Short answer: the Klipsch The Nines for better sound quality, the Kali Audio LP-6 for the lower price. The Klipsch The Nines ranks #28 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers at $1349.99. The Kali Audio LP-6 ranks #29 at $298, $1051.99 cheaper.
On the Klipsch The Nines side: Erin calls these his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard. Set against that: The app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
What the Kali Audio LP-6 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows generally flat on-axis response with excellent horizontal and vertical directivity. Watch for: Port resonance creates bumps around 900Hz-1kHz in the frequency response.
Buy the Klipsch The Nines if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali Audio LP-6 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Nines | Kali Audio LP-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,349.99 | $298 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 8" high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 6.5" woofer, 1" textile dome tweeter |
| Output Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) | 80W total (40W LF, 40W HF) |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical | - |
| Dimensions | 19.13"H x 9.5"W x 13.38"D | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.3"D (358.8 x 222.3 x 260.4 mm) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs primary, 27.0 lbs secondary | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 21kHz (-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 | - |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch The Nines: $1,349.99 Sweetwater
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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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Nines vs Adam Audio T7V
- Klipsch The Nines vs Adam Audio T8V
- Klipsch The Nines vs JBL 308P MKII
- Klipsch The Nines vs Edifier R2850DB
- Klipsch The Nines vs Yamaha HS8
- Klipsch The Nines vs Focal Twin6 Be
- Klipsch The Nines vs Kali Audio LP-8
- Klipsch The Nines vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- See all 19 comparisons
Kali Audio LP-6: $298 Discontinued Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows generally flat on-axis response with excellent horizontal and vertical directivity. Deep bass distortion stays below the fundamental tone throughout testing, and the noise floor is low enough that hiss isn’t audible at normal listening distance. Exceptional value at $298 per pair.
Cons: Port resonance creates bumps around 900Hz-1kHz in the frequency response. Distortion measurements are worse than the on-axis response alone would suggest. Diffraction causes a treble rise above 10kHz, and bass shelves down slightly in the low end. Discontinued.
Full Kali Audio LP-6 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.3"D (358.8 x 222.3 x 260.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1" textile dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 80W total (40W LF, 40W HF) |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons