Are The NEW Klipsch The Fives II REALLY Worth $1399？

United States of Analog | May 10, 2026

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🎙️ Early Video Analysis

Video Summary Analysis: *Are The NEW Klipsch The Fives II REALLY Worth $1399?*

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What Is This Video About?

Host Bob of United States of Analog is reviewing the brand new Klipsch The Fives II (version 2) powered speakers, sent to him directly by Klipsch for review. He is comparing them to the original Fives, which he has owned personally for years and used as a soundbar replacement in his main living room. The video covers physical changes, spec upgrades, design improvements, and his early impressions.

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Gear, Products, or Brands Discussed

• Klipsch The Fives II (Version 2) — The main subject of the review
• Price: $1,399 (per video title)
• Three colorways: walnut, red oak, ebony
• Dimensions: 7.1″ wide x 10.7″ deep x 12.8″ high
• Primary speaker: ~18 lbs; secondary speaker: ~15 lbs
• 1-inch titanium tweeter in a Tractrix horn (Klipsch proprietary)
• 5.25-inch Cerametallic woofer
• Powered by Onkyo electronics (same parent company)
• Includes Atmos technology (to be discussed further)
• Improved input selector — more intuitive, often automatic source switching
• New one-piece baffle design
• New magnetic fabric grills (dark gray, traditional style, no sagging)
• Review unit: ebony finish
• [00:00:54]

• Klipsch The Fives (Version 1, original) — Owned personally by Bob, used as comparison baseline
• Purchased at Costco for ~$400
• Used in main living space with an 85-inch Sony TV
• Described as his best soundbar replacement
• Had issues with sagging grill material [00:04:24]

• Klipsch The Sevens and Nines — Briefly mentioned as part of the same updated second-generation powered speaker lineup [00:01:00]

• Klipsch Forte IVs — Bob’s larger speakers, mentioned in passing when comparing grill materials [00:04:15]

• Onkyo — Mentioned as the brand powering the electronics inside the Fives II; noted to be under the same parent company as Klipsch [00:03:03]

• Sony 85-inch TV — Mentioned as part of his home theater setup [00:01:37]

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Host’s Main Opinions and Takes

• Bob has been a genuine long-term owner and fan of the original Fives, giving his credibility as a reviewer extra weight [00:01:28]
• He considers the Fives II a meaningful upgrade over the originals, calling some changes “substantial” [00:01:06]
• The improved input selector is called a “radical improvement” — he had previously struggled to navigate it in the dark [00:03:48]
• The new magnetic fabric grills are called a “much, much needed improvement” over the original sagging mesh grills [00:04:57]
• The one-piece baffle is seen as both sonically and aesthetically beneficial [00:03:57]
• He prefers the ebony to disappear visually in his TV room but personally admires the walnut and red oak finishes [00:02:08]
• He considers the original Fives to have been the best possible soundbar replacement [00:01:43]

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Notable Comparisons Between Products

• Klipsch Fives II vs. Fives (V1): Multiple direct comparisons made — size (V2 is slightly larger and heavier), grill design (V2 uses magnetic fabric vs. saggy mesh on V1), input selector (V2 is more intuitive and often automatic vs. manual wheel-in-the-dark on V1), and baffle design (V2 is one-piece vs. multi-piece on V1) [00:02:26–00:05:03]
• Klipsch Fives vs. soundbars: Bob went through many soundbars before landing on the Fives, calling them the clear winner as a TV speaker solution [00:01:43]

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Funny Moments, Strong Opinions, or Memorable Quotes

• *”Hey, I thought you should be the first to know — I’m breaking up with my Klipsch Fives.”* — Playful cold open hook [00:00:00]
• Bob describing his attempts to fix the sagging grills on the original Fives: *”I tried everything from hair dryers to leaving them out in the sun just to kind of get them a little more taut.”* — A relatable and mildly absurd audiophile struggle [00:04:31]
• Casually noting he bought the original Fives at Costco for $400, a fun contrast to the $1,399 price tag of the new version [00:01:22]

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Three-Paragraph Summary

In this opening portion of the video, Bob introduces the Klipsch The Fives II, the second-generation version of a powered speaker he has personally owned and loved for years. He sets up the review with genuine enthusiasm, noting that he is “breaking up” with his original Fives not out of disappointment, but because the new version has arrived. He briefly contextualizes the product within Klipsch’s updated powered speaker lineup — which now includes second-generation versions of the Fives, Sevens, and Nines — and mentions that the improvements span design, specs, and marketing.

Bob digs into the physical and technical details of the Fives II, noting they are slightly larger and heavier than the originals, with a 1-inch titanium tweeter in a Tractrix horn and a 5.25-inch Cerametallic woofer. He highlights that the electronics are now powered by Onkyo (under the same corporate umbrella as Klipsch), and that the speaker includes Atmos technology to be discussed later. He calls out two immediately practical improvements: the new input selector, which is more intuitive and often switches sources automatically, and the new one-piece baffle, which Klipsch claims offers acoustic benefits and which Bob says gives the speaker a sleeker look.

The segment closes with Bob comparing the grills from the two generations. He describes his long frustration with the original Fives’ sagging grill mesh — going so far as using hair dryers and sunlight trying to fix it — and praises the new magnetic fabric grills as a clear and necessary improvement. While he was sent the ebony finish and is content with it blending into his TV setup, he expresses admiration for the walnut and red oak colorways. The tone throughout is that of a knowledgeable, enthusiastic owner-turned-reviewer who has real skin in the game, setting up what should be a credible and detailed full review.

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⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

Analysis of United States of Analog – “Are The NEW Klipsch The Fives II REALLY Worth $1399?”

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Gear, Products, or Brands Discussed

• Klipsch The Fives II – the primary subject of review
• Klipsch La Scala and Fortes – mentioned as part of Klipsch’s heritage line, built in Hope, Arkansas
• Klipsch RP-600M bookshelf speakers – mentioned as a previous personal purchase
• Klipsch The Fives (original) – referenced in comparison to the new version
• YAMO subwoofer – mentioned as a companion sub the host uses with the speakers
• Sony TV – visible in the setup, used for placement context
• Onkyo – mentioned in reference to the amplifier section (“Onkyo Power”)
• Dolby Atmos – feature discussed in context of the speakers’ capabilities
• Dirac – room correction software noted as absent from the Klipsch app

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Host’s Key Findings, Verdicts, or Opinions

• [00:06:05] Despite non-ideal placement (against sidewalls in an alcove), the host noticed no degradation in sound quality
• [00:07:49] Host expresses strong confidence in Klipsch’s engineering across all products he’s owned
• [00:07:59] States that Klipsch products “not only deliver, in most cases they over-deliver,” and the Fives II are “no exception”
• [00:07:04] Klipsch not publishing specific power figures is seen as a trust statement rather than a red flag
• [00:08:19] Host guesses the Class D amp is around 100 watts total (roughly 75W woofer, 25W tweeter), but stresses he’s not concerned
• [00:09:11] Describes the Fives II as a true all-in-one solution — for small home systems or as a soundbar replacement
• [00:09:19] Dolby Atmos performance described as doing “the best it possibly could” but acknowledged as vague
• [00:10:13] Confirms no Dirac room correction in the Klipsch app, only basic EQ and bass management

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Listening Tests or Sound Quality Observations

• [00:06:05] Host reports performing well despite sidewall reflections from alcove placement, with no noticeable sonic degradation
• [00:09:19] Felt Dolby Atmos encoded content was being used “in the best way they possibly could” — acknowledged this was subjective and possibly limited by room placement

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Price/Value Assessments

• The video title references the $1,399 price point, and the host implicitly frames the speakers as delivering strong value given their all-in-one feature set (built-in streamer, phono preamp, HDMI eARC, Atmos, subwoofer out, ethernet)

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Comparisons to Other Gear

• [00:07:23] Contrasts Klipsch’s understated power spec approach with questionable claims from foreign manufacturers — “little amplifiers the size of a pack of gum claiming to have 300 watts per channel”
• [00:10:09] Virtual Dolby Atmos compared (unfavorably but good-naturedly) to watching Top Gun in an IMAX theater on 50 speakers
• [00:06:37] Sub out noted as carrying over from the original Fives, with the YAMO sub praised as a compact companion

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Audiophile Tips, Advice, or How-To Content

• [00:05:35] Recommends placing the rear-ported speakers at least one foot from the front wall for good bass performance
• [00:09:38] Suggests that pulling speakers further from sidewalls could improve virtual Dolby Atmos performance
• [00:05:22] Notes the large rear ports — implies port-stuffing as an option if wall proximity is unavoidable (though not recommended)

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Memorable Quotes or Strong Takes

• [00:08:10] *”Klipsch, by not posting specific power information, I think is saying, hey, not only are we Klipsch, dammit, but… trust us. We’re not going to let you down.”*
• [00:07:23] *”Little amplifiers the size of a pack of gum claiming to have 300 watts per channel. What does that mean? What are you doing? What’s going on? That can’t even be possible.”*
• [00:09:02] *”Let those shoulders relax a little bit and let the 2s give you a little ear massage… That was completely weird.”* (self-aware humor)

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Summary

In this portion of the review, the host (“Bob”) gives a detailed walkthrough of the physical features and connectivity of the Klipsch The Fives II, highlighting the extensive rear-panel inputs including HDMI eARC, ethernet, USB, phono with built-in preamp, optical, RCA analog, and a subwoofer output. He addresses placement realities from his own setup — the speakers are squeezed into an alcove flanking a large Sony TV — and while acknowledging it’s not ideal due to sidewall reflections, he reports that the sound quality held up well regardless. He also recommends keeping the rear-ported speakers at least a foot from the front wall for optimal bass response.

Bob then tackles the elephant in the room: Klipsch does not publish specific power output figures for the Fives II. Rather than treating this as a concern, he defends it as a brand confidence move, contrasting it with dubious wattage claims from some foreign manufacturers. He estimates the Class D amplifier is likely in the 75–100 watt range but explicitly tells viewers not to worry about it, leaning on his positive track record with multiple Klipsch products including the RP-600M and the original Fives.

