Klipsch at 80: American Muscle Meets Japanese Precision
CES 2026 is now going full-steam. The annual Vegas tech extravaganza is the ritual kickoff for the new year in AV tech, including audio. While the high-end audio show at the Venetian is a thing of the past, on the main show floor you’ll find major brands flexing their muscles. That’s where you’ll find Klipsch, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
The new booth highlights the evolved partnership between Klipsch and Onkyo, operating under the Premium Audio Company umbrella. It is the promise of Japanese precision and American muscle that makes the partnership so compelling.
The most obvious synergy is that Klipsch’s active speakers now sport Onkyo electronics. It’s an all new platform running The Fives II, The Sevens II, and The Nines II. The original versions of these speakers received rave reviews, but now you get even more advanced electronics with capabilities that are rather AV receiver-like: HDMI 2.1 with eARC and USB-C as inputs. There’s also digital-optical and a dedicated analog RCA input with phono capability.
The most AVR-like feature of the new speakers is the inclusion of Dirac Live in The Sevens II and The Nines II. It’s the “limited bandwidth” version, but that is fine, most of what you need to fix in any room is in the bass region anyhow, and the horn tweeters on Klipsch speakers are less room-reactive anyhow. The key is that you can fix the huge room-related dips and swells that occur in the bass region using the Klipsch Connect Plus app. Add a subwoofer and you’ve got a complete audio system, not just a pair of speakers.
The Nines II up the audiophile ante by also including balanced XLR inputs. The new lineup is expected to ship Spring 2026 and the price points are: The Fives II: $1,399.99/pair, The Sevens II: $1,999.99/pair and The Nines II: $2,399.99/pair.
Looking Forward: Headphones and High-End Hi-Fi
First up is a return to the headphones game. The Atlas Series. This series is slated to ship Summer 2026 and consists of three models, two closed-back and flagship semi-open-back option aimed at personal audio enthusiasts.
The Atlas HP-1 is a closed-back, wireless over-ear with ANC. The focus is on light weight, comfort, long battery life, and features like third-party spatial audio support and hearing compensation.
With the Atlas HP-2. Klipsch is a closed-back option offering high performance. Klipsch promises “class-leading bass response.” The press materials emphasize it is for bass lovers who don’t want that visceral experience clouding the rest of what you hear.
And the Atlas HP-3, with its semi-open-back architecture, is for the critical listener who is not planning on using their headphones on an airplane! Comfort and high-fidelity “spacious” sound are the focus here.
Apollo
Several concept speakers were shown as well, albeit without any promised ship date. Most notable: Project Apollo, described as a “moonshot” ultra-premium speaker line that aims to sit above Reference Premiere in the Klipsch hierarchy.
No details are offered aside from the aim to make a speaker that is at once state-of-the-art and integrates Klipsch’s 80-year legacy of designing speakers featuring horns. The release does state some of what is shown will ship “later in 2026.”
