HomePod (2nd gen) · Black
Smart/Portable · $299
KEF LSX II · Olive
Smart/Portable · $1399
KEF LSX II · Olive takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, HomePod (2nd gen) · Black lands at 85 and KEF LSX II · Olive at 92. That puts KEF LSX II · Olive ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick HomePod (2nd gen) · Black if…
- ✓Easy multi-room with ecosystem
- ✓App EQ on modern models
- ✓USB-C/AUX input on some
Pick KEF LSX II · Olive if…
- ✓Easy multi-room with ecosystem
- ✓App EQ on modern models
- ✓USB-C/AUX input on some
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound
KEF LSX II · OliveCompared on the sound sub-score
KEF LSX II · Olive leads on sound (92 vs 85).
Design
TieCompared on the design sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Features
KEF LSX II · OliveCompared on the features sub-score
KEF LSX II · Olive leads on features (90 vs 83).
Value for money
HomePod (2nd gen) · BlackSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
HomePod (2nd gen) · Black more score per dollar ($299 vs $1,399).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | HomePod (2nd gen) · Black | KEF LSX II · Olive |
|---|
HomePod (2nd gen) · Black
- +Easy multi-room with ecosystem
- +App EQ on modern models
- +USB-C/AUX input on some
- −Brand ecosystem lock-in
- −Subscription features on some
- −Bass limits at lower sizes
KEF LSX II · Olive
- +Easy multi-room with ecosystem
- +App EQ on modern models
- +USB-C/AUX input on some
- −Brand ecosystem lock-in
- −Subscription features on some
- −Bass limits at lower sizes
FAQ: HomePod (2nd gen) · Black vs KEF LSX II · Olive
Which is better, HomePod (2nd gen) · Black or KEF LSX II · Olive? +
KEF LSX II · Olive scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is HomePod (2nd gen) · Black worth the price? +
At $299, HomePod (2nd gen) · Black delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in design.
Is KEF LSX II · Olive worth the price? +
At $1,399, KEF LSX II · Olive delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in sound.
Does HomePod (2nd gen) · Black or KEF LSX II · Olive last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound, HomePod (2nd gen) · Black or KEF LSX II · Olive? +
KEF LSX II · Olive — leads on sound (92 vs 85). Compared on the sound sub-score.
Which is better for features, HomePod (2nd gen) · Black or KEF LSX II · Olive? +
KEF LSX II · Olive — leads on features (90 vs 83). Compared on the features sub-score.