Short answer: the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It ranks #25 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $398; the Ex Machina Pulsar MKII ranks #63, rated 3.8/5, and costs $11,700, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Kali Audio LP-6 V2: Erin’s measurements give a 7.48 ideal-subwoofer score and 42.5Hz -3dB bass extension, a strong combination for an affordable nearfield monitor. Watch for: The 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz leaves some tonal unevenness.
Why pick the Ex Machina Pulsar MKII: Erin measured 32.2Hz -3dB extension, giving useful deep bass without a separate subwoofer. The catch: Its 6.16 ideal-subwoofer score and uneven listening-window response do not support a top accuracy ranking.
Buy the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Ex Machina Pulsar MKII and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-6 V2 | Ex Machina Pulsar MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398 per pair | $11,700 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 1” soft-dome tweeter; 6.5” woofer | 9-inch SEAS woofer, 7-inch coaxial midrange/tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker; Bi-amplified Class D | 250W LF, 100W MF, 50W HF per speaker |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA | Analog and AES/EBU digital |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.8”W x 10.2”D | 19” x 11.4” x 13.6” (483 x 289 x 345 mm) (H x W x D) |
| DSP | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims | SHARC, phase and magnitude correction |
| Maximum SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin’s Audio Corner) (manufacturer specified) | 110dB continuous at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.53 | 5.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.48 | 6.16 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Weight | 15.5 lbs (7.05 kg) each | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz-32kHz (+/-1dB) |
| Enclosure | - | Powered sealed 3-way |
| Coverage | - | 90 degrees conical |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Kali Audio LP-6 V2 compares with other leading options:
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs AsciLab C8C
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Mesanovic CDM65
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Kii THREE
- Genelec 8351B vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Neumann KH420 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio LP-6 V2: $398 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Kali Audio LP-6 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements give a 7.48 ideal-subwoofer score and 42.5Hz -3dB bass extension, a strong combination for an affordable nearfield monitor. The waveguide and placement switches help with practical setup, and the second generation improves close-range noise behavior. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz leaves some tonal unevenness. Vertical crossover behavior makes ear-height placement important, and compression limits loud bass playback. Its good tonal score is not evidence of the output capability of a much larger monitor.
Full Kali Audio LP-6 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker; Bi-amplified Class D |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.8”W x 10.2”D |
| Drivers | 1” soft-dome tweeter; 6.5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA |
| Maximum SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin’s Audio Corner) (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.48 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.5 lbs (7.05 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Ex Machina Pulsar MKII: $11,700 per pair Vintage King eBay
Pros: Erin measured 32.2Hz -3dB extension, giving useful deep bass without a separate subwoofer. The active multiway format and DSP offer a substantial studio system.
Cons: Its 6.16 ideal-subwoofer score and uneven listening-window response do not support a top accuracy ranking. The measured balance rises toward the treble, despite a relatively modest 2.7dB midband span. Deep bass, premium drivers and processing features should not obscure the native tonal irregularities.
Full Ex Machina Pulsar MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 250W LF, 100W MF, 50W HF per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Coverage | 90 degrees conical |
| DSP | SHARC, phase and magnitude correction |
| Dimensions | 19” x 11.4” x 13.6” (483 x 289 x 345 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 9-inch SEAS woofer, 7-inch coaxial midrange/tweeter |
| Enclosure | Powered sealed 3-way |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz-32kHz (+/-1dB) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Analog and AES/EBU digital |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB continuous at 1m |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.16 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons