If you are looking for a portable speaker that sounds much bigger than its size and has a bright, energetic character, the Klipsch brand immediately comes to mind. Their engineering philosophy, known for powerful home theaters, is now embodied in compact formats ready for urban adventures.
In this article, we'll listen to three models from the same line, named after cities: Austin, Nashville, and Detroit. These aren't just speakers of different sizes; each offers its own unique take on portable sound, as if conveying the musical atmosphere of its namesake.
We will figure out which model is suitable for whom, evaluating not only the volume and bass, but also details that are important for life on the go: battery life, weather protection, and ease of use. We will find out which one will be the perfect companion for a picnic in the park, and which one can energize a small party in the yard.
One country, different cities
The idea is actually quite interesting: to make not one, but three portable speakers of different sizes and unite them with a single concept, naming them after different cities in the brand's home country. This opens up endless possibilities for describing the sound of the speakers against the backdrop of their assigned city and giving them the qualities that suit them best.
This is an excellent concept, in fact, which any other manufacturer would do well to adopt. We would gladly test the Astrakhan Bluetooth speaker, whose sound is as fluid and expansive as the Volga River itself. Or even the Pyatigorsk pocket speaker, which has a calm and friendly character, with a pleasant timbre and accents. But so far, we only have three cities on the other side of the globe, alas.
For example, what have you heard about Austin? It's unlikely that anything specific comes to mind — but it is, after all, the world capital of live music, full of energy and passion. At least, that's how the advertising strategy for the most compact speaker in the line — the Klipsch Austin — begins. The ad continues with an immersion into the city's infrastructure, from which we learn that, in addition to live music, there is 6th Street, the Warehouse District, and a favorite trail to walk along. It's a logical premise that leads us to conclude that this speaker is designed to be small, but passionate and portable.
But if small towns feel cramped and there is nowhere to turn around, then welcome to Nashville, which is no less musical and, judging by the size of the speaker, even more so than the previous option. There are not many specifics here, but the faces of young people become more smiling and cheerful, which leads the reader to the conclusion that size does matter after all. As for walking around the area, the suggestion here is to either stroll through the streets or immediately go on a long trip outside the city, as if there were no other options.
And finally, Detroit — the world-famous capital of large Bluetooth speakers, whose description is often distorted by stories about all kinds of car dealerships and exhibitions. It is reported that the speaker of the same name contains the same rebellious rhythm as this big city, which, from an audiophile's point of view, is more surprising than pleasing.
It's good that they didn't forget about soulfulness: in the Klipsch Detroit column, it will not be simple, but famous, like the metropolis itself. As a bonus, it will be as big as 313th Street. That's probably impressive. For entertainment, we are offered a ride through the city center or other streets of Motor City, where there is certainly something to see on both sides.
Overall, the concept behind the Music City line of portable speakers seems well thought out and quite logical. In addition to the relevant qualities, potential owners are given a brief insight into the history of the cities, which adds a refreshing touch and eliminates the one-sidedness of similar speakers, which is most likely due to limited advertising budgets for such products.
Austin — the size of a doughnut, all by American standards
But Klipsch approached the issue with expertise, and now on their website you can learn not only about the history of the bend angle of their signature horn, but also about the different features of local geography — almost firsthand.
Urban architecture
It could be argued that the architecture of all cities in the world is similar if we reduce it to the size of a brick — this would explain why all three speakers have the same design. On the other hand, we have speakers of different sizes, which are most likely based on the size of cities.
Austin is the most compact speaker, resembling a flattened cube. Nashville is more like a square soda can that has been crushed and thrown past the trash can by a strong hand. And Detroit is a solid, monolithic slab of oblong shape and square cross-section. It's as if 10 (at least) Austin columns were molded into one.
The body, by the way, is made of a material similar to soft-touch, but softer and more scratch-resistant. The durable plastic is covered with elastic silicone, which provides a comfortable grip and good protection in case of falls. Additional reliability for grip and stability is provided by a slanted silicone wave that runs around the perimeter of the case like a tsunami, parting only to reveal the control buttons.
The front panel is also made of the same materials: a metal mesh with round cells, under which a protective fabric is hidden. No matter how you look at it, the veil of secrecy remains, because it is impossible to see the emitters under all this reliable protection.
In the case of Nashville and Detroit, the back side is made according to the same logic and from the same materials as the front. Austin, on the other hand, has the same rubberized plastic as on the sides, with a small mesh area that is used to compensate for the pressure when the speaker is in operation. There is also a convenient clip loop that can be used to attach the speaker to a belt, backpack, or worn saddle.
Detroit, by the way, also has two “ears” on the ends, to which a complete stretchable strap is attached: it can be hung over the shoulder or attached to the back seat of a Harley. Only Nashville is left out in this regard: it cannot be hooked or attached, except perhaps to a backpack, which may be the best option when walking down certain streets.
Control is via buttons that look like old wounds on the body of big cities, slightly standing out with their roughness and relief against the smooth material of the case. Power, wireless connection, volume — four buttons that have much more functionality if you start improvising and combining them according to the instructions.
A Type C port is used for charging, and a cable is included, which is the only connector that this trio has. It is hidden under a rubber plug because all three speakers are IP67-rated for moisture and dust protection.