The segment closes with a discussion of the Fives II’s Dolby Atmos virtual surround capability, powered by Onkyo’s amplifier section. Bob is measured in his assessment — he felt the speakers handled Atmos content as well as they could within their physical limitations, but stops well short of calling it an immersive theater experience. He also notes the absence of Dirac room correction in the Klipsch app, with only basic EQ and bass management available, and invites viewers who own the speakers to share their own Atmos impressions in the comments.

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🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

Gear, Products, or Brands Discussed

• Klipsch The Fives II (Version 2) — the primary subject, retailing at $1,399
• Klipsch The Sevens and The Nines — mentioned as having Dirac room correction (which the Fives II lacks)
• Klipsch 600Ms — referenced as another Klipsch product the host owns
• Klipsch Forte 4s — referenced as another Klipsch product the host owns
• Costco / Sam’s Club — mentioned as potential retail outlets for deals
• Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect — streaming platforms supported by the Fives II
• Wiim Sound speakers — briefly mentioned as a similar product covered in another video

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Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion

• The host is enthusiastic and positive overall, calling the Fives II “amazing”
• He pushes back on Klipsch’s reputation for harsh or bright sound, saying he has not experienced that with any Klipsch products he owns
• He describes the sound as bright and clear but “not objectionable, not harsh, not fatiguing at all,” with “very, very lush bass” [00:12:19–00:12:24]
• He calls himself a self-described “Klipsch fanboy” [00:14:09]
• His only significant reservation is the price jump to $1,399

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Final Recommendations — Buy, Skip, or Consider

• Implied consider/wait rather than an outright buy or skip
• He tells viewers they’ll need to decide if the improved form factor and features justify the higher price [00:13:23–00:13:31]
• He does not advise skipping the product, but stops short of an unconditional buy recommendation at full retail

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Final Tips, Caveats, or Advice for Viewers

• The $1,399 retail price is flagged as the “big caveat” and “big asterisk” [00:12:58–00:13:03]
• Notes that Klipsch products regularly go on sale a couple of times a year [00:13:31–00:13:37]
• Suggests they may appear at big-box stores like Costco or Sam’s Club at a discount, particularly for the black model [00:13:38–00:13:45]
• Advises viewers to “let it settle in a little bit” and watch for holiday pricing before buying [00:14:03–00:14:08]
• Mentions that speaker placement relative to the front wall affects bass, and the app can be used to fine-tune sound [00:12:27–00:12:30]
• Notes optional stands are available for the speakers [00:11:11–00:11:13]

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How the Video Wrapped Up

• The host wraps up with a light, conversational tone, admitting there’s “a lot I’ve missed” [00:12:36]
• He inserts a brief self-correction meta-moment, clarifying the potentially confusing naming convention of “Fives II” vs. “the twos” [00:14:14–00:14:36]
• He closes with a plug for his channel and teases an upcoming video comparing the Wiim Sound speakers
• Signs off with “Cheers” [00:15:07]

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Memorable Closing Quotes or Strong Final Opinions

• *”Well, you know, I’m going to love them. How could they even possibly be anything less than what I was already digging?”* [00:11:21–00:11:27]
• *”The price is the only hiccup right now, but that may change.”* [00:14:39–00:14:41]
• *”Listen, I’m a Klipsch fanboy. I love their products.”* [00:14:09–00:14:11]
• *”I instruct you to be careful and make your best price.”* [00:13:59–00:14:00]

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3-Paragraph Summary

In this final segment, the host wraps up his technical overview of the Klipsch The Fives II by covering key specs — a 103 dB output, a 50 Hz to 25 kHz frequency response, and the absence of Dirac room correction (which is reserved for the pricier Sevens and Nines). He highlights the speaker’s connectivity strengths, including Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz Connect, Bluetooth, and analog inputs for turntables and CD players, calling it an impressively versatile system. He also addresses Klipsch’s longstanding reputation for harsh or bright sound, firmly dismissing it based on his personal experience with multiple Klipsch products in his home, describing the Fives II’s sound as bright and clear but never fatiguing, with particularly strong bass performance.

The host’s enthusiasm for the product is clear, but he raises the price as the central issue — the Fives II retail at $1,399, a significant jump from the original Fives’ $500–$600 price point, and a world away from the $400 he personally paid at Costco. He frames this as the one “big asterisk” on an otherwise strong product, encouraging viewers to weigh whether the upgraded form factor and added features justify the cost increase. He stops short of a flat-out buy recommendation, instead advising patience.

The video closes with practical buying advice: wait for holiday sales, watch big-box retailers for discounted black models, and let the price settle before committing. The host signs off in his characteristically casual and enthusiastic style, clarifying the slightly confusing “Fives II” naming convention, teasing a comparison video featuring Wiim Sound speakers, and wrapping up with a warm “Cheers.” The overall tone is that of a genuine fan who loves the product but wants his audience to get the best possible deal on it.

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Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.