Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#16 and #18 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Klipsch The Fives costs $324.95 against $2,999 for the KEF LS50 Wireless II, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The case for the Klipsch The Fives: 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. The catch: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
The KEF LS50 Wireless II is the deeper-bass pick. Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 5.43 standalone and 7.51 with an ideal subwoofer, with a -3dB point around 51Hz. Its bass reaches about 51.3Hz before falling 3dB, against 57Hz for the Klipsch The Fives. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Klipsch The Fives lacks. Watch for: The 3.0dB response span is good but not reference-leading, and dispersion still varies with frequency.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,674.05 less than the KEF LS50 Wireless II.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | KEF LS50 Wireless II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $324.95 per pair | $2,999.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 | 5.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 | 7.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | RCA subwoofer |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) | 12” x 7.9” x 12.2” (305 x 200 x 311 mm) each |
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
| App | - | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
| EQ | - | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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.
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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 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
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8320A
- See all 58 comparisons
KEF LS50 Wireless II: $2,999.00 per pair Amazon KEF Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the KEF LSX II LT (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4/5), the KEF LSX II (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.1/5) and the KEF LS60 (floorstanding, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 5.43 standalone and 7.51 with an ideal subwoofer, with a -3dB point around 51Hz. The coincident Uni-Q layout helps preserve tonal consistency across horizontal and vertical listening positions. Low listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.308 supports relatively clean midrange reproduction. HDMI eARC and streaming functions make it a capable all-in-one stereo system. Measured bass extension of 51.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.0dB response span is good but not reference-leading, and dispersion still varies with frequency. Compact bass drivers limit deep-bass output. App placement adjustments are not the same as microphone-based automatic room correction. The price and primary/secondary architecture are practical trade-offs; neither driver geometry nor a single directivity statistic guarantees the best sound in every room.
Full KEF LS50 Wireless II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| App | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.9” x 12.2” (305 x 200 x 311 mm) each |
| Drivers | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs JBL 305P MKII
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Genelec 8020D
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Kali Audio SM-5
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Kali Audio IN-5
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Genelec 8320A
- See all 46 comparisons