Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus ranks #30 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $699.99; the Kali Audio IN-UNF ranks #34 at $699. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
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; toeing the speakers off-axis reduces but doesn’t eliminate it.
What the Kali Audio IN-UNF offers: Ingenious ultra-nearfield system: a desk-mounted bass module uses two opposed 4.5-inch woofers below 280Hz, while the satellites use time-aligned 4-inch/1-inch coincident drivers. Watch for: This is a very specialized system rather than a general desktop-speaker recommendation.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali Audio IN-UNF if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 36 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | Kali Audio IN-UNF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 | $699 |
| Ranked | #30 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator (rear), 1" aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug | Bass module: two opposed 4.5" woofers; satellites: 4" coincident midrange with 1" textile-dome tweeter |
| Output Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) | 100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth | USB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.5"W x 8"D (254 x 165 x 203mm) | Bass module: 11.6"H x 19.4"W x 5.25"D; satellites: 6.25" diameter |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (passive unit), 12.2 lbs (active unit) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) | 47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossovers | - | 280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF |
| Max SPL | - | 103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | - | Yes (placement/boundary and tonal trims) |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- Audioengine HD6 vs Klipsch The Fives
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Audioengine HD4
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Klipsch The Fives
- Klipsch The Fives vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
The Two Speakers In Full
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) |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Klipsch The Fives
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Edifier R2000DB
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Audioengine HD6
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Dayton Audio M4
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
Kali Audio IN-UNF: $699 Kali Audio
Pros: Ingenious ultra-nearfield system: a desk-mounted bass module uses two opposed 4.5-inch woofers below 280Hz, while the satellites use time-aligned 4-inch/1-inch coincident drivers. It is specifically engineered around the desk and, set up to Kali’s supplied placement template, sounded much better than it initially did to Erin; his moving-mic measurement at arm’s length closely matched the system’s predicted response. DSP provides placement, boundary and tonal trims, while USB-C, optical, 3.5mm and balanced TRS inputs cover desktop and studio sources. The round satellite enclosure avoids conventional baffle-edge diffraction, and the coaxial satellites image best aimed directly at the listener.
Cons: This is a very specialized system rather than a general desktop-speaker recommendation. The sizeable bass module must stay on the desk and prescribed satellite spacing can conflict with dual or ultrawide monitors; Erin and Joe N Tell both preferred Kali’s LP-6/IN-series alternatives for their own desks. A bump around 100-130Hz and a possible 1.2kHz diffraction feature appeared in Erin’s exploratory anechoic data, but he explicitly cautioned that those measurements do not replicate the required desk geometry. Bass falls away around 40-50Hz despite the separate bass unit. Erin did not publish comparable anechoic F3/F10, sensitivity or impedance figures because the system is designed around a fixed desk arrangement.
Full Kali Audio IN-UNF review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F10) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (manufacturer specified; Erin did not publish an anechoic F3) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Crossovers | 280Hz LF-to-midrange; 2.8kHz midrange-to-HF |
| DSP | Yes (placement/boundary and tonal trims) |
| Dimensions | Bass module: 11.6"H x 19.4"W x 5.25"D; satellites: 6.25" diameter |
| Drivers | Bass module: two opposed 4.5" woofers; satellites: 4" coincident midrange with 1" textile-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB-C, optical, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Max SPL | 103dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W LF + 60W mid/HF per channel (continuous) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons