Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-8. It ranks #11 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $499; the Neumann KH 310 A ranks #13 and costs $4400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Kali Audio IN-8 gets right: Three-way coaxial (coincident) driver in a front-ported cabinet, allowing near-wall placement without port noise issues; extensive dip switches handle boundary compensation. The catch: Notable forwardness/brashness in the 4-5kHz range when listened to on-axis, needing about 10° of toe-out (Kali’s own recommendation for the coaxial design) plus some EQ to fully resolve.
The case for the Neumann KH 310 A: CEA2034 spinorama shows a near-perfect on-axis response with superb directivity control and minimal off-axis variation. The tradeoff: An unidentified dip around 80Hz shows up in the measurements, which Neumann was asked to investigate.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-8. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Neumann KH 310 A and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-8 | Neumann KH 310 A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $4400 |
| Ranked | #11 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) | not published by manufacturer |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | - |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 8.25" woofer, 3" midrange, 1" tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 140w Per Speaker | 290W total (150W woofer, 70W mid, 70W tweeter) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 34Hz - 21kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio IN-8: $499.00 Amazon
Pros: Three-way coaxial (coincident) driver in a front-ported cabinet, allowing near-wall placement without port noise issues; extensive dip switches handle boundary compensation, plus XLR/TRS/RCA inputs and a gain-matching volume knob. A built-in limiter makes it essentially impossible to push into mechanical distress - no cabinet buzzing, woofer bottoming, or audible failure even driven hard to 80-95dB in testing. Distortion stays below 1% THD at 86dB and under 3% at 96dB, largely thanks to that limiter. Frequency response and dynamic behavior stay essentially unchanged from 76dB up to 96dB/1m before the limiter engages around 96-102dB. Bass extends smoothly to about 50Hz. A clear step up in linearity over the original V1 version both on-axis and in estimated in-room response, and eliminates the hiss that drew complaints on the V1. Excellent soundstage depth, a benefit typical of coaxial designs, at $800/pair.
Cons: Notable forwardness/brashness in the 4-5kHz range when listened to on-axis, needing about 10° of toe-out (Kali’s own recommendation for the coaxial design) plus some EQ to fully resolve. A dip near the tweeter/voice-coil transition, likely a cancellation effect from the coincident driver’s geometry, is also improved by toeing off-axis. Bass rolls off below about 50Hz, so heavy low-bass material still needs a subwoofer. A minor resonance around 160Hz occasionally made low vocals sound a bit “hot,” though the reviewer rates it minor (about 2/10 in severity). Horizontal soundstage is narrower than non-coaxial alternatives, a typical trade-off of coincident driver designs. Vertical placement tolerance is fairly tight - usable to about ±10°, degrading past ±20°. Designed as a near/midfield monitor for roughly 1-3m listening distances, not intended as a home-theater speaker.
Full Kali Audio IN-8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 140w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
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Neumann KH 310 A: $4400 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a near-perfect on-axis response with superb directivity control and minimal off-axis variation. Distortion measured very low at 96dB SPL/1m. Bass stays clean and dry without bloat, and vocals show no harshness. Tri-amplified design delivers 290W combined output and up to 116.3dB SPL.
Cons: An unidentified dip around 80Hz shows up in the measurements, which Neumann was asked to investigate. Bass response shifts somewhat with amplifier temperature. Distortion rises above 100% THD at the very bottom of the bass range, as expected at that extreme. Expensive at $4,400 per pair.
Full Neumann KH 310 A review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 8.25" woofer, 3" midrange, 1" tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 21kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 290W total (150W woofer, 70W mid, 70W tweeter) |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons