Klipsch Unveils Next-Gen Powered Speaker Line at CES 2026, Powered by Onkyo and Dirac Live

On the first official day of CES 2026, Klipsch is using its 80th anniversary year to signal a clear reset in the powered-speaker category.  The upcoming Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II build on a lineage that stretches back to Paul W. Klipsch in 1946, but they’re clearly aimed at the way people want to listen now, not how systems were assembled decades ago.

With patented horn-loaded designs, an all-new electronics platform developed with Onkyo, and modern processing including Dirac Live and Dolby Atmos, Klipsch is positioning its next-generation powered speakers as simpler, smarter, and more complete alternatives to traditional separates.

And make no mistake—this category is poised to eat passive speakers’ lunch in 2026 and beyond. When amplification, DSP, room correction, and immersive audio live inside the cabinet and actually work as a system, the old pile of boxes starts to feel less “pure” and more unnecessary. Klipsch isn’t teasing nostalgia here—it’s telegraphing where the market is heading next.

Vinny Bonacorsi, Chief Operating Officer, framed the update as more than a routine refresh:

“Celebrating 80 years of Klipsch, we’re not just updating our powered speakers—we’re resetting the standard for what a simple two-speaker system can deliver. The Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II pair Paul W. Klipsch’s legendary horn-loaded American sound with a new Onkyo-engineered electronics platform, plus Dirac Live and Dolby Atmos, to create a high-performance speaker system that is bigger, clearer, and more immersive than ever. The result is effortless setup with reference-level impact for music, movies, and everything in between.”

Klipsch Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II: Next-Generation Powered Speakers

Building on the success of the award-winning originals—The Fives introduced in 2020 and The Sevens and Nines following in 2023—Klipsch is positioning the new generation as a genuine acoustic upgrade rather than a cosmetic refresh. The updated models feature a reengineered acoustic platform designed to extract more resolution, scale, and dynamic contrast from Klipsch’s familiar voicing, resulting in a sound that’s more detailed and controlled while retaining the brand’s signature energy.

Central to that effort is a new single-piece BMC (Bulk Molding Compound) baffle with an integrated, patented Tractrix horn, engineered to improve rigidity while enabling wider and more consistent sound dispersion. Low-frequency duties are handled by Klipsch’s Jet Cerametallic woofers, scaled appropriately across the lineup at 5.25 inches (Fives II), 6.5 inches (Sevens II), and 8 inches (Nines II), delivering deeper bass extension and improved transient response.

The one-piece BMC baffle also plays a critical role in reducing cabinet-induced coloration. Its denser, more rigid structure minimizes unwanted resonance, while the curved radius design reduces diffraction, helping the speakers project a broader, more cohesive soundstage—an especially meaningful upgrade for a category where speaker placement and room interaction often make or break the listening experience.

Powered by Onkyo: AV Receiver Architecture Meets Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

Powered by Onkyo technology, the new electronics platform inside The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II borrows directly from modern AV receiver architecture rather than traditional powered-speaker design. That distinction matters: amplification, processing, and system control are engineered as a unified platform rather than a collection of add-ons.

All three models support Dolby Atmos, enabling multidimensional sound reproduction without the need for an external receiver or surround processor. The Nines II goes a step further by adding DTS:X support, expanding immersive format compatibility for users with diverse content libraries.

The result is a powered speaker system that behaves less like a simplified stereo solution and more like a compact, self-contained home theater engine—designed to deliver scale, immersion, and consistency with far fewer boxes and far less setup complexity.

Dirac Live Integration: Precision Room Correction

The Sevens II and The Nines II also add Dirac Live Room Correction in its Limited Bandwidth implementation, bringing a level of room-aware tuning rarely seen in powered speakers. Rather than relying on fixed EQ presets, Dirac Live analyzes how the speakers interact with the listening space and applies correction in real time to address common room-induced issues such as bass bloom, nulls, and uneven frequency response.

