Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives ranks #31 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $699; the Kali Audio IN-UNF ranks #34 at $699. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
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. 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.
What the Kali Audio IN-UNF offers: Ingenious ultra-nearfield system: a desk-mounted bass module uses two opposed 4.5-inch woofers below 280Hz, while the satellites use time-aligned 4-inch/1-inch coincident drivers. Watch for: This is a very specialized system rather than a general desktop-speaker recommendation.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Kali Audio IN-UNF at the same price, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 36 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | Kali Audio IN-UNF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699/pair | $699 |
| Ranked | #31 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | - |
| Drivers | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5" woofer | Bass module: two opposed 4.5" woofers; satellites: 4" coincident midrange with 1" textile-dome tweeter |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | USB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | Yes (placement/boundary and tonal trims) |
| Output Power | - | 100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10) |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossovers | - | 280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF |
| Dimensions | - | Bass module: 11.6"H x 19.4"W x 5.25"D; satellites: 6.25" diameter |
| Max SPL | - | 103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
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- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Klipsch The Fives
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch The Fives: $699/pair Amazon
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 (-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) |
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Kali Audio IN-UNF: $699 Kali Audio
Pros: Ingenious ultra-nearfield system: a desk-mounted bass module uses two opposed 4.5-inch woofers below 280Hz, while the satellites use time-aligned 4-inch/1-inch coincident drivers. It is specifically engineered around the desk and, set up to Kali’s supplied placement template, sounded much better than it initially did to Erin; his moving-mic measurement at arm’s length closely matched the system’s predicted response. DSP provides placement, boundary and tonal trims, while USB-C, optical, 3.5mm and balanced TRS inputs cover desktop and studio sources. The round satellite enclosure avoids conventional baffle-edge diffraction, and the coaxial satellites image best aimed directly at the listener.
Cons: This is a very specialized system rather than a general desktop-speaker recommendation. The sizeable bass module must stay on the desk and prescribed satellite spacing can conflict with dual or ultrawide monitors; Erin and Joe N Tell both preferred Kali’s LP-6/IN-series alternatives for their own desks. A bump around 100-130Hz and a possible 1.2kHz diffraction feature appeared in Erin’s exploratory anechoic data, but he explicitly cautioned that those measurements do not replicate the required desk geometry. Bass falls away around 40-50Hz despite the separate bass unit. Erin did not publish comparable anechoic F3/F10, sensitivity or impedance figures because the system is designed around a fixed desk arrangement.
Full Kali Audio IN-UNF review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Crossovers | 280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF |
| DSP | Yes (placement/boundary and tonal trims) |
| Dimensions | Bass module: 11.6"H x 19.4"W x 5.25"D; satellites: 6.25" diameter |
| Drivers | Bass module: two opposed 4.5" woofers; satellites: 4" coincident midrange with 1" textile-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Max SPL | 103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons