Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-5. Both are rated 4.2/5 for sound quality (#26 and #23 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Kali Audio IN-5 costs $898 against $18,043.20 for the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The case for the Kali Audio IN-5: The active three-way layout separates bass duties from the coaxial mid/tweeter, giving flexible listening geometry. The catch: Local listening-window irregularities remain despite the small overall midrange span.
The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.56 against 5.12 for the Kali Audio IN-5. Its bass reaches about 24Hz before falling 3dB, against 45Hz for the Kali Audio IN-5. The catch: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-5. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $17,145.20 less than the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-5 | Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $898 per pair | $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) |
| Ranked | #26 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 5” woofer | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| Amplifier Power | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF | 350W per speaker |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.12 | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 7.51 |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 15” x 8.1” x 11.1” (382 x 206 x 282 mm) (H x W x D) | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs (8.43 kg) each | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
| Maximum SPL | - | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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: $898 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Kali Audio IN-8 V2 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Kali Audio IN-UNF (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.3/5).
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
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Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2: $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) Sigberg Audio eBay
Older model: the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. The measured system reaches -3dB around 34Hz. Onboard parametric EQ and dedicated amplification provide flexible integration for a complete high-performance setup. Measured bass extension of 24Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone. It is not directly equivalent to the standalone-monitor tests around it. The complete system is expensive and occupies more space than the main speakers suggest; the score alone does not prove superior output or room performance.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W per speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs KEF LSX II LT
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