Short answer: 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 68 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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $699 per pair |
| Ranked | #28 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 68 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) | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| 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 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | Subwoofer |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| 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 | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.0 |
| 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 October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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.
The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 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. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs KEF LSX II LT
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Adam Audio T5V
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Airpulse A100
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Kanto YU6
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs M-Audio BX5 D3
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs JBL 705P
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Mackie MR524
- See all 59 comparisons
Klipsch The Fives: $699 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 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. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- 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
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8020D
- Klipsch The Fives vs Topping MA4
- Klipsch The Fives vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Klipsch The Fives vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Klipsch The Fives vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8320A
- Klipsch The Fives vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- See all 54 comparisons