✅ *MISSION: **bit.ly/3Sj8LEH** • SVS **bit.ly/3t1HxqB** • KLIPSCH: **amzn.to/3WxzAr4* ✅ *U-TURN: **bit.ly/3sLvwpo** • ELAC: **bit.ly/3FEyDXI* ✅ *QUESTIONS? CLICK ❤THANKS to highlight your question & support the channel!* ✅ *IF IT’S IN THE VIDEO, IT’S IN THE DESX ☝CLICK “MORE”* ✅ *RULES: NO OUTSIDE LINKS OR PERSONAL INFO. PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC AND BE RESPECTFUL*
Great video as usual but The keyword in the video- flexibility. For the streaming lovers and speaker wire haters 😂 Unfortunately, I am a passive fan, I equate them to soundbars or primary lifestyle options as opposed to hi fi. HDMI is something they really need to work on, seen and heard many issues with connectivity and reliability in powered speakers. but for a pair of Fives in Australia which retail past $1100, you can buy a decent AVR and a pair of great passive speakers across the range that hit high volumes well. Also… have to say it: A pair of Sonos speakers. 😂
I've owned the Fives for over a year now, and my grills still look great. I do agree that you need to tone down the bass on the Fives for a more natural sound.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews After installing the app, the subwoofer output of the Fives seemed to be greatly increased, so I had to readjust all my bass settings again.
I’ve had mine for about a year also, and I also say the grills are fine. Maybe Andrew and Kristi had an early review unit that had the issue that was later resolved with mass shipments? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I wonder the same thing. I’ve had mine for 16 months and they still look great. I use them in my office at work and they’re great for that, especially at the price I paid. I tend to prefer a more neutral sound so I might really like the new SVS speakers, but adjusted The Fives are pretty good. And their flexibility and value are fantastic.
Bluesound software sucks!!! Just terrible! Luckily I got my NAD Master 10 at a steal of $500. But I'll never pay full price for anything with Bluesound built in.
Lovely video! I would love to see a round two where you get into the next price tier with existing offerings from Kef, Q Acoustics, Bouchart, Dynaudio represented.
I get the biggest kick out of the contrast between these two. Andrew choses his words so cautiously and speaks with a grace comparable to a fine ballet dancer. Krissy (SP) has all the grace of a long haul truck driver who won't waste anyones time with unnecessary words, or PC. Nice balance guys.
Fives are working great for my desktop setup. The app took ages to arive in a usable form. It was fun to install, something like from fantastic mister fox playing cricket complexity levels. When adjusted via app fives are actual pretty good.
I wonder why the edifier s3000 wasn't included in this price range. I get that there is only so many spots. But no doubt the s3000 should be considered in this group
Love, love, love my Fives. It's just fun to hear that much sound coming from such small cabinets / boxes. ;-) For a little powered speaker, they do everything I need for my office and turntable. I very rarely ever think, "man... I should hook up a sub to these". Just super happy with how they sound and all the options for connections they offer. I like the way that the Missions look and I'd love to give them a listen sometime, but overall, I'm extremely happy with The Fives. Always fun to hear your opinions on stuff like this. Thanks for all you both do!
I’m surprised that the Kanto YU6 was not in this lineup. I bought mine partly based on a recommendation from you and I absolutely love them. Excellent build quality, sound, and looks. The subwoofer is also great. Love them for movies as well as music
They were discussed and Kristi heavily vouched for them. Same as you I purchased them off Andrews previous review and I’m still loving them. The energy their sound brings is just so fun!
Think it's a value question at this point. Which at fives are cheapest. However you can make your own stereo 2.0 system with KEF q150 and an Aiyama D03 for a similar cost
Of all these speakers I’d pick the Missions. They’re very pretty (to my eyes anyway) and have all the connectivity I’d look for. I first got a pair of Quad 9Active speakers (second hand) a couple of years back, and very much enjoyed them as near-field desktop speakers on my computer. I’ve recently upgraded to Quad 9AS speakers, with far more input options, better amplification and DAC too, and this plays out in the sound which is substantially better than the 9Active pair. So, that pair of Missions would be a serious contender if I were to change them again. And to think that only a few years ago I was a thoroughly separates only kinda guy.
I really enjoyed the side by side comparisons today. For me, it’s the Missions. They ooze the cool factor. But I’ve already got my Q Acoustics M20 HD powered speakers. So I’m content.😮
After doing some research I ended up with the Kanto YU-6's for our small living room. So far so good! Build quality and look is excellent (matte white), sound is good, features/connectivity is fantastic (can add a sub when the time is right), and my partner likes that we got rid of the giant receiver... All in all a good side-grade!!
Great video as always. I own the Fives and read on the Klipsch owners forum that the speaker grill fabric is thermoplastic that shrinks when heated (you can make the fabric taut again by applying gentle heat with a blow dryer). I keep the grills off so hasn't been an issue for me.
Enjoyed the video but I think if I was in the market for basically a near field speaker/monitor I would probably look at some Pro Audio gear...Kali Audio, Dynaudio, Adams, even the JBL. You can get powered monitors from all those brands that measure well, don't look too bad, some have DSP and are pretty cheap. Just my opinion anyway.
I just bought the fives after a-b testing with similar options. As a matter of fact: just by today, I put their box in the cellar, because I finally made a choice. That said - I wouldn’t have chosen them, if it weren’t for the App. Bass was much to bloated and treble was off, as well. Other ones, I tested were much better with percussion and/or imaging and instrument separation. And with some more complex tracks, the Klipsch seem to brake down, a little - even at low-er volumes. But and that’s a big B: They just sound phenomenal with voices, are easy to live with (after adjustment), very flexible, and can play many genres of music in an equal fashion. And tuned in, they project a large stage with clear centered voice without any harshness. Therefore, they can do movies, podcasts, vinyl, Bluetooth in a pleasing way without any problems. Yes, they won’t detail much and on some tracks, I still miss some refinement. But that’s what I have my Headphones for. And though I do plan on getting a more refined setup, they would still fit well in the office/gaming room.
