The Fives II, The Sevens II and The Nines II: Klipsch upgrades its active speakers

To mark its 80th anniversary, Klipsch is unveiling the next generation of its iconic active speakers: The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II. True to the American brand’s aesthetic DNA, these three models retain their design inspired by Klipsch’s vintage creations while benefiting from significant technical improvements designed to modernize the user experience. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility, Wi-Fi streaming, and Dirac Live acoustic calibration: this second generation introduces numerous innovations designed to take the all-in-one powered speaker concept to the next level. Let’s take a closer look at these new features and, above all, the differences that set The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II apart.

Completely redesigned electronics by Onkyo

The first major change in this new generation is that Klipsch, in collaboration with Onkyo, has completely redesigned the integrated electronics of its speakers. This new architecture improves audio processing, overall system stability, and the management of different sources. This evolution aims to transform Klipsch speakers into even more versatile solutions suitable for both hi-fi and home theater use.

What are the main new features?

Klipsch is overhauling the functionalities of its range to adapt its speakers to modern audiovisual uses, with several major new features.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X: enhanced audio immersion

The most striking new feature of this second generation is the arrival of Dolby Atmos on all three models. Thanks to virtualization processing, the speakers are able to reproduce an immersive soundstage by simulating virtual vertical channels. The Nines II go one step further by also integrating DTS:X compatibility, absent from the other two models.

Connectors: HDMI and Ethernet

In another notable development, the entire range now adopts eARC-compatible HDMI connectivity, enabling simplified integration with a TV while ensuring transmission of multi-channel audio streams. This new generation also supports video passthrough up to 8K HDR. A notable evolution, as the first generation was limited to an HDMI ARC input. Finally, Klipsch now offers true network connectivity.

Intelligent acoustic calibration with Dirac Live

The Sevens II and The Nines II also benefit from Dirac Live technology, absent from The Fives II. This acoustic calibration system uses the supplied microphone to analyze the room and automatically adjust the sound reproduction according to the listening environment. The aim is to optimize the soundstage, spatial imaging, and tonal balance by compensating for any acoustic defects in the room.

A comparison of these new-generation speakers

Klipsch The Fives II: a compact, versatile solution

The Klipsch The Fives II remains the most compact model in the range, and retains the philosophy that made the first The Fives so successful: to offer a versatile active stereo solution, capable of replacing both a compact hi-fi system and a premium soundbar. Acoustically, Klipsch has a similar architecture to the previous generation, with a 25 mm Tractrix horn-loaded tweeter and a 13.3 cm Cerametallic woofer.

The real evolution concerns the electronics rather than the acoustics. With the arrival of Wi-Fi, virtual Dolby Atmos, more advanced HDMI connectivity, Bluetooth 5.4 and new software management via the Klipsch Connect Plus app, they much better suited to modern multimedia uses while retaining their compact format.

With a frequency response of 50 Hz to 25 kHz and a maximum level of 103 dB, they represent the ideal entry point into the range for those wishing to enjoy an all-in-one system without sacrificing too much space.

Klipsch The Sevens II: the best balance between power and size

With The Sevens II, Klipsch clearly refines the positioning of its mid-range model. The Sevens II take this second version to a new level, integrating a number of features previously reserved for top-of-the-range models.

Acoustically, they retain their 16.5 cm Cerametallic woofer, which is significantly larger than that of the Fives II, enabling a low-frequency response down to 39 Hz and a sound pressure level of up to 106 dB. This increase in diameter results in a fuller sound, tighter bass, and greater capacity to fill larger spaces with sound.

But the main difference between The Sevens II and the first The Sevens is the integration of Dirac Live acoustic correction. This function marks a real step up in sophistication, enabling the speakers to automatically adapt their reproduction to the room’s acoustics. The Sevens II aren’t simply a more powerful version of the Fives II: they are now a more technically advanced model, further justifying their mid-range positioning.

This makes them the most balanced model in the range for users looking for an excellent compromise between size, power and advanced performance.

Klipsch The Nines II: the flagship of the range

With this second generation, the Klipsch The Nines II further consolidate their status as a benchmark model. Already highly demonstrative in their first iteration, they take their premium orientation a step further with several additional technical refinements.

Their acoustic architecture is still based on a large 20 cm Cerametallic woofer combined with a 25 mm Tractrix horn tweeter. This configuration enables them to achieve a frequency response of 31 Hz to 25 kHz and a maximum level of 107 dB, the best performance of the entire range.

However, unlike the first generation of The Nines, The Nines II

Designed for large rooms and the most discerning users, they are closer than ever to being a genuine alternative to a separate hi-fi system or a traditional home theater installation.

An updated range

With this new generation of active speakers, Klipsch has taken its approach to a whole new level, offering a clearer progression from one model to the next.

The Fives IIs focus on compactness and simplicity, The Sevens IIs on the balance between power and versatility, while The Nines IIs fully assume their premium positioning with excellent performance.