Short answer: the APS Klasik 2020. It ranks #10 of 66 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $900; the Klipsch The Nines ranks #30 and costs $999.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Klipsch The Nines offers: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. With the tweeter trim set to -2dB, the listening-window response stays within roughly +/-1.5dB from 40Hz to just above 10kHz, and they produced genuinely powerful bass that reached about 30Hz in his room. The 8-inch woofer remains below 3% THD from 30Hz upward at 96dB/1m; compression is well controlled through about 90dB, and its limiter was not a concern at realistic listening levels. Exceptional all-in-one connectivity includes HDMI ARC, phono, USB, optical, Bluetooth, analog inputs and a subwoofer output; the Klipsch Connect app supplies useful bass/mid/treble adjustment. Watch for: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim. There is a likely tweeter/waveguide breakup feature around 16kHz, though he did not hear it. Horizontal coverage is narrow (about +/-30 degrees), prioritizing a focused image over room involvement; listeners who prefer a wider soundstage may not like that trade-off. Ear height matters: he recommends the reference plane between woofer and tweeter rather than directly on tweeter axis. The speaker begins limiting above roughly 90dB/1m, and the two cabinets still require a physical inter-speaker cable.
What the APS Klasik 2020 offers: Very neutral. Almost indistinguishable from the HS8 but with deeper bass Watch for: Difficult to find for sale online, no dealers in the United States.
Buy the APS Klasik 2020. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Nines and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Nines | APS Klasik 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 | $900 |
| Ranked | #30 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 7" (178mm) woofer |
| Output Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) | 100w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical | XLR, RCA |
| Dimensions | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D | 14.2"H x 8.3"W x 12.6"D (360.7 x 210.8 x 320 mm) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary | 22 lbs / 10.0 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 25kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) | - |
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex | - |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | - | No |
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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 Nines: $999.99 Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. With the tweeter trim set to -2dB, the listening-window response stays within roughly +/-1.5dB from 40Hz to just above 10kHz, and they produced genuinely powerful bass that reached about 30Hz in his room. The 8-inch woofer remains below 3% THD from 30Hz upward at 96dB/1m; compression is well controlled through about 90dB, and its limiter was not a concern at realistic listening levels. Exceptional all-in-one connectivity includes HDMI ARC, phono, USB, optical, Bluetooth, analog inputs and a subwoofer output; the Klipsch Connect app supplies useful bass/mid/treble adjustment.
Cons: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim. There is a likely tweeter/waveguide breakup feature around 16kHz, though he did not hear it. Horizontal coverage is narrow (about +/-30 degrees), prioritizing a focused image over room involvement; listeners who prefer a wider soundstage may not like that trade-off. Ear height matters: he recommends the reference plane between woofer and tweeter rather than directly on tweeter axis. The speaker begins limiting above roughly 90dB/1m, and the two cabinets still require a physical inter-speaker cable.
Full Klipsch The Nines review and specifications →
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D |
| Drivers | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Max SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex |
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APS Klasik 2020: $900 Aps-company eBay
Pros: Very neutral. Almost indistinguishable from the HS8 but with deeper bass
Cons: Difficult to find for sale online, no dealers in the United States.
Full APS Klasik 2020 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 14.2"H x 8.3"W x 12.6"D (360.7 x 210.8 x 320 mm) |
| Drivers | 7" (178mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 22 lbs / 10.0 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Kali Audio IN-5 sound.DEMO
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