Short answer: the Audioengine HD6 for better sound quality, the Kali Audio IN-UNF for the lower price. The Audioengine HD6 ranks #25 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers at $817.44. The Kali Audio IN-UNF ranks #34 at $699, $118.44 cheaper.
What the Audioengine HD6 offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass.
What the Kali Audio IN-UNF offers: Ingenious ultra-nearfield system: a desk-mounted bass module uses two opposed 4.5-inch woofers below 280Hz, while the satellites use time-aligned 4-inch/1-inch coincident drivers. Watch for: This is a very specialized system rather than a general desktop-speaker recommendation.
Buy the Audioengine HD6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali Audio IN-UNF if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Kali Audio IN-UNF. It ranks near the bottom of the 36 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine HD6 | Kali Audio IN-UNF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $817.44 | $699 |
| Ranked | #25 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.2"W x 10"D (298.4 x 184.1 x 254 mm) | Bass module: 11.6"H x 19.4"W x 5.25"D; satellites: 6.25" diameter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical | USB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Outputs | RCA Output | - |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs / 7.9 kg | - |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer | Bass module: two opposed 4.5" woofers; satellites: 4" coincident midrange with 1" textile-dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10) |
| Crossovers | - | 280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF |
| Max SPL | - | 103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | - | Yes (placement/boundary and tonal trims) |
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- Klipsch The Fives vs Audioengine HD4
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Edifier R2000DB
- Audioengine HD6 vs Klipsch The Fives
- Audioengine HD6 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine HD6: $817.44 Amazon
Cons: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass. Slight dip in the midrange.
Full Audioengine HD6 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.2"W x 10"D (298.4 x 184.1 x 254 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs / 7.9 kg |
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Kali Audio IN-UNF: $699 Kali Audio
Pros: Ingenious ultra-nearfield system: a desk-mounted bass module uses two opposed 4.5-inch woofers below 280Hz, while the satellites use time-aligned 4-inch/1-inch coincident drivers. It is specifically engineered around the desk and, set up to Kali’s supplied placement template, sounded much better than it initially did to Erin; his moving-mic measurement at arm’s length closely matched the system’s predicted response. DSP provides placement, boundary and tonal trims, while USB-C, optical, 3.5mm and balanced TRS inputs cover desktop and studio sources. The round satellite enclosure avoids conventional baffle-edge diffraction, and the coaxial satellites image best aimed directly at the listener.
Cons: This is a very specialized system rather than a general desktop-speaker recommendation. The sizeable bass module must stay on the desk and prescribed satellite spacing can conflict with dual or ultrawide monitors; Erin and Joe N Tell both preferred Kali’s LP-6/IN-series alternatives for their own desks. A bump around 100-130Hz and a possible 1.2kHz diffraction feature appeared in Erin’s exploratory anechoic data, but he explicitly cautioned that those measurements do not replicate the required desk geometry. Bass falls away around 40-50Hz despite the separate bass unit. Erin did not publish comparable anechoic F3/F10, sensitivity or impedance figures because the system is designed around a fixed desk arrangement.
Full Kali Audio IN-UNF review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Crossovers | 280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF |
| DSP | Yes (placement/boundary and tonal trims) |
| Dimensions | Bass module: 11.6"H x 19.4"W x 5.25"D; satellites: 6.25" diameter |
| Drivers | Bass module: two opposed 4.5" woofers; satellites: 4" coincident midrange with 1" textile-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Max SPL | 103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons