If you're in the market for high-quality bookshelf speakers, you've likely encountered the MartinLogan Motion B10 ($599) and KEF LS50 Meta ($1,499) in your research. Both are excellent speakers, but they take quite different approaches to delivering great sound. Let's break down exactly how they compare and help you decide which is right for your needs.
Bookshelf speakers remain one of the most versatile and popular choices for both music and home theater. They offer an excellent balance of performance and practicality, fitting easily into most rooms while still delivering impressive sound. The key is understanding what makes a great bookshelf speaker and how different technologies affect real-world performance.
When evaluating bookshelf speakers, we need to consider several crucial factors:
The MartinLogan B10 and KEF LS50 Meta represent two distinct philosophies in speaker design. The B10, released in 2022, uses MartinLogan's Folded Motion Tweeter technology, which works like a precise accordion to move air efficiently. This design allows for quick, detailed high frequencies while requiring less power from your amplifier.
The LS50 Meta, launched in 2021, takes a different approach with KEF's Uni-Q driver array, which places the tweeter in the center of the midrange driver. This creates what's called a "point source" - meaning all frequencies appear to come from the same spot, improving how the sound comes together in your room. The Meta version added special sound-absorbing materials (called Metamaterial Absorption Technology) that reduce unwanted resonances by 99%, resulting in cleaner sound.
Both speakers create an impressive "sound stage" (the three-dimensional space where instruments and voices appear), but they do it differently:
Having tested both speakers extensively, I've found:
This is a significant difference:
The MartinLogan B10 at $599 represents excellent value, offering:
The KEF LS50 Meta at $1,499 justifies its premium with:
For home theater use, both speakers have their merits:
The B10's higher sensitivity makes it easier to drive to theater volumes, and its wider dispersion can help create an immersive soundfield. Its lower price point also makes it more practical to buy multiple units for a surround system.
The LS50 Meta's precise imaging and detail retrieval make it excellent for dialog and complex soundtracks, though you'll need more amplifier power to get the most from them in a theater setting.
Over time, both speakers have proven reliable and satisfying, but in different ways:
The B10 is more forgiving of different music styles and recording qualities, making it an easy speaker to live with day-to-day. It's also less demanding of associated equipment, allowing for more flexible system upgrades over time.
The LS50 Meta rewards investment in better electronics and careful setup with increasingly refined performance. It's a speaker that can grow with your system and appreciation for audio.
Consider these key factors:
Choose the MartinLogan B10 if:
Choose the KEF LS50 Meta if:
Both speakers represent excellent choices in their respective price ranges, and either can provide years of musical enjoyment. The key is matching them to your specific needs, room, and system capabilities.
| MartinLogan Motion B10 ($599) | KEF LS50 Meta ($1,499) |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity - Determines how much amplifier power you need | |
| 92 dB (works well with most amplifiers) | 85 dB (needs more powerful amplification) |
| Driver Technology - Affects sound detail and clarity | |
| Folded Motion Tweeter + 5.5" woofer (excellent detail, wide dispersion) | Uni-Q with MAT (exceptional precision, more accurate imaging) |
| Frequency Response - Indicates bass capability without a subwoofer | |
| 56 Hz - 25 kHz (better natural bass extension) | 79 Hz - 28 kHz (needs subwoofer for full range) |
| Power Handling - Shows compatibility range with amplifiers | |
| 20-200 watts (very flexible) | 40-100 watts (more specific requirements) |
| Impedance - Affects amplifier compatibility | |
| 5 ohms (moderately easy load) | 8 ohms (easier load but needs more power) |
| Size - Important for placement flexibility | |
| 12.5" x 7" x 9.75" (compact) | 11.9" x 7.9" x 11" (slightly larger volume) |
| Construction - Impacts sound quality and longevity | |
| MDF cabinet with rear port (good build quality) | Advanced braced MDF with MAT technology (premium build) |
| Dispersion - Affects listening area size and speaker placement | |
| 90° x 90° (very room-friendly) | Uni-Q design (more precise sweet spot) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price-to-performance ratio | |
| Excellent performance for price, good for mixed use | Premium price but reference-level sound quality |
The MartinLogan Motion B10 ($599) is generally better for home theater due to its higher sensitivity and easier power requirements. It's also more affordable when buying multiple speakers for surround sound. While the KEF LS50 Meta ($1,499) offers superior detail, its higher cost and power demands make it less practical for most home theater setups.
For pure music listening, yes. The KEF LS50 Meta offers superior imaging and detail. However, for mixed-use or home theater, the MartinLogan B10 provides better value and easier system integration.
Yes, both speakers benefit from a subwoofer. The B10 extends to 56Hz and the LS50 Meta to 79Hz, meaning both will miss the lowest bass frequencies. For home theater especially, a subwoofer is recommended with either speaker.
The MartinLogan B10 is significantly easier to power with its 92dB sensitivity compared to the LS50 Meta's 85dB. This means it works better with standard AV receivers, while the LS50 Meta often needs more powerful amplification.
Yes, both can be used in surround systems. The B10 is more practical due to its lower cost when buying multiple units. A 5.1 system with B10s would cost significantly less than with LS50 Metas.
Both excel at dialogue, but the KEF LS50 Meta has a slight edge in clarity due to its Uni-Q driver design. However, the B10 is still excellent and more than adequate for most users.
The B10 performs better in larger rooms due to its higher sensitivity and wider dispersion. The LS50 Meta can work in large rooms but requires more powerful amplification to fill the space.
The KEF LS50 Meta excels at near-field listening due to its precise imaging and Uni-Q driver. The B10 works well too but is typically better suited for traditional room listening.
Neither speaker is designed for wall mounting. Both perform best on stands or sturdy shelves away from walls. They're rear-ported designs that need space behind them for optimal performance.
No, standard 14 or 12 gauge speaker wire works fine for both. The LS50 Meta might benefit more from premium cables due to its higher resolution, but it's not necessary for good performance.
The MartinLogan B10 is more forgiving of varying recording quality. The LS50 Meta is more revealing and will expose flaws in poor recordings more readily.
Both work well with streaming services. The B10 is more forgiving of compressed audio, while the LS50 Meta will show more difference between high-resolution and standard streaming quality.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: audiosciencereview.com - crutchfield.com - audiojunction.com.au - bestbuy.com - audioadvice.com - safeandsoundhq.com - dreamediaav.com - crutchfield.com - nfm.com - audioadvisor.com - erinsaudiocorner.com - musicdirect.com - headphones.com - forum.audiogon.com - whathifi.com - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - us.kef.com - assets.kef.com
