Short answer: the JBL 4329P for better sound quality, the Klipsch The Nines for the lower price. The JBL 4329P ranks #19 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers at $4500. The Klipsch The Nines ranks #28 at $1349.99, $3150.01 cheaper.
What the JBL 4329P offers: Genuinely full-range performance for a bookshelf-style speaker - anechoic response extends to 30Hz (measured F3 31Hz), reaching into the low 20s Hz range in-room depending on placement. Watch for: No HDMI input, a real drawback if you want to run these directly off a TV’s ARC.
The case for the Klipsch The Nines: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. The tradeoff: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
Buy the JBL 4329P 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
| JBL 4329P | Klipsch The Nines | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,500 | $1,349.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 8" midwoofer, 1" compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Dimensions | 20.3"H x 12.6"W x 12.7"D | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D |
| Weight | 34.5 lbs (primary), 34.3 lbs (secondary) | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary |
| Sensitivity | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 27Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | rear-ported bass reflex |
| Output Power | - | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Max SPL | - | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 4329P: $4,500 Amazon
Pros: Genuinely full-range performance for a bookshelf-style speaker - anechoic response extends to 30Hz (measured F3 31Hz), reaching into the low 20s Hz range in-room depending on placement, with strong bass authority rather than a rolled-off, thin low end. Wide, constant horizontal directivity through the midrange and into the treble (about ±60°, wider than most horn-loaded designs which tend to run closer to ±40°) gives a wide, stable stereo image without needing to toe the speakers out and lose top-end energy. The reviewer listened for an hour-long sessions repeatedly without listener fatigue, across two very different rooms, with consistently great results in both. Extensive connectivity: USB, Optical, Bluetooth, analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2, and 24-bit/192kHz support; comes with a remote.
Cons: No HDMI input, a real drawback if you want to run these directly off a TV’s ARC. The supplied ethernet link cable between the two speakers is short - workable at close range but not long enough for wider speaker placement, so budget for a longer aftermarket cable if your setup needs it. A dip around 900Hz shows up in the on-axis measurement that the reviewer couldn’t fully explain (ruled out the ports as the cause, suspects cabinet edge diffraction), though it wasn’t something that bothered him in listening. At $4,500/pair, this is a serious investment for a bookshelf-format speaker.
Full JBL 4329P review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 27Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 20.3"H x 12.6"W x 12.7"D |
| Drivers | 8" midwoofer, 1" compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 |
| Sensitivity | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 34.5 lbs (primary), 34.3 lbs (secondary) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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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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