The fives , subwoofer out feature. Hdmi with cec and arc, and phono in. Great product for the money. Seems more flexible and better option than most soundbars. Thanks your channel.
had the opportuntiy to listen to the fives and personally i was surprised by the output and bass for their size. would love to see you guys review the 7's and the new 9's
I would like to mention, does anyone notice how speaker brands can add hdmi to powered speakers but integrated amplifiers from reputable brands don’t? 😢
great review and recommendations... wish you would have had a chance to check the Q acoustics M20 ...and wonder how well they would have done....especially 'sound quality'...
I have had my eye on the Fives for about two years now. I wanted to move beyond the soundbar/subwoofer setup that I had but didn't have the $$ to invest in a Marantz or Onkyo surround system. So I was like, ok, what is the best 2.1 I can get that won't break my wallet, and all my "research' kept leading me back to the Fives. But at just under $1K, it was a bit pricey, still just a want, not a need, and Klipsch seemed to put everything on sale but the speakers I wanted. Until about 10 days ago, when they listed the Fives at about 54% off Black Friday and I impulsively jumped on it. I was curious to see if they lived up to the hype, and I am happy to say they do. They are a bass lovers dream out of the box, you cannot believe the bass that comes out of these little things and the DSP balances voice with ambient noise very well IMO. I snagged these for just under 5 bills, and for that price, they crush the competition.
Nice comps. I have a set up of powered Mackie MR624 connected with Bluesound Node. Great powerful sound for medium and large size rooms (in plain black only), and can add subs for upgrade. This was by far better then the Fives in the medium/large room.
I have the Mackie MR824's for my desk and they sound incredible off of the Shiit Audio DAC and Loki, I have The Fives on a TV and they sound great as well.
Though I haven't compared directly I'd guess the Kali LP6 would likely outperform all of these for less than any of them at $400/pair. The Kali IN5/8 would likely destroy them at $700-800. Would be great if you @andrewrobinson could review either or both though. Either way keep up the phenomenal work/videos!👏
Fabulously cut vid, Andrew. Yours and Kristi's commitment to refinement is paying off, it's noticed, it's impressive. Super taught and well executed vid.
Been testing the SVS speakers and am amazed by the sound: transparent, dynamic, balanced and detailed. You can feel the hits on the snare, the fingers on the frets, detailed bass, and they have a real punch when the music wants to punch. I keep turning them up waiting for them to break up and distort, but nyet -comrade, nyet. So impressed. In person they are a gravitationally dense box with a tidy bevelled front, and a flawless finish. At worst they are inoffensive. Not sure on the strong reaction, but I hope it doesn't dissuade people from trying them out - beauty is as beauty does.
I must commend you on reading and responding to the comments each week. The amount of repeat comments and questions, mostly regarding things that were covered in the video must be incredibly frustrating. I could not do it.
I was thinking about buying the Klipsch five for my TV (instead of a soundbar). I have a stereo set to listen music, so the fives would be just for TV. But, I have read/red a lot of comments in the internet about some heavy issues regarding mentioned Klipsch fives (e.g. app is not stable, updates don't work fine, the fives turn off from time to time, etc.). To many such comments from clients to think the Problem does not exist.
Are all the speakers with HDMI input arc(cec) compatible with volume and power control? I read that it's a pain to manually switch these on and off and can lead to longevity issues if not
Can you check out the new Triangle borea Bluetooth speakers? Would be good to see how they compare to these ones. Their passive ones got really good reviews.
Nice job! I really enjoyed watching this one. I did not know that the Klipsch app was finally working. I bought a pair of the Fives after your original review. I have done 3 things to them which, for me, vastly improved them IMO. First I added a decent Klipsch sub. I don’t remember the model number but I got it on sale for $5-600. Then I put foam plugs in the ports. I did this because I wanted more flexibility in the positioning. I personally think they sound better regardless but maybe I have just gotten used to the sound. The 3rd thing is that I used a heat gun or hair dryer on the grilles about a year or so ago. They have stayed tight. Having covered a fabric airplane earlier in my life the normal procedure there is to apply the fabric and then use heat to shrink it. I also worked in a cotton mill when I was a student. I ran a giant oven that took huge rolls of dyed cloth and ran it through a water/chemical bath and then through a 400 degree oven for about 125 feet. This is how they make “preshrunk” fabric. I misted the grille cloth lightly with water and then used either my heat gun or a hair dryer (I don’t remember which) on them until they were tight and dry. This took less than 5 minutes in total. I used a spray bottle with super fine mist. I doubt the water is even necessary. Anyway for me the Fives have been great. I saw them a couple of days ago at Costco for $449 in black. I almost bought them for my son.
Hello you two! Thank you for your good work! Where would you place the Tannoy Gold 5 in this ranking? Are they still your desktop favourites? I'm thinking about buying them for that very purpose. Thanks for your help!
We still think they are really good but they are dumb powered speakers (less versatile) and practically impossible to find anymore which makes it difficult to continue to take them seriously.
i may have simply skipped over it but my only feedback would be that it would have been nice to know a bit more about that display on the SVSs. i can just open a new tab and go to the manufacturer's website, but still, it looked like a distinguishing feature worth mentioning.
Its an oled display that can be always on, dimmed or off. I have this pair and keep mine off. It will turn on when displaying any changes which is what I prefer.
I use Emotiva Stealth 6s (active powered) for our living room system (along with dual 10" sealed box subs). In my office I've got Emotiva Airmotiv 5s. Love both systems.
I am over 70 years old and would like to be able to listen to my CD collection. If I were to get the Klipsch Fives, with their more numerous connectivity options then the other powered speakers, what kind of a CD player could I get to connect to the Klipsch Fives?
