Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-5. It ranks #15 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $349; the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 ranks #37 and costs $2500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 Sigberg Audio SBS.1 offers: Its 6.26 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer is the appropriate bass-normalized result because the SBS.1 is designed as a system with companion subwoofers, not for standalone use. That score exceeds the Manta’s 5.91, supported by better on-axis linearity and in-room smoothness above the subwoofer range. Distinctive 4-way coaxial design with dual 5.5” midbass drivers flanking a coincident 1” tweeter for time-aligned output. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) with a 9-band parametric EQ and factory presets. Watch for: Its 6.26 preference score with a perfect subwoofer trails the SBS Gen 2’s 6.74, and it has the widest listening-window deviation of the three Sigberg systems. Discontinued and sold out, replaced by the SBS Gen 2.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-5 | Sigberg Audio SBS.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 each | $2,500.00 2023 listing, per speaker; requires a separate subwoofer, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active three-way monitor) | - |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 5" woofer | 2x 5.5" midbass, 1" coaxial silk dome tweeter |
| Amplification | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Dimensions | - | 16.1"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Weight | - | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |
| Inputs | - | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Output Power | - | 350W per speaker |
| Max SPL | - | 116dB |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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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
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Sigberg Audio SBS.1: $2,500.00 2023 listing, per speaker; requires a separate subwoofer, Discontinued eBay
Pros: Its 6.26 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer is the appropriate bass-normalized result because the SBS.1 is designed as a system with companion subwoofers, not for standalone use. That score exceeds the Manta’s 5.91, supported by better on-axis linearity and in-room smoothness above the subwoofer range. Distinctive 4-way coaxial design with dual 5.5” midbass drivers flanking a coincident 1” tweeter for time-aligned output. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) with a 9-band parametric EQ and factory presets.
Cons: Its 6.26 preference score with a perfect subwoofer trails the SBS Gen 2’s 6.74, and it has the widest listening-window deviation of the three Sigberg systems. Discontinued and sold out, replaced by the SBS Gen 2. Discontinued.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS.1 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 5.5" midbass, 1" coaxial silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Max SPL | 116dB |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output Power | 350W per speaker |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs Edifier R1280DB
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