Short answer: the Focal Solo6 ST6 for better sound quality, the Klipsch The Nines for the lower price. The Focal Solo6 ST6 ranks #23 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $1499. The Klipsch The Nines ranks #32 at $1349.99, $149.01 cheaper.
What the Focal Solo6 ST6 gets right: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. The tradeoff: Bass alignment Q is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment.
On the Klipsch The Nines side: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. The catch: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
Buy the Focal Solo6 ST6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch The Nines if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Solo6 ST6 | Klipsch The Nines | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.00 | $1,349.99 |
| Ranked | #23 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #32 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Maximum Output | 110dB peak at 1m | - |
| Amplification | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) | - |
| Drivers | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D |
| Output Power | - | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Inputs | - | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Weight | - | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary |
| Sensitivity | - | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | - | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | rear-ported bass reflex |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Solo6 ST6: $1,499.00 B&H Photo Sweetwater
Pros: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. Directivity control is the tightest of this entire batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 2.87), and the listening-window response is smooth (smoothness_listening_window 0.380). Bi-amped 130W total (80W Class G woofer + 50W Class AB tweeter), each driver on its own amplifier. ‘Focus Mode’ switches the cabinet to a single-driver full-range reference signature for a second mix-translation check without extra hardware. Bass reaches 46.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, solid for a 6.5” driver.
Cons: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.826) is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment. XLR-only balanced input, no unbalanced/TRS or digital connectivity. No automatic DSP room correction - tuning is limited to fixed analog shelving/high-pass switches. At $1,499 each ($2,998/pair), it’s a meaningful step up from typical prosumer active monitors.
Full Focal Solo6 ST6 review and specifications →
| Amplification | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Maximum Output | 110dB peak at 1m |
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Klipsch The Nines: $1,349.99 Sweetwater
Pros: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. With the tweeter trim set to -2dB, the listening-window response stays within roughly +/-1.5dB from 40Hz to just above 10kHz, and they produced genuinely powerful bass that reached about 30Hz in his room. The 8-inch woofer remains below 3% THD from 30Hz upward at 96dB/1m; compression is well controlled through about 90dB, and its limiter was not a concern at realistic listening levels. Exceptional all-in-one connectivity includes HDMI ARC, phono, USB, optical, Bluetooth, analog inputs and a subwoofer output; the Klipsch Connect app supplies useful bass/mid/treble adjustment.
Cons: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim. There is a likely tweeter/waveguide breakup feature around 16kHz, though he did not hear it. Horizontal coverage is narrow (about +/-30 degrees), prioritizing a focused image over room involvement; listeners who prefer a wider soundstage may not like that trade-off. Ear height matters: he recommends the reference plane between woofer and tweeter rather than directly on tweeter axis. The speaker begins limiting above roughly 90dB/1m, and the two cabinets still require a physical inter-speaker cable.
Full Klipsch The Nines review and specifications →
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D |
| Drivers | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Max SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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