Is larger higher? This query can lead you down an existential rabbit gap with almost each product, however relating to audio system, the reply has historically been a agency “sure.” Typically, greater audio system present bigger (or extra) drivers and roomier cupboards to serve up extra energy, deeper bass, and a extra expansive soundstage. All issues being equal, the larger the audio system, the higher the sound.
That appears to be the driving pressure behind Klipsch’s newest self-powered pair, The Sevens (in addition to the even bigger Nines). They observe Klipsch’s extra compact all-in-one pair, The Fives, using the identical retro-modern styling and a stout fleet of connections, however on a grander bodily scale. Just like the Fives, The Sevens allow you to breezily join the whole lot out of your TV to your turntable, with out the necessity for an exterior amplifier or perhaps a phono preamp. They’re simply, nicely, massive.
There’s extra to the story than measurement alone, after all. Not solely are the Sevens a tighter match than The Fives for small and medium-size rooms, in addition they scale up pricing by a number of hundred {dollars}. And in distinction to rivals like KEF’s LSX II (9/10, WIRED Recommends) and SVS’ Prime Wi-fi Professional, The Sevens follow The Fives’ Bluetooth-only streaming, omitting Wi-Fi and Ethernet. That was a notable limitation at $800, but it surely’s downright head-scratching at $1,300.
The Sevens are nonetheless nice audio system, although, and what they lack in streaming versatility, they goal to make up for in sheer bombast. Whereas I received’t say The Sevens show that going greater is inherently higher, they do serve up extra cinematic spectacle than almost any smaller powered audio system I’ve tried. Whereas they’re good for music, they’re even higher for motion pictures and gaming, offering a mega-splash of sound that’s a blast to behold.
Retro Fashion
{Photograph}: Klipsch
From an aesthetic standpoint, the one factor extra notable than The Sevens’ measurement is their attractive design. Pulling them from the field appears like moving into the groovy ’70s in all the correct methods. The walnut veneer model (there’s additionally a matte black) with cream acoustic screens doesn’t go together with my front room’s hotter colour scheme, and but I by no means need them to go away. They’re simply attractive.
You’ll be able to’t escape the sheer scale of The Sevens in smaller rooms. It’s not that they’re all that large for audio system basically—even small tower audio system simply dwarf them—they’re simply large for this sort of speaker. With out the screens, their 6.5-inch woofers and … tweeters put out severe muscle-car vibes. My spouse’s first response was blunt: “These items are ridiculous.” Even a fellow WIRED speaker-head was shocked to search out they have been the smaller of Klipsch’s new powered fashions, exclaiming “These are The Sevens?!”
However snapping on the covers provides simply the correct layer of class, and so they’re unquestionably lovely, from their tactile silver controls to their matte paneling. They’ll additionally look much less intimidating in bigger rooms, particularly when you’ve bought a grand-size TV and console (ideally with matching ’70s veneer).
Fashionable Setup
{Photograph}: Klipsch
In a foam platter contained in the field, you’ll discover 4 meters of heavy-gauge cabling with metallic wheels that lock the 2 audio system in stereo tandem. There’s additionally an additional 2 meters of extendable speaker cable if wanted, an HDMI cable for TV connection, a small distant with batteries, and directions. As with nearly all powered audio system, a single energetic speaker accommodates {the electrical} guts and inputs, whereas a passive one receives sound from its neighbor.
