded connectivity options. Among the improvements are upgraded components and a new KEF Connect app through which you can access services like Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and Deezer. You won't need to reach for any of the aforementioned apps: these speakers support streaming through AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Bluetooth, and are Roon-ready. You also have a multitude of digital audio inputs — HDMI eARC, optical, and coaxial — as well as a 3.5mm AUX input. High-resolution support extends to 24-bit/384kHz files, MQA, and DSD256.

KEF's stunning design is matched by sensational sound, enhanced by the upgraded Uni-Q drivers and KEF's brand new MAT absorption technology. The sound is expansive, and the addition of the new MAT technology is evident in the refined highs and clean mids. The sound has become more open, and the added space is filled with more intricate and precise details, allowing for better separation of instruments, resulting in a less crowded sound.

To put it simply, if you want a high-quality all-in-one system with streaming support (and desire more powerful sound than the LSX II can deliver), then this upgraded sequel should be at the top of your list.

7. KEF LS60 Wireless — Best Premium Floorstanding Wireless Speakers

Specifications:

• Type: Floorstanding
• Drivers: Uni-Q array (19mm tweeter, 10cm mid/bass driver); 4x Uni-Q 13.5cm (resonance suppression drivers)
• Bi-wireable: No
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 109 x 21.2 x 39.4 cm
• Weight: 62.4 kg
• Finish Options: 3 (titanium grey, royal blue, mineral white)

Pros:

• Focused, extremely engaging sound
• Excellent driver integration
• Built-in streaming and amplification

Cons:

• For playback in 24-bit/192kHz format, a wired connection is required
• Not a budget option

Celebrating KEF’s 60th anniversary, the British company has outdone itself by releasing one of its most sophisticated products to date, the LS60 Wireless, a floorstanding version of their fantastic LS50 Wireless II Hi-Fi system.

They are significantly slimmer than the LS50 Wireless II with stands and feature the new (12th) generation KEF Uni-Q drivers — the smallest ever released. There’s also a dampener for the high-frequency driver and a new rounded Z-Flex rear panel that improves sound dispersion and reduces distortion.

All this combines to create a phenomenal audio package — possibly the best sound we’ve ever heard from such a product. The LS60 Wireless creates an immersive and focused stereo image with great width and height, but does not sound stretched. It’s hard to believe that such powerful sound comes from such slim speakers.

Add to this an impressive array of features, including support for multiple streaming services, 24-bit/384-kHz files, DSD256, and access to proprietary apps, and you have one of the best universal floorstanding speakers on the market.

Also Consider

Best Alternative Speakers We Tested:

KEF Q Concerto Meta: This entry-level model from the Q series didn’t make the main list, but not due to its quality — it earned five stars in our review. We preferred the LS50 for a very similar price. However, thanks to the Meta technology and considerable performance boost over its predecessor, it's still an excellent choice.

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3: Larger floorstanding units in the B&W 600 S3 range certainly have many advantages — are they Hi-Fi? Indeed, they are award winners. With thoughtful design, titanium tweeters, and new driver ports, they represent a strong option at this price point.

Wharfedale Diamond 12.1: These bookshelf speakers boast stunning design and surprisingly clean sound for their price. The best budget Hi-Fi speakers.

How to Choose the Best KEF Speakers for You

If you’ve decided that your next speakers will be from KEF, then you’ve already made a choice among numerous outstanding best speakers available today. Whether you prefer their aesthetics or reputation, modern KEF speakers are a solid choice, as shown in this list of five-star reviews.

Choosing the right KEF speaker for you isn’t much different from selecting any other speaker: Do you need a floorstanding or bookshelf model? What’s your budget? Do you need passive stereo speakers for an existing separate system, or do you need an all-in-one wireless system with minimal features?

Most KEF speakers utilize a thoughtfully designed and iconic Uni-Q driver construction. Instead of having a separate tweeter and midrange driver, the tweeter in the Uni-Q driver is placed at the center of the midrange driver. This allows for better sound synchronization and ensures a more cohesive sound that we hear in modern KEF speakers. It’s a simple idea, but it’s what sets the company apart from the rest. Another successful innovation seen in the latest models is the addition of Metamaterial Absorption Technology (or MAT) — a small labyrinth structure that absorbs 99% of unwanted sound coming from behind the tweeter, providing cleaner and higher-quality reproduction of high frequencies.

More importantly, KEF keeps pace with the times and offers wireless audio systems alongside passive speakers. The line of LS wireless universal streaming systems receives five-star reviews and sets standards for such audio systems. These products represent a complete system without the need for multiple devices. They also incorporate a variety of physical connections along with all wireless options, making them an excellent choice if you listen to streaming audio alongside more traditional media like vinyl and CDs.

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