Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks #16 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $324.95; the Yamaha HS5 ranks #64, rated 3.6/5, and costs $399.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Fives is the better-balanced, more connected system. In its Bass Cut mode, Erin’s measurements show a 2.7dB midrange span, a preference score of 5.52 and bass reaching 57Hz before falling 3dB. It adds HDMI ARC, a phono input, digital inputs, aptX HD and a subwoofer output, so it can replace a soundbar. Its default bass setting is heavy, and its bass compresses as volume rises.
The HS5 is a simple studio monitor with a midrange-forward sound. It has balanced inputs and room switches, and Audio Science Review found smooth early-reflection directivity that takes EQ well. Its midrange is elevated and its upper bass thin, giving a bass-light balance that falls 3dB at 88Hz, so plan on a subwoofer.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha HS5 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.98 per pair | $324.95 per pair |
| Ranked | #64 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | 7.89 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| DSP | - | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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 October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha HS3 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.9/5), the Yamaha HS4 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Yamaha HS7 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5), the Yamaha HS8 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Yamaha HS8S (subwoofer, rated 3/5).
Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 3.70 standalone and 6.32 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS5 Soun & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch The Fives: $324.95 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch The Fives II, ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5.
Same family: the Klipsch The Sevens (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch The Nines (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
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 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| 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
- Klipsch The Fives vs JBL 305P MKII
- Klipsch The Fives vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Klipsch The Fives vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8020D
- Klipsch The Fives vs Topping MA4
- Klipsch The Fives vs Klipsch The Fives II
- Klipsch The Fives vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Klipsch The Fives vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
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