Short answer: the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It ranks #1 of 13 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $300; the Klipsch The Three II ranks #12 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Audio Pro C5 MkII offers: Pretty neutral sound. Watch for: No battery
What the Klipsch The Three II offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: Treble boosted.
Buy the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Three II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Klipsch The Three II. It ranks near the bottom of the 13 powered desktop speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio Pro C5 MkII | Klipsch The Three II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300 | $400 |
| Ranked | #1 of 13 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #12 of 13 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | 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 |
| Wifi | Yes | 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 | - |
| Wifi Version | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz) | - |
| Output Power | 41W (2x8W + 25W) | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Full-range: 2x15W) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Marshall Woburn I vs Klipsch The One II
- Edifier D12 vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Klipsch The One II
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs JBL Authentics 200
The Two Speakers In Full
Audio Pro C5 MkII: $300 Amazon
Pros: Pretty neutral sound. Wifi
Cons: No battery
Full Audio Pro C5 MkII review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 9.8" x 5.1" x 5.9" (250 x 130 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" woofer, 2x 0.75" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA |
| Output Power | 41W (2x8W + 25W) |
| Outputs | Subwoofer line out |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Wifi Version | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Edifier D12
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs JBL Authentics 200
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn III
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn II
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Acton III
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Acton II
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Klipsch The One II
Klipsch The Three II: $400 Amazon
Cons: Treble boosted. Not as deep of bass as others.
Full Klipsch The Three II review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 11" x 7.3" x 7.3" (280 x 186 x 186 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5" woofer, 2x 2.25" full-range midranges |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA, Optical, USB |
| Output Power | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Full-range: 2x15W) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg |
| Wifi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Three II vs Klipsch The One II
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Acton II
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Acton III
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Klipsch The Three II vs JBL Authentics 200
- Klipsch The Three II vs Edifier D12
- Klipsch The Three II vs Edifier S2000MKIII