Klipsch The One II Review: Stylish Sound with Caveats
An Amazon buyer summed it up best: “Needed a desktop speaker for my office... this is a whole room speaker.” That surprise at its room‑filling capability encapsulates the experience of the Klipsch Heritage Wireless The One II Tabletop Stereo Walnut, earning it an overall user‑driven score of 8.7/10. Across platforms, praise centers on its blend of premium aesthetics and dynamic sound, while complaints home in on Bluetooth hiccups, bass heaviness, and occasional manufacturing quirks.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — excellent for style‑minded listeners who value rich mids and classic design, but less ideal if portability, pinpoint bass control, or flawless connectivity are priorities.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Elegant mid-century modern design with real wood veneer | Must be AC powered — no portability |
| Rich, room‑filling sound with clear mids and strong bass | Bass can be overpowering without EQ tweaks |
| Simple, tactile controls | Bluetooth can disconnect sporadically, esp. with iPhones |
| Turntable‑ready with phono/line input | No tone controls |
| Quick Bluetooth pairing for most devices | Reported lack of power indicator light despite manual |
| Durable build quality | Delivery delays, occasional repackaged units |
| Fits well in various home décors | Not waterproof/outdoor‑friendly |
Claims vs Reality
One of Klipsch’s core marketing points is “concert‑level sound for any room,” backed by a bi‑amplified 2.1 system. On paper, it delivers 60W via two 2.25” full‑range drivers and a 4.5” woofer. Digging into reports, this claim largely holds. A verified Amazon buyer wrote: “Fills my 12x24 office at half volume... at full volume you can feel the music and it is crisp on all ranges.” Even Best Buy reviewers agreed it “fills almost any room with nice clean sound capturing the depth and nuance.”
Its “true craftsmanship” promise — real wood veneer, tactile metal switches — resonates strongly. Reddit user u/track*** described it as “looks great and sounds very decent... for this price you can get better sounding products... but not dramatically so.” The retro aesthetic clearly meets expectations. Best Buy reviews repeatedly highlight how it “fits beautifully” into themed interiors, marrying style with presence.
The “true simplicity” marketing angle fares well with most, but has caveats. Pairing is often instant — “Bluetooth connected instantly with my iPhone and has been seamless,” notes one Amazon customer — yet some face dropouts. Another Amazon review complains: “My iPhone 13 keeps disconnecting... the indicator light has switched from 'Bluetooth' to 'aux'.” This shows the advertised ease isn’t universally reliable.
Cross‑Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The physical build is the first thing people react to. Whether it’s Quora’s expert review calling it “heirloom‑quality,” or Reddit posts admiring “real wood veneer and tactile spun copper switches,” the design wins over homeowners aiming for a mid‑century or premium aesthetic. It’s more than cosmetic — one Best Buy customer said, “You will want to keep this around as a permanent addition to your audio gear rather than treat it as a disposable item.”
Sound quality also ranks high, especially for mids and vocal clarity. Reddit comparisons with Edifier R1280T reveal “clearer midrange, so vocals are easier to hear,” making it ideal for spoken word or vocal‑heavy genres. Best Buy fans commend “nice balance of mids and highs and a surprisingly rich bass,” useful for ambient bedroom listening or open living spaces.
The phono/line input capability appeals to vinyl enthusiasts. A Quora reviewer used it consistently for spinning records without extra equipment, and several Trustpilot/Amazon buyers integrate it into turntable setups, appreciating the built‑in switchable preamp.
Common Complaints
Bass heaviness is a frequent refrain. Even those who love its sound tweak EQ on phones to dial it back. “I use the equalizer in my iPhone to reduce the bass just a bit,” admitted a Redditor. For bass‑averse genres, this can be masking detail — one old‑thread Reddit user warned, "Just don’t try listening to Elliott Smith. Muddy muddy muddy."
Bluetooth reliability sparks frustration in a subset of owners. While many report flawless pairing, a chunk — especially iPhone 13 users — encounter random disconnections. This undermines the “true simplicity” promise. Add to that one bizarre hardware omission: the expected power indicator light. A lengthy Amazon rant details receiving a unit with no light despite the manual depicting one, leading to suspicion of redesign missteps.
Some buyers receive repackaged units when expecting new. Trust issues with condition surfaces in Best Buy’s “open-box excellent” complaint describing noticeable scratches, and Amazon feedback about “repack” casts doubt on seller transparency.
Divisive Features
Volume capacity sparks debate. For small spaces it can be overwhelming — “Definitely not meant to be turned all the way up” cautioned a Best Buy user — while large room owners revel in its scale. Bass warmth splits the audience: vinyl fans often welcome it, while streaming purists find it excessive.
The AC‑only, non‑portable design is a selling point for stationary setups but a dealbreaker for those expecting mobility. As one Redditor clarified, “I specifically want something that is not portable or battery powered... live in my bedroom permanently.”
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot‑sourced Amazon reviews raise eyebrow‑lifting concerns about product accuracy in branding and manuals — especially the missing power indicator light. This drives skepticism: “How can I trust that anything I see online actually reflects reality?” Such mismatches between documentation and delivered product hurt brand trust.
Long‑term Reddit users generally report durability, with one remarking after months of nightly use that it’s “super nice and good sound.” Physical robustness draws near‑universal praise, bolstered by heavy wood and solid controls, with Best Buy reviewers calling it “substantial” and “built like classic gear from the late ‘60s.”
Alternatives
Alternatives in discussion range from the Edifier R1280Dbs to Audio Pro Addon T3, both offering competitive sound but lacking the Klipsch’s design polish. Redditors name “HK Onyx 6” and LG CM4590 for dramatically better sound at similar or lower cost — if size and style are secondary. Quora comparison touches on Marshall Stanmore II’s retro edge but warns of bass dominance, while Sonos One adds wifi/multiroom yet omits that heirloom feel.
Price & Value
Recent eBay listings hover around $172–$179 new, down from the $299 MSRP, with Amazon occasionally discounting further to $129.99 for the phono version. This price erosion, plus strong resale on platforms like eBay, suggests decent value retention.
Community advice tilts toward grabbing it on sale. Best Buy users note satisfaction paying ~$180 after discounts, seeing it as competitive with $300+ tier speakers in build and look.
FAQ
Q: Does the Klipsch The One II work well with turntables?
A: Yes. Multiple users leverage its built‑in phono preamp and RCA input for direct turntable connection, eliminating extra gear.
Q: Is it portable or battery‑powered?
A: No — it must be plugged into AC power. This benefits stationary setups by ensuring consistent output but limits use on the go.
Q: How is the Bluetooth reliability?
A: Mostly solid with fast pairing, but some owners — notably iPhone 13 users — report intermittent dropouts, requiring manual reconnection.
Q: Can bass levels be adjusted on the unit?
A: No physical tone controls exist. Owners adjust bass via EQ settings on source devices to tame its sometimes heavy low end.
Q: Is the sound sufficient for large rooms?
A: Yes. Many report clear, distortion‑free sound filling spaces up to 12x24 ft at half volume.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a style‑conscious listener with a stationary listening space and a taste for rich mids with strong bass. Avoid if you need portable playback, detailed bass control, or flawless wireless stability. Pro tip from the community: snag it during sales for ~$150–$180, and pair it with EQ adjustments to customize the sound to your taste.
