Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus. It ranks #13 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $499.99; the Klipsch The Fives ranks #31 and costs $699, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus offers: Genuinely neutral tonal balance in a small desktop-class powered speaker - a rarity in this size and price range, where the reviewer says most competitors have a scooped mid-range, one-note bass, and piercing V-shaped highs. Watch for: An 8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz sharply limits bass below that point - F3 measures 92Hz and F10 53Hz, so kick drum fundamentals and true low end need a subwoofer.
What the Klipsch The Fives offers: Versatile powered stereo alternative to a soundbar, with HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA and subwoofer output. Watch for: The nominal Flat mode is bass-heavy rather than flat, and the response/directivity transition around the 4.5-inch woofer and Tractrix horn requires careful placement or EQ.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Fives and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks near the bottom of the 36 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $699/pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #31 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum cone woofer, 4" long-throw passive radiator, 1" soft dome tweeter | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5" woofer |
| Output Power | 120W total (Class D) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Dimensions | 8.5"H x 5.5"W x 6"D | - |
| Weight | 7 lbs each | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
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- Kali Audio IN-5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Klipsch The Fives vs Audioengine HD4
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus vs Audioengine HD6
The Two Speakers In Full
Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: Genuinely neutral tonal balance in a small desktop-class powered speaker - a rarity in this size and price range, where the reviewer says most competitors have a scooped mid-range, one-note bass, and piercing V-shaped highs. Flexible mounting: flip the cabinet orientation to angle the tweeter up for flat-desktop placement or level for stand-mount ear height. Subwoofer output with auto-sense, so it engages automatically when a sub is connected. Wide input selection - Bluetooth aptX HD, USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink, and 3.5mm analog. Distortion stays reasonable (below 3%) up to about 88dB, and multitone distortion at max output (96dB) is the only real weak point.
Cons: An 8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz sharply limits bass below that point - F3 measures 92Hz and F10 53Hz, so kick drum fundamentals and true low end need a subwoofer. Very sensitive to ear height relative to the tweeter: sitting even slightly above the tweeter axis scoops out the 2-4kHz upper mid-range. Multitone distortion at maximum output (96dB) is high enough to add noticeable vocal graininess - stick closer to 88dB for clean output. The reviewer’s only real gripe is wishing it extended lower, which he acknowledges is an unreasonable ask for a speaker this size.
Full Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) |
| Dimensions | 8.5"H x 5.5"W x 6"D |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum cone woofer, 4" long-throw passive radiator, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog |
| Output Power | 120W total (Class D) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 7 lbs each |
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Klipsch The Fives: $699/pair Amazon
Pros: Versatile powered stereo alternative to a soundbar, with HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA and subwoofer output. Erin measured F3 at 57Hz and found generally benign harmonic distortion at normal levels. The horn-loaded 1-inch tweeter provides useful controlled radiation, real-wood cabinets are well finished, and firmware offers Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles; Bass Cut is the closest to neutral.
Cons: The nominal Flat mode is bass-heavy rather than flat, and the response/directivity transition around the 4.5-inch woofer and Tractrix horn requires careful placement or EQ. Erin measured roughly 2.5dB compression around 200Hz and still more below 80Hz at high drive; limiting protects the small woofer but audibly removes bass dynamics. A subwoofer is advisable, especially at distance. This amplified system has no meaningful passive impedance or sensitivity specification.
Full Klipsch The Fives review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Drivers | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5" woofer |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| 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