Overview

Klipsch, one of the first U.S. loudspeaker companies, has been building premium speakers since 1946. When Paul W. Klipsch, one of America’s most celebrated audio pioneers and Engineering and Science Hall of Fame inductee—founded Klipsch & Associates, he was hand-building every speaker inside a tin shed in Hope, Arkansas.

Paul Klipsch was a relentless perfectionist who spearheaded the Hi-Fi movement with the company’s foundation product: the Klipschorn (still manufactured today). A true music lover, Paul’s ultimate goal was to reproduce the excitement of a live orchestra performance in his living room.

He achieved his objective by making the Klipschorn a fully horn-loaded design—technology that established industry standards for high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, low distortion, smooth frequency response and powerful bass. As a result, horn loading has—and always will be—the driving force behind the Klipsch brand’s highly efficient, stunningly precise sound.

Fred S. Klipsch and his wife, Judy, purchased Klipsch & Associates from Paul in 1989, moving business operations to their hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, while continuing manufacturing and distribution in Hope. Fred’s decision to purchase the company almost seemed like destiny.

In the mid-1980s, Fred Klipsch saw a loudspeaker advertisement in a magazine that bore a familiar name—his. He tore out the Klipsch & Associates ad and carried it around with him for three years before calling the company’s founder. Although they had never met, Fred and Paul Klipsch discovered they were cousins and, without an heir, Paul began talking about a way to keep his privately held company in the family. From there, Fred and Judy would spend the next two decades transforming the humble company into a highly regarded global brand and technology powerhouse, while keeping Paul Klipsch’s legacy alive.

In 2011, Klipsch Group, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of VOXX Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX). As one of the first U.S. loudspeaker companies, Klipsch continues to be the high-performance brand of choice for audiophiles and home theater aficionados around the world. Everything Klipsch does today and 100 years from now will reflect Paul’s no-compromise spirit and the brand’s commitment to delivering the world’s most powerful, detailed and emotional sound reproduction.

Science Behind the Klipsch Sound 

Paul Klipsch believed four principles to be the foundation for great sound. They continue to drive the design of every new Klipsch speaker, today and tomorrow:

• High Efficiency:  Klipsch utilizes horn-loaded technology in each of its speaker categories, minus headphones, because the horn shape results in accurate and dynamic sound transmission.
• Low Distortion:  Klipsch horn technology reproduces the softest sounds with remarkable clarity and detail and the loudest sounds with no harshness or distortion.
• Controlled Directivity:  Klipsch horn technology assists in accurately directing sound, which, in turn, creates a more lifelike soundstage.
• Flat Frequency Response:  We believe in delivering sound just as directors and musicians intend. Therefore, our stunningly accurate speakers offer no unnatural highs, mids or lows.

A Greener Approach to High-Performance Sound 

One of the ways that Klipsch helps preserve environmental resources is through electromagnetic efficiency. Klipsch speakers are among the most efficient converters of electrical power into great sound on the planet. While average home speakers require 1 watt of audio power in order to produce 85 to 88dB sound levels, Klipsch speakers can produce 3 to 6dB more sound output using that same 1 watt. A 3 to 15dB range is more typical if you include the company’s founding product, the Klipschorn®. If you consider only a 6dB difference, that reduces amplifier power needs by a factor of four, cutting amplifier electricity utilization by 75 percent and ultimately helping save the environment.

Klipsch products are also RoHS (reduction of hazardous substances) compliant, meaning they do NOT contain substances that have been found harmful to humans and the environment. We’ve also made energy improvements to our production plants, using more efficient heat sources and insulation. 

Exclusive Klipsch Technologies

• Tractrix® Horns have always been the driving force behind Klipsch’s stunningly precise acoustics. Featured in every Klipsch speaker category, except for headphones, this proprietary technology provides a unique combination of precision, clarity and effortless power.

• The XT Tractrix® Horn delivers a wider dispersion pattern—80 x 80 degrees—than a traditional Tractrix Horn. It is a technology that allows our slim speakers to deliver a wider sound field, while also providing more latitude in placement.  

• A scaled down version of Tractrix® Horn technology, Klipsch MicroTractrix Horns allow the company’s compact satellites, iPod solutions and computer speakers to deliver the same dynamic, unmatched sound transmission as the larger models.

• A signature feature on the Reference Series speakers, Klipsch’s Cerametallic woofers exhibit a very high stiffness-to-mass ratio and superb damping, resulting in a powerful, solid bass foundation.   

• Exclusive Tapered Array technology, featured on all Klipsch center channel speakers, takes the home theater experience to the next level by uncovering every word, whisper and sigh.

• As the cornerstone of every Klipsch surround speaker, proprietary Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST) provides astounding sonic detail for rooms with less-than-ideal placement configurations.  

• Featured on Klipsch Reference Series subwoofers, exclusive Digitally Controlled Subwoofer technology (DCS) allows home theater fans and music lovers to easily customize the level of bass performance that goes into their entertainment experiences.

• Klipsch’s patented oval ear tips for headphones and headsets are anatomically shaped to accurately fit inside the human ear canal. These soft, oval silicon tips reduce ear fatigue and provide excellent noise isolation for superior audio performance.

World-Class Operations 

Klipsch’s worldwide headquarters building in Indianapolis, Indiana features a state-of-the-art audio research and development facility. The Klipsch Engineering and Technology Center is one of the most advanced audio facilities in the U.S. It boasts two anechoic chambers (echo-free rooms), digital electronics workstations, a full-featured transducer lab, an engineering model shop and an industrial design lab.

Worldwide Distribution 

The Klipsch Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, oversees business operations for the Klipsch®, Jamo®, Mirage® and Energy® speaker brands and distribution companies worldwide. This technology powerhouse is focused on leveraging its highly acclaimed product lines to offer a unique and powerful single supply source for its retailers, distributors and contractors globally.

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