Klipsch and Sonance are two renowned and well respected brands in the audio industry that produces high quality speakers, soundbars, headphones, and subwoofers.
In this article, we will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at sound quality, durability, price and so on. Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points, however we will compare them as closely as we can.
Sonance is known for its high-quality home theater systems and audio equipment, while Klipsch is a well-regarded brand in the audio industry known for its high-quality speakers and home theater systems.
Pros and Cons of Sonos:
- Pros: Sonos is known for producing high-quality, easy-to-use wireless audio systems that can be easily integrated into a home network. Many of their products have good sound quality and are easy to set up.
- Cons: Over the years, many users have complained about Sonos as it relates to connectivity and in some cases, even reliability. In addition, their products can be relatively expensive.
Pros and Cons of Klipsch:
- Pros: Known for producing high-quality speakers and headphones with excellent sound quality and strong bass response. Many of their products are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and can be a good fit for a home theater setup.
- Cons: Some of their products can be expensive.
Quick History
Klipsch Quick History
Klipsch Audio Technologies (also known as Klipsch Speakers or Klipsch Group, Inc.) is an American loudspeaker manufacturing company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company was founded in Hope, Arkansas, in 1946 by Paul W. Klipsch. Klipsch audio also makes loudspeaker drivers and enclosures, as well as complete loudspeakers for high-end, high-fidelity sound systems, public address systems, and personal computers.
It has expanded a lot and has undergone a lot of changes since its establishment. Klipsch audio still manufactures some legacy speakers that have been around since the days when the genius of P.W. Klipsch made his first speakers.
Sonance Quick History
Sonance was founded in 1983 by Geoff Spencer and Scott Struthers.
Their mission was to create great-sounding speakers that needn’t be seen or noticed. Currently headquartered in San Clemente, California, Sonance has manufactured many outdoor and indoor audio devices that blend well into a building’s architecture.
Sound Quality
Klipsch Sound Quality
Klipsch speakers are well-known for the high quality, stunningly precise sound they produce, which can be matched by only a few select brands. The speakers produce crisp highs, powerful bass, and full, encompassing sound with low distortion. However, many people don’t like the Klipsch sound because it can tend to sound ‘bright’ or harsh.
Klipsch speakers use a horn tweeter (Klipschorn), which is what makes horns and brass instruments sound more realistic. They are ideal for higher frequencies, which is why Klipsch speakers are often recommended when dealing with high-frequency sounds (like movies and certain music genres). This is also why high-efficiency design is a core Klipsch design principle.
Klipschorn design, patented by the founder, Paul W. Klipsch himself, is a fully horn-loaded three-way speaker, which means that it houses three separate speaker units, each with their own diaphragm and horn in three frequency ranges: high, mid and low. Separating the frequencies in this way ensures less frequency modulation distortion. The Klipschorn design is still used in many Klipsch speakers, which explains their quality audio and energy efficiency.
Sonance Sound Quality
Sonance devices sound great irrespective of what you are using them for. Each speaker sounds great on its own, but multiple devices can be connected for stereo or surround sound effects and across multiple rooms for a full-house audio setup.
The sound output is loud and immersive, putting the listener right in the center of what is being played. The SonARC room correction function adjusts the acoustics of the device to suit that of the room in which it is placed.
Features
Klipsch Features
Klipsch devices are best known for the premium sound they produce, but they also have a host of features to ensure a wholesome experience for users.
Below are some common features that Klipsch speakers are known for:
- HDMI-eARC connectivity: Single Cable, Single Remote
- Dolby Atmos Decoding for immersive surround sound, stereo multiple channel systems
- 8K Video Pass-Through
- Dialogue enhancement mode for crystal clear voices
- Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, HDMI, USB Audio, and Analog/AUX and optical audio input connectivity
- Built-in universal wifi for existing Smart Home ecosystems- featuring Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Spotify Connect
- Klipsch Connect and Klipsch stream are two apps that can be used with your speakers. There are a lot of features included in the apps apart from controlling your Klipsch sound system. They are available for both iOS and Android.
- Efficiency and low power consumption: Due to the company’s use of horn-loaded speakers, they are able to manufacture speakers with high sensitivity (efficiency). It also makes the speakers consume less power compared to similarly performing speakers.
Sonance Features
Here are some features you can expect to find on your Sonance device.
- SonARC room correction
- Equalizer and Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
- SonARC App and remote control support
- Wide range of input and output options
- Full stereo and surround sound system
Build Quality
Klipsch Build Quality
High-efficiency design is a core Klipsch design principle, and this is evident in all their products. Klipsch devices are very popular for the quality and sturdy materials that are used in their construction. This gives their products excellent performance and remarkable durability.
The materials used in construction, such as wood, cerametallic material or plastic, are carefully selected for their acoustic, aesthetic and durability properties.
Sonance Build Quality
Sonance devices are constructed using very durable materials due to the rough use some of them can be subjected to, especially the outdoor models.
They feature a bezel-less grille that blends well into surrounding walls or ceilings. The body is constructed from sturdy and well-braced aluminum to eliminate unwanted vibrations. Some models are fire, dust, and water resistant.
Ease of Use
Klipsch Ease Of Use
Klipsch devices are very easy to set up and use. With a wide range of ports for easy connectivity, such as the HDMI Arc port, setting up is as easy as plugging in and playing. Remote control support and iOS and Android apps also make it much easier to use your Klipsch devices.
Sonance Ease Of Use
Sonance devices can be easily installed into existing spaces and connected to your previous home audio system. They are usually remote-controlled to keep the number of controls to a minimum.
Cost
Klipsch Cost
Because of the materials used in Klipsch speakers, they tend to have premium prices, such as the RP-8000F floorstanding speaker, which costs from $800 to $1000 apiece. But they deliver much more than what you pay for. If you really care about the quality of the sound and the durability of your speaker, it is easy to overlook the cost.
There are also a few Klipsch product lines that do not cost as much (the Klipsch Reference RSB-3 home cinema speaker costs from $150 to $300, while a Klipsch Reference On-Ear headphone costs from $99 to $200), but sometimes this results in lesser than premium sound quality.
Sonance Cost
Sonance has both cheap and high-end devices to fit various consumer needs. Below are the price ranges for some Sonance devices.
Speakers: $200 – $4000
Amplifiers: $900 – $4900
Subwoofers: $3200 – $5300
Space Requirements
Klipsch Space Requirements
Klipsch speakers have a wide range of sizes, and therefore require different amounts of space for effective operation. For example, there are portable PC speakers that can be easily placed on a desk while there are large cinematic models that require much more space.
Sonance Space Requirements
Sonance devices vary widely in size, ranging from petite in-ceiling speakers to large outdoor loudspeakers. The R1 in-wall speakers measure 225 mm x 553 mm (WH) and weigh 19lbs. The smaller 142mm x 225mm VP48 weighs just 6lbs.
Remote Controls
Klipsch Remote Controls
Klipsch supports some universal remote controllers as well as custom-made Klipsch remotes. This brings additional functionality to your devices.
Klipsch also has apps for both iOS and Android that can be used to control your Klipsch sound system remotely. The apps also allow for the use of voice assistants like Google Assistant, Spotify Connect, and Amazon Alexa, which respond to simple voice commands. Klips stream allows you to stream directly from music platforms such as Spotify and Amazon Music.
Sonance Remote Controls
Some Sonance devices come with infrared remote controllers that can be used to operate your device’s basic functions. The SonARC app offers more control options and flexibility.
Connectivity Options
Klipsch Connectivity Options
Klipsch devices have several connectivity options including both wired and wireless choices. These include Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, HDMI, USB Audio and Analog/AUX, and so on.
This allows you to connect your Klipsch speaker to a lot of different devices such as phones, personal computer, TV or used as part of a system of other speakers. The support for voice assistants also allows quick WiFi connection for several different speakers.
Sonance Connectivity Options
Sonance devices have several connectivity options available, whether you prefer wired or wireless options. These include Bluetooth, USB, WiFi, and several other options.
Power Range
Klipsch Power Range
Klipsch speakers consume much less power compared to other speakers of the same performance range. This is largely due to the horn tweeter that is used in their speakers, which reduces the need for a high-powered amplifier to boost the sound produced. 1 Watt RMS produces a 105 decibel at 1 meter sound pressure level (SPL), which is about 14–20 decibels higher than ordinary speakers.
The power range is different for each of the various Klipsch devices, so it is advisable to check the information included in the user manual.
Sonance Power Range
Sonance devices are quite loud, but the power output can still be improved using amplifiers. The Sonance VP48 has a maximum power of 100W compared to the Sonance DSP amplifier which peaks at 200W. Most of their devices are typically in the 5W to 400W range.
Frequency Response
Klipsch Frequency Response
Klipsch speakers have very pleasing and natural frequency responses. The speakers all have frequency ranges that all lie within the recommended frequencies to produce full and natural sound.
Due to the diversity of devices produced by Klipsch, there is a wide range of frequencies ranging from about 30Hz to 15KHz. The information about the frequency response of a particular device can be obtained from the user manual.
Sonance Frequency Response
The frequency response ranges for Sonance devices are wide enough for maximum audio enjoyment. The VP42 in-wall speaker has a frequency response range from 60Hz – 20KHz. Most Sonance devices lie within the ranges of 5Hz to 50KHz which is pretty impressive.
Conclusion
Klipsch has been in the speaker component manufacturing business for over seventy years and they have the experience to make great sounding speakers as shown in their array of quality devices. If premium quality sound is what you want, Klipsch speakers are great options to try out. Sonance is a brand for those who want excellent performance but do not want to alter the look of their home layout. There’s also a wide range of prices to choose from.
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