[klipschfan]

Klipsch Readies Speakers, Promotions

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 5/2/2011



INDIANAPOLIS – Klipsch is preparing May shipments of the first speakers in its new Gallery series and readying a promotional program that includes the brand’s first live-music sponsorship in years.

The brand also plans promote itself products in conjunction with the World Series of Poker.

In live-music sponsorships, Klipsch will sponsor multiple concerts at multiple live-music venues managed by Live Nation around the country, said Klipsch Group marketing director Jill Escol. To date, Klipsch has agreements for two Live Nation venues in New York City and two in Miami. The Klipsch name will appear on tickets and posters and in Live Nation commercials, she said.

Among plans to celebrate its 65th anniversary, Klipsch is developing contests in which consumers win tickets to its sponsored Live Nation concerts. Separately, the brand will place ads on multiple poker-playing web sites as part of its World Series of Poker tie-in. In addition, Klipsch signs will appear on the telecasts of the World Series competitions that culminate in a final competition round in November.

To launch the Gallery speaker series, marking the brand’s entry into slim speakers suitable for use with flat-panel TVs, Klipsch will promote heavily to dealers, create sell-in promotions, and promote to consumers, who will be reached through on-line, socialmedia and guerilla-marketing campaigns, she said.

The Gallery series of slim speakers consists of four passive models and one iPod/iPhone-docking speaker system with Apple AirPlay technology. All feature the brand’s proprietary Tractrix Horn technology to deliver extended high-frequency response and constant directivity for what Klipsch called “a live soundstage experience.” All are also promoted as delivering deep bass and wide dynamic range unlike similarly sized competitors.

The four passive models, shipping in May, are the G-12 at a suggested $199 each, G-16 at $299 each, G-28 at $499 each, and $699 G-42 threechannel soundbar. The former three can be used as a left, center, right or surround speaker and placed horizontally or vertically. The G-42 is a horizontal- Klipsch will sponsor multiple concerts at multiple live-music venues managed by Live Nation around the country — Jill Escol, Klipsch Group only three-channel model. They ship in May/June, the company said.

The powered AirPlay speaker, comes with included tethered dock and is rated at 50 watts. It’s due in the fall at a suggested $599. The brand originally planned three AirPlay speaker systems, all show at January’s CES.

To go with Klipsch’s Galley speakers and other speakers, Klipsch Group also announced fall shipments of the $129-suggested the WA-2 wireless subwoofer kit, which is designed for use with select subwoofers bearing any of the group’s speaker brands.

The WA-2 kit, originally targeted for spring shipment, consists of a transmitter/receiver pair whose receiver plugs into the WA-2 port in five Klipsch subwoofers, two Energy subs, two Mirage models, and a Jamo model.

The company emphasized that the kit could be used to wirelessly add subwoofers to rooms already equipped with in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. Up to six or more wireless subs can be supported in a house.

In other Klipsch Group plans, the company said it is developing powered speakers under the Jamo and Energy brands. The Energy brand will be expanded to include a powered soundbar, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-equipped active speakers, and active component speakers. Some will be available later this year, and others will be available in 2012. Details were unavailable.

Under the Jamo brand, powered 2.1 speaker systems for home theaters and PCs are in the works. Details were unavailable.