Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.3/5 (#15 and #12 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers) at nearly the same price ($699.99 vs $699), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Watch for: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ.
Why pick the Klipsch The Fives: In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. Watch for: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus or the Klipsch The Fives on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $699 per pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 68 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 | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer | Subwoofer |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes, 5.0 |
| DSP | - | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch The Fives compares with other leading options:
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8331A
- Klipsch The Fives vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs Klipsch The Fives
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Klipsch The Fives
- Klipsch The Fives vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM 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
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Scores of 5.57 standalone and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer make it an attractive standalone system as well as a subwoofer partner. Remote tone controls, multiple digital and analog inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover engagement simplify setup. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ. No HDMI ARC. Deep bass and louder playback still benefit from a subwoofer; amplifier wattage alone does not establish clean room-filling output.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Klipsch The Fives: $699 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. That mode offers considerably better tonal balance than the bass-heavy default behavior. HDMI ARC, phono/line input, digital inputs and subwoofer output make it a versatile stereo alternative to a soundbar. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting. Bass reaches -3dB around 59Hz in that configuration. The review reports increasing compression around 200Hz and below 80Hz as volume rises, reducing bass dynamics. Careful placement and a subwoofer remain useful, and the horn/woofer transition is not perfectly uniform off-axis.
Full Klipsch The Fives review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Klipsch The Fives Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Klipsch The Fives
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Bookshelf Speakers For TV & Gaming - 2025 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Klipsch The Fives vs Topping MA4
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- Klipsch The Fives vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
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