![]() Klipsch tells me the internal amplifiers deliver 100 watts each to the midwoofers and 30 watts each to the tweeters - double those figures for peak power output - which is more than enough to drive such an efficient speaker design. ![]() As for amplification, The Nines offer 240 watts total power and can peak at up to 480 watts. On the bottom, there’s a super-robust 8-inch midwoofer mated to a 1-inch Titanium dome tweeter set in Klipsch’s proprietary Tractrix horn enclosure. I wish it wasn’t there, but I’ll live with it. The only aesthetic annoyance is a little brag line on the speaker. I like the magnetic grills that came with this pair - just one of several elements that give me strong Forte Four vibes - though to be honest, I leave them off. The cabinets are well-built - they pass the knuckle test - and covered with a gorgeous real wood veneer. Build qualityĪs for build quality and internal components, The Nines are exactly as you’d expect if you’re familiar with the Kllipsch Brand. I also wish the app connected more quickly, but it is what it is. I should also point out that the app communicates with the speakers via Bluetooth, so you’ll want to be within range to use it. The app is where you can pick some sound profiles or create and save your own. And then there’s the Klipsch app, which is a little rudimentary, but gets the job done. You also get a remote with input selectors, volume control, sub control, and a play/pause button. The response of the knurled metal dials feels awesome and pairs nicely with the tactile experience of handling and playing back vinyl on a turntable, which I did a lot during my testing. There’s also a subwoofer output, although as I’ll discuss soon, The Nines take care of bass business just fine on their own.Īs for control, Klipsch offers an input selector dial and a volume dial on the top of the speaker, and they are a treat to use. Moving magnet cartridges only need apply - if you have a fancier moving coil cartridge, you’ll need to supply your own phono preamp. There’s an HDMI ARC connection so you can get all your TV audio out through the speakers, there’s a USB input (which even the KEF LS Wireless line doesn’t support anymore), optical digital if your TV doesn’t have HDMI ARC, and then my personal favorite, a phono input (switchable to use a built-in phono preamp or line-in) with a ground plug to connect your favorite turntable. This leads us nicely into how you connect and interact with The Nines. Rather, they function more like a replacement for the classic, midcentury awesomeness of a vintage receiver and speakers. The Fives, Sevens, and Nines don’t have that, so they aren’t really replacing a modern receiver and speakers. And I’ll concede that to a point, but these days, most people expect their receiver to have built-in Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, etc. Klipsch calls them the best alternative to a receiver and stereo speakers. In fact, we called The Fives the best soundbar alternative for music lovers. Lots of others have now jumped on that bandwagon, but The Fives did it first and we thank them for creating the category. Well, they are a bigger, badder version of Klipsch’s The Fives, which I’ll remind you were the first powered speakers to include an HDMI ARC connection. ![]() The Nines aren’t really replacing a modern receiver and speakers. I’ll stop short of calling them “dumb” speakers because there is a handy companion app, but The Nines - just like The Fives that came out in 2020 - aren’t trying to be anything remotely like a HomePod, Echo, or Nest speaker. The second thing I want to get into is that The Nines are not a “smart speaker.” There’s no built-in Wi-Fi, no built-in Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. And if you do pick up The Nines, I highly recommend getting the speaker stands that Klipsch offers to go with them, or a suitable set of stands elsewhere, because while The Nines aren’t super picky about placement, there definitely is a right way to set them up, which I’ll get to in a moment. I personally have zero problems with the size, but you should know what you are getting into if you’re looking to purchase The Nines. The one on the right might best be called a “monitor.” If you prefer numbers, we’re talking 19.13 x 9.5 x 13.38 inches, and the speakers weigh 28.4 and 27 pounds each. The two on the left are bookshelf speakers. To help put The Nines’ size in context, see one of them pictured below, to the right of an SVS Prime Wireless Pro speaker, and an Elac UB5. Tivoli Model One Digital radio hands-on review: Small changes, big difference ![]()
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