Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks #16 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $324.95; the Airpulse A100 ranks #34, rated 4.0/5, and costs $999.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Klipsch The Fives is the more accurate choice. 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 4.56 for the Airpulse A100. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Airpulse A100 lacks. The tradeoff: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
Why pick the Airpulse A100: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Klipsch The Fives lacks. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Airpulse A100 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $324.95 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | SBC, aptX |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 | 7.08 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch The Fives:
- 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 7, 2026 at 9:25 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A60 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the Airpulse A80 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.9/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion. The remote cannot reach the rear bass and treble knobs, and there is no app EQ.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons