One pair is a complete system
For many listeners, building a hi-fi system means preamp, power amp, DAC, speakers, source — a whole pile of gear. Klipsch's The Fives II wants to change that: a pair of powered speakers with built-in amplification, DAC, streaming module and MM phono stage, ready to play the moment you plug it in.
This isn't a brand-new concept, but The Fives II is the second generation built in collaboration with Onkyo, and the improvements are substantial. U-Audio calls it "one pair is a whole system" — and that description is spot on.
Design and build
The Fives II is a compact bookshelf-sized powered speaker, measuring 327 × 181 × 273 mm, with the main unit weighing 8.26 kg and the secondary 7.16 kg. The exterior follows Klipsch's classic American retro styling, available in walnut, black, and the new Red Oak wood veneer.
The biggest design upgrade is the one-piece BMC high-strength baffle. This denser, stiffer material suppresses resonance, and the Tractrix rectangular horn is integrated into the baffle — no longer a separate assembly. The subtly curved design helps create a wider soundstage while improving off-axis response.
Specs and connectivity
The Fives II's spec sheet is remarkably complete for this price range:
- Tweeter: 1" titanium LTS tweeter with 90°×90° Tractrix rectangular horn
- Woofer: 5.25" Jet Cerametallic ceramic-metal composite woofer
- Frequency response: 50 Hz – 25 kHz (±3dB)
- Max SPL: 103 dB
- Inputs: HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.4, Coaxial, Optical, USB-C, USB-A, RCA (Phono/Line)
- Outputs: RCA subwoofer out, HDMI pass-through
- Streaming: Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz
- WiFi: 2.4GHz + 5GHz dual-band
Connectivity is essentially universal. Connect your TV (HDMI eARC with Dolby Atmos), a turntable (built-in MM phono), a computer (USB-C), stream from NAS (Ethernet or WiFi), or even use Bluetooth 5.4 — which is more advanced than most speakers.
Sound performance
Based on U-Audio and multiple international reviews, The Fives II has several sound characteristics:
Bass: The 5.25" woofer with rear-firing rectangular port reaches down to 50 Hz. For a bookshelf speaker at this price and size, this is a "solid performer" level. AV-Online describes it as having "Onkyo's easy dynamics with American muscle" — bass that's solid and controlled, not loose.
Treble: The titanium tweeter plus Tractrix horn combination is classic Klipsch. Highs are detailed but not fatiguing. JustBuy notes it's "suitable for long listening sessions" — no harshness. The horn's advantage is high efficiency and an open soundstage, with enough detail even at low volume.
Midrange: Vocals are natural but slightly recessed — this is classic Klipsch tuning, where treble and bass are more prominent and the midrange takes a back seat. This voicing works well for pop and electronic music; if you prefer vocal-centric jazz or classical, it may take some adjustment.
Overall sound: Onkyo's digital processing system gives these speakers a more modern, cleaner sound. U-Audio notes that the biggest improvement in the second generation is Onkyo's engineered amplification and digital processing, which makes the sound better than the first generation.
How it differs from the first generation
The Fives II isn't a minor refresh — it's a full upgrade:
- Onkyo collaboration: Amplification circuitry and digital processing designed by Japanese Onkyo engineers
- One-piece BMC baffle: Stiffer, less resonance
- HDMI eARC + Dolby Atmos: First generation had no HDMI; second generation fully supports it
- Fuller streaming: Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect all included
- New colour: Red Oak wood veneer added
Who is it for?
The Fives II suits these groups:
- Audio beginners: Those who don't want to research a pile of gear and just want "one pair of speakers and done"
- Small-space users: Hong Kong living space is compact — a 5.25" bookshelf is just right
- TV/series lovers: HDMI eARC + Dolby Atmos, great for binge-watching movies
- Vinyl starters: Built-in MM phono stage, no need for a separate phono amp
- Digital streamers: AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Tidal, Qobuz all supported
Conclusion
Klipsch The Fives II is a powered speaker that "delivers": it doesn't sacrifice sound quality to pack in every feature, and Onkyo's involvement makes the sound more mature than the first generation. The 5.25" bass performance exceeds expectations, and HDMI eARC plus Dolby Atmos make it both a music system and a home theatre.
If you're an audio enthusiast starting out, or want to build a simple but complete system in a small space, The Fives II is absolutely worth a listen.
Book an audition: We offer the Klipsch The Fives II for in-person audition. Book a time to experience this "one pair is a whole system" powered speaker. Email: ian@clarityd.com
