Short answer: the KRK Classic 5. It ranks #22 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $280; the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus ranks #24 and costs $699.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KRK Classic 5 gets right: Good soundstage. The catch: More hifi than studio monitors.
What the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus offers: Smooth, relatively flat on-axis response instead of the pronounced mid-bass-and-treble “V curve” common in this size class, which tends to cause listener fatigue over long sessions. Watch for: A slight sibilance/edge in the 4-6 kHz lower-treble region stood out to the reviewer as mildly fatiguing, though a single band of parametric EQ (about -2dB) fixed it.
Buy the KRK Classic 5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 | $699.99 |
| Ranked | #22 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 10"H x 6.5"W x 8"D (254 x 165 x 203mm) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg | 10.8 lbs (passive unit), 12.2 lbs (active unit) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator (rear), 1" aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
KRK Classic 5: $280 Amazon
Pros: Good soundstage
Cons: More hifi than studio monitors. Elevated, splashy highs above 4kHz stem from port/woofer resonance glitches, plus directivity error at the crossover dips the upper midrange. Distortion exceeds 100% below 50Hz, and the lack of a waveguide narrows the tweeter’s beam sharply, so toe-in and listening position matter a lot. Not recommended out of the box, but the reviewer said EQ correction turns it into a capable, high-power monitor.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, 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 |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 Amazon
Pros: Smooth, relatively flat on-axis response instead of the pronounced mid-bass-and-treble “V curve” common in this size class, which tends to cause listener fatigue over long sessions. A waveguide plus phase plug on the tweeter helps spread off-axis energy more evenly, giving good vertical consistency. Included remote controls volume, source, and separate treble/mid-bass trim, letting you tune the tonal balance without a computer or app. Subwoofer output with automatic 80/125 Hz crossover engagement when a sub is connected. Extensive wired inputs: USB, optical, coax, and analog, plus Bluetooth. 240W total power is enough headroom for near-field desktop use or a small-to-medium living room.
Cons: A slight sibilance/edge in the 4-6 kHz lower-treble region stood out to the reviewer as mildly fatiguing, though a single band of parametric EQ (about -2dB) fixed it; toeing the speakers off-axis reduces but doesn’t eliminate it. A minor scoop in the 1-2 kHz mid-range is audible in A/B comparison but not problematic on its own. No HDMI input, a drawback if you want to use these as TV speakers via ARC. Like most stand-mount speakers this size, real output below about 40 Hz needs a subwoofer - the reviewer recommends pairing one regardless of use case just to take headroom pressure off the mains.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.5"W x 8"D (254 x 165 x 203mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator (rear), 1" aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Output Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (passive unit), 12.2 lbs (active unit) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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