https://www.ecoustics.com/products/klipsch-fives-sevens-nines-ii/

Klipsch Announces Next-Generation Active Speaker Lineup Featuring Onkyo Electronics and Dirac Live Technology

To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Klipsch is introducing The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II, a premium active speaker lineup featuring more powerful output, refined drivers, Onkyo electronics technology, Dirac Live, and immersive audio.

On the official first day of CES 2026, Klipsch is signaling a definitive reset of the active speaker category as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. The soon-to-be-released The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II carry on the lineage from Paul W. Klipsch in 1946 while targeting the listening preferences of modern audiences rather than system configurations from decades past.

With its patented horn-loaded design, a completely new electronics platform developed in partnership with Onkyo, and modern processing including Dirac Live and Dolby Atmos, Klipsch is positioning its next-generation active speakers as a simpler, smarter, and more complete alternative to traditional separate systems.

It's clear that this category is poised to take over the market share of passive speakers in 2026 and beyond. When amplification, DSP, room correction, and immersive audio are all integrated into a single enclosure and work organically as one system, the old complex stacks of equipment start to feel more like "unnecessary" than "pure."

Vinny Bonacorsi, Chief Operating Officer (COO), defines this update as more than just a routine refresh:

"As we celebrate Klipsch's 80th anniversary, we are not simply updating our active speakers; we are resetting the standard for what a simple two-speaker system can deliver. The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II combine Paul W. Klipsch's legendary horn-loaded American sound with Onkyo's newly designed electronics platform and Dirac Live and Dolby Atmos to create a high-performance speaker system that is larger, clearer, and more immersive than ever before. As a result, you can experience reference-quality impact from music, movies, and everything in between with an easy setup."

Klipsch The Fives II, The Sevens II, The Nines II: Next-Generation Active Speakers

Building on the success of its award-winning predecessors, The Fives launched in 2020 and followed by The Sevens and The Nines in 2023, Klipsch is presenting this new generation with true acoustic upgrades rather than just cosmetic changes. The updated models feature an acoustic platform redesigned to extract higher resolution, scale, dynamic contrast from the signature Klipsch sound while maintaining the brand's energy but delivering a more refined and controlled sound.

The most significant change is the new integrated BMC (Bulk Molding Compound) baffle with a patented Tractrix horn, designed to improve rigidity while enabling wider and more consistent sound dispersion. Low frequencies are handled by Klipsch's Jet Cerametallic woofers, sized 5.25 inches (The Fives II), 6.5 inches (The Sevens II), and 8 inches (The Nines II) depending on the lineup, to deliver deeper bass extension and improved transient response characteristics.

The integrated BMC baffle also plays a crucial role in minimizing tonal coloration caused by the enclosure. The denser and more robust construction minimizes unwanted resonances, while the curved radius design reduces diffraction, helping the speaker project a wider and more cohesive soundstage. This is a particularly meaningful upgrade in the active speaker category where speaker placement and room acoustics often significantly influence the listening experience.

Onkyo Technology Integration: AV Receiver Architecture Meets Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

The new electronics platform inside The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II, powered by Onkyo technology, borrows directly from modern AV receiver architecture rather than traditional active speaker designs. This distinction is important because it means that amplification, processing, and system control are designed as a single integrated platform rather than a collection of add-on features.

All three models support Dolby Atmos, enabling multi-dimensional sound reproduction without the need for external receivers or surround processors. The Nine II takes this a step further by adding DTS:X support, expanding immersive format compatibility for users with diverse content libraries.

As a result, this active speaker system functions more like a compact and independent home theater engine than a simplified stereo solution. It is designed to deliver scale, immersion, and consistency with significantly less equipment and a less complex setup.

Dirac Live Integration: Precise Room Correction

The Five II and The Seven II include a limited bandwidth version of Dirac Live Room Correction, a level of spatial tuning rarely seen in active speakers. Instead of relying on fixed EQ presets, Dirac Live analyzes how the speakers interact with the listening space and addresses common spatial issues like booming, nulls, and uneven frequency response in real-time.