Only the large Detroit model comes with a shoulder strap in addition to the cable.
Overall, they certainly don't lack style. But there isn't as much color here as there is on the packaging. The result is something between Klipsch hardcore and youth military trends, which is quite in keeping with the spirit of the times and the overall atmosphere.
Urban infrastructure
Everything here is modern and just as it should be with Klipsch, taking into account the urban form factor. Let's start with Austin, which, due to its size, boasts a single 1.5-inch wideband driver, but two passive radiators pointing in different directions.
The situation is different with Nashville: it has two 2.25-inch full-range drivers and two passive drivers that face in different directions, providing a surround sound effect.
Detroit uses four amplifiers and stereo sound in a configuration of two 2-inch tweeters and two 3-inch full-range speakers to demonstrate that famous soul. Add to that four passive radiators, and the theoretical chances of experiencing that rebellious rhythm increase exponentially.
To ensure high-quality access to this infrastructure, all speakers in the series use a Bluetooth 5.3 module, so you can indulge in desperate street dancing not only directly near the speakers, but also within a radius of about 12 meters from them.
To give the sound a grandiose urban scale, identical speakers can be connected in stereo pairs, while different ones can be connected in pairs, trios, or even chains of up to 40 units, each of which will sound in unison.
The connector is covered with a plug for water and dust protection.
For convenient settings, there is the Klipsch Connect app, where you can update the software, control playback, and even adjust the three-band equalizer for the most accurate sound matching to the style of a particular city.
Klipsch's retro-style portable speakers—Austin, Nashville, and Detroit—sound as if they embody the spirit of these iconic music cities. They don't just play loudly, they deliver volume, clarity, and atmosphere: the bass is tight, the treble is clear, without any annoying squeaks. The design, with a wooden body and copper details, sets them apart from typical plastic speakers, and their convenience and battery life make them faithful companions on trips, picnics, or just on the balcony. This isn't just technology — it's a small battery-powered concert.
The music of cities
Listen to this music, remember this moment, and let's go before the big cities swallow us up. At that moment, Klipsch Austin was playing the track “Sun Lady Statement” by Soul Wun. It played right in my hand, at arm's length, with the back side giving passive bass to my hand. And there is such a zest in this sound, such texture in the upper range, as if the big cities had hidden a small horn there, which with the same care transmits the sound right into your ear.
For all its small size, this speaker can easily hook you with its sound, unless, of course, rebellious rhythm is your main goal. The bass here is moderate, not emphasized, with the focus on mid and high frequencies. But the rhythm is sharp, and it is completely conquered by this compact speaker. I didn't feel like turning the equalizer — a smile appeared on its own without it.
The detail and naturalness of the Major 3's sound are acceptable. The instruments are not mixed together into a mush; there is some positioning. When comparing the sound with previous models, it feels like it's not as dark here. Yes, because of this, the headphones are not as dynamic as the Major 1 or 2. But this makes them versatile, which will please music lovers. In addition, if the sound does not suit the listener, it can be slightly adjusted in the equalizer settings. Photo of the frequency response graph
While the Marshall Major 3 has a more austere design, the Major 2 features gold accents on the ear cups and inside the headband.
The difference in price.
The headphones have a sturdy body that guarantees protection against wear and tear and minor damage. However, the Major III Bluetooth is not waterproof. This is not a sports model, so the manufacturer has not provided protection against sweat and water. However, this means that you won't be able to listen to music in the rain with these headphones. The ear pads are taller and have retained their elasticity. This allows them to better conform to the shape of the ear, ensuring a comfortable fit and sound insulation. The headphones are comfortable to wear, but after prolonged use, you can still feel the pressure of the ear cups on your ears. Therefore, the optimal listening time is 2-3 hours per day. However, this is a subjective issue. Moreover, the headphones are adjustable in length and easily adapt to any head size.
This behavior should not be compared to the all-consuming resonance of passive radiators: there is nothing like that here, the bass is habitually articulate and pliable, capable of punching and digging to acceptable depths. But if you are looking for harmony, it is worth tightening it up a couple of notches: this way we lose the signature American sound, but we get a more distinct horn texture in the mid and high frequencies, which the inventive engineers somehow managed to pack into even this format.
There is a lot of sound: it is a powerful volume, the spherical nature of which rolls over you with its scale and stereo base, allowing you to place the speaker further away and get a more or less decent soundstage. An audiophile crime for the impressionable listener, with inevitable recidivism.
As a result, testing the Klipsch Austin portable speakers, Nashville, and Detroit clearly shows that every big city can have its own sound portrait. Despite the brand's common family DNA, each model offers a unique listening experience for specific tasks and environments.
Austin will be a reliable companion for long trips to the countryside, where endurance and smooth, powerful sound are most important. Nashville will delight urban music lovers who appreciate detailed, clear sound and stylish design in a compact body. And Detroit is the choice for those who want to throw a real party, independent of a power outlet, and get maximum bass and volume.
When choosing between them, it is worth answering the question honestly: where and how do you listen to music most often? The answer to this question will tell you which of these “sound machines” will become your personal soundtrack to city life.
