khorn#1

Meagain, I've took alot of pics as I've installed, did not take any of the trachorns in thier shipping box but , they were packed very well, I manage a shipping dept at work so I make note of packing jobs. It has taken me longer to install these because of the es networks, I've had to reposition and rewire a few connections to the networks because of the new trachorn motor board and then other issues like kids, wife,work and other duties around the house. I plan to be finished this evening and hopefully have some quality listening time. I will post plenty of pics shortly after then. Dean, Thanks for your help, after leaving a message last night, Al called me back and said not to use the rubber washer. He also heped me with some other questions I had. One of the comments he made was when I told him what Im running the squawker settings at ( 1-4 ), he said, thats where Dean runs his, a little on the hotter side. I know and Al agreed that the setting is a matter of preference and also the room setup and the fact I really like it a little hot in this area of the music. I'll see after several listening sessions if I need to lower it. Thanks, Randy

Guys, Thanks for all the good advice on tweeter placement. Have another question, unscrewing the k - 55 off the k-401, the rubber gasket thats between the driver and the horn, do I need to use that gasket also when I install the driver on the trachorn? The gasket really looks oversized to the point of blocking a portion of the output screen on the k-55 which could block or limit some of the drivers performance. Thanks for any help. Randy

I received Alk trachorns today, starting to install them and noticed that the option is there to mount them with the tweeters mounted on the outside or mounted on the inside of each khorn or in other words the tweeter could be positioned left of the trachorn or right by flipping the motor board. Which would be better? Would call Al but it is pushing midnight in Maryland. I thought I read somewhere on this forum to mount them on the inside for best imageing. Thanks in advance for any info. Randy

Guys, The trachorns are here, fed ex just delivered a huge box from Alk engineering to me here at work. I'm headed home to install, will take some pics and post this weekend. Randy

Jay, Yes, I got the complete package, horns and new motor board with grill cloth. I wanted to keep the original stock khorn look. George, Yes, I will be using the k55v's with these trachorns. According to Al, there is not much difference between the 511b 's and his trachorns. The trachorns offer what I think is the perfect midrange horn in that it's made out of wood as opposed to the metal and plastic of other designs. I've never heard the 511b's but others have said they need to be damped on the outside to keep down some ringing that occurs at certain times. I've never heard the trachorns or the 511b's so I cant say either way. I'm going by what others have posted on this forum and the reputation of alk engineering concerning these trachorns. I trust Al and his technical knowledge and the members of this forum that are using the trachorns in their systems. I took a chance with Al's es networks not ever hearing these at all, I would never go back to any other crossover, Al's es networks have taken my khorns to another level, especially at higher sound levels,sound stage, clarity, its all there with Al's es networks. Like I have said before as well as others on this forum, the stock khorns sound very good but as many of us khorns owners have found out, the squawker, tweeter and crossover can be much improved if one wants to spend the money to take these to a greater performance level. Just my two cents worth. Randy

Al of alk engineering emailed me today and said my trachorns for my khorns have shipped and I should have them in a couple of days. This is perfect timing, its going to be cold this weekend and this will be the perfect opportunity to install and give these a serious listening. I 've got the es networks in these khorns along with crites tweeters so this will be hopefully the icing on the cake. I'll post my comments on these as soon as I install and have some serious jam sessions. Randy

Michael, So glad they met your need, I'm also relieved they arrived to you undamaged. I had these sitting around in my audio parts cabnet for several months knowing I would most likley never use them. I'm now a huge fan of Alk es networks and was sure I would not be using the ak4's again. It is one of the better networks that klipsch put into the khorns in terms of smoother squawker and tweeter response but as I have stated before, the Alks es networks take the mighty khorns to another level. It was great to do buisness with you and I would have to add that you are a first class gentlemen in everyway. Thanks again. Randy

Sold

I have a pair of 2004 AK4 crossovers for sale. They are in perfect condition. They came out of 2004 khorns, Im the original owner of the these. Im using alk es networks in these and have no need for these anymore. They do offer a smoother transition in the mid and upper octaves campared to some of the earlier khorn networks. These would be perfect for someone that wanted to upgrade to the latest networks at a reduced cost. 450.00 plus free UPS ground shipping to anywhere in the United States. I will provide pics if anyone is interested. Thanks Randy

You too Indy and also of course your family.

