klipsch the fives review

We will review these in the features section below. And the bass can be a bit overblown. The review tracks to my own listening, almost went with RP-600M but wanted to try the LS50 as my last listening room set were Klipsch. It’s not often that we review powered bookshelf speakers these days, and it's even rarer when they cost $799. The drums on this track sound almost thunderous, but stop shy of sounding unnatural—they manage to absorb some notable bass boosting and never seem to overshadow any other element of the mix, sitting back despite sounding fuller and deeper. Overall, The Fives sounded smoother and more refined than the Ai60s, though also a bit restrained in the high end with slightly overblown bass. The only problem I had with this arrangement is that I couldn’t see the LEDs when sitting directly in front of the speakers. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. A Bluetooth button lets you pair The Fives to a Bluetooth source. Ever since 1946, when Paul Klipsch started promoting his patented Klipschorn audio system, the corporate that bears his title has been inextricably linked with horn-based designs. Otherwise, the app isn’t very useful. This upbeat Latin track has lots of electronics and deep bass, which again was slightly bloated on The Fives. But if your taste tends toward a refined sound, they could be well worth the investment. Alongside True Wireless IEMs and active noise-cancelling headphones, American giant Klipsch has, at CES 2020, quietly announced the forthcoming availability of a new mains-powered loudspeaker. Later this year, Klipsch claims there will be support in the Klipsch Connect app (for Android and iOS) for The Fives, which should include EQ to tweak the sound signature. The acoustic strums are also delivered with bright, crisp detail—what we end up with is a lovely balance. When I first tried Klipsch's bookshelves way back when (62i or something), the seller told me they'd be 12db louder at my seating position given same amp level. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Those are the analog connections, but there’s also a digital panel with Optical and USB inputs. Amazon Echo Show vs. Google Nest Hub: Which Smart Display Should Be in Your Home. The sturdy-feeling top-mounted controls let you select the source and adjust the volume. Thanks to true stereo placement, The Fives should provide a sound image that's like superior to most soundbars. The new Klipsch The Fives Powered Monitors will come with a matching infrared remote control. A follow-up to The Sixes Klipsch introduced a couple years ago, the new speakers are smaller and take connectivity to the next level with the addition of an ARC (audio return channel)-enabled HDMI port. The HiFi Summit 2020 Best in Show winner, The Fives features premium stereo sound with a matte black or walnut finish.They have a throwback, legacy design with classic Klipsch … 10-November-2020 . The Fives were designed to be totally stand alone so all you need to do is add sources to get the music going, and boy do they have a lot of source options. Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of The Fives’ general sound signature. If I had to pick one word to describe this system, it would be versatile. The Fives earn our Editors' Choice award for their grace, versatility, and most of all, their excellent sound quality. The aforementioned 4M cable that connects the two speakers is of generous length so you can achieve serious stereo separation. The grilles are attractive and have a retro Klipsch logo emblazoned on a medallion in the lower right corner. In my notes, I wrote that the speakers had a “sophisticated, polite sound.”. Ever since 1946, when Paul Klipsch began selling his patented Klipschorn speakers, the company that bears his name has been inextricably linked with horn-based designs. PCMag Digital Group. At €899 per pair, is this wireless speaker as musical as the American … With some wide separation between the speakers, you get a wonderful spatial feel on recordings like this—something that soundbars and all-in-one speakers can’t touch. The result is a pair of speakers that act as a self-powered, remote-controlled entertainment system solution for those who want real stereo separation, real bass depth, crisp highs, and ease of use. The Ai60s have a 1-inch silk-dome tweeter in a shallow waveguide and a 6.5-inch woofer in a sealed cabinet, and they list for $299.99, less than half the list price of The Fives. The main speaker weighs 11.8 pounds and the secondary one is 10.7 pounds. The Fives are fairly large bookshelf speakers that measure 12 x 6.5 x 9.25 inches (HxWxD). This process is far better than downloading the update to a computer, putting it on a USB flash drive, and plugging that into the speaker. Klipsch