Wireless and Bluetooth speakers have exploded in popularity in recent years. With the rise of music and video streaming services and an increased focus on high-quality audio experiences at home, determining where to start your search for the perfect speaker system can be a daunting task. Should you opt for the latest sleek, app-connected models or trust in the legacy of classic audio brands? The choice between Sonos and Klipsch speaker systems crystallizes this decision.
Sonos represents the new guard of wireless streaming speakers built for the music listening habits of today. Klipsch is an old-school audio legend still producing its vintage horn-loaded flagship model over 70 years after its debut. Both companies produce fantastic sound equipment, but they have fundamental differences in their product design philosophies.
This guide will compare Sonos and Klipsch speaker systems in a variety of categories – history, sound quality, features, aesthetics, and overall usability. Whether you‘re outfitting your first apartment or upgrading the home theater you‘ve refined over decades, you‘re sure to find the right audio solution for your needs and budget ahead.
Brief Histories of Sonos and Klipsch
Before pitting them head-to-head, let‘s first look back at the origins of these two speaker industry innovators. Understanding their roots provides great insight into their current product lines and design priorities today.
The Sonos Startup Story
Sonos began under the name Rincon Audio in Santa Barbara, California in 2002, founded by John MacFarlane, Craig Shelburne, Tom Cullen, and Trung Mai. The name "Sonos" comes from the Greek word for sound.
The founding team had experience in the world of wireless networks and set out to revolutionize home audio by liberating it from wires. This was bold vision at the time – years before the streaming era – and the company actually had to develop much of the underlying multi-room streaming technology themselves early on.
After previewing their wireless hi-fi prototype at industry events and rebranding as Sonos in 2005, they finally brought their first product – the ZP100 amplifier – to market. Adoption was admittedly slow at first as consumers were accustomed to traditional wired setups, and streaming was still in its infancy pre-Spotify.
But by the early 2010s, Sonos was perfectly positioned to ride the tidal wave of streaming music and mobile device growth. They leaned into streaming partnerships and app control to help define the connected, WiFi-based multi-room audio category. Revenue soared from $68M in 2011 to $1.3B by 2018. Voice assistant integrations and evolutions of the original lineup with speakers, soundbars and subwoofers bolstered success through the late 2010s.
The Klipsch Heritage
In contrast to the Silicon Valley startup culture from which Sonos emerged, the Klipsch brand is rooted in American high fidelity‘s Golden Age. Founder Paul W. Klipsch was an audio industry pioneer who established Klipsch and Associates in Hope, Arkansas in 1946. He invented the corner-hugging Klipschorn fully enclosed loudspeaker that same year.
The Klipschorn‘s instantly recognizable scalloped corners and wood veneer establish Klipsch as a traditional high-end audio aesthetic touchstone alongside brands like McIntosh. The Klipschorn name itself nods to its integrated horn-loaded technology. Its patented, folded horn design naturally amplifies and projects audio, so much so that Klipsch labeled their quality horn speakers "The Only Non Electronic High Fidelity".
While the iconic Klipschorn remains in production, Klipsch has expanded far beyond its initial namesake flagship. Through the 1990s and 2000s Klipsch evolved to produce bookshelf speakers, home theater systems, architectural and portable designs. They joined the consumer electronics conglomerate Voxx International in 2011, two years after the death of Paul W. Klipsch.
Today Klipsch maintains its credentials as a top-shelf audiophile legacy brand while also marketing more affordable home theater and Bluetooth speaker options. The common denominator across its diverse catalog is adherence to founder Paul W. Klipsch’s strict acoustic principles and the “Klipsch sound” maximizing efficiency, dynamics and power handling.
Sonos and Klipsch Product Lineup Comparison
With background context established, let‘s directly compare current Sonos and Klipsch product offerings. The two companies couldn‘t look more different on paper given their divergent histories.
| Sonos | Klipsch | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 | 1946 |
| Best Known For | Wireless multiroom streaming speakers | Horn-loaded home theater speakers |
| Flagship Product | Sonos Five | Klipschorn |
| Product Portfolio | Speakers, subwoofers, soundbars. Very streamlined, consistent design language | Massive catalog – speakers, subs, soundbars, headphones, home audio components, portable Bluetooth, architectural, pro gear and more. Diverse mix of new and heritage products. |
| Pricing | Premium | Good mix of high-end gear plus affordable home theater and Bluetooth options |
Contrasts couldn‘t be more apparent – Sonos delivering a tight ecosystem of streaming-tailored products versus Klipsch covering the full gamut. Both companies sell quality equipment, but Sonos exudes laser focus while Klipsch offers options for days.
Which approach is right comes down to the consumer. Those desiring simplicity and consistency will be drawn to Sonos‘ limited by cohesive lineup. Audiophile hobbyists will appreciate Klipsch‘s versatility – and likely own headphones, surround processors and speakers for different applications from the brand.
Both also prove you don‘t have to sacrifice performance for convenience or vice versa. Sonos‘ fidelity shines considering speakers‘ compact, lifestyle-friendly designs. Conversely Klipsch squeezes big theater sound from speakers half competitors‘ size by taking advantage of its efficient horn-based acoustics.
Sound Quality Comparison
At the end of the day, premium speakers live and die by sound quality. In this department, both companies stand on excellent reputations built over years. Sonos established itself as a top name in wireless streaming audio. Klipsch persists as a hallmark of American high fidelity craftsmanship.
But which will ultimately sound better for listeners? The answer is…it depends!
Sonos and Klipsch each excel at their respective goals. Sonos provides clean, rich, balanced sound well-suited to background listening. Their small wireless designs lack bass impact compared to larger speakers, but convenient features compensate to satisfy most casual listeners.
Klipsch unabashedly pursues dynamic, lively sound taking advantage of their proprietary horn-based efficiencies. This "Klipsch sound" pops with detail and punchy impact tailor-made for home theater. Their speakers sound thrilling at loud volumes. However, their bright signature isn‘t for those who prefer subtler systems.
Ultimately Sonos caters to convenience-minded lifestyle audio consumers, Klipsch hardcore home theater fans seeking visceral experiences. Neither style makes for an outright "better" system – judgments ultimately come down to user priorities and room setup. Those wanting speakers to seamlessly fade into their environment will likely favor Sonos. Video enthusiasts or music aficionados wanting to feel each effect and note front-and-center will be blown away by Klipsch.
Key Features and Usability
Beyond acoustics, functionality plays a huge role in dictating user experiences living with speakers every day. This is another area where philosophies drastically diverge between Sonos and Klipsch.
The Sonos ecosystem revolves around simplicity and connectivity above all. Setup directly through the intuitive Sonos app couldn‘t be easier. Controlling streaming sources, services, voice assistants, EQ settings and more is centralized and straightforward. Trueplay tuning even uses iPhone microphones to automatically calibrate audio to any environment.
Klipsch leaves much configuration in users‘ hands. Those opting for full-blown home theater 5.1 systems face lots of wires, placement planning for surround channels and intimidating AV receivers. However added complexity grants customization for discerning ears. Also, their pared-back portable Bluetooth models focus on fuss-free operation for casual listening.
In terms of device connectivity, Sonos again leads user-friendliness. Their speakers directly integrate 100+ streaming services with consistent quality and control. Support for AirPlay, Spotify Connect and assistants like Alexa and Google means you‘ll never struggle sending audio from phones, tablets and apps. Just connect to the Sonos network. Klipsch relies more on traditional wired inputs or patchy Bluetooth, though newer bars include HDMI.
Room Setup Flexibility
Physical setup is another crucial buyer consideration. Sonos engineered their speakers to slip easily into homes and compliment living spaces. Compact sizes, neutral palettes with black/white finishes and flexible mounting accommodate any room. Even their soundbars ditch chunky footprints.
Klipsch performance often requires specific placement and dedication of space. Their high-output Reference Premiere home theater speakers demand breathing room from walls and separation between channels for ideal imaging. Trade-off for massive output. Their Synergy Black Label series offers more flexibility for apartments with bookshelf speaker packages including wall mounts.
Regarding expansions, Sonos multiroom kits exist to blanket homes in sound. Buy once into their wireless system then keep adding compatible speakers. Costs add up fast but the convenience pays dividends. Only newer Klipsch speakers feature proprietary multiroom audio though, and meshing components gets complicated. Sonos‘ maturity gives them the edge for homeowners wanting whole-house audio integration.
Design and Aesthetics
Obviously visual appeal matters for living room speakers seen daily. This further illustrates philosophical gaps between the two brands. In a nutshell – Sonos embraces subtle, modern minimalism while Klipsch woos more traditional audiophiles.
Sonos form factors mirror Apple’s, prioritizing crisp lines and geometric shapes with matte and gloss finished plastics. Their understated appearance adapts into both contemporary lofts and farmhouse rustic decors effortlessly. Units like the Sonos One seem carved from stone with intricate precision.
Alternatively Klipsch makes few stylistic concessions on speakers meant to showcase audiophile engineering, like proud muscle cars flaunting engines through transparent hoods. The iconic copper Cerametallic woofers join real wood veneer cabinets and vintage grilles galore. Subtly certainly isn‘t their specialty. But the old-school look attracts listeners wanting Vandersteen-level aesthetics from more affordable gear.
Homeowners torn between classy minimalism and retro flare have their preference dictated! Just remember performance still comes first from both makes. Even Sonos‘ reservations about bold designs for acoustic reasons. Visual taste splits these options.
Voice Assistant Support
One final differentiator – voice control. Again Sonos‘ investment in contemporary convenience puts them ahead. Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri allow nearly hands-free operation through supporting Sonos speakers. Just issue vocal commands to request songs, adjust volumes, skip tracks or switch rooms.
By comparison, Klipsch seems late embracing assistants. Some models boast Alexa control but implementation remains inconsistent. Hands-free support isnt found across products like Sonos. However to be determined whether they invest resources competing more in the space or stay classic hi-fi.
We’ve covered plenty of differences across all elements of Sonos and Klipsch – their histories, products strengths and weaknesses, audio performance and home decor. With that context, who claims victory in the Sonos vs Klipsch debate?
Good: Sonos for Connected Convenience Seekers
Sonos delivers practically perfect streaming speakers to the right buyers. Casual listeners wanting room-filling, app-connected sound supporting endless music libraries can’t do better. Setup, expansions and whole-home audio all integrate brilliantly. Support for music services trounces competitors. Voice assistant access boosts versatility further. Sonos packages the modern listening lifestyle complete for an inviting price.
But beware downsides. Those wanting thunderous home theater beaming movie effects off walls should look towards serious surround systems. Even the biggest Sonos subs and soundbars sound anemic pushing blockbuster soundtracks at reference levels. And audiophiles will always question true hi-fi from such compact plastic designs. But Sonos speaks to enjoyable, everyday streaming better than any rival ecosystem.
Good: Klipsch for Home Theater Purists
Alternatively Klipsch brings musicality and muscularity home theaters demand. Their horn-loaded speakers and subs effortlessly rattle walls, no massive component requirements necessary. Even entry-level Reference series packs brutish punch making action flicks truly shake rooms. And efficiency translates from theater setups to their portable models pumping headphones to shame.
Just don‘t expect Sonos-like simplicity from Klipsch‘s surround components and receivers. Substantial know-how helps optimizing their speakers properly. Slimmer next-gen models help moderately, but approachable lifestyles integrate better elsewhere. And streaming support only recently became priority. But discerning home theater fans get power worthy systems rivaling full-scale commercial cinemas from Klipsch.
Best: Pairing Both Worlds For Balance
Realistically, combination systems bridge benefits of both brands for avid entertainers. Distribute streaming Sonos components like Ones and Fives for background music across homes. Then build a full-fledged Klipsch 5.1 or 7.1 theater as a powerhouse central entertainment sanctuary.
With this approach, instantly bounce between room-filling party ambiance or earth-rumbling immersion on command. Neither individual brand achieves this balance alone. But together, Sonos and Klipsch form an audio empire achieving both lifestyle convenience and performance potency.
Sonos and Klipsch undeniably dominate their respective audio fields – connected streaming versus high-fidelity home theaters. Both smash stereotypes proving audiophile excellence needn‘t demand cumbersome traditional setups anymore. And they‘ll both dramatically elevate listeners above mainstream tech‘s mediocrity.
Their diverging priorities cater to different buyers, though. Choose Sonos for simplicity with premium wireless sound. Choose Klipsch for customization power suiting dedicated spaces. Alternatively combine both brands across homes benefiting their complementary strengths. Not only do Sonos vs Klipsch comparisons highlight elite modern options elevating expectations, they ultimately help guide personalized audio bliss awaiting any listener‘s pursuit.
