Is Dirac Live worth paying for?

In most living rooms, yes. Walls and furniture create bass peaks and dips that no speaker can avoid on its own; Dirac measures and corrects them. On The Sevens II the licence is included.

Do both work with the TV remote?

Yes. Both connect over HDMI with CEC, so the TV remote controls volume.

Which needs a subwoofer more?

The Kanto. Reviewers agree its bass runs out before its volume does, and its automatic 80 Hz filter makes adding a sub easy.

Head to head

Klipsch The Sevens II vs Kanto REN

A premium TV-first powered pair with Dirac Live against the best-reviewed mid-priced soundbar replacement. The deciding factor is room correction, streaming, and inputs versus price and a proven review record.

Home Theater HubUpdated October 12, 2026How we choose

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Both pairs plug into a TV over HDMI so the TV remote controls the volume, and both have a subwoofer output. The Kanto REN is the best-reviewed pair in the category and costs a fraction as much. The Klipsch The Sevens II adds what the Kanto lacks: Dirac Live room correction in the box, a second HDMI 2.1 input, Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2 and Google Cast, and a phono stage. The one question that decides it: does your room have a bass problem you want fixed?

Spec	Klipsch The Sevens II Powered Speakers A TV-first system with real room correction View on Amazon	Kanto REN Powered Bookshelf Speakers A genuine soundbar replacement for a small to medium room View on Amazon
Best for	A TV-first system with real room correction	A genuine soundbar replacement for a small to medium room
Price tier	Premium	Mid-range
TV connection	Dual HDMI 2.1 with eARC, in and out	HDMI ARC with CEC
Room correction	Dirac Live, licence included	None
Amplifier power	190 W maximum, bi-amped	100 W RMS, 200 W peak
Drivers	Two-way horn-loaded	Two-way: 5.25 in woofer, 1 in dome
Streaming	AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz Connect	Bluetooth 5.3 only
Phono input	Yes, moving magnet	No
Subwoofer out	Yes	Yes, with automatic 80 Hz filter

Pick the Klipsch The Sevens if

Your room makes bass boomy or uneven and you want it measured and corrected.
You want to plug a console or streaming box straight into the speakers.
You stream over Wi-Fi or have a turntable.

Pick the Kanto REN Powered if

You want the proven, best-reviewed pair and to spend far less.
The TV is the main source and Bluetooth covers your music.
You plan to add a subwoofer and want the crossover handled automatically.

Verdict

Buy the Kanto REN as the default soundbar replacement; it does the core job brilliantly, has the review record to prove it, and leaves money for a subwoofer. Buy the Klipsch The Sevens II when you want a complete system in two boxes, because Dirac Live, the extra HDMI input, Wi-Fi streaming, and a phono stage turn it into a receiver replacement. The exception is setup patience: reviewers found the Klipsch's Wi-Fi setup fiddly.

Common questions

Is Dirac Live worth paying for?: In most living rooms, yes. Walls and furniture create bass peaks and dips that no speaker can avoid on its own; Dirac measures and corrects them. On The Sevens II the licence is included.
Do both work with the TV remote?: Yes. Both connect over HDMI with CEC, so the TV remote controls volume.
Which needs a subwoofer more?: The Kanto. Reviewers agree its bass runs out before its volume does, and its automatic 80 Hz filter makes adding a sub easy.