takes their powered speaker concept and ups the connectivity, power and drive units to create a more premium offering. The same LEDs, when you adjust the volume, momentarily become meters, gradually fading until only one is lit (when at the lowest volume levels) or all of them are (at maximum volume). But we test a fair number of soundbars in this price range, and with The Fives, Klipsch aims to provide a hearty, left/right channel alternative. Willie’s voice sounded—well, just like Willie. These powered speakers are handsomely designed, powerful, and can be used with a sub, but hardly need one. The remote has buttons for play/pause, volume up/down, subwoofer up/down, mute, and dedicated buttons for the various sources you can have connected: TV, Aux, Phono, Optical, and USB. But we test a fair number of soundbars in this price range, and with The Fives, Klipsch aims to provide a hearty, left/right channel alternative. The Fives are Klipsch' first active stereo speakers to feature an HDMI ARC Input, allowing for direct, high-definition connection to TVs, as well as convenient control with the TV remote. I really enjoy the LS50 too. And the build quality is top notch. The woofers account for 60 watts apiece and the tweeters for 20 watts apiece, delivering a frequency range of 50Hz to 25kHz. The Fives also ship with a remote control that runs off of two AAA batteries (included). You can enable or disable this feature by pressing the Sub reset button on the remote for three seconds. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The inclusion of HDMI-ARC means that these speakers can replace a soundbar and work for everyday viewing. Built-in dynamic bass equalization delivers powerful bass at any volume. Klipsch The Fives feature set The Fives are fairly large bookshelf speakers that measure 12 x 6.5 x 9.25 inches (HxWxD). At first, I didn’t want to register the product since it’s a review sample, but the app wouldn’t go beyond that point without it, so I input my info. The speakers utilize dynamic bass EQ—DSP (digital signal processing) that adjusts the bass levels as the volume changes. Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006. The Fives by Klipsch are the first powered speakers that are HDMI ARC compatible, and they put soundbars to shame with their incredible audio quality. As I played with the app, I discovered that the speakers had firmware version 1.5.0 and version 1.5.2 was available, so I performed the update. Is this a true alternative to a premium stereo soundbar? Callahan’s baritone vocals have an ideal mix of low-mid richness and detailed high-mid treble edge here. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/klipsch-the-fives, Excellent sound signature with crisp, detailed highs and round, rich bass depth, Handsome design, with removable tweed grilles, Lots of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, HDMI, Optical, and an input for turntables. The Fives present a smooth, refined sound that's a bit bass-heavy with slightly recessed mids and highs. Pricing and availability are still being finalised, but the Klipsch The Fives should be on sale by Q2 2020, with a price point south of $800. The vocals on this track are delivered with crisp clarity and no real hint of added sibilance. The Fives from Klipsch look and sound fantastic, with far more connectivity options than your standard pair of bookshelf speakers. A 1-inch titanium LTS (Linear Travel Suspension) vented tweeter with 90 x 90-degree Tractrix horn is derived from the company’s lauded Reference Premiere series. But the current version only provides a setup routine, firmware update, and product registration. The Klipsch Fives are available now in the UK, priced at £829 ($799, AU$1599). I set the Ai60s’ EQ to a flat response and disabled The Fives’ Dynamic Bass EQ, which sounded better to my ear. It's so convenient to have this high sound quality without having to add accessories like subwoofer, etc. This allowed for the dedicated crossover circuity in The Fives to kick in, and helped to bring out the mids to enhance overall clarity. A sub output lets you connect an external subwoofer. At $799/pair, these retro looking stereo bookshelf speakers include a variety of audio inputs, including HDMI-ARC.That means they can easily connect to a TV and be used instead of a sound bar. Even without a sub, you get an excellent audio experience with The Fives, as well as the necessary ports to connect just about any sound source to them, earning our Editors' Choice. The Klipsch R-4B II is a quick and simple way to round out your home theater setup without sacrificing quality, this 40-inch soundbar provides amazing dual-channel sound and comes equipped with a wireless 6.5-inch subwoofer for tremendous bass, without the need for additional cables cluttering up your living room. There’s not much that we’ve tested recently that compares directly with The Fives in terms of design or price. The LED source indicators also form a volume ladder when you change the volume. Enter the Klipsch The Fives powered bookshelf speakers. Another new discovery for me is saxophonist Nubya Garcia. Our favorite soundbars in this price range, for instance, include the $600 LG SL10YG and the $800 Sonos Arc. We’ve moved from a gramophone to a big wooden box in the lounge that combined speakers, turntable, and a receiver, to a rack of separate hi-fi components feeding a pair of standalone speakers. It was just great to see how Klipsch was able to manufacture a bookshelf powered speaker this good. 11, in which Corea injects a jazz interpretation in a few spots. There’s an HDMI (ARC) port, a L/R switch for assigning channels to the main and secondary speakers, a pairing button for Bluetooth devices, and connections for phono (RCA style with a ground-screw terminal), aux (3.5mm), and subwoofer output (RCA). The difference in performance will sound more subtle on certain tracks than others, but it's easy to switch back and forth with the remote. On the other hand, if you crave more excitement in the sound of your speakers, the Fluance Ai60 is a better choice, and it’s less than half the cost. By contrast, the Fluance speakers were brighter and more open with deeper, richer, cleaner bass that was better balanced with the rest of the spectrum. The free Klipsch Connect app for iOS and Android offers another control option for several of the company’s products, including The Fives. The primary speaker weighs in … The Fives incorporate high-quality parts throughout. The main speaker weighs in at 11.eight kilos, whilst the secondary speaker is a little bit lighter at 10.7 kilos. As a value proposition, The Fives are a different thing entirely. The Fives will feature a 1″ tweeter and 4.something” mid/bass driver, reportedly borrowed from the company’s Reference line. The inclusion of HDMI-ARC means that these speakers can replace a soundbar and work for everyday viewing. Each 2-way speaker includes a 4.5-inch high-excursion fiber-composite cone woofer, the size of which is close enough to 5 inches to give the speakers their name. The Fives incorporate award-winning, proprietary Klipsch Reference acoustic horn-loaded technology, from dedicated left and right speakers for a big, bold soundstage. The Fives are compatible with Bluetooth 5, with support for AptX, AptX HD, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs. But unlike some such systems, you can select whether the primary speaker is on the left or right with a switch on the back, which makes placement more flexible. Klipsch The Fives pack a massive amount of technol­ogy into a small space and I could barely […] For the black model, the grilles have a grid-like tweed pattern, while the walnut grilles have a less geometric, more natural crosshatched tweed pattern. Best smart speakers: from Echo to Sonos; The bass-reflex enclosure has a rear-firing Tractrix port, and it’s constructed from sturdy MDF with genuine wood veneer. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” The Fives deliver powerful bass depth. I listened to Scriabin’s Prelude #4 from Op. Klipsch deserves credit for including a dedicated remote control, so you don’t need to pull out your phone for everything. Also as usual these days, I started with some Jacob Collier—this time, “All I Need” from Djesse Vol. He specializes in reviewing audio products, and is obsessed with headphones, speakers, and recording gear. Disabling Dynamic Bass EQ helped, but I couldn’t really hear much difference between on and off. The speakers still sounded a bit restrained, though. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. The bass is quite prominent in the mix, and as before, it was a bit overblown on The Fives. The knobs feel very sturdy and substantial, just like the rest of the speaker. The included remote is small and simple with dedicated source-selection buttons. Now, almost 75 years later, the company continues to implement that philosophy in a wide range of speakers, including The Fives, a pair of powered, wireless bookshelf speakers that bespeak high quality in their construction and performance. It’s not often that we review powered bookshelf speakers these days, and it’s even rarer when they cost $799. Read our, Fluance Ai60 wireless bookshelf speakers, reviewed here, Bass is slightly overemphasized, sometimes a bit bloated, Mids and highs are often a tad recessed or even slightly veiled, LED indicators are hard to see if you're directly in front of the speakers. For example, on the Scriabin piano piece, they sounded ever-so-slightly strident. As he discovered a decade earlier while comparing horn-loaded and cone-based speakers, horns offer greater efficiency and more controllable dispersion. This week we reviewed the Klipsch The Fives: wireless speakers equipped with a 160W amplifier.In keeping with the Klipsch Heritage speaker look, the Klipsch The Fives also offer an all-in-one system with a Bluetooth receiver, 24-bit/192kHz USB DAC, line, phono and digital inputs, as well as an HDMI ARC input. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. I had a lot of fun reviewing the fives. Rounding out the connections on the back of the primary speaker is an RCA subwoofer output, a USB-A port for servicing, a 4-pin connector that’s used with the included cable to connect to the secondary speaker, and the AC power receptacle. How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Speakers for 2020, How to Use an Amazon Echo as a Speaker for Your Television, Apple Announces $99 HomePod Mini Smart Speaker. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are delivered with less power than higher bass frequencies are—this is what that subwoofer output is for. The Fives sounded smooth if a bit restrained, and as I had come to expect, the bass was a bit overblown. Basically, the level of low frequencies relative to the entire spectrum changes depending on the overall level you set—the lower the overall level, the more the bass is boosted to accommodate how the human hearing system perceives different frequencies at different levels. The EQ will most likely be useful in tuning the system to a room rather than radically altering the sound signature. The primary speaker weighs in at 11.8 pounds, while the secondary speaker is a bit lighter at 10.7 pounds. It’s not often that we review powered bookshelf speakers these days, and it's even rarer when they cost $799. Turning to some classic country, I cued up “Devil in a Sleepin’ Bag” by Willie Nelson from his remastered album Shotgun Willie. Check out our latest video (above), The Best Soundbar Alternative Klipsch The Fives Review. Inputs abound on The Fives, all of which are found on the primary speaker. The 4-pin connector at the bottom right (left, when viewed from this angle) connects the primary speaker to the secondary speaker using the included cable. In all, this is better connectivity than some soundbars we test. In the $500 to $1,000 range, you have plenty of options, and they take many forms. © 1996-2020 Ziff Davis, LLC. But for $800, Klipsch doesn't disappoint. One selects the source, and the other adjusts the volume. At $799/pair, The Fives are not cheap. The Fives also feature 192kHz/24-bit decoding for flawless reproduction of high-resolution audio tracks. With or without the grilles, these speakers look fantastic—the surface underneath the grilles is all black, and the horns, in particular, catch the light in a lovely way. But we test a fair number of soundbars in this price range, and with The Fives, Klipsch aims to provide a hearty, left/right channel alternative. The Fives from Klipsch look and sound fantastic, with far more connectivity options than your standard pair of bookshelf speakers. Design. The source-select knob has six white LED indicators next to it. Measuring 12.0 by 6.5 by 9.3 inches each (HWD), the speakers combine for a total of 160 watts. The Fives Review/Overview. The back panel of the secondary speaker has only the connection for the included 4M cable that connects the two speakers, while the back panel for the main speaker is loaded with connections. In this case, you must connect your source devices to the TV and use it to switch between them, and you can’t use the TV’s HDMI ARC input as an input. As usual, I used the Tidal Master library as my source material playing via Bluetooth from my iPhone XS. Freelance contributor, (You can read more about ARC in this story.). The Fives are somewhat huge bookshelf audio system that measure 12 x 6.Five x nine.25 inches (HxWxD). Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. In addition to identifying the selected source, the LEDs also indicate the volume when you change it. At top volumes and with the bass management in play, the speakers don’t distort, and manage to deliver a healthy dose of deep lows while balancing things well with the higher-frequency content. One interesting feature is Dynamic Bass EQ, which is normally found only in A/V receivers. It should also be noted that The Fives can get quite loud. But we test a fair number of soundbars in this price range, and with The Fives, Klipsch aims to provide a hearty, left/right channel alternative. You’ll want to place these, ideally, at least a couple of feet away from walls. During my listening sessions, I played each track on the Fluance Ai60 wireless bookshelf speakers, reviewed here, in addition The Fives for comparative purposes. As he found a decade In addition, physical digital inputs include optical Toslink, USB-B for connection to a computer, and HDMI ARC for connection to a TV. Klipsch The Fives loudspeakers offer the lot for under £1k, impressing Noel Keywood. If your TV doesn’t have an ARC input, you can use its optical digital-audio output or line-level analog-audio outputs to connect to The Fives. Home audio has evolved over the years. The maximum output is specified to be 109dB at a distance of 1 meter from the stereo pair, and frequency response is specified from 50Hz to 25kHz (no tolerance given), with bass extension down to 46Hz at 35 percent volume. Moving on to a larger symphonic sound, I played the finale from Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique as performed by the Muncher Philharmoniker under Sergiu Celebidache. Even if the sub-bass on this track doesn’t make the house shake, the lows and low-mids are full and rich—The Fives deliver a powerful low-frequency response that bass lovers will enjoy. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. In the bookshelf realm, the $500 Audioengine A5+ speakers deliver a solid audio experience in an attractive design, while the $400 Klipsch R-41PM is a smaller pair with similar features to The Fives. On The Fives, the vocals were super-clean, but the highs were slightly veiled, and the bass was just a bit bloated. Keep an eye on your inbox! On every track, the Ai60s sounded brighter and more open than The Fives with crisper highs—in some cases, they sounded just a tad overbright in direct comparison with The Fives. Pairing The Fives with a Klipsch R-100SW subwoofer proved to be a winning combination. Excellent sound signature with crisp, detailed highs and round, rich bass depth Handsome design, with removable tweed grilles Lots of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, HDMI, Optical, and an input for turntables 192kHz/24-bit decoding from USB inputs Pairing The Fives with a Klipsch R-100SW subwoofer proved to be a winning combination. The wide range of connection options make The Fives well-suited for many applications, including Bluetooth, computer and TV audio, and even direct input from a turntable. The deeper bass is completely understandable, since the Ai60s’ low-frequency extension is specified down to 35Hz, while The Fives are spec’d down to 50Hz. Copyright © 2020 IDG Communications, Inc. Klipsch has introduced its most advanced powered speakers called the The Fives to their Heritage Collection of wireless speakers. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. When connected to the TV via HDMI, the remote will support HDMI CEC, so only the TV’s remote control is needed to control the volume while watching TV. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Out of the box, after putting the batteries in, the remote worked perfectly and was easy to use, playing and pausing music from a paired iPhone without issue or much delay, though you do have to make sure to aim for the main speaker’s front face—the sensor is on the right side between the tweeter and woofer. Klipsch The Fives characteristic set. Amazon Echo vs. Apple HomePod Mini vs. Google Nest Audio: Which Sub-$100 Smart Speaker Should You Buy? All of these connections mean it's possible to have a Blu-ray player or media streamer connected, as well as a turntable, a TV, a computer, any device with a 3.5mm output, and, of course, it’s possible to pair Bluetooth devices. The Fives itself is a fairly complete sound system and does not require an amplifier. This is a balanced sound that nonetheless pushes the bass forward without making things muddy. Audiophile-grade Powered Speakers with HDMI-ARC. Also, the speakers come with a handsome magnetic grille-cloth cover. These powered speakers are handsomely designed, powerful, and can be used with a sub, but hardly need one. The Fives trade on Klipsch’s own Heritage line of products, that is to say they look “vintage” in comparison to many modern powered speakers, which is a good thing. The Fives are obviously a high-quality product, derived from more than seven decades of speaker excellence. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, sound stunning through The Fives. Klipsch The Fives Powered Speaker System Review Specs Drivers: 4.5-in fiber-composite cone woofer, horn-loaded 1-in titanium tweeter Rated Power (watts): 2 x 60 (woofers) + 2 x 20 (tweeters) Klipsch took a new path in the volume control and source input selector on The Fives that adds to the unique appearance. Write your own review for Klipsch The Fives Available in matte black or walnut models, The Fives have MDF enclosures covered in real wood veneers, with tweed-covered cloth grilles that snap into place magnetically for easy removal and placement. 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