Klipsch The Fives Review: Big Bass, Mixed Dialogue Verdict
Powerful bass can be a blessing or a curse — and for the Klipsch The Fives Powered Bookshelf Speakers (Matte Black), users score them a solid 8.5/10, but not without caveats about voice clarity. This award-winning, HDMI-ARC enabled system blends hi-fi pedigree with modern convenience, earning praise for connectivity and build, yet splitting opinions on tonal balance.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rich, room-filling stereo sound — “ear-splitting loud” | Bass can overpower vocals and mids |
| HDMI-ARC, Bluetooth, and phono preamp in one package | Voices muffled for movies without constant volume adjustment |
| Premium build: real wood veneer, magnetic grilles | App lacks full EQ control; “useless — for now” |
| Plug-and-play simplicity, no receiver needed | Proprietary cable between speakers limits placement flexibility |
| Automatic power-on/off sensing | Poor Netflix dialogue decoding; codec compatibility issues reported |
| Solid low-end extension for bookshelf design | Divisive for classical music — lacks subtlety |
Claims vs Reality
Klipsch’s marketing hails The Fives as “soundbar killers” and “the most versatile powered bookshelf speaker you can buy in its price range.” The HDMI-ARC connection is billed as a breakthrough for hi-res, discrete 2-channel TV sound. While some buyers agree, others found TV use frustrating. A Best Buy reviewer warned: “Great for stereo… but not good for TV watching. The voices are muddy and not clear.”
The “dynamic bass equalization” promises powerful low-end at any volume. Reddit user Michael*** confirmed, “Big punch from a mighty speaker,” even in small spaces. But this same bass can dominate, leading another Reddit member to note: “Lows are a little overpowering… wish it had a way to increase vocals.”
Premium materials are emphasized — hand-crafted wood, tactile metal dials — and this seems to match buyer impressions. Best Buy customer binky barns praised the “real wood veneer” and “tweed grill fabric — amazing,” adding that cork-covered bottoms aid isolation. However, the proprietary four-pin DIN cable between speakers limits setup flexibility, contradicting the “most versatile” claim for those wanting wider placement.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
From audiophiles to casual listeners, the connectivity array wins solid admiration. HDMI-ARC, optical, RCA (with phono switch), USB, Bluetooth 5.0, and subwoofer out make them easy to drop into almost any environment. Reddit user Youthman*** said, “They’re one of the better sounding speakers if you don’t have a sub,” highlighting convenience for beginners avoiding separate amps. Best Buy customer Chucko summed it up: “They sound amazing and look great! Well worth the investment.”
Build quality is another unchallenged strength. Multiple owners talk of premium feel and longevity. Binky barns celebrated “serviceable speakers” with components designed for easy replacement. Owners also praise automatic power sensing — seamless in desktop setups, avoiding manual switch-on/off.
Soundstage and bass extension impress as well. The 4.5” woofer dipping to ~50 Hz and even registering response at 20 Hz surprised buyers. Kastenbaum called them “one of the best bookshelf I have ever heard. The highs and mids pop. Bass is rich and full… no sub needed.”
Common Complaints
Voice reproduction is the biggest sore point. Dialogue in movies can be lost under the punchy low-end, especially with default settings. Best Buy reviewer funkybooyea admitted, “Voices are muddy… huge drawback for these speakers since they include HDMI-ARC.” Klipsch’s app offers only basic bass/mid/treble EQ, leaving fine-tuning to external solutions. Cheezybread echoed app frustration: “App is useless — for now.”
Netflix decoding issues via HDMI-ARC have been reported, lowering dialogue volume relative to effects. When paired with Bluetooth or analog inputs, some sources can “overpower amplifier, causing distortions” per Reddit reports. The proprietary DIN cable between speakers limits creative room layouts, forcing buyers to purchase an extension.
Divisive Features
Bass tuning divides opinion. Some see it as the defining strength — sambon on Best Buy cheered, “Bass sounds incredible even at low volumes!” Others find it intrusive no matter the DSP setting. While built-in EQ offers “dynamic bass,” “flat,” and “bass cut” modes, one Reddit poster argued that even Bass Cut leaves voices “worse than my TV built-in speakers.”
Music genres also split reception. Classical fans struggle with lack of subtlety; Qobuz Magazine's review quoted across forums stated: “Not suited to classical music… not subtle enough to do justice to an orchestra.” Yet for rock, jazz, and pop, owners find them lively and immersive.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and forum patterns show no widespread scam concerns, but there are scattered reports of customer service gaps. A Best Buy reviewer cautioned, “Don’t expect a reply — I left 2 different messages.” Shipping delays via retailers like Best Buy led some to order direct from Klipsch for faster fulfillment.
Durability stories are encouraging — months in, most still report consistent performance, with no major degradation. Long-term owners on Reddit mention similar sonic character from day one, though tonal preferences dictate whether they still use them daily. The fully serviceable design gives confidence for future repairs, extending lifespan beyond sealed competitors.
Alternatives
Two main alternatives emerge: Kanto YU4/YU6 and traditional passive speakers with an amp. Reddit users compared favorably to Kanto, calling both “versatile and fun,” but urging potential buyers to review pricing — YU6s often undercut The Fives when on sale. Passive setups bring upgradability and custom tonal control but sacrifice plug-and-play ease and compact form factor.
For turntable users without built-in preamps, The Fives integrate it internally — a plus compared to Kanto YU4 (which also has a phono input) but a necessity absent in most passive routes unless an additional component is purchased.
Price & Value
Prices span $400 on Amazon sale to $699 MSRP, with eBay listings around $449–$599. Reddit threads note “you can probably do better than $550 if you look around.” Resale value holds decently, with used units fetching ~$340, indicating durable desirability. Tip from the community: watch for manufacturer direct sales or open-box deals to avoid retail wait times.
FAQ
Q: Do The Fives work well without a subwoofer?
A: Yes. Multiple owners praise bass output as rich and full even solo, with Best Buy reviewer Kastenbaum saying “no sub needed.” But for deeper or more controlled low-end, especially in large rooms, adding a sub can help.
Q: Is HDMI-ARC worth using over optical?
A: HDMI-ARC enables TV remote control over volume and simple one-cable connection. However, some report dialogue clarity issues. Optical avoids these but sacrifices unified volume control.
Q: Can the bass be toned down?
A: The Klipsch Connect app offers Dynamic Bass, Flat, and Bass Cut settings. Users report improvement with Bass Cut, but some still find voices muffled compared to TV speakers.
Q: Do they suit classical music?
A: Many say no. Critics highlight insufficient subtlety for orchestral complexity, better suited to genres like rock, jazz, and pop.
Q: How flexible is placement?
A: Limited by the proprietary 13-foot DIN cable between speakers. Extensions are sold, but custom cables aren’t possible, which frustrates some owners.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a style-conscious listener wanting rich stereo sound, modern connectivity, and plug-and-play setup — especially for music in small to medium rooms. Avoid if TV dialogue clarity is top priority or you demand flexible, upgradable paths. Pro tip from a Reddit user: “Compare them to Kanto powered speakers before pulling the trigger.” This way, you’ll know if Klipsch’s bass-forward signature matches your taste.
