Klipsch enters smart speaker race with ‘The Three | Google Assistant’

Klipsch has smartened up its The Three Heritage Wireless speaker by giving a new version of it Google Assistant voice control.

'The Three | Google Assistant' (its official title, awkwardly) combines music playback via Bluetooth and wi-fi, with Google’s voice assistant giving users the ability to, for example, ask questions and get information, stream music, hear the news, weather and traffic and control smart home devices - all by simply using their voice.

Klipsch’s first smart speaker borrows aesthetics, features and, allegedly, sound performance from the standard (‘dumb’) edition of the speaker. It features a stereo driver configuration (two 5.75cm full range drivers) and 13cm integrated subwoofer, and sports a familiarly retro-luxury look thanks to its real wood veneer and aluminium controls.

That and its £450 price tag certainly set Klipsch’s offering apart from the more compact and affordable Amazon Echos and Sonos Ones of the smart speaker world, so if you're looking for an obedient speaker that has a bit more muscle than the most popular players, this could be worth consideration.

The Three | Google Assistant will be available in the UK imminently. 

MORE: Smart speakers - everything you need to know

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

Latest in Speakers
HomePod OS
An Apple HomePod with a screen might arrive this year after all
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53 standmount speakers
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53
KEF LS50 Wireless II streaming speaker system on a desk next to the the Technics SC-CX700
4 things Technics needs to do to beat KEF’s LS50 Wireless II hi-fi system and one area where it’s better
Elipson Planet L Performance speakers
These Planet-shaped speakers promise "exceptionally pure sound" with an out-of-this-world design
Bowers & Wilkins Radiohead The Bends event
I heard my favourite Radiohead album on the B&W speakers used to record it – and now I love it even more
JBL Flip 7 in white finish held in hand against backdrop of orange JBL beanie bags
JBL Flip 7 vs Flip 6: what's the difference between these two Bluetooth speakers?
Latest in News
Sony Bravia Projector 8 home cinema projector
Terrible news: Sony is about to stop selling projectors in Europe, including the UK
Audiolab 6000A MkII amplifier in silver
Audiolab upgrades its five-star 6000A amplifier with a new DAC chip, enhanced circuitry and HDMI ARC
Qobuz
Qobuz reveals average payout per stream – and claims it is higher than rivals
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Quick! This five-star Sonos Dolby Atmos soundbar has dropped close to its lowest price
The Google Pixel 9a being held horizontally at waist-height so only the back is visible.
The Google Pixel 9a launches at £100 less than the iPhone 16e with a better screen
A woman flicking through stacks of vinyl records in a Rough Trade shop.
Vinyl records and music streaming both hit landmark highs – but the one growing faster in revenue may surprise you