Short answer: the JBL Cove M1. It ranks #18 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $229.95; the Klipsch The Three Plus ranks #25, rated 3.4/5, and costs $274.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Klipsch The Three Plus: A retro tabletop speaker with a built in phono input for a turntable, plenty of volume and optical and USB-C inputs. The tradeoff: The tuning leans heavily on bass: TechRadar called it on the warm side of neutral with the treble only just holding its own, and HomeTheaterHifi found the treble turned sharp and piercing at higher volumes.
The case for the JBL Cove M1: A compact Wi-Fi home speaker that RTINGS found sounds much like the Sonos Era 100, with enough bass rumble to keep music full-bodied and enough output to fill a small room without compressing the bass. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Klipsch The Three Plus cannot. The tradeoff: Voices can sound muffled from behind it, and Alexa is the only voice assistant.
Buy the JBL Cove M1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Three Plus and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
A retro tabletop speaker with a built in phono input for a turntable, plenty of volume and optical and USB-C inputs.
A compact Wi-Fi home speaker that RTINGS found sounds much like the Sonos Era 100, with enough bass rumble to keep music full-bodied and enough output to fill a small room without compressing the bass.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Three Plus | JBL Cove M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $274.99 each | $229.95 each |
| Ranked | #25 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #18 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 2.25” full-range drivers, 5.25” long-throw woofer, 2x 5.25” passive radiators | 1x 4” woofer, 3x 0.75” tweeters |
| Amplifier Power | 120W total | 110W RMS |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Optical, Phono/RCA, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-A (MP3 playback, US version) |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| Optical Input | Yes (24-bit/96kHz) | - |
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect) | Yes (JBL One) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7”H x 14”W x 8.4”D (178 x 356 x 213 mm) | 7.2”H x 4.9”W x 4.9”D (183 x 124 x 124 mm) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) | 3.6 lbs (1.65 kg) |
| Aux Input | No (RCA line input) | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Voice Assistants | None | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Power Input | - | AC mains |
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