Short answer: the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It ranks #16 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $398; the Klipsch The Nines ranks #25 and costs $1349.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Kali Audio LP-6 V2 offers: Outstandingly neutral active monitor for the money, with no audible amplifier hiss in Erin’s listening and excellent horizontal directivity from the contoured waveguide. Watch for: A vertical directivity disturbance around 1.5-2kHz makes ear height important; desk or console reflections and ceiling bounce can expose the crossover lobing, so absorption may help.
What the Klipsch The Nines offers: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. Watch for: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
Buy the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Nines and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Klipsch The Nines. It ranks near the bottom of the 31 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-6 V2 | Klipsch The Nines | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398/pair | $1,349.99 |
| Ranked | #16 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" soft-dome tweeter; 6.5" woofer | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Amplification | Bi-amplified Class D, 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker | - |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.2"D | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D |
| Max SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin’s Audio Corner) | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims | - |
| Output Power | - | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Weight | - | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | rear-ported bass reflex |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio LP-6 V2: $398/pair Amazon Sweetwater
Pros: Outstandingly neutral active monitor for the money, with no audible amplifier hiss in Erin’s listening and excellent horizontal directivity from the contoured waveguide. Erin measured 42Hz F3 and on-axis linearity within approximately -2.51/+1.99dB. The pair remains respectably linear to roughly 102dB at 1m, the front port controls turbulence, and rear DIP switches provide practical boundary-placement profiles plus LF/HF trims. Balanced XLR/TRS and unbalanced RCA inputs broaden compatibility; Erin needed only about +1.5dB near 8kHz for his preferred amount of air.
Cons: A vertical directivity disturbance around 1.5-2kHz makes ear height important; desk or console reflections and ceiling bounce can expose the crossover lobing, so absorption may help. Limiting becomes visible above 96dB/1m, and from 76 to 96dB the low-frequency/midband balance drops by roughly 1dB, making this better as a nearfield or modest-distance monitor than a far-field high-output system. There is no digital input or network control, and each speaker needs AC power and a separate signal cable.
Full Kali Audio LP-6 V2 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Bi-amplified Class D, 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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 |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA |
| Max SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
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Klipsch The Nines: $1,349.99 Sweetwater
Pros: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. With the tweeter trim set to -2dB, the listening-window response stays within roughly +/-1.5dB from 40Hz to just above 10kHz, and they produced genuinely powerful bass that reached about 30Hz in his room. The 8-inch woofer remains below 3% THD from 30Hz upward at 96dB/1m; compression is well controlled through about 90dB, and its limiter was not a concern at realistic listening levels. Exceptional all-in-one connectivity includes HDMI ARC, phono, USB, optical, Bluetooth, analog inputs and a subwoofer output; the Klipsch Connect app supplies useful bass/mid/treble adjustment.
Cons: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim. There is a likely tweeter/waveguide breakup feature around 16kHz, though he did not hear it. Horizontal coverage is narrow (about +/-30 degrees), prioritizing a focused image over room involvement; listeners who prefer a wider soundstage may not like that trade-off. Ear height matters: he recommends the reference plane between woofer and tweeter rather than directly on tweeter axis. The speaker begins limiting above roughly 90dB/1m, and the two cabinets still require a physical inter-speaker cable.
Full Klipsch The Nines review and specifications →
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D |
| Drivers | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Max SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons