Klipsch Goes Wireless

New wireless whole-house system delivers company’s signature high-performance sound

There is a problem that many music and home theater fans share: where to put all those wires. Unless you are building a brand new house, running wires throughout your dwelling is a nightmare, so most music and home theater enjoyment is usually confined to one room in your house. In response, Klipsch is launching a high-end multi-room product series that can wirelessly stream high-performance sound throughout your home.

The new KlipschCast family lets you “build” a superior multi-room audio system for music and movies without having to wire, cut holes or tear up your house in any way.

Two products that Klipsch wowed the critics with at the giant CES Convention in January are the Klipsch RoomGroove Music Center and the 2007 CES Innovations Award winning CS-700 DVD Entertainment System.

The CS-700 DVD Entertainment System is a 2.1 virtual surround sound system with a wireless subwoofer. Incorporating 60 years of class-leading research and development, this compact package is designed to deliver the most powerful, most lifelike, virtual surround sound performance on the market.

Additionally, the CS-700 serves as a hub for wirelessly transmitting CD-quality audio to other KlipschCast products such as the new RoomGroove Music Center. Sold separately, the RoomGroove requires no wiring and even includes a retractable iPod dock.

“With unmatched wireless competency and dynamic sound performance, our KlipschCast products fill the market gap for a high-quality multi-room audio system that’s easy to install and simple to operate,” Mike Klipsch, president of Klipsch told me during the convention. “This platform allows users to easily expand their sound from room-to-room without being tripped up or tied down.”

Alone, each product is designed to be a top performer in its own category, but together the CS-700 and one or more RoomGroove units really deliver the full-capability of the system – wirelessly sending CD-quality music, TV or movie sound all over the house.

What is KlipschCast?
Simply, through KlipschCast Technology, the CS-700 sends a wireless CD-quality audio signal to one or more RoomGroove systems. This signal can be the same one playing on the CS-700 or something entirely different: The CS-700 is capable of playing up to two separate sources at the same time. For example, the CS-700 can play a DVD movie in your living room, while the RoomGroove broadcasts the CS-700’s AM/FM tuner in the kitchen.

The RoomGroove can also play music locally utilizing its retractable iPod dock, or through its auxiliary input for other MP3 players. Since the RoomGroove is a transceiver, it can transmit as well as receive, allowing it to send this MP3 music signal to other RoomGroove units throughout your house. The robust 2.4 GHz wireless technology found in these products offers unlimited add-on opportunities.

CS-700 DVD Entertainment System
This unobtrusive entertainment system uses digital processing circuitry to simulate the effect of a larger, five-speaker system with only two satellites, a subwoofer and an A/V center.

Each satellite employs dual magnetically shielded 3-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch magnetically shielded tweeter mated to an exclusive Tractrix Horn, a design that delivers genuine lifelike sound as well as producing more output using less energy. Klipsch is the only speaker manufacturer to utilize horn technology in all of its product lines. Klipsch knows horn technology better that any speaker manufacturer and it shows in Klipsch’s extensive and very popular product line. In fact, the same cutting-edge research that drives the development of the company’s leading movie cinema speakers appears in the CS-700.

The subwoofer utilizes an 8-inch down-firing woofer and 200 watts of amplifier power to generate hard-hitting bass response. Due to its compact size and wireless capability, this subwoofer can easily be discretely hidden away while still delivering dramatic low-end effects.

The A/V center features Dolby Virtual Speaker technology along with a progressive scan DVD player, AM/FM tuner and three auxiliary inputs, including High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). The CS-700 also features an HDMI output for passing digital signals to a TV. An easy-to-use universal IR remote control directs all system functions as well as those of the TV and other entertainment devices.

Available in a modern black finish, this system offers a clean design that fits comfortably into any living environment. Essentially plug-and-play, the CS-700 can be operating in as little as 10 minutes. All you have to do is hook the satellites and TV up to the A/V center using the provided color-coded wiring and then plug in the A/V center's power cord. In terms of the system's subwoofer, all you have to do is plug its power cord into the wall as no other connections are needed. A step-by-step setup guide is included to walk you through the process.

RoomGroove Music Center
A true two-way design, this music system utilizes dual 2.5-inch high-output woofers in a ported enclosure, premium crossover networks and dual MicroTractrix Horn-loaded tweeters.

While the RoomGroove’s hidden dock accepts and charges all iPods with 30-pin connectors, it also comes with Apple universal well inserts to accommodate multiple iPod sizes. The dock opens and closes via the Klipsch logo touch sensor that’s located on the front of the unit. The RoomGroove is also compatible with other MP3 players via an auxiliary input.

Available in a black finish, the RoomGroove is ready to perform as soon as you plug it in and dock an iPod. Additionally, its shallow enclosure depth allows for low-profile wall mounting using the available hardware. A simple IR remote control lets you select different KlipschCast sources.

Price and Availability
Both the CS-700 and RoomGroove will become commercially available in January 2008. The CS-700 carries a $1,299.99 price tag, while the RoomGroove will cost $349. A three-room KlipschCast system featuring a CS-700 and two RoomGrooves will retail for just under $2,000.

About Klipsch Audio Technologies and the “Legend of Klipsch”
Klipsch Audio is a legend and a legacy. The company was established in 1946 by Paul W. Klipsch, himself now a legend in the audio industry. After Paul’s death, Fred S. Klipsch and Judy L. Klipsch grew the brand into what is now a leading global manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers and other entertainment products for consumers and professionals alike. The company maintains large R&D and manufacturing operations around the world. For more information on the Klipsch Legend, the CS-700, and the RoomGroove, check out www.klipsch.com

John Lentz