2ndGenKlipsch

This all started when I saw 2 pairs of K-55V's on eBay (currently still there) and was wondering which variety of the K-55 I had in my Belles so I started doing some reasearch. In doing my research I saw mention of the other varieties of the K-55 so I was wondering what the differences are. Thanks for the links...they pretty much answered my question.

I read in another thread about there being different versions of the K55 and I was just wondering if anyone could give a brief description of the differences between each. I have read about the two versions of the K55-V with the different phase plugs, but I couldn't find anything comparing and contrasting the V, M and X.

Photo of the inside...

Back in the 70's my father was a Klipsch dealer and in that time he built up a small collection of Klipsch memorabilia. I always thought all of the old Klipsch stuff he had was cool. Well for my birthday this past year he put together a little something for me as a keepsake. I figured that some of you here could appreciate all this old stuff as much as I did so I wanted to share it with you. He put everything in a CD case that he lined with old photos of Paul Klipsch and the Klipsch factory. Inside the case is a Klipsch belt buckle numbered #338, a knife inscribed "Stolen from Paul Klipsch" and an original Bullsh*t button. All of this stuff is original Klipsch stuff from the 70's. (See the attached photo's.) So I'm just curious, but how many of you know the story behind the Bullsh*t buttons???

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one. I just know that I have been bidding on some equipment on eBay before and within an hour of the auction being advertised on this board an influx of new bidders come on board driving up the price. Twice this has happened. I certainly could have let people know I was bidding on that item and asked to please not be outbid, but quite honestly I just wouldn't feel right doing that. I could also ask around here for help finding the gear I am looking for, but I am searching for a good deal and a good deal to me is a bad deal for the seller and I don't want anyone here getting a bad deal. It is no secret, that one of the keys to getting a good price on eBay is lack of interest...no bidders equals lower prices...PERIOD. I know I'm not the only one on eBay, but when I'm about to ****** up some gear at a great price it's frustrating when someone advertises it to the world. I know people here post these things to help other people here out, but it doesn't always help...that's what I'm trying to say.

BSA, I meant no attack on you or your garage. I was more so talking about people who aren't actually looking for any gear, but if they stumble upon some quality gear at a good price will ****** it up. Those are the people who are tipped off by an auction that is posted here whereas people who are actively looking for something will look on eBay. So I'll withdraw my reference about needing gear for the bathroom...after all we all spend lots of time in there.

I think the best way to help someone get a good deal is to NOT post the eBay auction here. If someone is truely interested they will search eBay and not here for good deals. By posting a particular auction here all that does is start a bidding war between forum members. I too have been burned many times by coming really close to getting a great deal only to have someone post a link to the URL here and drum up all sorts of interest from people who "want one for their bathroom" or "would like to have a spare" (people who really don't NEED something) when people like me who search eBay for a deal on an amp to use in my main system gets the price driven up. I think people actually think they are helping by making posts like this, but they are really doing quite the opposite.

I'm glad to hear that spiking helps bigger speakers too. I'm going to be spiking my Belle Klipsch soon and was hoping for good results like I heard after spiking my Forte II's. Thanks for the post!

OK...take the writeup above and substitute Forte II for KG-4 and Belle for Heresy II and those are pretty much my exact feelings comparing my newly aquired Belles to my Forte II's. Belles have amazing mids and highs, but are somewhat lacking in the bass department. The Forte II's have increadible bass but compared to the Belles have a very "laid back" mids. I did a quick test running both speakers at the same time, side by side so I could get an idea what the "best of both worlds" would sound like and I really liked the overall results of the sharp mids from the Belle and the low bass of the Forte II's. I think in the long run, I may attempt to add a subwoofer to my Belle's setup as well. Oh BTW...my test was done using a HK430 as well!

After looking around a little more I found these at Parts Express: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=095-678&ctab=5#Tabs>http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=095-678&ctab=5#Tabs

I looked around at Parts Express and couldn't find anything like this. Does anyone know where I can find a couple of sets of these on this side of the Pacific???

My speakers are Walnut Oil. So does anybody have any explainations for the lemon oil not absorbing evenly? Could it be wax buildup? Should I try the Formby's buildup remover??? I may end up going with tung oil in the end, but for now I just need to clean these puppies.

I picked up the Belles this weekend and don't have the stands on the bottom. One was damaged in a move so both were removed and some rubber feet were put on the cover for the bass compartment for them to rest on. Since the footprint of the cover is so small, I think I will probably go ahead and spike them given this scenerio. I will do an A/B comparison with the spikes and let everyone know my results even though they may not be typical since my non-spiked speaker will be resting on the small cover. BTW...these speakers will be going on thick carpet over a concrete floor. Thanks everyone!

I'll have to check when I get home. I did check the serial numbers and I know they are 78's, but I didn't check the finish b/c I assumed they only came in laquer since the only finished listed on Klipsch's main site are laquer finishes. I'll check and post when I get home this evening. Thanks!

I picked up my new Belles yesterday and as expected, they are going to need a little work. Overall, the cabinets are in decent shape. There are several small scratches and scuffs, but these are to be expected with speakers that are nearly 30 years old and have been moved across the country a few times. I started cleaning them tonight with decent results until I started on the tops. I started out with some Murphy's Oil Soap and water and gently wiped down one side and the top of one speaker to test the results. I then put some Formby's Lemon Oil on the cleaned side and top. The side turned out beautifully, but the top looks splotchy with certain parts soaking up the oil and other areas not soaking it up. My first question is: is the oil soap/lemon oil approach the preferred method of cleaning and conditioning the Walnut on my Belles. Secondly, how can I get a more uniform look after oiling the wood? Could the splotchy areas be caused by wax buildup? My dad uses Formby's Deep Cleansing Buildup Remover on his Belles and Khorns. Has anyone else had any experience using that product to clean their speakers? One final question, could I safely rub out any minor scuffs or scratches with 0000 steel wool without damaging the finish??? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

I heard a noticible difference in the tighness of the bass and clarity of the highs when I spiked my Forte II's. They too were on a concrete slab, with carpet padding and carpet. I used the cheapest spikes at Parts Express...best $4 I ever spent!

Well I have just made the deal of a lifetime. This one even tops the Forte II's I picked up for $250 which ended up being in excellent condition. My dad's friend (my godfather) is GIVING me a pair of walnut Belle Klipsch!!! I'm really excited to finially own a pair of my own after growing up listening to my dad's. My question is, has anyone tried spiking their Belle's??? If so, was there any distinguishable difference? I was very impressed with the difference spiking made with my Forte's, but I know the Belle is a totally different beast.

I spiked my Forte II's and I was very impressed with the results. I would recommend this mod to everyone. I only paid $5 for my spikes from Parts Express so if you don't like the results you wouldn't be out of much money. I've also heard of people putting spikes on their risors so you could keep your risors AND spike the speakers.

I saw an ad on my company's swap shop where someone is selling a Carver M500 amp. I already have a HK430 to power my Forte II's, but I was wondering if anyone has any comments on these amps. He's only asking $50 obo and according to comparable units on eBay, this sounds pretty cheap ($182-$225). So should I snap it up?

Someone here at work is selling a pair of these. I've copied the exact listing below. He is asking $500...is this a good deal for these speakers? ALTEC-LANSING VOICE OF THE THEATER in Walnut Karlson enclosure: 803-B 15 Bass, 802-D Driver, 811-B Horn, N800E Ntwk

I was listening to my beloved Forte II's this morning and I heard some buzzing from one of my speakers. At first I just thought it was my blinds rattling from the bass, but upon investigation I found that the passive radiator was coming unglued from the metal surround. About 1/4 of the total circumference is unglued. The repair seems rather simple to me...just reglue it. I was just looking for some suggestions on the type of glue I should use or any tips on how I could get the glue evenly on the unglued surface where it will seal completely. It going to be kinda hard to get the glue where I need it from either side (front or back). Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!!

I was fully expecting to have to drill through the cabinet and make a repair to cabinets when I got risers, but you're right...I got lucky. It's definatly thicker than 1/2 inch there near the corners...maybe its thicker there to provide clearance for the factory rider screws.

Jay481985, I'm talking about the 70's model HK430, not the newer AVR 430.

Can someone tell me what's the arm thing on the back of the HK 430??? Thanks!

I wanted to give an update on spiking modificarion. I decided to spike my Forte II's dispite Number 9's suggestions. I do plan on getting some risers eventually, but right now my budget won't allow for some quality risers. I purchased the cheapo spikes from Parts Express (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=240-725) for $5. As I stated above my speakers don't have the factory risers so I decided to simply enlarge the factory holes where the risers were mounted. I was expecting to have to drill through the bottom speaker cabinet, but to my surprise I was able to drill the holes deep enough for the spikes (about 3/4") without drilling through the cabinet! The install was a sinch. After leveling the speakers off and placing them 12" from my back wall & 6" from the side wall, I fired them up with my new HK 430 and my jaw hit the ground! I was expecting a subtle change in clarity, but the change was anything but subtle. The clarity of the bass was unbelievable. Like Strabo has said before...that was the best $5 I've ever spent! All of you Forte owners worried about permanently damaging your cabinets, fear not.