Carlo, I understand exactly where your coming from, I've got 2004 khorns that I recently have installed ALKS es networks which made my khorns sing in every way top to bottom. For the most part they sounded good before but, now everything is so much more in control from the bass to mids to the highs. Especially at high volumn levels, before, at high levels things seem to break up and sound somewhat congested but now everything is about as close as you would want it to sound without having the artist in your home live. It does help of course to have a quality front end. Im running Mcintosh pre and main amp with a completly modded Denon 2900. I've also ordered Bob Crites tweeters and also Alks trachorns to go in these. Cant wait to here what I belive will be the perfect top end for these khorns as far as home use goes. Enjoy Randy

Sorry for misspelling ad, it was late. Should have been Klipschorn ad. Yes,I agree, these speakers are not cheap but, we can be thankful for the used market out there. I've never heard the jubilee's, I here from you guys they sound fantastic. The jubilee model you are refering to is a commercial version for in most cases the local theater, etc. I would like Klipsch to possibly develope a home jubilee version, same bass bottom, smaller top end. I m not sure if that will ever happen. My wife wouldnt like to see it because I would have to have a pair. Randy

Like many of you, I've purchased audio and video on the web and besides the products you purchase, you get various audio and video catalogs from many merchants in your mail box just about every week. Recently I received a catolog from onecall, as I was thumbing through the pages, low and behold on page 19, a half page picture add for new Khorns ( 3750.00) each with free delivery. I was most surprised, It had been many moons ago since I had seen an add for the mighty horns. The add also mentioned the la scala,cornwall 111, and heresey 111 but, without pictures. It was really great to see this most famous klipsch line in print add that we all very much admire and have most enjoyed musically over the years. I know we all have thought at times in the past that the great Heritage line might be discontinued because most consumers really don't want large full range space eating speakers and that we on this forum for the most part are in the minority and represent a small market share. I'm so glad the powers at be at Klipsch have launched this updated heritage line. I own khorns which to me are the best performing speakers I've ever owned or heard anywhere and I've had a chance to audition some other top end speakers down through the years. Bringing the cornwall back into the lineup was way over due, overall dollar for dollar and performance wise is one of the best speakers on the planet period.This is why Klipsch is who they are today, Mr Paul new what he was doing as we all know and we can be thankful that the Lord above blessed us with him and the passion he had for the reproduction of one of the greatest gifts.......MUSIC.... Thanks to everyone at Klipsch Long live the Heritage line. Randy

Indy, Its ironic that once I noticed this thread, I had installed backs on my 2004 khorns just a few weeks ago. I did the work myself using 3/4 mdf and and installed bracing just like you did on your khorns. I did not replace the stock tailboard but, I did add 1/2 mdf using silicone and wood screws which made the tailboard 1 inch thick. Adding the 1/2 mdf to the tailboard did make it more solid of course but, it also allowed the 3/4 backside panels to mate better with the tailboard. I cut one edge of the 3/4 panel 45 degrees to allow the panels to flow nicely into the side grills and also not be seen from the front. I spray painted all panels flat black. It really turned out well and like you said, it can be reversed back to factory original. The main reason I did this mod was the fact that I recently installed ALK es networks in these which took these to another level in clarity, soundstage, and most of all dynamics. Al, as most of you know is an expert in crossover filter design and his es networks are as far as I'm concerned are state of the art, it takes the great designs of Paul Klipsch and his Heritage line to higher levels. My basement room which doubles as a home theater as well as two channel listening is 17 x 22 and the khorns are on the short wall for home theater purposes. I, like so many others with khorns ran into the problem with placement issues concening the khorn being properly sealed in the corners for the bass horn extension and having to sit in an awkward area of the room to listen in the so called sweet spot. I built the false corners like so many so I could tow them out and sit farther back into the room of course. This worked fine until I bought and installed AL'S es networks in the khorns, movie watching was fine but, 2 channel listening was over whelming, I admit, I do play these loud when I sit down for serious listening ( Just ask my wife and kids). I realized that these khorns had to be farther apart and deeper into the room corners just like we all know they were designed for ( long wall and larger room than mine that is) so I took out the false corners and after several weeks of getting insight from this forum as well as other venues, I got my table saw out, already had the mdf from another speaker project, measured eveything and like Roger said measured again, made all the cuts, made sure everything fit and then took all the panels outside and used 4 cans of flat spray paint to cover everything. It really for the most part looks factory. I did not allow for a woofer access door but, its really no problem taking off the panel to get to the woofer access door. Also, I'm of course using the es networks which are all in the upper midrange,tweeter horn area of the khorn for easy access. I now can push these ( over 200 pound giants) into the corners and tow them out to my required listening position. I will admit like everyone else that even with the sealed backs, these still need to be pushed into the corners for the bass extension but, this mod allows much better placement options with out having to worry about the tail seal or huge false corners. And most of all, the mod really does work, in my setup now these khorns have more room to breath and having to not worry about the sealed issue is great. I have checked for rattles from the installed backs at decent sound levels and could not hear any.If done, its very important like any large speaker project, to correctly brace and in my case I used wood screws and silicone sealent for this mod. I've place an order for Bob Crites ct125 tweeters as well as ALK trachorns to put in these khorns ( there goes my Christmas bonus ) so I will be looking forward to installing those as well. I'm in agrement with most, you can't hardly beat the bass horn design of Paul Klipsch's corner horns but, I do believe there is room for improvement in the upper drivers and crossover's. I will take pics after Christmas of the finished backs, I'm getting my wife a new digital camera for Christmas, the old camera died awhile back.I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks and Happy Holidays Randy

