The Audioengine A5+ Classic is the simpler music-first choice, while the Klipsch The Fives is the far more adaptable TV and turntable speaker. Both sit among 64 powered bookshelf speakers, but their strengths are very different.
The A5+ Classic has a reasonably even response outside its upper-bass valley, which makes it a sensible compact stereo for a desk or small room. Its 200 to 400Hz recession can thin out some lower voices and instruments, and the distortion rise around 800 to 900Hz is worth knowing if you listen loudly.
The Fives earns its price with HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono and line inputs, plus a subwoofer output. That is a complete soundbar replacement, but its Flat mode still has too much bass and the horn-to-woofer handoff benefits from careful placement or EQ.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic if you want straightforward powered stereo and prefer its less feature-heavy, more traditional setup.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives if HDMI ARC, a turntable input, and a broad connection set matter more than the last word in neutral stock tuning.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $699/pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | - |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) | - |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5" woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | - |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Inputs | - | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch The Fives compares with other leading options:
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8331A
- Klipsch The Fives vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs Klipsch The Fives
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Klipsch The Fives
- Klipsch The Fives vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 3.68 standalone and 6.15 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested.
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Klipsch The Fives: $699/pair Amazon eBay
Pros: In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 4.62 standalone and 6.98 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. That mode offers considerably better tonal balance than the bass-heavy default behavior. HDMI ARC, phono/line input, digital inputs and subwoofer output make it a versatile stereo alternative to a soundbar.
Cons: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting. Bass reaches -3dB around 59Hz in that configuration. The review reports increasing compression around 200Hz and below 80Hz as volume rises, reducing bass dynamics. Careful placement and a subwoofer remain useful, and the horn/woofer transition is not perfectly uniform off-axis.
Full Klipsch The Fives review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Drivers | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5" woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Klipsch The Fives Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Klipsch The Fives
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Bookshelf Speakers For TV & Gaming - 2025 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Fives vs JBL 305P MKII
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- Klipsch The Fives vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Klipsch The Fives vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8320A
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8330A
- See all 45 comparisons