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Klipsch has joined the ranks of smart speaker purveyors with a new addition to its Heritage Wireless range which integrates the Google Assistant platform for chatty sonic fun.

The speaker, which will go on sale before Christmas priced around £450, takes the drivers and amplifier stage of the brand's The Three table-top speaker, but jettisons that models physical USB, phono and 3.5mm inputs in favour of a purely wireless approach – Google Assistant is joined by Bluetooth support.

As with other models in the lineup, the styling is retro – or, as Klipsch describes it – 'Mid-Century Modern'. The 35cm wide stereo speaker features a real-wood veneer top plate, and metal controls/switches.

Inside, left/right 2.25in full-range drivers are backed up by a 5.25in woofer and dual opposed 5.25in passive radiators. Power is rated at 60W continuous/80W peak. Hi-res support extends to 192kHz/24-bit.

As a Google Assistant design, The Three can be used in multiroom systems with other Google Assistant models, offers Chromecast audio functionality, and supports smart home skills with compatible hardware.

'With voice controlled speakers becoming an ever-more popular product category, Klipsch wanted to give customers who care about their audio performance a lifestyle-friendly, stylish, powerful solution that stands apart from the crowd,' says Klipsch.

Klipsch is distributed in the UK by Henley Audio.