Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-8 V2. It ranks #38 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $998; the Klipsch The Nines ranks #63, rated 4.2/5, and costs $999.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Klipsch The Nines does well: 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 Kali Audio IN-8 V2 lacks. The tradeoff: The 6.90 ideal-subwoofer score reflects limitations beyond the narrow midband span.
Why pick the Kali Audio IN-8 V2: The IN-8 V2’s coaxial midrange/tweeter supports coherent imaging, and low distortion at ordinary levels complements its 7.30 ideal-subwoofer score. The tradeoff: The measured 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes unevenness that can make some vocals sound forward.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-8 V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Nines and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Nines | Kali Audio IN-8 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 per pair | $998 per pair |
| Ranked | #63 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #38 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) | 140w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical | XLR, RCA |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| Dimensions | 19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D | 17.8”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary | 22.9 lbs (10.4 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 | 5.36 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 | 7.30 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | - |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Kali Audio IN-8 V2 compares with other leading options:
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs AsciLab C8C
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Mesanovic CDM65
- Kii THREE vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Genelec 8351B vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Neumann KH420
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Nines vs JBL 708P
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- Klipsch The Nines vs Klipsch The Nines II
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- Klipsch The Nines vs Genelec 8040B
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Kali Audio IN-8 V2: $998 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Kali Audio IN-5 (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.2/5) and the Kali Audio IN-UNF (larger bookshelf, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: The IN-8 V2’s coaxial midrange/tweeter supports coherent imaging, and low distortion at ordinary levels complements its 7.30 ideal-subwoofer score. Measured -3dB extension of 45.4Hz provides useful bass; boundary settings assist placement. The front port allows placement near a wall without port noise problems. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89dB.
Cons: The measured 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes unevenness that can make some vocals sound forward. Bass and limiter behavior constrain high-level playback. These measurements apply to the V2, not the first-generation IN-8. On-axis, the 4 to 5kHz range sounds forward; Kali recommends about 10° of toe-out, and some EQ helps.
Full Kali Audio IN-8 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 140w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.36 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.30 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Genelec 8050B
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Yamaha HS8
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 4305P
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 308P MKII
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Genelec S360
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