Short answer: the KRK Classic 5. It ranks #30 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $280; the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 ranks #37 and costs $2500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KRK Classic 5 offers: High-quality Klippel NFS data produces a 5.22 Spinorama preference score with a subwoofer, essentially level with the Edifier MR4. Bass reaches 60.1Hz at -3dB and 54.2Hz at -6dB, and the speaker responds especially well to EQ: Spinorama’s corrected score rises from 2.71 to 5.34 without a subwoofer and from 5.22 to 7.71 with one. Watch for: The unequalized response has a large 6.5dB frequency-deviation band, elevated splashy treble above 4kHz, crossover directivity error, and sharply narrowing tweeter dispersion. Distortion becomes extreme below 50Hz. Its raw 2.71 preference score is weak without a subwoofer, so EQ and careful toe-in are strongly recommended.
What the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 offers: Its 6.26 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer is the appropriate bass-normalized result because the SBS.1 is designed as a system with companion subwoofers, not for standalone use. That score exceeds the Manta’s 5.91, supported by better on-axis linearity and in-room smoothness above the subwoofer range. Distinctive 4-way coaxial design with dual 5.5” midbass drivers flanking a coincident 1” tweeter for time-aligned output. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) with a 9-band parametric EQ and factory presets. Watch for: Its 6.26 preference score with a perfect subwoofer trails the SBS Gen 2’s 6.74, and it has the widest listening-window deviation of the three Sigberg systems. Discontinued and sold out, replaced by the SBS Gen 2.
Buy the KRK Classic 5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Sigberg Audio SBS.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 | $2,500.00 2023 listing, per speaker; requires a separate subwoofer, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #30 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.71 without subwoofer; 5.22 with subwoofer | - |
| 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) | - |
| 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 | 2x 5.5" midbass, 1" coaxial silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 350W per speaker |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Max SPL | - | 116dB |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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: $280 Amazon eBay
Pros: High-quality Klippel NFS data produces a 5.22 Spinorama preference score with a subwoofer, essentially level with the Edifier MR4. Bass reaches 60.1Hz at -3dB and 54.2Hz at -6dB, and the speaker responds especially well to EQ: Spinorama’s corrected score rises from 2.71 to 5.34 without a subwoofer and from 5.22 to 7.71 with one.
Cons: The unequalized response has a large 6.5dB frequency-deviation band, elevated splashy treble above 4kHz, crossover directivity error, and sharply narrowing tweeter dispersion. Distortion becomes extreme below 50Hz. Its raw 2.71 preference score is weak without a subwoofer, so EQ and careful toe-in are strongly recommended.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.71 without subwoofer; 5.22 with subwoofer |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for KRK Classic 5 Review
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Sigberg Audio SBS.1: $2,500.00 2023 listing, per speaker; requires a separate subwoofer, Discontinued eBay
Pros: Its 6.26 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer is the appropriate bass-normalized result because the SBS.1 is designed as a system with companion subwoofers, not for standalone use. That score exceeds the Manta’s 5.91, supported by better on-axis linearity and in-room smoothness above the subwoofer range. Distinctive 4-way coaxial design with dual 5.5” midbass drivers flanking a coincident 1” tweeter for time-aligned output. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) with a 9-band parametric EQ and factory presets.
Cons: Its 6.26 preference score with a perfect subwoofer trails the SBS Gen 2’s 6.74, and it has the widest listening-window deviation of the three Sigberg systems. Discontinued and sold out, replaced by the SBS Gen 2. Discontinued.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS.1 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 5.5" midbass, 1" coaxial silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Max SPL | 116dB |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output Power | 350W per speaker |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs Edifier R1280DB
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