Setup is intentionally straightforward. Using the included calibration microphone, users run a brief measurement process through the Klipsch Connect Plus app, after which the system automatically calibrates the speakers for their specific environment. No manual equalization or technical expertise is required—the goal is to deliver more consistent, balanced playback that reflects the room as it actually is, not as the speakers were measured in a lab.

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

Physical connectivity is a major part of what makes the new powered lineup genuinely flexible rather than “all-in-one” in name only. The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II include HDMI 2.1 with HDMI eARC, alongside digital optical and coaxial inputs, an analog line-level input, and USB-C for direct playback from compatible devices. This breadth of connections allows the speakers to function as a true hub for TVs, streamers, computers, and traditional audio sources without external switching or conversion.

All three models also feature a dedicated analog input with a built-in phono stage, making it easy to connect a turntable directly—no separate phono preamp required. A subwoofer output is included as well, giving listeners the option to extend low-frequency performance beyond what the Fives II, Sevens II, or Nines II can deliver on their own.

Pro Tip: The Nines II pushes flexibility even further with the addition of XLR inputs, opening the door for use in studio and pro-audio environments while remaining perfectly at home in a residential listening room.

Wireless and Streaming: Built-In High-Res Playback With Broad Platform Support

Beyond physical inputs, The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II are designed as fully self-contained streaming speakers. Built-in support includes Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Qobuz, allowing direct playback from popular platforms without relying on external streamers. The Nines II further distinguishes itself by being Roon Ready, making it a natural fit for more advanced, library-focused listening setups.

All models in the series support high-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/96kHz, ensuring compatibility with modern hi-res streaming and local files alike. Additionally, The Sevens II and The Nines II offer an optional wireless left/right speaker link, giving users greater flexibility in placement while simplifying setup—especially useful in rooms where running speaker cables isn’t practical.

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

The Klipsch Connect Plus app is designed to keep setup and day-to-day control straightforward rather than buried in menus. It provides guided setup for Dirac Live room correction, access to customizable sound presets, and direct control over inputs and sources. The My Input feature adds convenience by allowing quick access to frequently used sources and preferred listening configurations from a single interface.

For listeners who prefer hands-on control, each model also includes a redesigned top panel with durable metal hardware, featuring a tactile volume wheel and a dedicated source-select button for manual operation. A backlit remote is included as well, offering clear visibility in low-light environments and full control over volume, input switching, and playback without relying on a mobile device.

Comparison

Pro Tip: For a deeper dive into specifications, side-by-side comparisons, and pricing of the previous Fives, Sevens, and Nines, refer to our earlier coverage, Klipsch’s Heritage Wireless Speaker Series Now Includes The Sevens and Nines.

The Bottom Line 

If a loudspeaker company makes it to 80 years, it’s not by accident—and Klipsch isn’t coasting on history with the Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II. This new powered lineup combines horn-loaded speaker design with a modern, receiver-grade electronics platform developed with Onkyo, plus room-aware tuning via Dirac Live and immersive-format support that traditional passive systems simply can’t match without a rack of extra gear. Fewer boxes, smarter integration, and real performance gains aren’t conveniences anymore—they’re the direction the category is moving.

Just as important is who Klipsch appears to be aiming at. These speakers aren’t chasing mass-market soundbars; they’re lining up directly against premium wireless and active systems from KEF, Cambridge Audio, PSB, Triangle, and others playing in the $1,400+ space. If the final specs hold and the sonics live up to the promise, the Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II could easily emerge as category leaders—proof that active, wireless, DSP-driven speakers aren’t a side path anymore, but the main road forward. What competitors unveil at CES 2026 will be interesting—but Klipsch is clearly showing up ready for the fight.

For more information:

• Klipsch Fives II
• Klipsch Sevens II
• Klipsch Nines II

Price & Availability

All three models will be available 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 Stands: $474.99 at Crutchfield. All models are compatible with Klipsch’s current KS stands, available in 24- and 28-inch options.

New Finish Option: A Red Oak veneer with a white baffle will be available, along with the traditional Walnut and Ebony veneers with traditional black baffles.

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