Main trade-off
Klipsch The Fives
The HDMI socket connects to the TV’s ARC port. It cannot pass a console signal through the speakers.
Head-to-head
Klipsch The Fives vs The Fives II: Fives II keeps a console input and separates phono from line
The short answer
Choose The Fives II when the TV’s ARC port is also a valuable console port, or when a turntable and another RCA source should remain connected. Fives II has an HDMI source input as well as the TV eARC connection, with stated 4K/120 passthrough, and separate phono and line inputs. Choose the original Fives when its shallower cabinet fits better and your existing sources already cover music streaming. It still has ARC and USB audio, but no HDMI passthrough or built-in Wi-Fi streamer.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The ARC socket can be the gaming socket you did not want to lose
Some TVs provide only a small number of inputs with the gaming features a console owner wants, and one may also carry ARC or eARC. The original Fives uses that TV socket without offering a replacement HDMI source input. Fives II adds passthrough, so a compatible console can connect through the speaker system. That can avoid an external HDMI switch or a compromise elsewhere in the setup. Check the actual television port layout and 4K/120, VRR and ALLM support before making this the reason to upgrade.
What this is based on
Conditional TV port overlap crossed with a verified HDMI source input and stated passthrough features. No claim that every TV has the conflict or every cable preserves those formats.
Main trade-off
Klipsch The Fives II
Each cabinet is 1.45 inches deeper than the original before cables and placement clearance.
Klipsch The Fives
- Choose it for
- The TV has a spare ARC connection and your music source already handles streaming.
- The shallower original cabinet fits the furniture, with shared phono/line RCA acceptable.
- Main trade-off
- The HDMI socket connects to the TV’s ARC port. It cannot pass a console signal through the speakers.
Klipsch The Fives II
- Choose it for
- You need a console HDMI input preserved while connecting the speakers to TV eARC.
- Records and a separate RCA line source should stay plugged in, with network music built into the pair.
- Main trade-off
- Each cabinet is 1.45 inches deeper than the original before cables and placement clearance.
About this comparison
The Fives vs Fives II for TV, console gaming and records. Compare HDMI port use, sources that stay connected, Wi-Fi music and the deeper new cabinet.
The original and second-generation Fives are current buying alternatives for the same compact TV-and-record system. The useful upgrade question is what happens to the equipment already around the television.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
TV eARC socket is also needed for a compatible gaming source
Fives II adds the HDMI source passthrough route, subject to format and cable compatibility.
- Klipsch The Fives
- Caution
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Better fit
Turntable plus analog-only CD player, both using RCA
Separate phono and line sockets avoid the original’s shared-RCA limitation.
- Klipsch The Fives
- Good
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Better fit
Shallow console and an existing streaming source
The original is 1.45 inches shallower and may already cover the sources.
- Klipsch The Fives
- Better fit
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Good
Expect actual rear and overhead speakers from the Atmos label
Both purchases are stereo pairs. Fives II’s height presentation is virtual processing.
- Klipsch The Fives
- Not suitable
- Klipsch The Fives II
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The ARC socket can be the gaming socket you did not want to lose
Some TVs provide only a small number of inputs with the gaming features a console owner wants, and one may also carry ARC or eARC. The original Fives uses that TV socket without offering a replacement HDMI source input. Fives II adds passthrough, so a compatible console can connect through the speaker system. That can avoid an external HDMI switch or a compromise elsewhere in the setup. Check the actual television port layout and 4K/120, VRR and ALLM support before making this the reason to upgrade.
How we reached this conclusion
Conditional TV port overlap crossed with a verified HDMI source input and stated passthrough features. No claim that every TV has the conflict or every cable preserves those formats.
A record player and an older CD player expose the socket difference
With the original Fives, phono and line are two settings on one RCA pair. A compatible MM turntable can occupy it, but an analog-only CD player then needs the auxiliary input, a switch or a cable change. Fives II supplies separate phono and line inputs, so the ordinary RCA connections can remain in place. If the CD player already has optical output, the original’s optical input may solve the problem without upgrading. Count the real outputs before buying extra convenience.
How we reached this conclusion
Physical socket count and source-level requirements, with optical availability explicitly conditional. The comparison does not assume phono and line can play simultaneously.
Replacing the speakers may move them closer to the front edge
The original body is 9.25 inches deep and the new one is 10.7. Keeping the same rear clearance moves the front of Fives II forward by 1.45 inches. That matters on a narrow console used for a TV, game controllers and household clutter. The new model is also 0.7 inches wider per cabinet, adding 1.4 inches across the pair. Measure stable support and the cable path before assuming the familiar Fives name means the same fit.
How we reached this conclusion
10.7 − 9.25 = 1.45 inches depth difference. 2 × (7.2 − 6.5) = 1.4 inches combined body-width difference. No acoustic-clearance value is invented.
Choice A
Klipsch, The Fives
The Fives
The TV has a spare ARC connection and your music source already handles streaming.
- Best matched use
- The TV has a spare ARC connection and your music source already handles streaming.
Checked facts
- HDMI source route: TV ARC connection only
- Phono and line: One switchable RCA pair
- Network music: Bluetooth and wired sources
- Cabinet depth: 9.25 inches
Choice B
Klipsch, The Fives II
The Fives II
You need a console HDMI input preserved while connecting the speakers to TV eARC.
- Best matched use
- You need a console HDMI input preserved while connecting the speakers to TV eARC.
Checked facts
- HDMI source route: HDMI source input plus eARC output, stated 4K/120, VRR and ALLM passthrough
- Phono and line: Separate phono and RCA line inputs
- Network music: Built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet streaming
- Cabinet depth: 10.7 inches
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Klipsch The Fives | Klipsch The Fives II | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI source route | TV ARC connection only | HDMI source input plus eARC output, stated 4K/120, VRR and ALLM passthrough | Fives II can return a source connection to the setup instead of only occupying the TV’s ARC socket. |
| Phono and line | One switchable RCA pair | Separate phono and RCA line inputs | The newer model can leave both sources connected without an analog switch. |
| Network music | Bluetooth and wired sources | Built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet streaming | The upgrade can replace a separate network source if its supported services cover the household. |
| Cabinet depth | 9.25 inches | 10.7 inches | A replacement on the same console needs another 1.45 inches of body depth. |
| Computer audio | USB-B audio | USB-C audio | Both already take digital computer audio. The connector change alone is not a reason to replace a working system. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Klipsch The Fives
- An analog-only turntable and another RCA source share one phono/line socket pair. The separate auxiliary input can help if the source and cable suit it.
If you choose Klipsch The Fives II
- Passthrough requires compatible source, TV settings and cables. Virtual Atmos does not add real rear or overhead speakers.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
The current TV setup is running out of suitable HDMI inputs
Choose Klipsch The Fives II. Fives II includes a source input and supported passthrough.
Every source already connects and the console is shallow
Choose Klipsch The Fives. The original preserves ARC and USB in the smaller-depth cabinet.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want better TV sound without giving up a gaming port or turning every change from records to another source into cable swapping.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured sound, gaming latency or reliability ranking. HDMI features require compatible equipment throughout the chain.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current powered speakers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klipsch The Fives |
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| Klipsch The Fives II |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Klipsch The Fives
The TV has a spare ARC connection and your music source already handles streaming.
The shallower original cabinet fits the furniture, with shared phono/line RCA acceptable.
See price & reviews on AmazonKlipsch The Fives II
You need a console HDMI input preserved while connecting the speakers to TV eARC.
Records and a separate RCA line source should stay plugged in, with network music built into the pair.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.