Short answer: the Genelec 8351B on measured sound quality, the Klipsch The Nines on price. The Genelec 8351B ranks #4 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.8/5, at $9,900. The Klipsch The Nines ranks #63, rated 4.2/5, at $999.99, $8,900.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Klipsch The Nines: The 1.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and measured -3dB extension is 42.5Hz. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Genelec 8351B lacks. The catch: The 6.90 ideal-subwoofer score reflects limitations beyond the narrow midband span.
The Genelec 8351B is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. The vertical ASR measurement scores 7.75 with an ideal subwoofer and reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB. Its bass reaches about 33Hz before falling 3dB, against 42.5Hz for the Klipsch The Nines. The tradeoff: Bass distortion increases at higher playback levels, so a subwoofer remains useful for demanding material.
Buy the Klipsch The Nines when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Genelec 8351B when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Nines | Genelec 8351B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 per pair | $9,900 per pair |
| Ranked | #63 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 8.6” woofer, 5” coaxial with tweeter midrange, 0.75” (19mm) coaxial tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) | 550w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical | XLR |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| Dimensions | 19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D | 17”H x 11.3”W x 10.9”D (431.8 x 287 x 276.9 mm) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary | 31.1 lbs (14.1 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 28Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 40kHz (±1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) | Yes (GLM) |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) | 113dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes (via GLM software) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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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 Nines: $999.99 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch The Nines II, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5.
Same family: the Klipsch The Fives (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the Klipsch The Sevens (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: The 1.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and measured -3dB extension is 42.5Hz. Extensive consumer connections and app adjustment make it convenient for TV and music, while the horn provides a focused listening presentation. Erin called it his favorite Klipsch speaker. Measured bass extension of 42.5Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 82.5dB.
Cons: The 6.90 ideal-subwoofer score reflects limitations beyond the narrow midband span. Horizontal coverage is relatively focused, so placement matters for multiple seats. The reviewer preferred reduced treble, and bass limiting at higher playback levels means the large woofer is not a guarantee of unlimited output. The app’s flat setting leaves treble elevated; Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
Full Klipsch The Nines review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Genelec 8351B: $9,900 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Genelec 8351A (ranked lower, estimated 4.6/5).
Same family: the Genelec 8331A (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.8/5), the Genelec 8341A (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.8/5), the Genelec 8361A (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.8/5) and the Genelec 8381A (floorstanding, estimated 4.9/5).
Pros: The vertical ASR measurement scores 7.75 with an ideal subwoofer and reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB. Coaxial midrange and treble help maintain consistent sound as the listening angle changes. Low measured distortion at ordinary listening levels and GLM calibration make it a strong precision-monitoring choice. Measured bass extension of 33Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass distortion increases at higher playback levels, so a subwoofer remains useful for demanding material. Upper-treble distortion in the test also cautions against assuming unlimited output. Calibration hardware adds to an already expensive system, and the quoted result is for the measured vertical orientation.
Full Genelec 8351B review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 550w Per Speaker |
| App | Yes (GLM) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 33Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 17”H x 11.3”W x 10.9”D (431.8 x 287 x 276.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 8.6” woofer, 5” coaxial with tweeter midrange, 0.75” (19mm) coaxial tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (±1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 113dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 31.1 lbs (14.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Genelec 8351B vs Neumann KH420
- Genelec 8351B vs Genelec 8361A
- Genelec 8351B vs Neumann KH 150
- Genelec 8351B vs Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Active Pro
- Genelec 8351B vs Neumann KH 310 A
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