Short answer: the Edifier S1000MKII. It ranks #21 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $399.99; the Kali Audio IN-UNF ranks #34 and costs $699, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Edifier S1000MKII offers: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Watch for: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class.
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 Edifier S1000MKII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Kali Audio IN-UNF and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
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
| Edifier S1000MKII | Kali Audio IN-UNF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 | $699 |
| Ranked | #21 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) | Bass module: 11.6"H x 19.4"W x 5.25"D; satellites: 6.25" diameter |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | USB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 37 lbs / 16.8 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 | 60w 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) |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL 305P MKII vs KEF LSX II LT
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KEF LSX II LT
- Kali LP-UNF vs KEF LSX II LT
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier S1000MKII: $399.99 Amazon
Pros: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Very close to the S2000MKIII, almost no reason to pay more
Full Edifier S1000MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 37 lbs / 16.8 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