Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives II for better sound quality, the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus for the lower price. The Klipsch The Fives ranks higher than the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus (#17 vs #46 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Klipsch The Fives II, is rated 4.3/5 at $1,399.99; the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus is rated 3.9/5 at $499.99, $900 cheaper.
The case for the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus: A compact desktop pair with an even midrange, Bluetooth and USB inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Klipsch The Fives lacks. Watch for: The measured -3dB point is around 95Hz, with a much lower F10 in the original review; this is not flat bass to the low-50Hz region.
The Klipsch The Fives is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A versatile powered pair that replaces a soundbar, with good balance in Bass Cut mode plus HDMI ARC, phono and a subwoofer output. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.52 against 4.07 for the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 92Hz for the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus. The catch: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Klipsch The Fives II, the replacement for the discontinued Klipsch The Fives, is rated higher but costs $1,399.99.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Klipsch The Fives scores 7.9 against 6.7 for the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (53 Hz vs 47.3 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $324.95 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #46 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 108 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 |
| Amplifier Power | 120W total (Class D) | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 8.5”H x 5.5”W x 6”D | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.07 | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.73 | 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 | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Where the Ratings Come From
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Jasper Tech.
- Klipsch The Fives: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Jasper Tech.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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