Klipsch Fives II, Sevens II & Nines II Overview

The Powered Speaker Lineup Just Got a Major Upgrade

The Fives, Sevens, and Nines have been some of the most recommended powered speakers on the market since Klipsch launched them between 2020 and 2022. They combined the brand's signature horn-loaded sound with a versatile all-in-one format that could connect to your TV, your turntable, your computer, and your phone without needing a separate receiver. They were hard to beat at the price.

Now Klipsch has rebuilt all three from the ground up. The Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II launched at CES 2026 as part of Klipsch's 80th anniversary and represent the most significant update to this lineup since it began. New Onkyo electronics. New acoustic hardware. Dolby Atmos. Dirac Live room correction. HDMI 2.1 with eARC. Full Wi-Fi streaming. These are not incremental changes.

We spent time with all three in our listening rooms and have put together the most detailed breakdown we can on what changed, what each model sounds like, how they compare to the originals, and which one belongs in your setup.

The Klipsch Story: Why This Lineup Exists

Before getting into the new speakers, it helps to understand where they come from, because the engineering philosophy behind the Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II traces directly back to a tin shed in Hope, Arkansas in 1946.

Paul W. Klipsch was an engineer who hated how music sounded on the speakers of his era. He thought they were weak, flat, and lifeless compared to a live performance. His solution was the horn, specifically a folded bass horn that used the boundaries of a room corner to produce deep, powerful bass from a relatively compact cabinet, while keeping efficiency so high that even a low-powered amplifier could drive it to concert levels. That design became the Klipschorn, the first speaker Klipsch ever made, and it has been in continuous production ever since. No other speaker in history can say that.

We recently published a full overview of the new Klipschorn AK7, updated with a new cinema-grade three-inch midrange compression driver, a new Tractrix midrange horn with MUMPS technology, and for the first time an optional active DSP crossover based on the same technology used in the flagship Jubilee. If you want to hear the most dynamic and emotionally powerful speakers we have ever had in our showrooms, go read that article. But at close to $18,000 a pair and with a corner placement requirement, the Klipschorn is not for everyone. What Klipsch has always done is take that same acoustic DNA and push it as far down the lineup as possible. The Fives, Sevens, and Nines are where that philosophy meets the rest of us.

The Original Fives, Sevens, and Nines: What Made Them Special

The Fives (2020)

When Klipsch launched the original Fives in 2020, the defining feature was HDMI ARC. They were the first powered bookshelf speakers in the world to include it, which meant you could connect two speakers directly to your TV with a single cable, control the volume with your TV remote, and get proper two-channel stereo sound that outperformed almost any soundbar on the market. The sound was pure Klipsch. That horn-loaded tweeter delivering speed, detail, and dynamics that powered speakers at that price simply could not match. They launched at $499 and eventually settled at an MSRP of $969.

The Sevens and Nines (2022)

Klipsch followed the Fives with the Sevens and Nines, scaling the same formula up. The Sevens brought a 6.5-inch woofer and 200 watts RMS with frequency response down to 39 hertz. The Nines brought an 8-inch woofer, 240 watts RMS, and bass extension down to 34 hertz. All three were easy to recommend because they had a size for every room and every budget, and they all performed well above their price points.

What the Originals Were Missing

There was one significant gap in all three models: Wi-Fi streaming. If you wanted to use AirPlay 2, Chromecast Audio, or Roon, you had to add an external streamer. There was also no Dolby Atmos, no room correction, and the HDMI connection was the older ARC standard rather than eARC. These were outstanding audio performers that were behind on connectivity. The Mark IIs address all of it.

What Is New Across All Three Mark II Models

The Onkyo Partnership

The biggest story in the Mark II lineup is the integration of Onkyo's AV receiver engineering. Klipsch and Onkyo came under the same parent company in 2021, and what Klipsch did with that relationship was smart. They took Onkyo's decades of AVR expertise and built it directly into these speaker cabinets.

The result is a speaker that replaces a lot of equipment you used to need separately. Dolby Atmos decoding, a full streaming platform, a built-in phono stage for your turntable, HDMI eARC for your TV, optical and coaxial digital inputs, and USB-C for your computer are all handled inside the speaker itself. For a lot of people these replace a receiver, a streamer, and a phono preamp in one tidy package. That is why the Mark IIs can do things the originals never could.

New Acoustic Hardware

On the acoustic side, every model gets two significant upgrades.

The first is a new single-piece BMC baffle. BMC is a glass-fiber-reinforced thermoset composite, denser and more rigid than the MDF used in the original cabinets. Less cabinet resonance means less coloration bleeding into the sound. The curved radius of the baffle also reduces diffraction around the tweeter, which widens the soundstage.

The second is a new woofer material. The originals used fiber-composite cones. The Mark IIs use Klipsch's Jet Cerametallic cones, a ceramic-metallic composite that is lighter and stiffer, producing tighter bass definition and faster transient response. This is the same woofer technology Klipsch uses in their Reference Premiere passive speaker line. The tweeter remains a one-inch titanium dome on the Tractrix horn across all three models, and it sounds every bit as good as it always has.

Full Wi-Fi Streaming

Every Mark II model has Wi-Fi streaming built in with support for AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready. The originals relied entirely on Bluetooth. This is a fundamental change in how you interact with these speakers day to day.

HDMI 2.1 with eARC

Every model now has HDMI 2.1 with eARC, a full generational step up from the original HDMI ARC. For audio this means uncompressed Dolby Atmos passthrough, better lip sync, and volume control from your TV remote. There is also a second HDMI 2.1 input worth knowing about. If your TV only has the older ARC standard rather than eARC, you can plug a console or streaming box directly into that second input on the speakers. The video passes through to your TV as normal, but the audio goes straight from the source to the speakers, bypassing the TV entirely and giving you full uncompressed audio without the TV's limitations getting in the way.

Dolby Atmos with Virtual Height Channels

Every model supports Dolby Atmos with virtual height channels. These are still two-speaker stereo systems with no actual overhead drivers, but the DSP processes Atmos-encoded content and creates the impression of height and surround information from two speakers. We found it noticeably better than a straight stereo downmix for movies and TV.

Inputs, Hi-Res Audio, and Subwoofer Output

Every model includes a built-in MM phono stage so you can connect a turntable without a separate preamp, USB-C audio input for computer playback, optical and coaxial digital inputs, and a subwoofer output for anyone who wants to add a sub. Hi-res audio support is 24-bit/96kHz across the board. Klipsch set the subwoofer crossover at around 65 hertz, tuned specifically to get the best blend between the speakers and a subwoofer. All models are controlled via the Klipsch Connect Plus app, which handles input switching, streaming, and Dirac Live calibration on the Sevens II and Nines II.

How It Compares to the Original Fives

The original Fives launched at $499 and settled at $969. The Fives II at $1,399 is the steepest percentage price increase in the lineup, but these are a genuinely different product. Bluetooth only versus full Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Roon. HDMI ARC versus HDMI 2.1 eARC with Dolby Atmos. Fiber-composite woofer versus Jet Cerametallic. MDF baffle versus single-piece BMC composite. The acoustic hardware is better, the connectivity is dramatically better, and the Onkyo electronics platform is more capable than anything in the original.

What the Fives II Does Not Have

The two things the Fives II lacks compared to its siblings are Dirac Live room correction and the optional wireless inter-speaker link. The connection between left and right speaker is wired only. For listeners in rooms without significant acoustic problems, and for setups where running a cable between speakers is not an issue, neither of these is a dealbreaker. But if your room has bass buildup or tricky acoustics, or if cabling between speakers is a practical problem in your space, these are the reasons to step up to the Sevens II.