Thanks for the video, i appreciated the heads up competition as a "new video style". I really liked the look of the fives until i saw them in person at costco and saw that the fit and finish looks cheap. The missions are the ones in the review that im the most intrigued by, especially at the reduced price. Ive never liked the sound signature of SVS speakers (i do like their subs). I think at the full price of the missions i would do a pair of Dynaudio LYD paired with something like a bluesound node or an AudioEngine B-fi. The LYDs are spectacular but have really limited connectivity options. With a B-fi they are around 1700$ which makes them far more $$ than anything in this competition. I think it would be cool to see you do a near field studio monitor comparison, i bet alot of your viewers use that type of speaker for listing to a desktop pc, which makes HDMI, Bluetooth, etc moot in many cases. Dynaudio, M-Audio, AudioEngine, yamaha, all make intriguing choices in that type of product and it would be cool to see how you think they compare to your YU6 that youve lived with for so long.
I think your Elac of enthusiasm is going to cheese off some Andrew Jones fanboys. I also am miffed why SVS doesn't offer a wireless option of their Ultra series. Maybe they're afraid Kristi will gloss shame their flagship?
I've had the Fives as my home office speakers for about 6 months and I LOVE them. I road-tested a few others (none of the others in your review though) and the Fives came out winners by a mile.
We do. To be honest, I forgot all about them. I still think they are really good but they are dumb powered speakers and practically impossible to find anymore which makes it difficult to continue to take them seriously.
I think SVS has an important feature none of the others have: streaming with the big 3 - Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Airplay. No need to buy an expensive BluesoundNode which is overpriced and doesn't include Chromecast which is quite valuable to Android users.
Recently got the SVS Prime Pros with a 300 Micro sub and the combo is stunning. That little sub is shockingly good, and when blended properly to where it seems like everything is coming from the speakers… my goodness, it is a wonderful sound reproduction. I was initially interested in the Klipsch’s because of the automatic high pass filter to the main speakers when a sub is connected, so they can open up the mids more without having to fight for the low end. SVS includes that feature as well, and their app for managing every aspect of the sub is extremely convenient, so they knocked it out of the park for what I wanted. Not to mention the HDMI eArc! Perfect for a soundbar use case. Also, the 6 preset buttons on the front and the remote are a hilariously innovative feature. You can match them to any Spotify playlist, or a podcast, etc.. just like an old school radio, how cool is that?! Agreed, wish they came in a wood finish, but I went with the white for now and am enjoying that look. And I also grabbed the wireless adapter they sell for the sub, that made placement a breeze like I’ve never experienced. Thanks for another fun video from you two! Keep it going.
Do these control easily with arc-cec and TV remote(power and volume)? Looking for a seamless soundbar replacement. Do voice and action sounds mix well.... Or do you constantly need to increase and decrease volume depending on scenes?
I’ve had my fives for awhile now and I’ve really loved them for my office/spare room. Paired with my LG C1 in there and a sub it was life changing at the time lol (was my first oled). Idk if the grills on the black ones (which I got for like 475🎉) are different but they’ve been fine so far for me over about a year or so. And now that the app is here for them it’s been like hearing them for the first time again!
I also tried the KEF LSX2 in my 15' x 12' office space and decided they weren't for me for the same reasons you mentioned. Having previously used Kanto YU4 in a desktop setup I decided to try the Kanto TUK. Mine are connected to a Kanto SUB8 and I enjoy them very much. For context, the source is a MacBook via an iFi Audio Zen DAC. For me it's an excellent combination. Another significant factor is that in my opinion both Kanto and iFi Audio deliver exceptionally good customer support and service.
While we have not heard the S3000pro, we have tested the S2000MKIII speakers from Edifier and opted not to review them in 2021. At the time, we did not feel they were very competitive at their launch price and to be honest we just didn't care for their sound. The speakers included in this video with the exception of The Fives, are newer and more relevant in our opinion.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I have never been a fan of Edifier personally, and am somewhat of a snob. The S3000 pros are *apparently* game changers, but I would not know. I don't own them. Being that I'm in Australia, we pay a monstrous tax on most of the speakers yourself and darkaudio etc review - which always tend to be pretty much the same line up. Then there's brand that nobody seems to touch even if they do something different or innovate. I'm unsure if it is region based or not. But the S3000pros, getting past all marketing fluff, have some of the better reviews in writing by some of the critics out there I do enjoy - albeit they are writers, not bloggers. I enjoy the hell out of your content and just thought I'd ask - there's never harm in it. Massive props to you and yours for your great material. Big fan and keep on keeping on!
@6:45 you say the only thing I don't want to hear about The Fives - The grill fabric started to loosen and sag after a year. I live in Thailand which has a humid tropical climate, so is this going to be a problem and, if so, is there any possibility to buy new replacement grills? Yeah I guess it's wait and see, and/or get the fabric itself replaced if it's sagging. They're expensive speakers over here, as in around $850 but I - just - want - them - ! Ha Ha
I’m really sold on the klipsch BUT what if I was willing to add a sub would that benefit them nearly as much as say the missions? Ultimately between them with a sun what’s your thoughts?
Hey Andrew, just watched a couple hours worth of your reviews and all top notch quality. I have a question, I currently have B&W 606 S2 (which you were not a fan of) and a set of Kanto Yu5 powered speakers. Using a Denon 600NE for the 606 S2. I was wondering if the Kanto Tuk powered speakers would be worth getting as I am looking for a new speaker but don't want to spend a whole bunch. I don't see the Tuk in this list of Top 5 but was wondering your thoughts on the Tuk based on what I have, would it be an upgrade or a side grade? I would use them for Vinyl, and Movies. Thanks for your help :)
In terms of connectivity, there is something to be said for the SVS and its multiple streaming options. But it's not the best looking speaker in my opinion though...
Just received The Fives and the grill cloth is loose out of the box. Sale price still worth it even if I have to rework the grills. Also I was shocked that they are still shipping ancient firmware that required an annoying two step upgrade with a USB flash drive and a special upgrade app.
This was really helpful I just wish you could have compared the q acoustics m20. It's still a really helpful video anyways and a pleasure to watch thank you.
Thank you for this review. I was just about to pull the trigger on a pair of the svs prime wireless pro. I still may buy them since they have a 45 day trial. I already have the fives. interesting, I did buy the Mclaren version, but felt there wasn't a difference that would justify $500 to $1000.
Great video as always. My pick is the PSB AM3 I picked up a pair at 25%off. Here in Canada they retail for $699. I use them on my desktop and they sound great. They have a remote, Bluetooth, usb and aux input, tone controls, phono preamp and a sub. I’m a larger space they will need a sub. The AM5 is there bigger brother for $999 CAD.
I had the Fives and sent them back because of performance issues...got the LSX mk2 and they are so easy to setup, no issues, and sound fantastic...plesantly surprised
@@barbaroja.mp3 I had the LSX Gen.1 and now using the Wireless Gen.2. KEF is still my favourite manufacturer for small speakers. I never heard the LSX Gen.2 but even the Gen.1 where absolutely impressive for their size !
I love my LSX speakers, without any help they are for small spaces, but with a sub added they can do well even in a medium sized room. I would not choose for the LS50 wireless II though. In that case I would get the LS50 meta with an add speakers only integrated amp. You will pay a bit more, but get so much more performance out of it. For example the LS50 meta with the Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 will bring you to a level of performance the wireless II simply can not match in any way. At that price point I also feel more safe to keep the electronics and speakers separate.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews At $2800 for the LS50 Wireless II, I can see why they weren't included, but I want to know what I'm missing in the Missions for soundstage, vocal clarity, etc for only $850- Wowza! Thanks for your and Kristi's work in these vids
If you only care about sound quality on and off axis, the Kali IN-5 would be my choice, or the IN-8, and they play fairly loud with low enough distortion that most could build a home theater around them and some subwoofers. No app control and modern conveniences though, just great design from the ports to the woofer to the amps to the DSP for placement correction, and finally the coaxial driver that is unheard of in a 3 way monitor at that price point.
Yeah be awesome if he'd review these and the LP6s. Pretty sure the LP6 would outperform most of these at $400 and the IN5 would be far better for $700.
Side Comment: Andrew, your wife seems to have been involved in your online audio reviews for a lot longer than on video. Glad that you included her. PS couples who play together stay together.
Hey Andrew, my name is Manish and I follow your channel from India. I would love to see a review on the Genelec Home Audio Solutions, if your time permits☺️
✅ *MISSION: **bit.ly/3Sj8LEH** • SVS **bit.ly/3t1HxqB** • KLIPSCH: **amzn.to/3WxzAr4*
✅ *U-TURN: **bit.ly/3sLvwpo** • ELAC: **bit.ly/3FEyDXI*
✅ *QUESTIONS? CLICK ❤THANKS to highlight your question & support the channel!*
✅ *IF IT’S IN THE VIDEO, IT’S IN THE DESX ☝CLICK “MORE”*
✅ *RULES: NO OUTSIDE LINKS OR PERSONAL INFO. PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC AND BE RESPECTFUL*
Great video as usual but The keyword in the video- flexibility. For the streaming lovers and speaker wire haters 😂
Unfortunately, I am a passive fan, I equate them to soundbars or primary lifestyle options as opposed to hi fi.
HDMI is something they really need to work on, seen and heard many issues with connectivity and reliability in powered speakers. but for a pair of Fives in Australia which retail past $1100, you can buy a decent AVR and a pair of great passive speakers across the range that hit high volumes well.
Also… have to say it:
A pair of Sonos speakers.
😂
BREAKING THE RULES …just this one time
ELEANOR FREYJA…. just born at 3:50 pm 😁💚💚💚
@@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461 Forgive me, but are you sharing a recent birth?
@@andrewrobinsonreviews YES💚
@@andrewrobinsonreviews YES …at 3:30 pm … our first grandchild …a girl
ELEANORE FREAJA 🤱
I've owned the Fives for over a year now, and my grills still look great. I do agree that you need to tone down the bass on the Fives for a more natural sound.
But the App now working (it didn't at the time of our initial review) makes the Fives SOOOO much easier to live with!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews After installing the app, the subwoofer output of the Fives seemed to be greatly increased, so I had to readjust all my bass settings again.
I have had mine for 6 months with no issues from the grilles either.
I’ve had mine for about a year also, and I also say the grills are fine. Maybe Andrew and Kristi had an early review unit that had the issue that was later resolved with mass shipments? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I wonder the same thing. I’ve had mine for 16 months and they still look great. I use them in my office at work and they’re great for that, especially at the price I paid. I tend to prefer a more neutral sound so I might really like the new SVS speakers, but adjusted The Fives are pretty good. And their flexibility and value are fantastic.
I'd go with a Bluesound NODE & a pair of ADAM Audio T8V 8-inch Active Spkrs for ~ $1,200. !!!
Bluesound software sucks!!! Just terrible! Luckily I got my NAD Master 10 at a steal of $500. But I'll never pay full price for anything with Bluesound built in.
Hi Guys. Great review. Wondering how would the Q Acoustics M20 compare against this lineup?
We have not heard the M20s.
Lovely video! I would love to see a round two where you get into the next price tier with existing offerings from Kef, Q Acoustics, Bouchart, Dynaudio represented.
What bout Q Acoustics M20?
I get the biggest kick out of the contrast between these two. Andrew choses his words so cautiously and speaks with a grace comparable to a fine ballet dancer.
Krissy (SP) has all the grace of a long haul truck driver who won't waste anyones time with unnecessary words, or PC.
Nice balance guys.
What about the Edifier S3000pro?
Fives are working great for my desktop setup. The app took ages to arive in a usable form. It was fun to install, something like from fantastic mister fox playing cricket complexity levels. When adjusted via app fives are actual pretty good.
Updating the speakers to use the new App was admittedly stupid, yes. But I agree, now that they have an App that works, they may be even better!
Have you ever done Edifier S3000 pro? I have a pair of those and I feel like I somehow cheated at life.
I wonder why the edifier s3000 wasn't included in this price range. I get that there is only so many spots. But no doubt the s3000 should be considered in this group
The Audioengine A5s are excellent, quite a bit of detail. They are $400.
hey Andrew, the Kanto TUKs are currently $600. Do you have any other recommendation for a powered speaker at that price point?
Hmm. Surprised that Acoustic Energy AE1 was not among those under test.
In terms of sound, it’s better than all these speakers!
Why wasn’t included? Cause the list would be a mile long and the video would never get done
What about Q Acoustics M20?
Love, love, love my Fives. It's just fun to hear that much sound coming from such small cabinets / boxes. ;-) For a little powered speaker, they do everything I need for my office and turntable. I very rarely ever think, "man... I should hook up a sub to these". Just super happy with how they sound and all the options for connections they offer. I like the way that the Missions look and I'd love to give them a listen sometime, but overall, I'm extremely happy with The Fives. Always fun to hear your opinions on stuff like this. Thanks for all you both do!
I’m surprised that the Kanto YU6 was not in this lineup. I bought mine partly based on a recommendation from you and I absolutely love them. Excellent build quality, sound, and looks. The subwoofer is also great. Love them for movies as well as music
They were discussed and Kristi heavily vouched for them. Same as you I purchased them off Andrews previous review and I’m still loving them. The energy their sound brings is just so fun!
Any way we can get a review of the Edifier S3000 Pro or comparison to this group?
Thanks.. but since there is no overall winner..I'm still confused as to which one to get!
Think it's a value question at this point. Which at fives are cheapest. However you can make your own stereo 2.0 system with KEF q150 and an Aiyama D03 for a similar cost
the mission for kristi and secretly the svs for andy
Of all these speakers I’d pick the Missions. They’re very pretty (to my eyes anyway) and have all the connectivity I’d look for. I first got a pair of Quad 9Active speakers (second hand) a couple of years back, and very much enjoyed them as near-field desktop speakers on my computer. I’ve recently upgraded to Quad 9AS speakers, with far more input options, better amplification and DAC too, and this plays out in the sound which is substantially better than the 9Active pair. So, that pair of Missions would be a serious contender if I were to change them again.
And to think that only a few years ago I was a thoroughly separates only kinda guy.
I really enjoyed the side by side comparisons today. For me, it’s the Missions. They ooze the cool factor. But I’ve already got my Q Acoustics M20 HD powered speakers. So I’m content.😮
After doing some research I ended up with the Kanto YU-6's for our small living room. So far so good! Build quality and look is excellent (matte white), sound is good, features/connectivity is fantastic (can add a sub when the time is right), and my partner likes that we got rid of the giant receiver... All in all a good side-grade!!
Why Kef LS50 Wireless 2 were not included in the comparison?
$$$
Surprised you didn’t try some AudioEngine .
I'd like to see a video on Genelec and Neumann studio monitors. Yes, they are marketed for studios, but they can equally be used for HIFI.
These speakers are still no match to the Airpulse A100
Very happy to see this review 👍🏼 only wish Swan was included. Thx guys ✊🏽
Great video as always. I own the Fives and read on the Klipsch owners forum that the speaker grill fabric is thermoplastic that shrinks when heated (you can make the fabric taut again by applying gentle heat with a blow dryer). I keep the grills off so hasn't been an issue for me.
I will say it’s nice to see hdmi becoming the norm in the powered speaker market
In Thailand
Klipsch distrubutor add profit cost up to 40-50%
The Fives price up to $800-1000
so sad
Enjoyed the video but I think if I was in the market for basically a near field speaker/monitor I would probably look at some Pro Audio gear...Kali Audio, Dynaudio, Adams, even the JBL. You can get powered monitors from all those brands that measure well, don't look too bad, some have DSP and are pretty cheap. Just my opinion anyway.
I just bought the fives after a-b testing with similar options. As a matter of fact: just by today, I put their box in the cellar, because I finally made a choice.
That said - I wouldn’t have chosen them, if it weren’t for the App. Bass was much to bloated and treble was off, as well.
Other ones, I tested were much better with percussion and/or imaging and instrument separation. And with some more complex tracks, the Klipsch seem to brake down, a little - even at low-er volumes.
But and that’s a big B:
They just sound phenomenal with voices, are easy to live with (after adjustment), very flexible, and can play many genres of music in an equal fashion. And tuned in, they project a large stage with clear centered voice without any harshness.
Therefore, they can do movies, podcasts, vinyl, Bluetooth in a pleasing way without any problems.
Yes, they won’t detail much and on some tracks, I still miss some refinement. But that’s what I have my Headphones for. And though I do plan on getting a more refined setup, they would still fit well in the office/gaming room.
The fives , subwoofer out feature.
Hdmi with cec and arc, and phono in.
Great product for the money.
Seems more flexible and better option than most soundbars.
Thanks your channel.
I have to say I’m surprised the Kanto YU6 or TUK’s didn’t show up in this comparison.
I think maybe you didn't watch the WHOLE video 🤔
@@andrewrobinsonreviews He definitely did not...tsk tsk tsk. 😅
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Yeah, just got to that part 😬
I should have known better by now.
I like this format and would like a kef vs q acoustic powered shoot out.
The Fives app doesn't save EQ adjustments once I switch the speakers off. So that's a major annoyance for an otherwise amazing pair of bookshelves.
I bet my money on the Acoustic Energy AE1's Active for ultimate sound quality. However, they will cost more than any of these but worth every penny!
had the opportuntiy to listen to the fives and personally i was surprised by the output and bass for their size. would love to see you guys review the 7's and the new 9's
Try an Edifier S3000 Pro for the next round! These are truly incredible speakers!!!
I would like to mention, does anyone notice how speaker brands can add hdmi to powered speakers but integrated amplifiers from reputable brands don’t? 😢
great review and recommendations... wish you would have had a chance to check the Q acoustics M20 ...and wonder how well they would have done....especially 'sound quality'...
I have had my eye on the Fives for about two years now. I wanted to move beyond the soundbar/subwoofer setup that I had but didn't have the $$ to invest in a Marantz or Onkyo surround system. So I was like, ok, what is the best 2.1 I can get that won't break my wallet, and all my "research' kept leading me back to the Fives. But at just under $1K, it was a bit pricey, still just a want, not a need, and Klipsch seemed to put everything on sale but the speakers I wanted. Until about 10 days ago, when they listed the Fives at about 54% off Black Friday and I impulsively jumped on it. I was curious to see if they lived up to the hype, and I am happy to say they do. They are a bass lovers dream out of the box, you cannot believe the bass that comes out of these little things and the DSP balances voice with ambient noise very well IMO. I snagged these for just under 5 bills, and for that price, they crush the competition.
Do you think a sub will add a lot to these?
Nice comps. I have a set up of powered Mackie MR624 connected with Bluesound Node. Great powerful sound for medium and large size rooms (in plain black only), and can add subs for upgrade. This was by far better then the Fives in the medium/large room.
I have the Mackie MR824's for my desk and they sound incredible off of the Shiit Audio DAC and Loki, I have The Fives on a TV and they sound great as well.
Though I haven't compared directly I'd guess the Kali LP6 would likely outperform all of these for less than any of them at $400/pair. The Kali IN5/8 would likely destroy them at $700-800. Would be great if you @andrewrobinson could review either or both though. Either way keep up the phenomenal work/videos!👏
Fabulously cut vid, Andrew. Yours and Kristi's commitment to refinement is paying off, it's noticed, it's impressive. Super taught and well executed vid.
Thanks so much!
Been testing the SVS speakers and am amazed by the sound: transparent, dynamic, balanced and detailed. You can feel the hits on the snare, the fingers on the frets, detailed bass, and they have a real punch when the music wants to punch. I keep turning them up waiting for them to break up and distort, but nyet -comrade, nyet. So impressed.
In person they are a gravitationally dense box with a tidy bevelled front, and a flawless finish. At worst they are inoffensive. Not sure on the strong reaction, but I hope it doesn't dissuade people from trying them out - beauty is as beauty does.
Kef sucks as far as warranty goes …I will never buy kef products again
S3000 Pro kills all of these
I agree, I just commented, how could they not put the s3000 in this group. Ironically no mention of edifier even as honorable mention
No Q Acoustics M20 in this comparation? :(
I must commend you on reading and responding to the comments each week. The amount of repeat comments and questions, mostly regarding things that were covered in the video must be incredibly frustrating. I could not do it.
I was thinking about buying the Klipsch five for my TV (instead of a soundbar). I have a stereo set to listen music, so the fives would be just for TV. But, I have read/red a lot of comments in the internet about some heavy issues regarding mentioned Klipsch fives (e.g. app is not stable, updates don't work fine, the fives turn off from time to time, etc.). To many such comments from clients to think the Problem does not exist.
Edifier s3000pro.
I have them. They are great
@@murilosimao1 me too.
Are all the speakers with HDMI input arc(cec) compatible with volume and power control? I read that it's a pain to manually switch these on and off and can lead to longevity issues if not
Can you check out the new Triangle borea Bluetooth speakers? Would be good to see how they compare to these ones. Their passive ones got really good reviews.
Nice job! I really enjoyed watching this one. I did not know that the Klipsch app was finally working. I bought a pair of the Fives after your original review. I have done 3 things to them which, for me, vastly improved them IMO. First I added a decent Klipsch sub. I don’t remember the model number but I got it on sale for $5-600. Then I put foam plugs in the ports. I did this because I wanted more flexibility in the positioning. I personally think they sound better regardless but maybe I have just gotten used to the sound. The 3rd thing is that I used a heat gun or hair dryer on the grilles about a year or so ago. They have stayed tight. Having covered a fabric airplane earlier in my life the normal procedure there is to apply the fabric and then use heat to shrink it. I also worked in a cotton mill when I was a student. I ran a giant oven that took huge rolls of dyed cloth and ran it through a water/chemical bath and then through a 400 degree oven for about 125 feet. This is how they make “preshrunk” fabric. I misted the grille cloth lightly with water and then used either my heat gun or a hair dryer (I don’t remember which) on them until they were tight and dry. This took less than 5 minutes in total. I used a spray bottle with super fine mist. I doubt the water is even necessary. Anyway for me the Fives have been great. I saw them a couple of days ago at Costco for $449 in black. I almost bought them for my son.
Hi Andrew, in your opinion, how do these compare with a pair of Tannoy Gold 7? Are you still using those (the Gold 5s) as your desktop speakers?
Hello you two! Thank you for your good work! Where would you place the Tannoy Gold 5 in this ranking? Are they still your desktop favourites? I'm thinking about buying them for that very purpose. Thanks for your help!
We still think they are really good but they are dumb powered speakers (less versatile) and practically impossible to find anymore which makes it difficult to continue to take them seriously.
They're readily available at Sweetwater
Probably Klipsch Sevens with a Sub
i may have simply skipped over it but my only feedback would be that it would have been nice to know a bit more about that display on the SVSs. i can just open a new tab and go to the manufacturer's website, but still, it looked like a distinguishing feature worth mentioning.
Its an oled display that can be always on, dimmed or off. I have this pair and keep mine off. It will turn on when displaying any changes which is what I prefer.
@@MrBananers thank you!
I use Emotiva Stealth 6s (active powered) for our living room system (along with dual 10" sealed box subs). In my office I've got Emotiva Airmotiv 5s. Love both systems.
Eagerly Waiting for Beosound Theatre soundbar review 🐱
I am over 70 years old and would like to be able to listen to my CD collection. If I were to get the Klipsch Fives, with their more numerous connectivity options then the other powered speakers, what kind of a CD player could I get to connect to the Klipsch Fives?
Adcom GCD-575 with a couple of tweaks and Wow!
Thanks for the video, i appreciated the heads up competition as a "new video style". I really liked the look of the fives until i saw them in person at costco and saw that the fit and finish looks cheap. The missions are the ones in the review that im the most intrigued by, especially at the reduced price. Ive never liked the sound signature of SVS speakers (i do like their subs). I think at the full price of the missions i would do a pair of Dynaudio LYD paired with something like a bluesound node or an AudioEngine B-fi. The LYDs are spectacular but have really limited connectivity options. With a B-fi they are around 1700$ which makes them far more $$ than anything in this competition.
I think it would be cool to see you do a near field studio monitor comparison, i bet alot of your viewers use that type of speaker for listing to a desktop pc, which makes HDMI, Bluetooth, etc moot in many cases. Dynaudio, M-Audio, AudioEngine, yamaha, all make intriguing choices in that type of product and it would be cool to see how you think they compare to your YU6 that youve lived with for so long.
I miss some names like the Kanto TUK, Tannoy's, Edifier... but afterall great vid. Thanks for giving some love to the powered sector of this hobby.
I liked my Kanto YU6's so much I bought the TUK's. I'd like to hear his comparison/thoughts to the TUK's
@Andrew Robinson which would you pick? The Elac Debut ConneX or Kanto Yu4? Or if anyone else is reading this, what would be your pick and why?
Hey Andrew! Love your videos, do you have any experience with the Q Acoustics M20?
Hey guys, the Devialet Mania, the first portable speaker from Devialet, has been launched. Can you get your hands on it by any chance?
I think your Elac of enthusiasm is going to cheese off some Andrew Jones fanboys.
I also am miffed why SVS doesn't offer a wireless option of their Ultra series. Maybe they're afraid Kristi will gloss shame their flagship?
I've had the Fives as my home office speakers for about 6 months and I LOVE them. I road-tested a few others (none of the others in your review though) and the Fives came out winners by a mile.
Do you guys still have the Tannoy Gold? And how do they compare? (I know connectivity is limited but so is U-Turn's)
We do. To be honest, I forgot all about them. I still think they are really good but they are dumb powered speakers and practically impossible to find anymore which makes it difficult to continue to take them seriously.
I think SVS has an important feature none of the others have: streaming with the big 3 - Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Airplay. No need to buy an expensive BluesoundNode which is overpriced and doesn't include Chromecast which is quite valuable to Android users.
Recently got the SVS Prime Pros with a 300 Micro sub and the combo is stunning. That little sub is shockingly good, and when blended properly to where it seems like everything is coming from the speakers… my goodness, it is a wonderful sound reproduction.
I was initially interested in the Klipsch’s because of the automatic high pass filter to the main speakers when a sub is connected, so they can open up the mids more without having to fight for the low end. SVS includes that feature as well, and their app for managing every aspect of the sub is extremely convenient, so they knocked it out of the park for what I wanted. Not to mention the HDMI eArc! Perfect for a soundbar use case.
Also, the 6 preset buttons on the front and the remote are a hilariously innovative feature. You can match them to any Spotify playlist, or a podcast, etc.. just like an old school radio, how cool is that?!
Agreed, wish they came in a wood finish, but I went with the white for now and am enjoying that look. And I also grabbed the wireless adapter they sell for the sub, that made placement a breeze like I’ve never experienced. Thanks for another fun video from you two! Keep it going.
Do these control easily with arc-cec and TV remote(power and volume)? Looking for a seamless soundbar replacement. Do voice and action sounds mix well.... Or do you constantly need to increase and decrease volume depending on scenes?
You are really missing the point. I can't stand the Klipsch's horns. They grate my ears.
This review calls for a part 2 that includes the Q Acoustics M20, the Triangle Borea BR03 BT and the new Kef LSX.
The KEF is covered in this video.
And a studio monitor the Kali LP6 in white and possibly the Kali IN5 or 8.
@@KristiWright Mentioned more than covered, Kristi ;-)
@@KristiWright Thanks for bringing that up! You really do know what we're going to ask in the comments!
I second the need to include the Q Acoustics at this price range.
I’ve had my fives for awhile now and I’ve really loved them for my office/spare room. Paired with my LG C1 in there and a sub it was life changing at the time lol (was my first oled). Idk if the grills on the black ones (which I got for like 475🎉) are different but they’ve been fine so far for me over about a year or so. And now that the app is here for them it’s been like hearing them for the first time again!
Original Vanatoo powered speakers from years ago is still my first choice.
Would be nice to see the T1E reviewed.
I also tried the KEF LSX2 in my 15' x 12' office space and decided they weren't for me for the same reasons you mentioned. Having previously used Kanto YU4 in a desktop setup I decided to try the Kanto TUK. Mine are connected to a Kanto SUB8 and I enjoy them very much. For context, the source is a MacBook via an iFi Audio Zen DAC. For me it's an excellent combination. Another significant factor is that in my opinion both Kanto and iFi Audio deliver exceptionally good customer support and service.
Sorry I missed the premier. Great video though, except no Kantos models?????
Would love a review, as others have stated, on the Edifier S3000pro. Nobody seems to want to touch it, and it's not for any good reason.
They arent sold by the same type of resellers so this guy probably cant get them shipped to him.
While we have not heard the S3000pro, we have tested the S2000MKIII speakers from Edifier and opted not to review them in 2021. At the time, we did not feel they were very competitive at their launch price and to be honest we just didn't care for their sound. The speakers included in this video with the exception of The Fives, are newer and more relevant in our opinion.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I have never been a fan of Edifier personally, and am somewhat of a snob. The S3000 pros are *apparently* game changers, but I would not know. I don't own them. Being that I'm in Australia, we pay a monstrous tax on most of the speakers yourself and darkaudio etc review - which always tend to be pretty much the same line up. Then there's brand that nobody seems to touch even if they do something different or innovate. I'm unsure if it is region based or not. But the S3000pros, getting past all marketing fluff, have some of the better reviews in writing by some of the critics out there I do enjoy - albeit they are writers, not bloggers. I enjoy the hell out of your content and just thought I'd ask - there's never harm in it. Massive props to you and yours for your great material. Big fan and keep on keeping on!
Sadly the
acoustic energy ae1 is missing in that lineup. Clearly would have taken the cake. Best „system“
To buy under 2000$
@6:45 you say the only thing I don't want to hear about The Fives - The grill fabric started to loosen and sag after a year. I live in Thailand which has a humid tropical climate, so is this going to be a problem and, if so, is there any possibility to buy new replacement grills? Yeah I guess it's wait and see, and/or get the fabric itself replaced if it's sagging. They're expensive speakers over here, as in around $850 but I - just - want - them - ! Ha Ha
apparently they tighten up with heat, so you're in luck, and in the right place
I’m really sold on the klipsch BUT what if I was willing to add a sub would that benefit them nearly as much as say the missions? Ultimately between them with a sun what’s your thoughts?
I am wondering the same thing, especially seeing that I can get the Missions for a bit cheaper than the fives.
I was wondering how these compare to Vanatoo Transparent ONE Encore
Hey Andrew, just watched a couple hours worth of your reviews and all top notch quality. I have a question, I currently have B&W 606 S2 (which you were not a fan of) and a set of Kanto Yu5 powered speakers. Using a Denon 600NE for the 606 S2. I was wondering if the Kanto Tuk powered speakers would be worth getting as I am looking for a new speaker but don't want to spend a whole bunch. I don't see the Tuk in this list of Top 5 but was wondering your thoughts on the Tuk based on what I have, would it be an upgrade or a side grade? I would use them for Vinyl, and Movies.
Thanks for your help :)
In terms of connectivity, there is something to be said for the SVS and its multiple streaming options. But it's not the best looking speaker in my opinion though...
Just received The Fives and the grill cloth is loose out of the box. Sale price still worth it even if I have to rework the grills. Also I was shocked that they are still shipping ancient firmware that required an annoying two step upgrade with a USB flash drive and a special upgrade app.
I've been catching up with previous posted videos. You guys consistently put out great content!
What do you think about edifier speaker?
This was really helpful I just wish you could have compared the q acoustics m20. It's still a really helpful video anyways and a pleasure to watch thank you.
Thank you for this review. I was just about to pull the trigger on a pair of the svs prime wireless pro. I still may buy them since they have a 45 day trial. I already have the fives. interesting, I did buy the Mclaren version, but felt there wasn't a difference that would justify $500 to $1000.
Great video as always. My pick is the PSB AM3 I picked up a pair at 25%off. Here in Canada they retail for $699. I use them on my desktop and they sound great. They have a remote, Bluetooth, usb and aux input, tone controls, phono preamp and a sub. I’m a larger space they will need a sub. The AM5 is there bigger brother for $999 CAD.
I am surprised you don't like the storm trooper style of the SVS speakers.......😜
Me again... Had loved to see something from KEF or Dynaudio in this comparison. Maybe next time.
I had the Fives and sent them back because of performance issues...got the LSX mk2 and they are so easy to setup, no issues, and sound fantastic...plesantly surprised
@@barbaroja.mp3 I had the LSX Gen.1 and now using the Wireless Gen.2. KEF is still my favourite manufacturer for small speakers. I never heard the LSX Gen.2 but even the Gen.1 where absolutely impressive for their size !
I love my LSX speakers, without any help they are for small spaces, but with a sub added they can do well even in a medium sized room. I would not choose for the LS50 wireless II though. In that case I would get the LS50 meta with an add speakers only integrated amp. You will pay a bit more, but get so much more performance out of it. For example the LS50 meta with the Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 will bring you to a level of performance the wireless II simply can not match in any way. At that price point I also feel more safe to keep the electronics and speakers separate.
KEF is discussed in the video.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews At $2800 for the LS50 Wireless II, I can see why they weren't included, but I want to know what I'm missing in the Missions for soundstage, vocal clarity, etc for only $850- Wowza! Thanks for your and Kristi's work in these vids
Awesome video! Would love one comparing the performance/value of passive versus active systems. P.S. check out the powered AM5/AM3 by PSB!
If you only care about sound quality on and off axis, the Kali IN-5 would be my choice, or the IN-8, and they play fairly loud with low enough distortion that most could build a home theater around them and some subwoofers. No app control and modern conveniences though, just great design from the ports to the woofer to the amps to the DSP for placement correction, and finally the coaxial driver that is unheard of in a 3 way monitor at that price point.
Yeah be awesome if he'd review these and the LP6s. Pretty sure the LP6 would outperform most of these at $400 and the IN5 would be far better for $700.
A powered speaker review that doesn't include anything from Audioengine, Edifier or Kanto? WTF?
We discuss Kanto in the conversation portion of the video. As for the others, nope they weren't included in this video.
Side Comment: Andrew, your wife seems to have been involved in your online audio reviews for a lot longer than on video. Glad that you included her. PS couples who play together stay together.
I've been wanting a list like this for a long time but there's never ever any good videos on them
Hey Andrew, my name is Manish and I follow your channel from India. I would love to see a review on the Genelec Home Audio Solutions, if your time permits☺️
A sub and a fixed app, really helped the Fives. I've had them for over two years now and I love them.
Great niche to review and relevant. I too, would go with the Mission speakers for sure but on sale.