When you enter the living room, your eyes are drawn to the Klipsch The Fives powered speakers. Their sleek, vintage design is eye-catching. The Tractrix horn-loaded tweeters and brushed metal accents add to their timeless elegance.
Klipsch is known for its dedication to audio excellence. The Fives, priced at $799, are a perfect blend of heritage and innovation. They offer a range of features for today’s audio lovers.
Key Takeaways
- Stunning vintage-inspired design with Tractrix horn-loaded tweeters
- Powerful 160-watt amplifier delivering dynamic and immersive sound
- Versatile connectivity options including HDMI-ARC, Bluetooth, and USB
- Exceptional sound quality with a frequency response of 50Hz to 25kHz
- Klipsch’s signature sound signature with detailed highs and thumping bass
Heritage and Innovation: Klipsch Brand History
The Klipsch brand has a rich history, spanning over eight decades. It started in the late 1930s in Hope, Arkansas, by Paul Wilbur Klipsch. The company became famous with the Klipschorn in 1946. This speaker was known for its ability to capture the emotional impact of live music.
Over the years, Klipsch has updated its iconic designs, like the Klipsch Heresy IV. They also moved into new technologies. In the 1980s, they created cinema speakers that combined high-fidelity audio with movie soundtracks’ power. They started adding streaming to their speakers in the early 2000s.
Today, Klipsch is a top name in home audio. They offer a wide range of speaker systems, audio equipment, and home audio solutions. Klipsch is known for its commitment to heritage, innovation, and quality sound. They continue to be a trusted name in Klipsch brand audio.
Design Features and Build Quality
The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers combine vintage looks with modern tech. They have a solid MDF chassis, covered in durable imitation wood vinyl and a textured resin front. This design ensures great sound quality.
Cabinet Construction and Materials
The speakers are built to last, weighing 22.5 pounds. The main and secondary speakers each weigh 11.8 and 10.7 pounds. This shows the care in their design and engineering.
Control Interface and Remote Functions
The top panel has two metal knobs for volume and input control. Tactile LED indicators show your changes. The remote control lets you adjust bass levels for a perfect sound.
Aesthetic Appeal and Finish Options
The Klipsch The Fives keep a vintage look, available in walnut or matte black. They have magnetic grilles in polymer fiber for black and gray fabric for walnut. This adds to their beauty.
The Klipsch The Fives mix classic design with modern features. They are perfect for those who love home audio and want great speaker design and audio equipment performance.
Technical Specifications and Performance
Klipsch is a well-known name in the audio world. The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers show their skill. They have 160 watts RMS power (320 watts peak) for a strong sound. The speakers can play sounds from 50Hz to 25kHz, perfect for many music types.
The speakers have a special driver setup. They use a 1″ titanium dome tweeter and Tractrix horn technology for clear highs. A 5½” composite fiber woofer adds deep bass. They are very sensitive, making sure the sound fills the room well.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 160 watts RMS (320 watts peak) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz – 25kHz |
| Tweeter | 1″ Titanium Dome with Tractrix Horn |
| Woofer | 5½” Composite Fiber Cone |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB |
| Enclosure | Bass-Reflex with Rear-Firing Laminar Port |
Klipsch made The Fives with a special bass-reflex enclosure. This design improves bass and sound quality. They are great for making your desktop, TV, or living space sound better. The Fives mix old style with new tech for a unique sound experience.
Driver Technology and Sound Engineering
The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers use advanced driver technology for a rich audio experience. They have a 1″ titanium dome tweeter in a special Tractrix horn. This design cuts down on distortion in high sounds by amplifying the sound wave, needing less power and reducing driver shake.
The Tractrix horn also helps sound reach farther, making the soundstage wider. A 5½” composite fiber cone driver handles the low and mid-range sounds. It works from 50Hz to 25kHz, making music and movies sound clear and precise.
Titanium Dome Tweeter with Tractrix Horn
The 1″ titanium dome tweeter in the Klipsch The Fives is a technological wonder. It uses the Tractrix horn design to deliver high sounds with great accuracy and less distortion. The horn’s design also spreads sound evenly, creating a more immersive listening experience.
5½” Composite Fiber Woofer
Alongside the tweeter, a 5½” composite fiber cone woofer handles low and mid-range sounds. This driver is made of a special material that balances stiffness and lightness. It makes the bass fast and the midrange clear, allowing the speakers to play all audio details well.
Connectivity Options and Versatility
The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers have many ways to connect. They work well with TVs, turntables, computers, and phones. This makes them great for any home audio setup.
They have Bluetooth 5.0 for streaming music from phones. You can also connect your TV via HDMI ARC. This gives you a better sound for movies.
For other connections, they have optical digital, RCA, and 3.5mm inputs. The USB-B input is also an asynchronous DAC. It supports WAV, WMA, MP3, and FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz.
They also have a subwoofer output. This lets you add a subwoofer for deeper bass.
| Connectivity Options | Supported Formats |
|---|---|
|
|
The Klipsch The Fives are very versatile. They fit well into any home audio setup. You can use them to upgrade or start a new system.
Klipsch The Fives Powered Speakers Review: Performance Analysis
The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers offer great sound quality. They mix old-school looks with today’s audio tech. Their strong bass might even make a separate subwoofer unnecessary in small spaces.
Bass Response and Dynamic Range
The Klipsch The Fives have a strong bass thanks to their 5.5-inch composite fiber woofers. This makes music and movies sound deeper and more impactful. But, some might find the bass too much, mainly at loud volumes.
Midrange Clarity
The midrange of the Klipsch The Fives is clear and natural. It’s great for playing back compressed music, making vocals and instruments sound warm and detailed.
High-Frequency Performance
The high notes of the Klipsch The Fives are smooth. Their titanium dome tweeters and Tractrix horn design offer a refined treble. Yet, at very loud levels, some might hear a slight harshness in the high notes.
In summary, the Klipsch The Fives offer a lively and enjoyable sound. They balance accuracy with a bit of excitement. These speakers are a great pick for those who love music and movies and want a powerful system that’s easy to set up.
“The Klipsch The Fives deliver a big, spacious, and effortless sound, with an excellent HDMI connection, but lack wireless functionality beyond Bluetooth.”
Digital Audio Capabilities
The Klipsch The Fives offer top-notch digital audio, thanks to their built-in USB DAC. This DAC supports WAV, WMA, MP3, and FLAC formats up to 24-bit/192kHz. It works asynchronously to reduce jitter, giving you a more precise sound.
Setting up the Klipsch The Fives with your computer is easy. Mac users can plug and play right away. Windows users need to download a driver from Klipsch’s website. This ensures they work perfectly with your computer’s sound system.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Quoted Sound Pressure Level (SPL) | 109dB at 1m |
| Amplifier Power | Class D modules providing 160W RMS |
| Frequency Response Range | 50Hz to 25kHz |
| Tweeter | 25mm titanium TLS-vented with Tractrix horn |
| Woofer | 110mm long-throw fiber composite coned |
The Klipsch The Fives’ DAC and amplifiers work together to bring out the best in your digital audio. Whether you’re listening to music, watching movies, or playing high-resolution files, you’ll get an immersive and captivating sound quality.
HDMI ARC Integration and TV Compatibility
The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers make connecting to your TV easy with HDMI ARC. This feature lets you link the speakers to your TV for a top-notch audio experience. The HDMI ARC connection supports PCM audio, so you can use your TV’s smart apps and voice control with the Klipsch The Fives.
Setup Process
Setting up the Klipsch The Fives with your TV is simple. Just plug the HDMI ARC port on the “Right” speaker into your TV’s HDMI ARC port. This one cable connects your TV and speakers for great sound.
Audio Format Support
For the best sound, make sure your TV’s audio output is set to PCM. This ensures the Klipsch The Fives get the highest quality audio from your TV. If your TV lacks an HDMI ARC port, use the optical digital input on the “Right” speaker instead.
The Klipsch The Fives’ HDMI ARC and TV compatibility make them great for boosting your home theater experience. They work well whether you’re streaming or watching cable TV, providing outstanding TV audio performance.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| HDMI ARC Support | Yes |
| Audio Format Support | PCM |
| Optical Digital Input | Yes |
| TV Compatibility | Suitable for most smart TVs |
“The Klipsch The Fives are the first stereo bookshelf speakers to offer HDMI ARC compatibility, providing an enhanced audio experience when connected to a television.”
Bluetooth Performance and Streaming Quality
The Klipsch The Fives use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology. This gives a stable and reliable wireless connection up to 10 meters. Even though they only support the standard SBC Bluetooth codec, the audio quality is clear and detailed. This makes listening to services like Deezer and Spotify enjoyable.
These speakers make it easy to stream wirelessly from many devices. You can connect your smartphones, tablets, digital audio players (DAPs), and computers. This means you can enjoy high-quality Bluetooth speakers and wireless audio playback from your favorite devices.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codec Support | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Wireless Range | Approximately 10 meters |
| Streaming Quality | Clear and detailed for popular streaming services |
Even though the Klipsch The Fives don’t support high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, their wireless audio performance is great. It offers an engaging and immersive audio experience from your favorite Bluetooth speakers.
Phono Preamp and Turntable Integration
The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers are great for vinyl fans. They have a built-in phono preamp, so you can connect your turntable directly. This means you don’t need a separate preamp.
The Fives have an RCA input that can switch between line and phono modes. This ensures the best sound for your vinyl. There’s also a ground connection to get rid of any noise, giving you a clean sound.
This feature is perfect for those who love vinyl’s warm sound. The phono preamp lets you easily connect budget-friendly and mid-range turntables. While Bluetooth turntables work, a wired connection through the phono input gives better sound quality.
| Specification | Klipsch The Fives | Andover Audio Spinbase | Peachtree M24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $299 | $599 |
| Power Output | 2 x 60W + 2 x 20W | Not Specified | 2 x 24W |
| Phono Preamp | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Audio Resolution | Up to 192kHz/24-bit | Not Specified | Up to 24-bit/96kHz |
| Connectivity Options | TOSLINK, HDMI, Bluetooth, RCA, USB | RCA, Bluetooth | TOSLINK, Bluetooth, RCA, USB |
The Klipsch The Fives are a top pick for vinyl lovers. They offer a modern solution that works well with turntables. With their built-in phono preamp and great sound, they make enjoying your vinyl collection easy.
Mobile App Experience and Controls
The Klipsch The Fives powered speakers come with a great mobile app. It lets you control your audio setup from your phone or tablet. The app is easy to use, making it simple to manage your speakers.
With the app, you can pick your input sources, change the volume, and adjust the bass. It also has a 3-point equalizer for customizing the sound. Plus, it helps you update your speakers’ firmware, keeping them current.
But, some users have faced app connectivity problems. They’ve had to deal with slow connections and disconnections. Sometimes, they had to restart the app. Despite these issues, the app is mostly useful for controlling your speakers and tweaking your sound.
“The mobile app for the Klipsch The Fives speakers is a great addition, allowing me to adjust the sound and settings with just a few taps. It’s a seamless way to personalize my audio experience.”
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Input selection, volume control, and bass adjustment
- Integrated 3-point equalizer for sound customization
- Firmware update capabilities
- Occasional connectivity issues reported by some users
Sound Quality for Music Playback
The Klipsch The Fives provide a lively sound for music lovers. They excel in bass, delivering a strong and impactful low-end. But, some find the bass can sometimes make the sound less clear, mainly in songs with a lot of bass.
Genre Performance
The Fives do well with many music types. Rock, electronic, and hip-hop get a boost from their strong bass. The midrange sounds smooth and full, helping to hide any audio quality issues.
While the tweeters are mostly praised, some notice a slight graininess at high volumes. This can affect the sound’s clarity in some genres.
Volume and Distortion Handling
The Klipsch The Fives can play loud without much distortion. They sound clear and balanced at moderate levels. But, at very high volumes, a slight edge in the high frequencies can appear.
Overall, the Fives offer a fun sound for music that many will enjoy. They are not perfectly neutral, but they meet the needs of many music fans.
FAQ
What are the key features of the Klipsch The Fives powered speakers?
