Short answer: the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB for better sound quality, the Kali Audio IN-5 for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks #10 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $2998. The Kali Audio IN-5 ranks #15 at $349, $2649 cheaper.
What the Kali Audio IN-5 offers: Compact active three-way with a 4-inch coaxial midrange/tweeter above a dedicated 5-inch woofer, reducing intermodulation and maintaining strong horizontal/vertical pattern consistency. Erin measured F3 near 45Hz, low 86dB distortion and useful output for near/midfield listening. Boundary DIP presets and tonal trims make placement correction practical; balanced inputs, front porting, low audible hiss at one meter and cool-running amplification improve studio usability. Watch for: At 96dB the midrange rises above 3% THD, largely second order, and the built-in limiter/compression shows the system is not designed for farfield theater levels. Erin heard the high frequencies become roughly 2dB brighter when moving from 2.5m to 1.5m, so distance and aiming matter. Noise is audible with an ear at the cabinet, though not at his seat. As an active monitor, impedance and passive sensitivity do not apply.
What the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB offers: Exceptional bass for its tiny sealed enclosure measures 30Hz at -3dB, 25.8Hz at -6dB, and 22.4Hz at -12dB, with a well-damped 0.302 low-frequency Q. The 2.58 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation indicates broad, consistent dispersion, and preference scores reach 6.07 without a subwoofer and 7.15 with one. Each speaker integrates amplification, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and optical/analog input. Watch for: The medium-quality manufacturer measurement has a 2.3dB reference band and 0.590dB on-axis average absolute deviation, good rather than class-leading linearity. Stereo requires two individually powered network speakers and costs nearly $3,000; maximum output is rated at 98dB at 1m per speaker, and the all-in-one architecture offers less serviceability and system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-5 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-5 | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 each | $2,998/pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active three-way monitor) | - |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 5" woofer | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Amplification | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Inputs | - | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Output Power | - | 400W RMS each |
| Max SPL | - | 98dB at 1m each |
| Dimensions | - | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Weight | - | 9.5 lb each |
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- Kali LP-UNF vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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
Kali Audio IN-5: $349 each Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact active three-way with a 4-inch coaxial midrange/tweeter above a dedicated 5-inch woofer, reducing intermodulation and maintaining strong horizontal/vertical pattern consistency. Erin measured F3 near 45Hz, low 86dB distortion and useful output for near/midfield listening. Boundary DIP presets and tonal trims make placement correction practical; balanced inputs, front porting, low audible hiss at one meter and cool-running amplification improve studio usability.
Cons: At 96dB the midrange rises above 3% THD, largely second order, and the built-in limiter/compression shows the system is not designed for farfield theater levels. Erin heard the high frequencies become roughly 2dB brighter when moving from 2.5m to 1.5m, so distance and aiming matter. Noise is audible with an ear at the cabinet, though not at his seat. As an active monitor, impedance and passive sensitivity do not apply.
Full Kali Audio IN-5 review and specifications →
| Amplification | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 5" woofer |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active three-way monitor) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Yamaha HS5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Airpulse A100
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- See all 58 comparisons
Devialet Phantom II 98 dB: $2,998/pair Devialet eBay
Pros: Exceptional bass for its tiny sealed enclosure measures 30Hz at -3dB, 25.8Hz at -6dB, and 22.4Hz at -12dB, with a well-damped 0.302 low-frequency Q. The 2.58 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation indicates broad, consistent dispersion, and preference scores reach 6.07 without a subwoofer and 7.15 with one. Each speaker integrates amplification, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and optical/analog input.
Cons: The medium-quality manufacturer measurement has a 2.3dB reference band and 0.590dB on-axis average absolute deviation, good rather than class-leading linearity. Stereo requires two individually powered network speakers and costs nearly $3,000; maximum output is rated at 98dB at 1m per speaker, and the all-in-one architecture offers less serviceability and system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Full Devialet Phantom II 98 dB review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Max SPL | 98dB at 1m each |
| Output Power | 400W RMS each |
| Weight | 9.5 lb each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs JBL 305P MKII
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Kali LP-UNF
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Adam Audio T5V
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Yamaha HS5
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs KEF LSX II LT
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- See all 10 comparisons