Short answer: the Airpulse A100 for better sound quality, the Klipsch The Fives for the lower price. The Airpulse A100 ranks #17 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers at $999.99. The Klipsch The Fives ranks #42 at $699, $300.99 cheaper.
What the Klipsch The Fives offers: Versatile powered stereo alternative to a soundbar, with HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA and subwoofer output. Erin measured F3 at 57Hz and found generally benign harmonic distortion at normal levels. The horn-loaded 1-inch tweeter provides useful controlled radiation, real-wood cabinets are well finished, and firmware offers Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles; Bass Cut is the closest to neutral. Watch for: The nominal Flat mode is bass-heavy rather than flat, and the response/directivity transition around the 4.5-inch woofer and Tractrix horn requires careful placement or EQ. Erin measured roughly 2.5dB compression around 200Hz and still more below 80Hz at high drive; limiting protects the small woofer but audibly removes bass dynamics. A subwoofer is advisable, especially at distance. This amplified system has no meaningful passive impedance or sensitivity specification.
What the Airpulse A100 offers: Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter (inherited from Airpulse’s flagship 7001 monitor, designed by Phil Jones) paired with a 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer - a distinctive, low-mass driver combination rarely seen below $1,000. Directivity spread is the widest and most controlled of this batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 4.26). A full input set for a desktop system: RCA, USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth, plus a dedicated subwoofer output and an included IR remote. Watch for: On-axis deviation (aad_on_axis 0.498) trails the pricier options in this group, and there’s no app-based EQ or DSP - bass/treble trim is limited to physical rear-panel knobs not reachable from the remote. The compact 5” woofer caps sub-bass extension at 63.0Hz (-3dB) / 53.2Hz (-10dB), the second-shallowest in this batch, effectively expecting an external subwoofer for full-range use. No Wi-Fi streaming (AirPlay/Chromecast) - Bluetooth only.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Airpulse A100 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699/pair | $999.99 |
| Ranked | #42 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 60 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) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | - |
| 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 |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Weight | - | 24.3 lbs / 11 kg (24.2 lb) each |
| Output Power | - | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Dimensions | - | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) (6.3 x 11.1 x 10.0 in) each |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 40kHz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Audioengine HD6
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Audioengine HD6
- Audioengine HD6 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Kali Audio IN-UNF vs Airpulse A100
- Klipsch The Fives vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch The Fives: $699/pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Versatile powered stereo alternative to a soundbar, with HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA and subwoofer output. Erin measured F3 at 57Hz and found generally benign harmonic distortion at normal levels. The horn-loaded 1-inch tweeter provides useful controlled radiation, real-wood cabinets are well finished, and firmware offers Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles; Bass Cut is the closest to neutral.
Cons: The nominal Flat mode is bass-heavy rather than flat, and the response/directivity transition around the 4.5-inch woofer and Tractrix horn requires careful placement or EQ. Erin measured roughly 2.5dB compression around 200Hz and still more below 80Hz at high drive; limiting protects the small woofer but audibly removes bass dynamics. A subwoofer is advisable, especially at distance. This amplified system has no meaningful passive impedance or sensitivity specification.
Full Klipsch The Fives review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Drivers | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5" woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Fives vs Audioengine HD6
- Klipsch The Fives vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Klipsch The Fives vs Edifier R2000DB
- Klipsch The Fives vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Klipsch The Fives vs Presonus Eris E5
- Klipsch The Fives vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Klipsch The Fives vs Edifier S1000W
- Klipsch The Fives vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 39 comparisons
Airpulse A100: $999.99 Amazon B&H Photo eBay
Pros: Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter (inherited from Airpulse’s flagship 7001 monitor, designed by Phil Jones) paired with a 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer - a distinctive, low-mass driver combination rarely seen below $1,000. Directivity spread is the widest and most controlled of this batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 4.26). A full input set for a desktop system: RCA, USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth, plus a dedicated subwoofer output and an included IR remote.
Cons: On-axis deviation (aad_on_axis 0.498) trails the pricier options in this group, and there’s no app-based EQ or DSP - bass/treble trim is limited to physical rear-panel knobs not reachable from the remote. The compact 5” woofer caps sub-bass extension at 63.0Hz (-3dB) / 53.2Hz (-10dB), the second-shallowest in this batch, effectively expecting an external subwoofer for full-range use. No Wi-Fi streaming (AirPlay/Chromecast) - Bluetooth only.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) (6.3 x 11.1 x 10.0 in) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Output Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs / 11 kg (24.2 lb) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Airpulse A100 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Airpulse A100 vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Airpulse A100 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Airpulse A100 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Airpulse A100 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Airpulse A100 vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Airpulse A100 vs Yamaha HS5
- Airpulse A100 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- See all 25 comparisons