Short answer: the Kali Audio SM-5 for better sound quality, the Kali LP-UNF for the lower price. The Kali Audio SM-5 ranks #4 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $3400. The Kali LP-UNF ranks #8 at $349, $3051 cheaper.
What the Kali Audio SM-5 offers: True coaxial design with the tweeter mounted inside the midrange, and an unusually large waveguide that extends into the front baffle itself - directivity is excellent both horizontally (about +/-55 degrees) and vertically (+50/-40 degrees), so off-axis and low-seated listening positions still get a consistent tonal balance. The catch: Bass output is limited by the 5” mid-bass driver - don’t expect much excursion or high-SPL low end, though extension itself is reasonable for the size.
The case for the Kali LP-UNF: 1” dome tweeter on a waveguide crossed unusually low at 1.9kHz to a 4.5” ported midwoofer, giving wide vertical dispersion (about ±30-40° off the tweeter/mid reference axis) for a two-way design - well beyond the typical ±10-15°. The tradeoff: F3 of 54Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean bass rolls off quickly below about 40Hz, bottoming out around 50Hz in-room.
Buy the Kali Audio SM-5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali LP-UNF if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio SM-5 | Kali LP-UNF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3400 | $349.00 |
| Ranked | #4 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control | Bluetooth, USB-C (digital), RCA, TRS |
| Drivers | 1" coaxial tweeter, 4" coaxial midrange, 5" mid-bass woofer | 4.5" woofer, 1" Textile Dome tweeter |
| App | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes, per-speaker DSP | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg (21 lb) each | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
| Output Power | 150W total | - |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) (15.6 x 7.9 x 9.8 in) | - |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Max SPL | 117dB | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 88.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio SM-5: $3400 Sweetwater
Pros: True coaxial design with the tweeter mounted inside the midrange, and an unusually large waveguide that extends into the front baffle itself - directivity is excellent both horizontally (about +/-55 degrees) and vertically (+50/-40 degrees), so off-axis and low-seated listening positions still get a consistent tonal balance. Overall linearity is very good with in-room extension to about 40-45Hz. Distortion at 96dB is very low through the midrange, with only a mild, expected breakup around 3kHz tied to a small dip in the response there. Built-in DSP with free downloadable software lets you EQ each speaker individually for placement or room correction without an outboard processor, and the cabinet is wall-mountable - useful for surrounds, front heights, or tight desk setups. Compares very favorably to Kali’s own IN-8: similar raw linearity and distortion, but without the IN-8’s diffraction issues above 7kHz.
Cons: Bass output is limited by the 5” mid-bass driver - don’t expect much excursion or high-SPL low end, though extension itself is reasonable for the size. A mild high-Q resonance lingers around 2.5-4kHz in burst decay, though not strong. Instantaneous dynamic range is limited to roughly 96-102dB at 1m before compression sets in.
Full Kali Audio SM-5 review and specifications →
| App | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) (15.6 x 7.9 x 9.8 in) |
| Drivers | 1" coaxial tweeter, 4" coaxial midrange, 5" mid-bass woofer |
| EQ | Yes, per-speaker DSP |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control |
| Max SPL | 117dB |
| Output Power | 150W total |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg (21 lb) each |
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Kali LP-UNF: $349.00 Amazon
Pros: 1” dome tweeter on a waveguide crossed unusually low at 1.9kHz to a 4.5” ported midwoofer, giving wide vertical dispersion (about ±30-40° off the tweeter/mid reference axis) for a two-way design - well beyond the typical ±10-15°. Extensive dip-switch tuning covers desk vs. free-standing placement, near-wall (<0.5m) compensation, and ±2dB treble/bass adjustment. Distortion stays below 3% at 86dB; the reviewer calls it the best-measuring powered desktop monitor he’s tested, ahead of competitors like the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen and Fosi SP3, which he describes as having one-note bass and roughly a 7dB midrange suckout. USB-C, RCA, TRS, and Bluetooth inputs; the secondary speaker is powered through a link cable from the primary unit rather than needing its own separate power connection. At $300/pair, called a no-brainer recommendation for a compact desktop monitor.
Cons: F3 of 54Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean bass rolls off quickly below about 40Hz, bottoming out around 50Hz in-room. No dedicated subwoofer output - pairing with an outboard sub (routing its own crossover back through the mains) is the only way to extend bass further. A built-in limiter caps real-world maximum output around 91dB/1m per speaker, about 5dB below the 96dB target used in compression testing, and distortion climbs past 3% beyond that point. Designed strictly for near-field use (about 0.8m recommended listening distance), not for filling a larger room at volume.
Full Kali LP-UNF review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Drivers | 4.5" woofer, 1" Textile Dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, USB-C (digital), RCA, TRS |
| Sensitivity | 88.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Perfect Desktop Speaker? Kali LP-UNF.
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Best Budget Desktop Speakers, Tested & Rated
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Absolute Favorite Products of 2024 Revealed
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Kali LP-UNF Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons