CHF603.–
Klipsch The Fives
1 pair, 160 W
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
45 reviews
Muddy, poor ARC support
Very good substance with abstruse electronics and software around it. For 150-200 CHF it would be OK, but for the prices you expect something much better polished. You have to allow 4-5 hours for an upgrade (which tends to go wrong) and then also regular waiting and maintenance times due to Bluetooth problems, "forgetting" settings etc.
ARC works, but only if the TV 2.1 provides a track. The speakers of the TV itself can handle 2.1, 5.1 and 7.1 signals. But "The Fives" can only play back 2.1 (no conversion, nothing). Netflix is by default 5.1 or more. Some titles don't have 2.1 at all. Even if there is a 2.1 track, you have to change it again with every new episode, film, etc. Other apps are also of limited use for this reason. Tedious... The built-in DACs should be able to solve this.
The dynamic bass is a gimmick that becomes annoying after 15 minutes. You only hear a mush-mush0-mush... without definition, the treble hisses when it is on. Unfortunately, you can only turn it off temporarily because it comes back on sporadically.Pro
- Klipsch audio components with good substance
- Optical, ARC and 3.5 mm connectors
- Compact and high quality workmanship
Contra
- ARC support leaves a lot to be desired!
- Muddy default sound
- Dynamic Bass always turns on by itself
- EQ in the app with only 3 bands
- EQ forgets the setting
- Bluetooth connection unreliable
- Firmware very old
- Update process a super-GAU
- Control knobs on top instead of on the side
- USB service port only supports very old USB2 sticks
Speakers with character
Am very pleased with the speakers. The Fives are all-in-one powered speakers and offer the average consumer a nice design, good build quality and strong (but not neutral) sound packed into a straightforward product. The speakers are operable with the factory-installed software with only two settings, and it's recommended that you update the software to version 5.7.5. This offers a reduced bass profile, in addition to the "neutral/flat" and "dynamic bass/enhanced bass" profiles. The sound is really loud and clear despite the small size of the speaker set.
Pro
- powerful sound for speaker size
- many connection possibilities
- design
- Processing
Contra
- No neutral sound / rather bass-heavy
- Software update to version 5.7.5 recommended
Good price/performance ratio
Pro
- Sound quality
- Connections
Great overall package and sound - easy to install
Pro
- Sound
- Installation
- Functionality
This review was created for a different variant: The Fives (1 pair, 160 W)
Powerful sound for this price
Pro
- Compact
- Active system, thus receiver is not required
- Processing
- Plain optics
Contra
- Sound might be too bass-heavy for some people
Super nice sound, look great.
The speakers give you the option to use them as active and passive speakers.
Pro
- Sound
- Optics
- Operation
6 out of 45 reviews
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