Jordan O'BrienKlipsch revealed several new product categories at CEDIA 2016, including a line of durable and dynamic landscape speakers which can be powered by two new models of Klipsch DSP amplifiers. The recently announced Klipsch Stream Wireless Multi-Room Audio was also demonstrated at the show in an attempt to highlight the integration potential for custom installers.
“Our team has crafted a new line of products that illustrate the creativity and influence Klipsch has on the consumer electronics market,” says Klipsch CEO, Paul Jacobs.
“As we celebrate 70 years, we are able to look back on where our company has come from and prepare to wow the industry in the same way our founder Paul W. Klipsch did in 1946.”
New Professional, Custom Install, Landscape Speakers, and DSP Amplifiers
The new Landscape series offers custom installers the ability to select between low impedance and 70v/100v installations, while custom, wide dispersion Tractrix horn loaded tweeters offer dynamic sound in a landscape format. Two burial subwoofers will also be introduced, promising to provide clean, musical low frequencies with a minimal footprint.
Klipsch also unveiled two DSP amplifiers, the KDA-500 and KDA-1000, at CEDIA 2016.
“The intersection of Klipsch’s performance with outdoor entertainment spaces is long overdue,” notes Rob Standley, vice president and GM of professional and component audio systems at Klipsch.
“We are very proud to be launching this alongside our new digital amplifiers that prove the best performance can be fast and easy.”
Two new shallow depth custom installation models will also be introduced, allowing installers options when working with minimal space.
New Klipsch Stream Wireless Multi-Room Audio System
The Klipsch Stream Wireless Multi-Room Audio series is an ecosystem of six new high-performance products including sound bars, wireless speakers, legacy audio converters and an amplifier that will all feature DTS Play-Fi whole-home technology. The Klipsch Gate will allow virtually any existing audio product to become a part of the Klipsch Stream ecosystem, while the Powergate serves as a fully functioning integrated amplifier, with built in USB DAC, Bluetooth, phono preamp, sub out, and 100W per channel. The product line-up is controlled by the Klipsch Stream App, which will be available for download on iOS and Android platforms at launch.
“The goal for our wireless ecosystem was to create high quality products with premium materials that match the décor of any room in your home,” says Steve Jain, vice president and general manager of digital, streaming and portable audio solutions.
“Too many products today are plastic wrapped boxes and we feel it is important to create products using materials such as real wood, metal, copper and leather.”
The Klipsch Stream Wireless Multi-Room Audio system can support a max of up to 8 sources to 16 zones via Wi-Fi and supports wired Ethernet connectivity as an alternative on select products. Custom installers can integrate all Klipsch Stream products with third party home automation systems using media servers from Fusion Research and Autonomic.
The line includes two sound bars – RSB-14 and RSB-8, Heritage Wireless tabletop stereo system – The Three, wireless speaker – RW-1, Gate, and Powergate.
New Sound Bars with HDMI 2.0 and 4K Ultra HD Compatibility
Four new Reference sound bars – the RSB-14, RSB-11, RSB-8, and RSB-6 – were introduced at the show, each featuring HDMI 2.0 and the ability to pass through 4K Ultra HD video. The RSB-14 and RSB-8 are in the Klipsch Stream Wireless Multi-Room Audio series, boasting DTS Play-Fi technology for multi-room use. Klipsch also partnered with URC and RTI to make integration easy with their control systems via their respective programming code databases. Additionally, dealers can find the IR HEX codes for the sound bars available for download on the Klipsch dealer portal.