Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks #12 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $699; the Audioengine HD6 ranks #54, rated 3.3/5, and costs $817.44, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Audioengine HD6: Analog and optical inputs, RCA output and built-in amplification provide a convenient self-contained stereo setup. The catch: Listening impressions describe bass and treble emphasis with a recessed midrange, which may suit casual listening better than neutral monitoring.
What the Klipsch The Fives does well: 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. Watch for: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD6 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine HD6 | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $817.44 per pair | $699 per pair |
| Ranked | #54 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 68 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) | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | Subwoofer |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| Drivers | 5.5” (140mm) woofer | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DSP | - | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.89 |
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 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 HD6: $817.44 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Analog and optical inputs, RCA output and built-in amplification provide a convenient self-contained stereo setup. The cabinet and driver size can be practical for general music listening without assembling a separate amplifier system.
Cons: Listening impressions describe bass and treble emphasis with a recessed midrange, which may suit casual listening better than neutral monitoring.
Full Audioengine HD6 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head 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
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