Mark, I'll be very curious to know your impressions of the es-networks once they are installed, I'm next in line to receive ALK es-networks myself for my 2004 khorns. Like I have commented before, I have never heard any of Al's networks, I ordered strictly on the comments I've read on this forum which I value very much and also Al's reputation as a network filter designer. I can't wait to receive mine and install them but, until then, I'll look forward to your first impressions. Keep us posted. Randy

Looking at buying a remote to handle home theater as well my two channel setup. What remotes are some of you guys using? I've looked at the Pronto's,marantz,Sony's, etc. My equipment rack is over my right shoulder which makes it hard when you have to point the remote at the equipment to control volumn,etc. Would like to get a remote to handle dimming my home theater lighting also. Thanks for any help or suggestions. Randy

Joe, Welcome to the Klipsch forum, yes, leave them on unless you want to see the drivers from time to time. I've ran many different pairs of speakers over the years that had removable grills and over all there is not a dimes worth of difference with them off or on in most cases.

Al, Thats fine, thanks for the update. I've got so much going on right now with my job,kids,etc, I would have to stay up and miss part of a nights sleep to get them installed at this time and then finding the time to sit down and listen would be another issue.It will get better time wise for me as we get into October. I've already told my boss that I will be taking a few days off in October to take care of some serious business which of course will be installing and listening to ALKS ES - NETWORKS. Thanks Randy

Amen Brother

Al, Not trying to be pushy but, how is my es - networks coming along. I know you said it would be a month or so but, I can't sleep at night because of anticipation, LOL. Thanks Randy

oldenough, there is no way your married, no wife would put up with all that, LOL. In the past six months, I have sold around 10 to 12 old receivers, amps,speakers, etc and have used the funds to improve my two channel setup which is now all Mcintosh,K-horns, and Alks es - networks which are coming soon. I figured, all this excess equipment sitting in boxes or either was not being used very much would be best used by someone that really wanted it for a certain setup. It was hard letting go of some of it but, it was mostly collecting dust. All your equipment is very impressive though, I can understand where your coming from. Rock on Randy

Don't worry Al, I will, and It will most likely branch off into several different discussions just like this one did. It's just the nature of the forum and actually I have learned alot from this very thing happening to a thread but, we all would have to admit, this fuse issue has gone a little far. Fuse or not, I am very looking forward to the networks arriving, installing and listening to them.

You guys are something else, I don't post often but when I do, it seems to open several cans of worms. I do feel honored when AL,BEC,DEAN,D-MAN,SPEAKERFRITZ,ETC get involved with the discussion, you guys know so much,it blows my mind. I'll be honest, when I saw a pic of AL'S es - networks and saw that fuse, I thought I'll leave the fuse in during AL'S two week buy back guarantee and if I decide to keep them which I most likey I will, I will remove the fuse. I've owned several Heritage models and have never used fuses.

I will give a full report of the es-networks once I receive, install, and listen. I'm curious to hear the differences between the AK-4 and the es-networks. Im thinking it will be a no brainer, es-networks, hands down but I will have to wait and listen to judge between the two.

It all looks very nice, you have done well, I hope you and your family enjoy. Rock on.