Who the Fives II Is For

The Fives II is the right choice for small to medium-sized rooms, primarily music-focused listening, desk or shelf setups where footprint matters, and rooms without significant acoustic challenges. It delivers the Klipsch sound, lively, dynamic, fast, and engaging, in the most compact and affordable package in the lineup, with all the modern connectivity the original lacked. For a secondary TV room or desktop setup, it is a significant upgrade over any soundbar at this price.

How It Compares to the Original Sevens

The original Sevens launched at $1,299. The Sevens II is $1,999, a $700 increase. For that difference you get Onkyo electronics, Dolby Atmos, HDMI 2.1, full Wi-Fi streaming, Dirac Live room correction, optional wireless inter-speaker connection, and the improved Cerametallic woofer and BMC baffle. The original Sevens were outstanding. The Sevens II is a different class of product.

Dirac Live Room Correction

Dirac Live is not a basic EQ. It is the same room correction technology found in high-end AV receivers from Onkyo, Pioneer, Integra, and others, and one of the most powerful room correction programs available at any price. We have spent a lot of time with Dirac Live over the years and we have the most watched Dirac Live setup guide on YouTube. You can read and watch it here.

Your room is doing more to what you hear than almost anything else. Bass builds up in corners. Reflections bounce off walls and hard surfaces. Every room has its own set of acoustic problems and they all color the sound. Dirac Live measures your specific room with the included microphone, figures out what it is doing to the sound, and generates a correction filter to address it. The difference before and after is not subtle. It does not replace proper speaker placement or acoustic treatment, but it significantly improves how the speakers perform in the room you actually have.

You have two ways to run the calibration. The Klipsch Connect Plus app on your phone offers a simple three-position setup that walks you through the entire process. If you want more control, the full Dirac Live app on PC or Mac opens up additional measurement positions and lets you adjust the target curve. Both options are included with the license.

The version included is Limited Bandwidth, meaning it corrects up to 500 hertz — the bass region and lower midrange where most rooms have their worst problems. For most people this will make a significant difference straight out of the box. A full-bandwidth license covering the entire frequency range is available as a paid upgrade directly from Dirac.

Wireless Inter-Speaker Link

The Sevens II adds an optional wireless connection between left and right speakers, which is useful in rooms where routing a cable across the floor or over a doorway is not practical. When using the wireless link, maximum sample rate drops to 48 kilohertz, which covers all streaming services. For 96kHz hi-res local file playback, use the wired connection.

Who the Sevens II Is For

The Sevens II is the model we recommend for most people. It covers medium to large living rooms comfortably. Dirac Live means it will perform well in your specific room rather than only under ideal conditions. The wireless inter-speaker link adds real-world flexibility. If you are deciding between the Fives II and the Sevens II and your room is larger than a bedroom, the Sevens II is the better choice.

How It Compares to the Original Nines

The original Nines launched at $1,499. The Nines II is $2,399, a $900 increase. The Nines II brings everything the Sevens II has, Dirac Live, wireless inter-speaker link, Onkyo electronics, HDMI 2.1, full Wi-Fi streaming, plus DTS:X with Virtual:X, balanced XLR inputs, and bass extension down to 31 hertz versus 34 hertz on the original. At 107dB SPL maximum output, the Nines II is one of the loudest bookshelf-format speakers available at any price.

DTS:X with Virtual:X

The Nines II is the only model in the lineup that decodes DTS:X, giving you full format compatibility for both major immersive audio standards alongside Dolby Atmos. For a dedicated home theater setup where you are watching content encoded in DTS:X, this matters.

Balanced XLR Inputs

The Nines II adds balanced XLR inputs, which serve two audiences. For home studio users this puts the Nines II in studio monitor territory, letting you connect professional-grade sources exactly the way you would connect studio monitors in a recording studio. For anyone running longer cable runs in a larger room, balanced connections reject noise and interference in a way that unbalanced connections cannot. If your source gear has balanced outputs and you are dealing with any hum or interference, the Nines II solves it.

