Short answer: the Kali LP-UNF for dispersion, the Yamaha HS5 for neutral output. The HS5 is called very neutral, with the caveat that its bass is not quite as deep as some of the others in this size class. The LP-UNF crosses its 1 inch dome unusually low at 1.9kHz, but its own F3 of 54Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean bass rolls off below about 40Hz.
On the Kali LP-UNF side: 1” dome tweeter on a waveguide crossed unusually low at 1.9kHz to a 4.5” ported midwoofer. Set against that: F3 of 54Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean bass rolls off quickly below about 40Hz, bottoming out around 50Hz in-room.
The case for the Yamaha HS5: Very neutral. Set against that: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class.
Buy the Kali LP-UNF. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha HS5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kali LP-UNF | Yamaha HS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 per pair | $399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #33 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, USB-C (digital), RCA, TRS | XLR |
| Drivers | 4.5" woofer, 1" Textile Dome tweeter | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 88.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.60 | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.67 | 6.32 |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.5"W x 7.4"D (254 x 165 x 188 mm) | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 160W total (Class D, 2-channel bi-amped) | 45w Per Speaker |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Kali LP-UNF compares with other leading options:
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 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. 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 | No |
| 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 →
- 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)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 3.70 standalone and 6.32 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons