The Klipschorn

They will sound natural and life like....if you feed them well, and give them a good room to work with. Don't do that, and you can have some awful results as others have stated.

At the same time, they aren't something you see in dealer networks everywhere. They are large. They need corners. They need space. These aren't things everyone has, and getting them for the majority of people that have them means that they've had them for years, or that they have bought them used.

I mention this simply because to get a pair new, they still aren't anywhere near budget speakers. The only listed price I occasionally see thrown around for a new pair is somewhere around $6k, and I have seen much higher prices for them mentioned for a new pair, though I don't know if that's for special models and releases.

Add on the fact that they really need a subwoofer, and if you're aiming for the best (for you), that would probably mean a pricey amp/subwoofer/cable combination to supplement.

All of a sudden your total cost isn't exactly a small number.

There is plenty of wonderful stuff out there, whether its Klipsch or not, whether its horn loaded or not, but I will agree that in the right setups, Klipsch and some other horn loaded speakers provide something that I can only describe as engaging -- when you have that, your system and music sort of washes over you. Presentation is different, and there still may be plenty to critique, but the point is you don't care so much about what isn't so exact.

Rhum_runner - You will only need a few watts of tubed power. I noticed you presently have a 200 w/ch Mac at the heart of your system. Unfotunately, if you mate this with the K-horn, neither will perform well since the amp will never get above idle and drive the SPL to earbleeding levels. Quicksilver makes horn monoblocks for $1595 new. They are push-pull, 25 w/pc and match the k-horns perfectly. If you want to venture into SET amps, I'd recommend a George Wright 2A3 for $1430 new. Wright and Mike Sanders (Quicksilver) have similar design philosophies - simplicity, reliabilty, and affordability. Check out the Quicksilver and Wright Sound websites in the A'gon manufacturers listing.

$6k new? Holy crap, I had no idea they were that much!

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.

Rhum_runner, you can get into the Klipsch sound with a pair of Chorus or Cornwalls for $500 to $800 on the used market. Add another $500 to $800 for a nice, used push-pull tube amp to drive them and you have the start of a great budget system. Just make sure the tube amp you get is very low in hum and noise as the Klipsch's high effiency will magnify any inherent noise in the amplification chain.

For those with more limited space, a set of Hereseys could be a good way to go -- perhaps mated to a subwoofer.

Mootsdude, thanks for the tip on the Quicksilver monoblocks. I may need to check those out.