Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks #17 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5); the Donner Dyna 3 ranks #102 (rated 1.8/5).
The Klipsch The Fives is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.52 against -0.06 for the Donner Dyna 3. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 85Hz for the Donner Dyna 3. The catch: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
Why pick the Donner Dyna 3: A low-cost powered desktop pair with several input options and a small footprint. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Klipsch The Fives lacks. The catch: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a negative standalone preference score of -0.06 and only 3.24 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Donner Dyna 3.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | Donner Dyna 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $324.95 per pair | - |
| Ranked | #17 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #102 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 66.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer | 1” dome tweeter; 3” woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 | -0.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 | 3.24 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) | - |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) | 5.4” x 5.9” x 8.1” (136 x 150 x 205 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) | Built in |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension | - | Limited by 3” woofer (Erin’s Audio Corner measurement) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch The Fives compares with other leading options:
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8331A
- Klipsch The Fives vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs Klipsch The Fives
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Klipsch The Fives
- Klipsch The Fives vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Klipsch The Fives: $324.95 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch The Fives II, ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5.
Same family: the Klipsch The Sevens (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch The Nines (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. That mode offers considerably better tonal balance than the bass-heavy default behavior. HDMI ARC, phono/line input, digital inputs and subwoofer output make it a versatile stereo alternative to a soundbar. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting. Bass reaches -3dB around 59Hz in that configuration. The review reports increasing compression around 200Hz and below 80Hz as volume rises, reducing bass dynamics. Careful placement and a subwoofer remain useful, and the horn/woofer transition is not perfectly uniform off-axis.
Full Klipsch The Fives review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Klipsch The Fives Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Klipsch The Fives
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Bookshelf Speakers For TV & Gaming - 2025 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Fives vs JBL 305P MKII
- Klipsch The Fives vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Klipsch The Fives vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8020D
- Klipsch The Fives vs Topping MA4
- Klipsch The Fives vs Klipsch The Fives II
- Klipsch The Fives vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Klipsch The Fives vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- See all 58 comparisons
Donner Dyna 3 eBay
Same family: the Donner Dyna 4 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: A low-cost powered desktop pair with several input options and a small footprint. It can provide basic close-range background playback without an external amplifier. Measured bass extension of 85.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a negative standalone preference score of -0.06 and only 3.24 with an ideal subwoofer. The response spans 8.2dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with large listening-window irregularities. Bass reaches -3dB around 85Hz, and the existing review reports distortion and compression limits. It is not a credible neutral studio monitor despite that style of marketing.
Full Donner Dyna 3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Built in |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension | Limited by 3” woofer (Erin’s Audio Corner measurement) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.4” x 5.9” x 8.1” (136 x 150 x 205 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” dome tweeter; 3” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.24 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons