Short answer: the Kali LP-UNF for wider vertical dispersion, the SM-5 for a true coaxial. The LP-UNF crosses its 1 inch dome to a 4.5 inch ported midwoofer at an unusually low 1.9kHz, giving about ±30-40° of vertical dispersion, well beyond the typical ±10-15°. The SM-5’s oversized coaxial waveguide covers about ±55° horizontally and +50/-40° vertically, but its bass output is limited by the 5 inch driver.
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.
Buy the Kali Audio SM-5 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Kali LP-UNF when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio SM-5 | Kali LP-UNF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3000 per pair | $349.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #20 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 68 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 | Yes |
| EQ | Yes, per-speaker DSP | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 150W total | 160W total (Class D, 2-channel bi-amped) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) | 10”H x 6.5”W x 7.4”D (254 x 165 x 188 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.18 | 4.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 6.67 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Sensitivity | - | 88.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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 SM-5: $3000 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show bass reaching -3dB around 43Hz and a 2.8dB midrange response span. The coaxial mid/tweeter and large waveguide give useful consistency horizontally and vertically, reducing sensitivity to listening height. Built-in per-speaker DSP and mounting options make placement flexible. Existing testing reports low midrange distortion at 96dB. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Scores of 5.18 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer are good but below the leading reference monitors, so its advanced driver layout does not justify a near-top ranking by itself. A small upper-midrange irregularity remains. The five-inch woofer and limiter constrain loud bass; the review places compression onset roughly in the 96-102dB/1m region.
Full Kali Audio SM-5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W total |
| App | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
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Kali LP-UNF: $349.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A practical compact desktop system with USB-C, analog inputs and Bluetooth, plus extensive placement switches. Erin’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 54Hz and scores of 4.60 standalone and 6.67 with an ideal subwoofer. The low crossover and waveguide provide useful freedom of listening height for a two-way design, and moderate-level distortion is well controlled in the review. The 1.9kHz crossover gives vertical coverage of about ±30 to 40°, well beyond the typical ±10 to 15° of a two-way. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.1dB.
Cons: The 2.9dB midrange span masks local response ripples; listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.467 is behind the best monitors. The review finds limiting around 91dB/1m per speaker. No dedicated subwoofer output means integration requires suitable external routing or bass management. Its strength is affordable close listening, not top-tier tonal accuracy or high-output room playback.
Full Kali LP-UNF review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W total (Class D, 2-channel bi-amped) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 6.5”W x 7.4”D (254 x 165 x 188 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5” woofer, 1” Textile Dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, USB-C (digital), RCA, TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 88.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.67 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
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