Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-5 for a true three-way design, the Airpulse A100 for driver exotica. The IN-5’s 4-inch coaxial midrange/tweeter over a 5-inch woofer cuts intermodulation, though at 96dB its midrange rises above 3% THD and its limiter rules out farfield theater levels. The A100 pairs a horn-loaded ribbon tweeter with a hard-anodized aluminum woofer, but on-axis deviation trails the pricier options and it has no app EQ.
The case for the Kali Audio IN-5: 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. Set against that: 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.
On the Edifier Airpulse A100 side: Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter (inherited from Airpulse’s flagship 7001 monitor, designed by Phil Jones) paired with a 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer - a distinctive, low-mass driver combination rarely seen below $999.99. Watch for: On-axis deviation trails the pricier options in this group, and there’s no app-based EQ or DSP - bass/treble trim is limited to physical rear-panel knobs not reachable from the remote.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Airpulse A100 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-5 | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $698 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #21 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 5” woofer | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.12 | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 7.08 |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Dimensions | 15” x 8.1” x 11.1” (382 x 206 x 282 mm) (H x W x D) | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs (8.43 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Kali Audio IN-5:
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Genelec 8030C vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Reflector Audio Square Two
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio IN-5: $698 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The active three-way layout separates bass duties from the coaxial mid/tweeter, giving flexible listening geometry. Erin’s data shows a 1.8dB midrange response span and -3dB bass around 45Hz, with scores of 5.12 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer. Placement switches and balanced inputs help integrate it into a studio; moderate-level distortion is well controlled in the existing review. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Local listening-window irregularities remain despite the small overall midrange span. The review reports midrange distortion rising above 3% at 96dB and a brighter perceived balance at closer distances. Limiting makes it unsuitable for demanding farfield playback. Coaxial construction improves geometry but does not remove response errors or guarantee unlimited output.
Full Kali Audio IN-5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15” x 8.1” x 11.1” (382 x 206 x 282 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs (8.43 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Mackie MR524
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- See all 61 comparisons
Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion. The remote cannot reach the rear bass and treble knobs, and there is no app EQ.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons