Klipsch The Nines II Powered Speakers

Klipsch's Biggest Powered Speaker, With Room Correction Built In

The Nines II are the largest of Klipsch's second-generation powered speakers. Each cabinet carries an 8-inch Cerametallic woofer under a 1-inch titanium tweeter on a Tractrix horn. The primary speaker holds the amplifiers, HDMI, streaming and a Dirac Live room-correction system. Finishes are Walnut, Ebony and Red Oak.

Onkyo, now Klipsch's sister company, built the electronics. The Nines II decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and pass 8K video through HDMI 2.1. They stream over Wi-Fi. They also take balanced XLR inputs, which is rare in a powered speaker. Klipsch supplies a calibration microphone so Dirac Live can tune the pair to your room.

What Is Built In

Streaming covers Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. The secondary speaker connects by cable for 96 kHz audio. It can also link wirelessly at 48 kHz if you would rather not run a wire across the room. Sound modes, a five-band EQ and Dynamic Bass EQ round it out.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of You

Klipsch quotes 31 Hz to 25 kHz within 3 dB and a maximum output of 107 dB for the pair. Each cabinet measures 18.1 inches tall, 9.6 wide and 14.8 deep, so these are stand or floor speakers rather than shelf speakers. Klipsch's KS-24 stand is the match.

The primary speaker carries every input. There is an HDMI input and an HDMI eARC output. Optical, coaxial, USB-C and USB-A sit beside them. A phono input with its own preamp, a line-level RCA pair, two XLR combo jacks and Bluetooth 5.4 cover the rest. One RCA output feeds a subwoofer, and a jack takes the calibration microphone.

In the Box

Klipsch includes the remote, a 4-meter speaker cable, a 1.5-meter HDMI cable, the power cord and the Dirac calibration microphone. The cabinets are MDF with real wood veneer. Everything needed to connect a TV, a turntable and a computer is in the carton except the sources themselves.

What Reviewers Are Saying

James Holland reviewed the Nines II for TechRadar on June 20, 2026, awarding four and a half stars: "The Klipsch The Nines II are an easy recommendation despite the weight and despite the price bump over the previous version."

He credited "the immersive, robust sound and large set of features, not to mention broad connectivity" and concluded "they're an excellent all-in-one hi-fi upgrade."

Who Are These Powered Speakers Best For?

• You want a home theater without a receiver — Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, 8K HDMI pass-through and eARC put the TV, a console and a disc player through two speakers
• You have a large room — 8-inch woofers, 31 Hz extension and 107 dB output fill a space that compact powered speakers cannot
• You want the speakers tuned to the room — Dirac Live and the supplied microphone correct for the room's bass problems in a few minutes
• You have studio or pro sources — the balanced XLR and quarter-inch inputs take an interface or a mixer directly
• Your space is a shelf or a desk — at 18 inches tall and nearly 15 deep these need stands or the floor, so plan the stands with the speakers

How Do They Connect to Your System?

The primary speaker holds every input and plugs into the wall. Connect the secondary speaker with the included 4-meter cable, or pair it wirelessly. The TV goes to the HDMI eARC port. A console or player goes to the HDMI input. A turntable goes to the phono input, and a computer to USB-C or the XLR jacks.

Join Wi-Fi through the Klipsch Connect Plus app, plug in the calibration microphone and run Dirac Live from the app. A subwoofer connects to the RCA output. Set the speakers on stands or the floor, tweeters near ear height, and press play.

Pairs Well With

What completes the system. These are the categories most Nines II owners shop next.

• Speaker stands — the Nines II are 18 inches tall and belong on stands or the floor
• Turntables — the phono input takes a moving-magnet deck with one RCA cable
• Klipsch R-121SW subwoofer — for film in a big room, below the 31 Hz the pair already reaches
• HDMI cables — a second cable for the HDMI input, or a longer run to the TV

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an amplifier or receiver?

Everything is built in. The primary speaker holds the amplifiers, HDMI switching, streaming, the phono preamp and Dirac Live. You add sources and, if you like, a subwoofer.

Can the second speaker be wireless?

Yes. Klipsch gives you the choice: the included cable carries 96 kHz audio, or the wireless link carries 48 kHz with no wire across the room.

What is Dirac Live?

Room-correction software. You plug in the supplied microphone, the app measures the room from the listening seat, and Dirac corrects the response the room adds. Klipsch includes a limited Dirac license with the Nines II.

What are the XLR inputs for?

Balanced sources such as an audio interface, a mixer or a preamplifier with XLR outputs. The combo jacks also take quarter-inch TRS plugs.

Do they decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?

Yes, over HDMI eARC from the TV or through the HDMI input, with virtual height channels from two speakers. The HDMI 2.1 pass-through carries 8K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, VRR and ALLM for gaming.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Not for music. Klipsch quotes 31 Hz within 3 dB from the pair, which is deeper than most subwoofer-less systems reach. For film in a large room, the RCA output takes any powered sub.

See It in Action

Klipsch introduces the Fives II, Sevens II and Nines II at CES 2026:

Techno Dad walks through the Series II powered speakers at CES 2026:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about powered speakers, connecting a TV or turntable, or when to add a subwoofer? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.