Kali Audio IN-UNF vs JBL One Series 104

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the Kali IN-UNF unless desk space and budget rule it out. Its bass module uses two opposed 4.5-inch woofers below 280Hz and time-aligned 4-inch/1-inch coincident satellites, though the notes call it a specialized system rather than a general desktop recommendation. The JBL One Series 104 leans on heavy internal EQ to fix poor raw drivers that measured with no bass, no low mids and highly irregular highs.

Kali Audio IN-UNF vs JBL One Series 104

The case for the JBL One Series 104: Heavy internal EQ from the amplifier meaningfully compensates for otherwise poor raw driver measurements. The tradeoff: Measuring the passive drivers alone (bypassing the amplifier’s EQ) showed “no bass, no low mids, and highly irregular highs” - a disaster by the reviewer’s description.

Buy the Kali Audio IN-UNF. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL One Series 104 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

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Specifications Side By Side

Kali Audio IN-UNF JBL One Series 104
Price$699 per pair$129 per pair Discontinued
Ranked#58 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers#64 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
DriversBass module: two opposed 4.5” woofers; satellites: 4” coincident midrange with 1” textile-dome tweeter4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter
Amplifier Power100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous)60W total Class D (30W per speaker)
InputsUSB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux
Bass Extension (-3dB)47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3)45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-10dB)39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10)35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review)
Frequency Response47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified)60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Crossover Frequency280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF-
DimensionsBass module: 11.6”H x 19.4”W x 5.25”D; satellites: 6.25” diameter9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT)
DSPYes (placement/boundary and tonal trims)Yes
BluetoothNoNo
Maximum SPL103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified)-
XLR InputNoNo
RCA InputNoYes
TRS InputYesYes
Optical InputYesNo
Coaxial InputNoNo
USB InputYesNo
HDMI InputNoNo
AES InputNoNo
Aux InputYesYes
Weight24.7 lbs (11.2 kg)4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave)
App-No
EQ-Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied)

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The Two Speakers In Full

Kali Audio IN-UNF: $699 per pair Kali Audio eBay

Kali Audio IN-UNF ranking card

Pros: A specialized ultra-nearfield system with coaxial satellites and an opposed-woofer bass module designed to sit on the desk. Erin found it worked much better when positioned using Kali’s placement template, with useful agreement between the intended response and close-range moving-microphone measurements. DSP placement controls and varied inputs make it a thoughtful solution for the right desk.

Cons: The intended desk geometry is part of the acoustic design. The bass module and prescribed spacing occupy considerable desk space and may conflict with large monitors. It is not designed for arbitrary room placement.

AES InputNo
Amplifier Power100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10)
Bass Extension (-3dB)47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3)
BluetoothNo
Coaxial InputNo
Crossover Frequency280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF
DSPYes (placement/boundary and tonal trims)
DimensionsBass module: 11.6”H x 19.4”W x 5.25”D; satellites: 6.25” diameter
DriversBass module: two opposed 4.5” woofers; satellites: 4” coincident midrange with 1” textile-dome tweeter
Frequency Response47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified)
HDMI InputNo
InputsUSB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS
Maximum SPL103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified)
Optical InputYes
RCA InputNo
TRS InputYes
USB InputYes
Weight24.7 lbs (11.2 kg)
XLR InputNo

JBL One Series 104: $129 per pair Discontinued eBay

JBL One Series 104 ranking card

Pros: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its internal equalization is part of the working speaker and should be included when assessing it, rather than judging the passive drivers with that correction bypassed. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The 4.9dB midrange span and a high-frequency cancellation around 7.4kHz indicate significant unevenness; the review also found some vocals bright and irritating. These are results for the original 104, not a verification of the later 104-BT. Discontinued.

AES InputNo
Amplifier Power60W total Class D (30W per speaker)
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review)
BluetoothNo
Coaxial InputNo
DSPYes
Dimensions9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT)
Drivers4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter
EQYes (fixed, amplifier-applied)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
HDMI InputNo
Inputs1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux
Optical InputNo
RCA InputYes
TRS InputYes
USB InputNo
Weight4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave)
XLR InputNo