Short answer: the SHIVAUDYO Point Zero. It ranks #14 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Kali Audio LP-6 V2 ranks #16.
What the SHIVAUDYO Point Zero offers: Three-way powered cardioid design: 1” waveguide-loaded dome tweeter and 6.5” mid-woofer up front, plus two opposing 8” side-firing subwoofers (sealed, Q=0.707) that cancel internal cabinet vibration. Watch for: Doesn’t extend quite as low nor match the output potential and linearity of the pricier Dutch & Dutch 8C.
What the Kali Audio LP-6 V2 offers: Outstandingly neutral active monitor for the money, with no audible amplifier hiss in Erin’s listening and excellent horizontal directivity from the contoured waveguide. Watch for: A vertical directivity disturbance around 1.5-2kHz makes ear height important; desk or console reflections and ceiling bounce can expose the crossover lobing, so absorption may help.
Buy the SHIVAUDYO Point Zero if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali Audio LP-6 V2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| SHIVAUDYO Point Zero | Kali Audio LP-6 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €6,500 | $398/pair |
| Ranked | #14 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5" mid-woofer, 1" waveguide dome tweeter, 2x 8" side-firing subwoofers (opposed, vibration-cancelling) | 1" soft-dome tweeter; 6.5" woofer |
| Output Power | 600W total (300W subs + 200W mid-woofer + 100W tweeter, Hypex NCore) | - |
| Crossovers | 120Hz / 1600Hz, 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley | - |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 8.7"W x 15.4"D (400 x 220 x 390 mm) | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.2"D |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs / 16.5 kg (36 lbs) each | - |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz ±1dB (anechoic, Preset 1) | - |
| Max SPL | 110dB long-term, 116dB short-term, 120dB peak | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured on-axis, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22Hz (measured on-axis, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 92.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; Erin notes this figure is scaled rather than directly comparable to passive-speaker sensitivity) | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, AES-EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA |
| DSP | Yes (Hypex, downloadable software, 3 bass presets) | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims |
| App | No | - |
| Amplification | - | Bi-amplified Class D, 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker |
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- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
The Two Speakers In Full
SHIVAUDYO Point Zero: €6,500 Shivaudyo
Pros: Three-way powered cardioid design: 1” waveguide-loaded dome tweeter and 6.5” mid-woofer up front, plus two opposing 8” side-firing subwoofers (sealed, Q=0.707) that cancel internal cabinet vibration. Cardioid loading above roughly 200 Hz cuts rear-wall mid-range reflections, giving a more coherent, less smeared midrange when placed close to a wall, and letting you trade boundary gain for bass reinforcement. Hypex NCore amplification with built-in DSP (300W subs + 200W mid-woofer + 100W tweeter) and three selectable bass presets - full-range to 20 Hz, 30 Hz, or an 80 Hz high-pass - trading extension for extra SPL headroom. Tweeter hiss was inaudible even at full volume from about 1.5 feet away. Roughly half the price of the similarly-designed Dutch & Dutch 8C. Long-term SPL rated to 110 dB, with peaks to 120 dB.
Cons: Doesn’t extend quite as low nor match the output potential and linearity of the pricier Dutch & Dutch 8C. Erin’s measurements show the cardioid pattern doesn’t fully engage until about 200 Hz, versus SHIVAUDYO’s claimed 100 Hz. Sweet spot is narrow: you need to stay on-axis between the tweeter and mid-woofer, or vertical off-axis listening brings a significant suckout. Some “chesty” coloration turned up on certain female vocal tracks. In full-range preset, far-field listening at a few meters can trip the amplifier’s protection limiter, so the preset needs to be matched to room and listening distance.
Full SHIVAUDYO Point Zero review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22Hz (measured on-axis, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured on-axis, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossovers | 120Hz / 1600Hz, 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley |
| DSP | Yes (Hypex, downloadable software, 3 bass presets) |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 8.7"W x 15.4"D (400 x 220 x 390 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" mid-woofer, 1" waveguide dome tweeter, 2x 8" side-firing subwoofers (opposed, vibration-cancelling) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz ±1dB (anechoic, Preset 1) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, AES-EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink |
| Max SPL | 110dB long-term, 116dB short-term, 120dB peak |
| Output Power | 600W total (300W subs + 200W mid-woofer + 100W tweeter, Hypex NCore) |
| Sensitivity | 92.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner; Erin notes this figure is scaled rather than directly comparable to passive-speaker sensitivity) |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs / 16.5 kg (36 lbs) each |
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Kali Audio LP-6 V2: $398/pair Amazon Sweetwater
Pros: Outstandingly neutral active monitor for the money, with no audible amplifier hiss in Erin’s listening and excellent horizontal directivity from the contoured waveguide. Erin measured 42Hz F3 and on-axis linearity within approximately -2.51/+1.99dB. The pair remains respectably linear to roughly 102dB at 1m, the front port controls turbulence, and rear DIP switches provide practical boundary-placement profiles plus LF/HF trims. Balanced XLR/TRS and unbalanced RCA inputs broaden compatibility; Erin needed only about +1.5dB near 8kHz for his preferred amount of air.
Cons: A vertical directivity disturbance around 1.5-2kHz makes ear height important; desk or console reflections and ceiling bounce can expose the crossover lobing, so absorption may help. Limiting becomes visible above 96dB/1m, and from 76 to 96dB the low-frequency/midband balance drops by roughly 1dB, making this better as a nearfield or modest-distance monitor than a far-field high-output system. There is no digital input or network control, and each speaker needs AC power and a separate signal cable.
Full Kali Audio LP-6 V2 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Bi-amplified Class D, 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.2"D |
| Drivers | 1" soft-dome tweeter; 6.5" woofer |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA |
| Max SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons