STEREO GUIDE verdict
The Klipsch The One Plus is aimed at the small, select circle of retro Bluetooth speakers. It is even technically very modern with a USB-C socket for connecting PCs. In terms of sound, it delivers natural voice reproduction.
Advantages
- balanced sound, natural and beautiful voices
- Can be used as an external PC sound card via USB
- App with EQ
Disadvantages
- Bass not powerful enough for large rooms
- Hardly any spatial imaging
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Sound: tonal balance / transparency8.3
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Sound: Bass / Dynamics8
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Ease-of-use / connectivity8.9
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Price/Performance9.2
Cabinet-sized horn loudspeakers and small, cute design speakers for the home – the traditional manufacturer Klipsch is attempting quite a balancing act. No wonder that the manufacturer’s smart, compact products are always measured by the sound merits of the XXL speakers. After the recently reviewed Klipsch The Three Plus, the Americans are now following up with a smaller version, the Klipsch The One Plus. It has the identical, beautifully crafted “mid-century design” with a wooden surface and felt covering, but fits even more compactly and unobtrusively into the living room. In particular, the reduced height and depth of 15 centimeters each make it appear much less conspicuous.
Unfortunately, two of the killer arguments for the Klipsch The Three Plus are missing: the optical digital input and the phono amplifier. Otherwise, the little one has all the connectivity and operating features of the big one. Including the practical USB-C input, the app control with EQ and the analog input.
Buy Klipsch The One Plus
Three sources for a hallelujah
The USB-C port is the trump card of the compact Klipsch. Connected to a computer, smartphone or tablet, it registers as a sound card without a driver. However, you can also insert a USB stick and play music directly from the memory, which is not really convenient.
However, the USB-C also supplies enough power for external devices. This allows you to charge your smartphone or power a small streaming bridge such as the WiiM Mini, which also opens up the wide world of streaming services to this system.
It supports Bluetooth according to the latest 5.3 standard. This is particularly good news for a stable connection. The data sheet does not promise higher resolution codecs. An analog AUX-in with a small 3.5 mm jack plug is available as a third source, which also provides a connection option for classic hi-fi sources and televisions.
Stereo with built-in sub
A 2.1 arrangement is installed in the compact one-box system: Two broadband speakers with a diameter of 6 centimeters sit on the left and right of the front baffle. An 11 centimeter bass reproduces a mono signal in the middle. We don’t necessarily want to call this a subwoofer, but more would simply not have fitted into the 15 centimeter high housing.
On the left and right side of the enclosure, two passive diaphragms behind the felt covering provide support in the lower frequency range. The manufacturer promises a low frequency response of 55 Hz, which at least promises a decent bass.
Reinventing the wheel?
The operating concept on the device is simple: input selection button, an LED in different colors that only indicates the selected source. A volume wheel with a real retro feel – great! Bluetooth standby mode is activated intuitively by pressing and holding the button.
However, when connecting and setting up for the first time, our smartphone asked for the app. The Klipsch One Plus performed very well in the practical test. The Bluetooth connection sometimes has to be manually requested or confirmed by the source device; it did not work automatically with all devices.
Retro in look, but futuristic in technology
We have nothing but praise for the USB connectivity: from an iPhone, Windows laptop, MacBook and Android smartphone, it only took a fraction of a second. All of them immediately recognized the Klipsch as an audio output medium, assuming a fully connected USB-C cable.
The Klipsch Connect app for iOS or Android also ran smoothly, but via Bluetooth. Sometimes it took her a few seconds to connect. This can take some getting used to, especially if you try out several EQ settings.
Since no remote control is included, we found the app’s range of functions to be just right, and adjusting the bass level – recommended for placement close to a wall, on a shelf or in small rooms – is easy using the app’s integrated 3-band equalizer. It can also be used to adjust the treble, but this was really only necessary in plushly furnished or very empty rooms.
This is how balanced the Klipsch The One Plus sounds
In the neutral position of the equalizer, the Klipsch The One Plus delivers exactly the tonality we expect from such a compact speaker. It sounds extremely natural, with vocals that are both beautiful and responsive, and can reproduce acoustic instruments as well as electronic sounds, just as you would wish.
Compared to its big brother, the rather voluminous The Three Plus, it left a few hertz of bass on the left. On the other hand, its bass seemed crisper and faster, and the timing of The One Plus was even better across the entire listening range. It delivered unbridled drive, fine dynamics and homogeneity, and all this without favoring low bass or top treble. On the contrary, his drive seemed to come more from the bass and mid-range. With electronic beats, we would have liked a little more energy in the highs, and the low bass doesn’t push as much due to the size. On the other hand, the small Klipsch achieves quite astonishing levels.
The bass adapted well to the room
The tuning proved to be a particular advantage in smaller rooms, or when the small design bar is placed directly on the wall or shelf. Where other speakers in its size class – we remember the Marshall Middleton, which was reviewed last year – sounded over-fat and boomy, a simple turn of the bass control on the Klipsch app restored perfect conditions.
The combination of naturalness, transparent mid-range and engaging dynamics could tempt many listeners to replace their stereo speakers on the desktop or under the TV with a The One Plus. This also works well in principle, but then you have to live with significant limitations in terms of spatial imaging and ambience. The small Klipsch sounds very compact, delivers hardly any stereo effect and can usually be located quite clearly as a one-box system.
Klipsch The One Plus: conclusion and alternatives
Anyone interested in the Klipsch The One Plus is likely to have higher expectations in terms of quality and design. However, the USB-C input is also a real unique selling point for anyone who wants to play music wired from a laptop, smartphone and the like.
When it comes to Bluetooth and analog sources only, there are many similarly compact, well-made all-in-one speakers. The Marshall Acton III naturally comes to mind as a retro competitor. It’s a real neck-and-neck race with the Klipsch One Plus, with a slight bass and room advantage for the Marshall. On the other hand, the Klipsch scores with more playfulness and an almost audiophile-resolution mid-range. Ultimately a matter of taste.
In a direct sound comparison with its bigger brother, The Three Plus, the small Klipsch The One Plus cuts a very good figure, especially in small rooms and close to walls. It even sounds a little more playful and direct, while the big one can come across as too basic and ponderous.
Technical specifications Klipsch The One Plus
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 300 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.8 x 15.5 x 15 cm
- Weight: 3.6 kg
- Special features: Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (smartphone, computer), USB-C (flash memory), app control with EQ
- More at: klipsch.com
