Short answer: the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It ranks #1 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $325 and is still sold new; the Klipsch The Three II ranks #24 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Klipsch The Three II’s replacement, the Klipsch The Three Plus, is rated 3.4/5 at $274.99.
The Audio Pro C5 MkII is the better-sounding option. An excellent sounding medium home speaker, with fairly neutral sound, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, and an RCA input for a turntable. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Klipsch The Three II cannot. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the Klipsch The Three II cannot.
What the Klipsch The Three II does well: A retro tabletop speaker with aptX Bluetooth and a wide range of inputs including optical, RCA, aux and USB. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Audio Pro C5 MkII lacks.
Buy the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Klipsch The Three II is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio Pro C5 MkII | Klipsch The Three II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $325 each | $400 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #24 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA, Optical, USB |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer line out | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Drivers | 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters | 4.5” woofer, 2x 2.25” full-range midranges |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)) | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 5.1” x 5.9” (250 x 130 x 150 mm) | 11” x 7.3” x 7.3” (280 x 186 x 186 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast | - |
| Amplifier Power | 41W (2x8W + 25W) | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Full-range: 2x15W) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Audio Pro C5 MkII: reviews by Smart Home Sounds and Storytripper HD.
- Klipsch The Three II: reviews by DSAUDIO.review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audio Pro C5 MkII: