Short answer: the Topping MA4. It ranks #33 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $449; the Klipsch The Fives ranks #42 and costs $699, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. 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. 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. 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.
What the Topping MA4 offers: Topping’s first loudspeaker, notable for deliberately skipping the DAC and DSP the company built its reputation on. A single balanced XLR input feeds a fully analog crossover, which Topping argues keeps the signal path free of extra conversion stages. The bass alignment measures a low Q of 0.452, rolling off cleanly rather than peaking, and extension reaches 49.8Hz at -3dB for a compact 4 inch two way, at a genuinely low price. Watch for: On axis deviation measures 0.503dB average, on the rougher side for this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.44. No USB, Bluetooth, or digital input of any kind, an unusual limitation from a DAC company and a real constraint if you want a simple all in one desktop setup. This is Topping’s first speaker with no track record in the category, and current US retail availability is limited, most confirmed stock is through European or Indian resellers.
Buy the Topping MA4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Fives and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Fives | Topping MA4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699/pair | 449 EUR/pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #33 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | 92dB |
| Drivers | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5" woofer | 1" soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4" paper cone woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA | - |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles | - |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Dimensions | - | 10"H x 5.5"W x 11.3"D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) (10.04 x 5.51 x 11.34 in) |
| Weight | - | 8.3 lbs / 3.78 kg (8.33 lbs) each |
| Power Output (Watts) | - | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| Frequency Response | - | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| Max SPL | - | 105dB @ 1m |
| Crossover Points | - | 1.3kHz |
| Warranty | - | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Country | - | China |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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: $699/pair Amazon eBay
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 (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| 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) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Fives vs Audioengine HD6
- Klipsch The Fives vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Klipsch The Fives vs Edifier R2000DB
- Klipsch The Fives vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Klipsch The Fives vs Presonus Eris E5
- Klipsch The Fives vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Klipsch The Fives vs Edifier S1000W
- Klipsch The Fives vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 45 comparisons
Topping MA4: 449 EUR/pair Audiophonics eBay
Pros: Topping’s first loudspeaker, notable for deliberately skipping the DAC and DSP the company built its reputation on. A single balanced XLR input feeds a fully analog crossover, which Topping argues keeps the signal path free of extra conversion stages. The bass alignment measures a low Q of 0.452, rolling off cleanly rather than peaking, and extension reaches 49.8Hz at -3dB for a compact 4 inch two way, at a genuinely low price.
Cons: On axis deviation measures 0.503dB average, on the rougher side for this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.44. No USB, Bluetooth, or digital input of any kind, an unusual limitation from a DAC company and a real constraint if you want a simple all in one desktop setup. This is Topping’s first speaker with no track record in the category, and current US retail availability is limited, most confirmed stock is through European or Indian resellers.
Full Topping MA4 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Points | 1.3kHz |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 5.5"W x 11.3"D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) (10.04 x 5.51 x 11.34 in) |
| Drivers | 1" soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4" paper cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| Max SPL | 105dB @ 1m |
| Power Output (Watts) | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB |
| Warranty | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs / 3.78 kg (8.33 lbs) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons