Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives II, if you are buying new. The Klipsch The Fives ranks higher than the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE (#17 vs #25 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Klipsch The Fives II, is rated 4.3/5 at $1,399.99 and is still sold new.
The case for the Klipsch The Fives: A versatile powered pair that replaces a soundbar, with good balance in Bass Cut mode plus HDMI ARC, phono and a subwoofer output. The tradeoff: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
The HEDD Type 05 A-CORE is the deeper-bass option. A balanced, all round studio monitor with an AMT tweeter, an analog signal path and good bass for its size. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 57Hz for the Klipsch The Fives. Watch for: The 2.7dB midrange span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.404 trail the most linear monitors here.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives II, the replacement for the discontinued Klipsch The Fives; it is rated higher for sound quality than the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | HEDD Type 05 A-CORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $324.95 per pair Discontinued | $1,398 per pair |
| Ranked | #17 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 | 7.23 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| 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 | No |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) | 12.1” x 7.1” x 9.6” (308 x 180 x 245 mm) each |
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 43Hz - 50kHz |
| App | - | None (analog-only, no DSP) |
| EQ | - | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112dB per pair at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
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