The setup process is intentionally intuitive. By using the included calibration microphone and going through a short measurement process via the Klipsch Connect Plus app, the system automatically calibrates the speakers to your specific environment. No manual equalization or technical expertise is required. The goal is not to deliver measured results from a laboratory setting but rather to provide more consistent and balanced playback that reflects your actual space.

Physical Connectivity: A Perfect Wired Hub for Analog and Digital Sources

Physical connectivity is a key element that makes this new active lineup truly versatile, not just in name. The Five II, The Seven II, and The Nine II feature HDMI 2.1 with HDMI eARC, along with digital optical and coaxial inputs, analog line-level inputs, and a USB-C port for direct playback from compatible devices. This wide range of connectivity allows them to act as a true hub for your TV, streamers, computers, and traditional audio sources without the need for external switches or converters.

All three models include a dedicated analog input with a built-in phono stage, allowing you to connect a turntable directly without needing a separate phono preamp. A subwoofer output is also included, providing the option to expand bass performance beyond what the speakers themselves offer.

Pro Tip: The Nine II adds XLR inputs for even greater flexibility. This opens up possibilities for use in residential listening spaces as well as studio and professional audio environments.

Wireless & Streaming: Extensive Platform Support and Built-in High-Resolution Playback

Beyond physical inputs, The Five II, The Seven II, and The Nine II are designed as fully independent streaming speakers. They feature built-in support for Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz, allowing you to stream directly from popular platforms without needing an external streamer. The Nine II further differentiates itself by adding Roon Ready certification for a more advanced library-centric listening experience.

All models in the series support high-resolution audio playback up to 24bit/96kHz, ensuring compatibility with the latest hi-res streaming and local files. Additionally, The Seven II and The Nine II offer optional wireless left/right speaker connectivity for increased placement flexibility and simplified setup. This is particularly useful in rooms where running speaker cables might be challenging.

Klipsch Connect Plus App: Centralized Control, Calibration, and System Management

The Klipsch Connect Plus app is designed to make setup and everyday control intuitive, with step-by-step guidance for Dirac Live room correction, access to customizable sound presets, and direct control over inputs and sources. The 'My Input' feature allows quick access to frequently used sources and preferred listening configurations within a single interface.

For users who prefer hands-on control, each model's top panel has been redesigned with durable metal hardware, featuring a tactile volume wheel and dedicated buttons for manual source selection. A backlit remote is also included, providing excellent visibility in dark environments and allowing you to perfectly control volume, input switching, and playback without needing your mobile device.

If a speaker company has survived for 80 years, it's not by accident. Klipsch isn't resting on its laurels with The Five II, The Seven II, and The Nine II. This new active lineup combines horn-loaded speaker design with a modern receiver-grade electronics platform developed in partnership with Onkyo, along with Dirac Live for spatial tuning and immersive format support.

This is something traditional passive systems simply cannot achieve without a separate equipment rack. Fewer components, smarter integration, and tangible performance improvements are no longer just 'conveniences' but the direction this category needs to move towards.

Equally important is the question of who Klipsch is targeting. These speakers are not chasing mass-market soundbars. They are squarely competing with premium wireless and active systems such as KEF, Cambridge Audio, PSB, and Triangle, which operate in the market of $1,400 and above.

If the final specifications and actual sound demonstrate the promised level, the Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II could easily establish themselves as leaders in this category. This would prove that active, wireless, DSP-based speakers are no longer a side branch but the main road to the future. It will be interesting to see what competitors reveal at CES 2026, but Klipsch appears to be perfectly prepared for the fight.

Price and Launch Schedule

All three models are scheduled to launch in spring 2026.

-- The Fives II: $1,399.99 (Pair)

-- The Sevens II: $1,999.99 (Pair)

-- The Nines II: $2,399.99 (Pair)

KS Series Stand: $474.99 (per Crutchfield). All models are compatible with the Klipsch KS stand currently sold (24-inch and 28-inch options).

New finish options: In addition to the existing Walnut and Ebony veneers and black baffle, a new combination of Red Oak veneer and white baffle will be added.

▶ Original source: https://www.ecoustics.com/products/klipsch-fives-sevens-nines-ii/