Short answer: the Kali Audio LP-8. It ranks #22 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $299; the Klipsch The Nines ranks #28 and costs $1349.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Kali Audio LP-8 offers: Note the newer V2 is out which could be a little better. Watch for: Eris 8 has this beat by a little bit.
The case for the Klipsch The Nines: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. The tradeoff: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
Buy the Kali Audio LP-8. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Nines and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-8 | Klipsch The Nines | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $1,349.99 |
| Ranked | #22 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs / 9.0 kg each | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| App | No | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Sensitivity | - | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Max SPL | - | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | rear-ported bass reflex |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio LP-8: $299.00 Amazon
Pros: Note the newer V2 is out which could be a little better.
Cons: Eris 8 has this beat by a little bit. A bit of a hooded response
Full Kali Audio LP-8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs / 9.0 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Focal Alpha 80 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs JBL 306P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Kali Audio LP-8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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
- Klipsch The Nines vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Klipsch The Nines vs Adam Audio T7V
- Klipsch The Nines vs Adam Audio T8V
- Klipsch The Nines vs JBL 308P MKII
- Klipsch The Nines vs Edifier R2850DB
- Klipsch The Nines vs Yamaha HS8
- Klipsch The Nines vs Focal Twin6 Be
- Klipsch The Nines vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
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