Big sounds came out of a small town in Arkansas in 1946. Paul Klipsch built his first product, a cabinet speaker, out of a tin shed by hand. From there, a brand was born and has evolved into what we know today as Klipsch Speakers.
The very first speakers out of that tin shed were outfitted by a local cabinetmaker, Baldwin Piano Company. A few years after the first rollout, Klipsch purchased a factory, hired an employee, and started production.
Operations continued to scale and the product line grew. Klipsch covered the full range of speaker needs, from personal stereos to professional equipment. In 1997, founder Paul Klipsch was inducted into the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame for his work.
The company continues to thrive today. What was the original factory now stands as a historical museum for the brand. Currently, they are headquartered out of Indianapolis but retain facilities in Hope.
The product line remains extensive, including a wide range of speakers, headphones, and sound bars. Since we know these items aren’t still being built in that little tin shed in Hope, Arkansas, let’s look a bit further.
Verdict: Are Klipsch Speakers Made in the USA?
Klipsch offers some speakers assembled in the US and other products made entirely overseas. Products like their R-51PM speakers are made in China.
On their website, Klipsch is clear which of their products are “Designed & Assembled” in the USA. Notice how they don’t say, “Made in the USA?” That’s because, technically, they aren’t. There’s a difference between Made and Assembled.
For those products that are US-assembled, the process takes place in their long-time hometown of Hope, Arkansas. Klipsch provides a thorough list of the products that fit in this category.
Here are the items that Klipsch assembles in the US:
- Heritage Series
- Klipschorn
- La Scala II
- Cornwall III
- Heresy III
- Reference RF-7 II
- Reference RC-64 II
- Palladium Series
- THX Ultra 2
- Klipsch Professional
The company reports that it is consistently looking for ways to expand its manufacturing in Hope, Arkansas. However, by statistics alone, the majority of its products are still made abroad. And by definition, so are its “assembled in the US” products. Assembled isn’t Made; let’s remember that.
Banners on the Klipsch website tell you that their products are “engineered” in the USA. Perhaps that offers some peace of mind for quality, but it also gives a big hint that, again, products aren’t “made” here. Otherwise, the banner would read differently, wouldn’t it?
What this really comes down to is, what is American-made to you? If you’re happy with “assembled,” then by all means, buy a Klipsch and turn the volume up to max. Otherwise, keep on shopping.
Popular American Made Klipsch Speakers
The following products are assembled in the US, not entirely manufactured here:
- Klipschorn
- Cornwall III
- THX Ultra 2
Popular Klipsch Speakers Not Made in the USA
- The Three Plus
- WIIM Mini Streamer
- The Nines Walnut + RP-1600SW