Who the Nines II Is For

The Nines II is the right choice for large rooms, dedicated listening spaces, serious home theater setups, home studio users, and anyone who needs that level of output and format support. At 31 hertz frequency extension and 107dB maximum output, many listeners in properly set-up rooms will not feel the need for a subwoofer.

Should Original Owners Upgrade?

If you own the original Fives, Sevens, or Nines and you are primarily using Bluetooth and happy with what you have, your speakers are still very good. But if Wi-Fi streaming, Dolby Atmos, HDMI 2.1, and Dirac Live represent real improvements to how you use your system day to day, the Mark IIs are worth it. One practical consideration: the launch of the Mark IIs will likely push discounted pricing on the originals as stock clears. For someone who does not need the new features, the original Sevens or Nines at a clearance price is a smart buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Klipsch Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II need a receiver?

No. All three models are fully self-powered with built-in amplification, Dolby Atmos decoding, streaming, and multiple inputs. They are designed to work as a standalone system without any additional equipment.

What is the difference between the Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II?

The main differences are woofer size — 5.25-inch, 6.5-inch, and 8-inch respectively — and the features exclusive to the larger models. The Sevens II and Nines II add Dirac Live room correction and the optional wireless inter-speaker link. The Nines II additionally adds DTS:X with Virtual:X decoding and balanced XLR inputs.

Do all three models support Dolby Atmos?

Yes. All three models support Dolby Atmos with virtual height channels. The Nines II additionally supports DTS:X with Virtual:X.

What is Dirac Live Limited Bandwidth?

Dirac Live Limited Bandwidth is the version included with the Sevens II and Nines II. It corrects the frequency range up to 500 hertz, covering the bass region and lower midrange where most rooms have their worst acoustic problems. A full-bandwidth license extending correction across the entire frequency range is available as a paid upgrade directly from Dirac.

Can I use the Dirac Live PC or Mac app with these speakers?

Yes. You have two calibration options: the Klipsch Connect Plus app on your phone, which offers a simple three-position calibration, or the full Dirac Live app on PC or Mac, which gives you more measurement positions and target curve control. Both are included with the license.

Does the wireless inter-speaker link affect sound quality?

When using the optional wireless link on the Sevens II or Nines II, maximum audio sample rate drops to 48 kilohertz. This covers all streaming services. For 96kHz hi-res local file playback, use the wired connection between speakers.

What is the subwoofer crossover point?

Klipsch set the subwoofer crossover at approximately 65 hertz on all three models, tuned to achieve the best blend between the speakers and a subwoofer.

Can I connect a turntable directly?

Yes. All three models include a built-in MM phono stage so you can connect a moving magnet turntable directly without a separate phono preamp.

What finishes are available?

All three models are available in Ebony with black baffle, Walnut with black baffle, and the new Red Oak with white baffle.

Final Verdict

Klipsch has been building speakers since 1946. The Klipschorn is still in production. That kind of longevity does not happen by accident — it happens because the core of what Klipsch does, that horn-loaded efficiency, that dynamics-first philosophy, keeps proving itself right decade after decade.

The Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II are the best expression of that philosophy in a format that works for most people's homes and most people's budgets. With this generation Klipsch has closed the gap on everything the originals were missing. The connectivity is now class-leading. The acoustic hardware is meaningfully better. And the addition of Dirac Live on the two larger models puts one of the most powerful room correction tools available into the hands of anyone who buys them.

If you have questions about which model is right for your room, reach out to us. Chat with us at audioadvice.com, call us, or come into one of our showrooms. When these are on the demo floor we will have them playing and we will want you to hear them.

We Are Here to Help

If you have further questions, contact our experts via chat, phone, or email. Or visit one of our showrooms to experience these speakers for yourself before you make a decision.

If you are planning a home theater or listening room, check out our Home Theater Design page, which includes our FREE Home Theater Design Tool.

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