Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks #12 of 76 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $699; the KEF LSX II ranks #6, rated 4.1/5, and costs $1,399.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Two premium active systems with distinctly different strengths. The KEF LSX II uses KEF’s signature 4.5-inch Uni-Q point-source driver array, giving it broad, smooth off-axis dispersion and pinpoint stereo imaging. It also incorporates a comprehensive streaming platform (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready, Spotify and Tidal Connect) alongside HDMI ARC and USB-C.
Where Klipsch The Fives wins: The Fives pairs larger 4.5-inch long-throw woofers with Tractrix horn tweeters, delivering significantly higher dynamic headroom and bass authority before compression sets in. It also adds a built-in MM phono stage for vinyl enthusiasts that the LSX II lacks.
Buy the KEF LSX II for refined desktop or small-room nearfield listening, comprehensive multiroom streaming, and superior point-source imaging.
Buy Klipsch The Fives for TV and living room setups where higher volume capability, deeper standalone bass impact, and turntable connectivity matter most.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KEF LSX II and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | KEF LSX II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 per pair | $1,399.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #12 of 76 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #6 of 34 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer | 0.75” aluminum dome tweeter, 4.5” magnesium/aluminum alloy cone woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | Yes | Yes |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) | 9.4”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D (240 x 155 x 180 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) | 200W |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| Enclosure | - | ported, rear |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102 dB |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Stereo | - | pair |
| Cabinet Color | - | Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, Soundwave by Terence Conran |
| Country | - | United Kingdom |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM 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: $699 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch The Fives II, ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5.
Larger models: the Klipsch The Sevens (rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch The Nines (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 Genelec 8020D
- Klipsch The Fives vs Topping MA4
- Klipsch The Fives vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Klipsch The Fives vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Klipsch The Fives vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8320A
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8330A
- See all 58 comparisons
KEF LSX II: $1,399.99 per pair Estimated Amazon KEF eBay
Pros: Full-featured active stereo bookshelf system featuring an 11th-generation 4.5-inch Uni-Q driver with 200W of system bi-amplification. Unlike the LT variant, it includes 3.5mm analog auxiliary input, Roon Ready certification, wireless inter-speaker pairing without requiring a tether cable, and expanded streaming options over dual-band Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect) plus HDMI ARC and USB-C.
Cons: Compact 4.5-inch drivers run into bass compression and rising distortion beyond 88dB/1m, making the system ideal for desktop and small-room listening rather than large living areas without a companion subwoofer.
Full KEF LSX II review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Color | Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, Soundwave by Terence Conran |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 9.4”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D (240 x 155 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” aluminum dome tweeter, 4.5” magnesium/aluminum alloy cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 102 dB |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Stereo | pair |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.