By: Dipin Sehdev
Klipsch is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026 by doing something very un-anniversary-like: it’s not looking backward. Instead, the company is pushing aggressively forward, using CES 2026 to reset expectations for what powered speakers can be in a modern living room.
With the introduction of The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II, Klipsch isn’t just refreshing an existing lineup—it’s fully committing to the idea that a two-speaker system can replace an AV receiver, simplify setup, and still deliver reference-level sound for music, movies, and TV.
After hearing the lineup in person at CES, it’s clear this isn’t marketing hype. These speakers sound big, confident, and surprisingly immersive—especially when paired with Dolby Atmos content. Klipsch didn’t just iterate here; it rebuilt the platform from the inside out.
A New Electronics Platform, Powered by Onkyo
One of the biggest changes across the entire lineup is invisible from the outside. Klipsch partnered with Onkyo engineers in Osaka, Japan to develop an all-new electronics platform that borrows directly from modern AV receiver architecture.
Instead of treating amplification, DSP, HDMI switching, and streaming as bolt-ons, Klipsch integrated everything as a unified system. The result is a powered speaker that behaves less like a “smart bookshelf” and more like a self-contained home theater engine.
All three models support:
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Dolby Atmos via HDMI eARC
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Built-in streaming (Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect)
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High-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz
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HDMI 2.1 with eARC
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Optical, coaxial, analog, and USB-C inputs
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Built-in phono preamp for turntables
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Subwoofer output
This makes setup refreshingly simple: plug the speakers into your TV with one HDMI cable, connect power, and you’re done. No receiver. No speaker wire runs across the room. No rack full of gear.
Acoustic Redesign: Familiar Klipsch Sound, Cleaner and Bigger
Klipsch didn’t stop at electronics. All three models feature a reengineered acoustic platform, centered around a new single-piece BMC (Bulk Molding Compound) baffle with an integrated Tractrix horn.
This redesign serves three purposes:
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Improved rigidity, reducing cabinet resonance
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Wider dispersion, creating a larger, more consistent soundstage
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Reduced diffraction, improving clarity and imaging
Low frequencies are handled by Klipsch’s Jet Cerametallic woofers, scaled by model:
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The Fives II: 5.25-inch woofer
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The Sevens II: 6.5-inch woofer
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The Nines II: 8-inch woofer
Each speaker uses a 1-inch titanium tweeter mounted to a 90° x 90° Tractrix horn, preserving the efficiency and dynamic snap Klipsch is known for—just with more refinement and control than previous generations.
Dolby Atmos Changes Everything—Especially for TV and Apple Music
One of the most meaningful upgrades across the lineup is Dolby Atmos support, which dramatically expands how these speakers can be used.
With HDMI eARC, the speakers can now act as a full Atmos-capable TV audio system, handling Dolby Atmos from streaming apps, gaming consoles, and broadcast TV without external processing.
This also extends to Apple Music with Dolby Atmos, which has quietly become one of the most compelling reasons to upgrade speakers in the last two years. Spatial mixes on Apple Music benefit enormously from Klipsch’s horn-loaded dynamics, creating height, width, and separation that feels far more immersive than standard stereo.
Room Correction Where It Matters: Dirac Live
Klipsch wisely limited complexity where it wasn’t needed and added precision where it matters most.
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The Sevens II and The Nines II include Dirac Live Room Correction (Limited Bandwidth)
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The Fives II do not include Dirac Live
Using the included microphone and the Klipsch Connect Plus app, users can run a quick room measurement that corrects common issues like bass boom, nulls, and uneven frequency response.
In practice, Dirac Live makes the Sevens II and Nines II sound more balanced and controlled—especially in real living rooms where placement isn’t ideal.
Hands-On Impressions From CES 2026
Hearing the speakers at CES confirmed what the specs suggest.
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The Fives II were the surprise. For their size, they deliver scale and punch that feel disproportionate. In small to medium rooms, they’re more than enough.
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The Sevens II are the sweet spot. They offer noticeably more bass weight and room-filling ability without becoming physically imposing. This is the model most people should buy.
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The Nines II are the magic trick. These are functionally floorstanding speakers in bookshelf form. In the CES demo room, they sounded effortless—but it’s easy to imagine them thriving in large rooms with vaulted ceilings without leaving you wanting a traditional tower speaker.
Studio-Grade Flexibility: The Nines II Go Further
The Nines II stand apart with features that push beyond home entertainment:
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Balanced XLR inputs
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DTS:X support (in addition to Dolby Atmos)
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Optional wireless left/right speaker connection
This makes them viable not just for living rooms, but also for studio monitoring, editing suites, and hybrid home/pro environments.
Specifications Overview
The Fives II
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5.25" Jet Cerametallic woofer
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1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn
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Dolby Atmos (HDMI eARC)
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Wired left/right connection
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No Dirac Live
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MSRP: $1,399.99 / pair
The Sevens II
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6.5" Jet Cerametallic woofer
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Dirac Live Room Correction (limited bandwidth)
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Dolby Atmos (HDMI eARC)
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Wired or wireless left/right connection
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MSRP: $1,999.99 / pair
The Nines II
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8" Jet Cerametallic woofer
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Dirac Live Room Correction (limited bandwidth)
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Dolby Atmos + DTS:X
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Balanced XLR inputs
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Wired or wireless left/right connection
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MSRP: $2,399.99 / pair
All models support:
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HDMI 2.1 eARC
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Optical, coaxial, analog, USB-C
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Built-in phono preamp
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Subwoofer output
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24-bit/96kHz hi-res playback
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Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz
Availability and Finishes
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Availability: Spring 2026
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Retailers: Klipsch.com and authorized Klipsch dealers
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Finishes:
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Walnut with black baffle
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Ebony with black baffle
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New Red Oak veneer with white baffle
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Optional KS Series stands (24" or 28") are available now for $474.99.
The Bottom Line
Klipsch isn’t dabbling in powered speakers anymore—it’s going all in. With the Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II, the company has built a lineup that challenges the relevance of traditional passive systems for a huge portion of buyers.
Dolby Atmos integration, Apple Music spatial audio, Dirac Live room correction, and a receiver-grade electronics platform all point in the same direction: simpler systems, fewer boxes, and no compromise on performance.
If early impressions hold through formal reviews, don’t be surprised if these speakers dominate end-of-year “Product of the Year” discussions across multiple publications. Klipsch didn’t just show up to CES 2026—it made a statement.
