As Klipsch celebrates its 80th anniversary, the brand is marking the milestone not just by reflecting on its heritage, but by fundamentally evolving its technology. At CES 2025, Klipsch showcased a significant shift in its engineering direction, leaning on its sister company, Onkyo, to integrate advanced technologies that elevate audio quality to superior levels.

The result is the Generation II series of the Fives, Sevens, and Nines. This isn't a mere aesthetic refresh; it is a total overhaul of the internal architecture, positioning these powered speakers as a genuine alternative to traditional, high-end component systems.

The Onkyo Engineering Integration

The most notable advancement in the Gen II range is the incorporation of Onkyo’s renowned electronics platform. By utilizing Onkyo’s expertise in amplifier design and signal processing, Klipsch has moved beyond the limitations of standard active speakers.

These units now feature a sophisticated AV-grade processing engine. This collaboration ensures better thermal management, higher current delivery, and a level of sonic precision that reflects the combined heritage of two industry leaders.

Advanced Room Calibration and Processing

For high-end residential projects, the environment often dictates the performance. The Gen II Sevens and Nines address this by introducing Dirac Live—the industry's leading room correction software.

By measuring the acoustic properties of a space, Dirac Live allows these speakers to compensate for room-induced distortions, resulting in a cleaner, more accurate frequency response. This level of calibration was previously reserved for high-end receivers and processors, but its inclusion here makes these speakers remarkably adaptable to any architectural environment.

Seamless Connectivity for Modern Living

The Gen II series has been designed to integrate flawlessly into a premium lifestyle. 

  • HDMI 2.1 with eARC: Enables high-bandwidth audio return and seamless control via a single television remote.
  • Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Decoding: The internal Onkyo processing allows for native decoding of immersive formats, utilizing advanced DSP to create an expansive soundstage from a stereo pair.
  • Balanced XLR Inputs: The Nines II features professional-grade XLR inputs, ensuring a noise-free signal path for high-end sources.

Refined Aesthetics

To complement their technical prowess, Klipsch has refined the visual identity of the range. The introduction of the Red Oak and White finish offers a sophisticated, contemporary aesthetic that sits comfortably in high-end interiors. The build quality remains exceptional, utilizing real wood veneers and tactile metal controls that reflect the premium nature of the InStyle portfolio.

The InStyle Conclusion

The Klipsch Generation II range represents a sophisticated convergence of classic acoustic horn-loading and modern Japanese electronic engineering. For those seeking a minimalist, high-performance solution that doesn't sacrifice the "big" cinema sound Klipsch is famous for, these systems represent the new gold standard in powered audio.