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 “yes.” In normal, larger 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 drive 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. Like the Fives, The Sevens allow you to breezily join every little thing 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, in fact. Not solely are the Sevens a tighter match than The Fives for small and medium-size rooms, additionally they scale up pricing by a number of hundred {dollars}. And in distinction to opponents like KEF’s LSX II (9/10, WIRED Recommends) and SVS’ Prime Wireless Pro, 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. While I received’t say The Sevens show that going larger is inherently higher, they do serve up extra cinematic spectacle than almost any smaller powered audio system I’ve tried. While 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 Style

From an aesthetic standpoint, the one factor extra notable than The Sevens’ measurement is their attractive design. Pulling them from the field looks 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 can’t escape the sheer scale of The Sevens in smaller rooms. It’s not that they’re all that large for audio system generally—even small tower audio system simply dwarf them—they’re simply large for this type of speaker. Without the screens, their 6.5-inch woofers and … tweeters put out critical muscle-car vibes. My spouse’s first response was blunt: “These things are ridiculous.” Even a fellow WIRED speaker-head was stunned to seek out they had been the smaller of Klipsch’s new powered fashions, exclaiming “Those are The Sevens?!”

But snapping on the covers provides simply the correct layer of magnificence, they usually’re unquestionably lovely, from their tactile silver controls to their matte paneling. They’ll additionally look much less intimidating in bigger rooms, particularly for those who’ve acquired a grand-size TV and console (ideally with matching ’70s veneer).

Modern Setup

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 just about all powered audio system, a single energetic speaker comprises {the electrical} guts and inputs, whereas a passive one receives sound from its neighbor.