Klipsch The Fives II Powered Speakers

A Klipsch Stereo System in Two Boxes, Amplifier Included

The Fives II are Klipsch's compact powered speakers. The amplifiers, the streaming and every input live inside the primary speaker, so a TV, a turntable or a laptop plugs straight in with nothing else to buy. A 1-inch titanium tweeter on a Tractrix horn sits above a 5.25-inch Cerametallic woofer in each cabinet.

This is the second generation. Klipsch and Onkyo now share a parent company, and Onkyo built the electronics. That means HDMI 2.1 with eARC, Dolby Atmos decoding, Wi-Fi streaming and Bluetooth 5.4. Klipsch kept the acoustic side. It gave the cabinet a one-piece baffle it says is denser and stops unwanted resonance.

What Is Built In

Streaming runs over Wi-Fi or Ethernet at up to 24-bit and 96 kHz. It covers Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. Sound modes include Music, Movie, Direct and Dialog Enhancement, plus a five-band EQ. You control it all from a dial on the speaker, the remote or the Klipsch Connect Plus app.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of You

Klipsch quotes 50 Hz to 25 kHz within 3 dB and a maximum output of 103 dB for the pair. Each cabinet measures 12.9 inches tall, 7.2 wide and 10.7 deep. The primary speaker weighs 18.2 pounds and the secondary 15.5 pounds, and a rear port loads the bass.

The primary speaker carries every input. There is an HDMI input and an HDMI eARC output to the TV. Optical, USB-C and USB-A sit beside them. A phono input with its own preamp, a line-level RCA pair and Bluetooth cover the rest. One RCA output feeds a subwoofer. The HDMI pass-through carries 8K video with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Finishes and What Is in the Box

The cabinets are MDF with real wood veneer in Walnut, Ebony or Red Oak. Klipsch packs the power cord, a remote with batteries, a 4-meter speaker cable for the secondary speaker and a 1.5-meter HDMI cable. The KS-28 is Klipsch's matching floor stand.

What Reviewers Are Saying

John Brandon reviewed the Fives II for Wired on May 14, 2026, rating them 8 out of 10: "The results were so impressive I ended up preferring the Fives II to several other bookshelf speakers I've recently tested."

Eric Forst of Future Audiophile, August 24, 2026, called them "a meaningful leap forward that makes you wonder how you ever lived without them."

Brandon's one caveat concerns film: "These bookshelf speakers are excellent for music playback, but you'll want to stick with a soundbar for theater-shaking surround sound."

Who Are These Powered Speakers Best For?

• You want a complete system without a receiver — amplifiers, streaming, phono stage and HDMI are inside, so the only other box you need is a source
• You are replacing a TV soundbar — HDMI eARC brings Dolby Atmos decoding, and CEC lets your TV remote run the volume
• You own a turntable — the phono input has its own preamp, so the turntable connects with one RCA cable and nothing else
• You stream from a phone or a service — AirPlay 2, Google Cast and the Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz Connect apps play straight to the speakers
• You have a big room or want cinema-scale bass — the Nines II add 8-inch woofers, 107 dB output, DTS:X and Dirac Live room correction

How Do They Connect to Your System?

The primary speaker holds every input and plugs into the wall. Run the included 4-meter cable to the secondary speaker. Connect the TV to the HDMI eARC port, a turntable to the phono input and a computer to USB-C. Join Wi-Fi through the Klipsch Connect Plus app, or plug in Ethernet.

A subwoofer connects to the single RCA output. Put the tweeters near ear height, on a shelf or on Klipsch's KS-28 stands, and leave a few inches behind the rear port. Then pick a source and press play.

Pairs Well With

What completes the system. These are the categories most Fives II owners shop next.

• Turntables — the built-in phono stage means any moving-magnet deck connects directly
• Klipsch R-121SW subwoofer — for film, and for the octave below 50 Hz
• Speaker stands — to put the horn at ear height
• HDMI cables — a longer run than the included 1.5-meter cable if the TV is across the room

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an amplifier or receiver?

Everything is built in. The primary speaker holds the amplifiers, the streaming, the phono preamp and the HDMI board. Plug it into the wall, connect the secondary speaker with the included cable, and you have a full system.

Can I connect a turntable directly?

Yes. The phono input has its own preamp, so a turntable connects with a standard RCA cable. A turntable with a built-in preamp uses the line-level RCA input instead.

Do they decode Dolby Atmos?

Yes, over HDMI eARC from a compatible TV, with virtual height channels from two speakers. Wired's reviewer still preferred a soundbar for surround effects, so think of the Atmos as a bonus for a music-first system.

Which finishes are available?

Walnut, Ebony and Red Oak, all real wood veneer over MDF. Check the title of this listing for the finish you are ordering.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Not for most music. Klipsch quotes 50 Hz within 3 dB from the pair. For film, the single RCA subwoofer output takes any powered sub.

How are the Fives II different from the Nines II?

The Nines II use 8-inch woofers, reach 31 Hz, play 4 dB louder, add DTS:X decoding, coaxial and XLR inputs and Dirac Live room correction with a supplied microphone. They also stand 18 inches tall, so they need stands or the floor.

See It in Action

Audio Arkitekts reviews the Fives II:

UnitedStatesofAnalog asks whether the Fives II are worth it:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about powered speakers, connecting a TV or turntable, or when to add a subwoofer? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.