The Klipsch The Fives are wireless speakers with a 160W amplifier. They offer an all-in-one system with Bluetooth and 24-bit/192kHz USB DAC. You can connect them via line, phono, digital, and HDMI ARC inputs.
They have a bass-reflex enclosure and a 1″ titanium dome tweeter with Tractrix horn. The 5½” composite fiber woofer delivers a frequency response of 50Hz to 25kHz.
What is the history and legacy of the Klipsch brand?
Klipsch was founded in the late 1930s by Paul Wilbur Klipsch in Hope, Arkansas. The brand became famous with the Klipschorn in 1946. It has a long history of updating iconic speakers.
Klipsch pioneered cinema speakers in the 1980s. They have also adapted to new listening technologies, adding streaming capabilities in the 2000s.
What are the design and build quality features of the Klipsch The Fives?
The Klipsch The Fives have an MDF cabinet with imitation wood vinyl coating. They also have a textured resin front panel. The speakers come with magnetically mounted acoustic grilles.
They have a top panel with metal knobs for volume and input selection. You can choose from walnut veneer or matte black finish, keeping Klipsch’s vintage look.
What are the technical specifications and performance capabilities of the Klipsch The Fives?
The Klipsch The Fives deliver 160 watts RMS power (320 watts peak) through a Class D amplification module. They have a frequency response of 50Hz to 25kHz.
They feature a 1″ titanium dome tweeter and a 5½” composite fiber woofer. The speakers have a bass-reflex enclosure with a rear-firing laminar port and offer a sensitivity of 109 dB.
What are the key driver technologies and sound engineering features of the Klipsch The Fives?
The Klipsch The Fives use a 1″ titanium dome tweeter loaded in a Tractrix horn. This reduces distortion in high frequencies by mechanically amplifying output. The 5½” composite fiber cone woofer handles low and mid frequencies.
This provides the speaker’s 50Hz to 25kHz frequency response.
What connectivity options and versatility do the Klipsch The Fives offer?
The Klipsch The Fives feature Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI ARC input, optical digital input, and RCA line/phono input. They also have a 3.5mm mini-jack input, USB-B input (asynchronous DAC), and a subwoofer output.
This allows connection to TVs, turntables, computers, and mobile devices. They are suitable for both music and movie playback.
How do the Klipsch The Fives perform in terms of audio quality?
The Klipsch The Fives deliver impressive bass response. They might even eliminate the need for a subwoofer in smaller rooms. The midrange is described as weighty and smooth.
The high frequencies are generally smooth, though can exhibit some grain at very high volumes. The overall sound is punchy, robust, and enjoyable for both music and movies.
What are the digital audio capabilities of the Klipsch The Fives?
The Klipsch The Fives feature a built-in USB DAC. It supports various audio formats including WAV, WMA, MP3, and FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz. The DAC operates asynchronously, using its own clock to bypass computer audio circuitry.
This ensures more accurate decoding and reduced jitter.
How do the Klipsch The Fives integrate with TVs and home theater setups?
The Klipsch The Fives offer HDMI ARC input for easy TV connection. They support PCM audio format. This allows users to access smart TV apps and voice control features.
The optical digital input serves as an alternative for non-HDMI ARC TVs. The Fives are a viable alternative to traditional soundbars for home theater setups.
How does the Bluetooth performance and streaming quality work on the Klipsch The Fives?
The Klipsch The Fives feature Bluetooth 5.0, with a transmission range of about 10 meters. They only support the SBC codec. But the Bluetooth performance is clear and detailed enough for enjoyable listening on services like Deezer and Spotify.
This provides flexibility in source devices.
How do the Klipsch The Fives handle turntable integration and vinyl playback?
The Klipsch The Fives include a built-in phono preamp. This allows direct connection of turntables without a separate preamplifier. The RCA input can be switched between line and phono modes.
There is also a ground connection available to eliminate unwanted noise. This makes The Fives appealing for vinyl enthusiasts.
What is the mobile app experience like for controlling the Klipsch The Fives?
The Klipsch The Fives can be controlled via a mobile app. The app allows input selection, volume adjustment, bass feature control, and a simple 3-point equalizer. But some users report issues with app connectivity.
These include long connection times and frequent disconnections. Sometimes, app restarts are needed.
