Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives II for better sound quality, the Edifier MR5 for the lower price. The Klipsch The Fives ranks higher than the Edifier MR5 (#17 vs #78 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Klipsch The Fives II, is rated 4.3/5 at $1,399.99; the Edifier MR5 is rated 3.3/5 at $349.99, $1,050 cheaper.
The Klipsch The Fives is the better-sounding pick. A versatile powered pair that replaces a soundbar, with good balance in Bass Cut mode plus HDMI ARC, phono and a subwoofer output. The catch: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
The Edifier MR5 is the deeper-bass option. A three way desktop monitor pair with a dedicated midrange, LDAC Bluetooth, balanced inputs, app EQ and a headphone jack. Its bass reaches about 51Hz before falling 3dB, against 57Hz for the Klipsch The Fives. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Klipsch The Fives lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Klipsch The Fives lacks. The tradeoff: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2-3kHz.
Buy the Edifier MR5 if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Klipsch The Fives II, the replacement for the discontinued Klipsch The Fives, is rated higher but costs $1,399.99.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $324.95 per pair Discontinued | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #17 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | LDAC, SBC |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | 3.5mm headphone |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| 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) | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) | 6.3”W x 10.4”H x 11”D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| EQ | - | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Sensitivity | - | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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