Short answer: the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 on measured sound quality, the KRK Classic 5 on price. The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 ranks #23 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $18,043.20. The KRK Classic 5 ranks #72, rated 3.4/5, at $319.99, $17,723.21 cheaper.
What the KRK Classic 5 does well: ASR’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 60Hz and a 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: The native standalone score is 3.47 and the midrange span is a large 6.5dB.
The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 is the more accurate option. The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.56 against 3.47 for the KRK Classic 5. Watch for: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone.
Buy the KRK Classic 5 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.99 per pair | $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) |
| Ranked | #72 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.47 | 6.56 |
| Dimensions | 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 350W per speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 | 7.51 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
| Maximum SPL | - | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 compares with other leading options:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- JBL 305P MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- KEF LSX II LT vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
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
KRK Classic 5: $319.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 60Hz and a 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. Broad tonal correction can improve it, so it may be useful to someone willing to measure and EQ a basic studio setup. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The native standalone score is 3.47 and the midrange span is a large 6.5dB. Excess treble and crossover/directivity errors keep it from being neutral out of the box, while low-bass distortion limits loud playback. Modeled EQ scores are not stock performance and do not demonstrate corrected distortion or dispersion.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.47 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2: $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) Sigberg Audio eBay
Older model: the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. The measured system reaches -3dB around 34Hz. Onboard parametric EQ and dedicated amplification provide flexible integration for a complete high-performance setup. Measured bass extension of 24Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone. It is not directly equivalent to the standalone-monitor tests around it. The complete system is expensive and occupies more space than the main speakers suggest; the score alone does not prove superior output or room performance.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W per speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali LP-UNF
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Yamaha HS5
- See all 12 comparisons