The Klipschorn


Hi, what do you think of the classic Klipschorns? To some these are da best sounding speakers regardless of price. So why spending $10,000 while you can get the most dynamic and lifelike sound for less money? Maybe you think I'm slowly becoming insane, but for the true audiophile technique doesn't matter, right? If only the sound is natural and lifelike.
dazzdax

Showing 3 responses by jax2

Absolutely love the Klipsch Heritage series, especially the Khorns and LaScala's, the latter of which I've had much more experience with. Have not heard the newer versions of the Heritage speakers, but certainly improved wiring is a plus. I think the AA crossover and metal horns are excellent though and see no reason to change either. They have spoiled me to the sound of diaphragm speakers, which now just sound like amplified music to my ears and in my systems. Klipsch horn speakers, combined well with tube amplification create a sound that is far more lifelike and atmospheric to my ears than any diaphragm speaker I've heard. To almost anyone who comes into my studio the effect is quite striking as it sounds very lifelike and musical. Just don't pair them off with SS amplification (IMO). Some electrostatics have been as engaging in a different way, but no diaphragm speakers have grabbed me that way. That said, I've not listened to many high-end diaphragms costing more than $4000 so keep that in mind when weighing my opinion. It therefore does not really address your question fully and I'd defer to those who've done more direct comparisons of more sophisticated diaphragm speakers (read: more expensive) to give you a more thorough answer there. I do agree with many here that the sound is quite satisfying and Paul Klipsch was most certainly a genius to think that speakers he designed over fifty years ago can still hold up against far more modern designs and are still being produced and sold today.

I just recently made a huge consession to my wife. I moved my SET/LaScala system that is listed as my home system here on A'gon over to my studio (where I actually listen more often, and is a much better listening space than the small room I use at home). I brought my more modest tube system home (Push/Pull KT88 Mini-Mites with Heresy's [same mid and tweet as the Khorn/LaScala]). The sound at home now was immediately compromised by the room, but remained quite engaging in spite of that. The older vintage Klipsch look was part of what my wife objected too, so I happily obliged by taking advantage of a sale that Underwood was having on the well-reviewed Soliloquy 5.3 floor standers. Gorgeous little speakers by the way. Installed them at home and have put around 200 hours on them of break-in time. They say they really need 400-500 to really open up. I can tell you that, after listening to horns and tubes for many years now, these speakers are still leaving me cold and unengaged combined with my system in my small room. Could be the break-in, the synergy, and or the room, but I can tell you they don't even hold a candle to the SET + Scala combination at my work system. They are even bested by the little Heresy's in the same system and room. Any suggestions would be most welcome to improve the sound, but off topic to this thread I guess. Once I really break these in I'll start another thread.

Marco
Mootsdude gives an inexpensive formula for audio Nirvana. Klipsch + George Wright or Mike Sanders' gear in a good room = Heaven! Absolutely agree with two recommendations (s)he(?) gives. Sanders for Push/Pull and Wright for SET. Too bad Sanders doesn't like SET enough to build them! The stuff he does build is first rate and the customer service he gives is second to none. George Wright is a gentlemen of similar integrity in my estimation. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year. Good call on both IMO!

Marco

PS...$6k may be the new price for the current Khorn, but I've seen them (vintage) going for under $2k in great shape on the used market from folks just looking to get rid of them. They are not the easiest speakers to move around or ship at almost 200lbs each. Consequently there are deals to be had on them if you are patient. The point about having the proper room and space for them is a good one as well. They are built to be installed in the corners of one side of a room. The LaScala's and Belles use the same drivers, but do not require corners for optimum performance. Some folks actually build false corners around the Khorns. Not quite the same reinforcement as a real wall might offer.
Hey Mike - I've paired off my Mini-Mites with my vintage Heresy's from the late 70's (metal horns and K55V/K77M drivers). Dynamat on the inside, same on the horn bodies, 3/4 MDF back (replaced the stock back and terminals), window caulking around the rear seal and driver seals. For the interior wires I used DH Labs silver and it was a big improvement over stock both in the Heresy's and in the LaScala's I have in my other system. The MiniMite+Heresy combo is killer for the money you need to spend on it. Used MM's go for around $600-700, and a good set of vintage Heresy's are only around 300-500. Good deals on vintage Klipsch stuff comes around at garage sales and pawnshaps all the time too. I have not been crazy about the Mini-Mites paired off with the Scala's in either my home or at work. Just more punch and less finesse. My expectations with the Scala's are SET high (pun intended).

Plato - An excellent suggestion; I agree you can get a taste of the vintage Klipsch sound with Cornwalls or Heresy's....and a rockin-out version with Forte's or Chorus (though I found the Forte's a bit less refined, and heavier on the low-end than the others mentioned, yet a very enjoyable speaker for not a lot of money). I've owned two pairs of Forte II's, Heresys and LaScalas and have pretty extensive listening experience with all of those with several different systems, as well as directly comparing many permutations in my own systems, while throwing in several Klipshorns, a Belle and Chorus that did not belong to me in other systems. Though the smaller Klipsch give you a taste, and are impressive on their own merits for less money, if you can afford the money/patience, and do have the room, I would always go with the Scalas or Khorns above all others. They simply compound all the merits of the smaller speakers into a fuller yet refined and effortless expression of the music. The one type of speaker I really would like to compare them to, that I have yet to try is a good single-driver design like Terry Cain offers. I have a feeling I would enjoy that.

Marco