jdm56

Greg, Newer k-horns, belles and la scalas are spec'd to within +/- 3dB over their rated bandwidth, where older ones are only held to +/- 5dB. I couldn't say if the difference is that audible, though. And I believe that in '82, klipsch went to plastic horns. I've got '98 k-horns and I just love'm! Plastic horns and all. ------------------ JDMcCall

It seems to me that if the copper coloring only serves to keep the aluminum layer of the cones fron corroding or discoloring, then that would be a good thing. Right? Nobody would like their woofer cones going all cloudy and dull on them. As for plastic baskets, I can see pros and cons. It just depends upon the execution of the design and manufacture. Could be great, could be lame. I guess we'll know more about it down the road a bit. I can't really comment on the Reference Series sound, as I have not heard any of the new ones. But I would not expect them to sound better than the Heritage line, considering the price difference, and the compromises made to keep their cabinets stylishly slim. One must remember that the old PWK designs represent one mans' vision of affordable high quality speaker for music lovers. I would guess that the newer models are not the product of one persons' vision, and that thay are aimed at a much broader spectrum of potential buyers and uses. ------------------ JDMcCall

matthew2 I have seen advertised specs on a very few low, low, low dollar receievers that only rated power down to 40hz. I've seen a number of inexpensive multi-channel receivers that only quoted power figures at 1000hz, too. It takes more current to drive speakers at low frequencies, and the smaller power supplies of cheap electronics can't deliver. ------------------ JDMcCall

John W, Nothing personal, but it seems to me you never have anything positive to say about klipsch. So...what's your interest in this BB? I admit that I sometimes tend to gush about K, but geez, do you even like klipsch speakers? Don't you own la scalas, or am I mistaken? Again, nothing personal. Enquiring minds... As for the copper "color", well isn't that what copper anodizing looks like? It's not like it's fake copper or something. Gold is gold, silver is silver and copper...well, you know. ------------------ JDMcCall

"Why Klipsch"? In my earliest, pre-enlightenment audiophool days I dismissed klipsch as being inaccurate (cause the magazines said so). But, most everything else I tried that sounded good eventually blew out, burned out or just plain broke (Advent, ESS, Synergistic). I had Bose 901s for a very brief while, that didn't break but instead, sucked, which was even worse. Anyway, after hearing Cornwalls at someones house and being very impressed I decided to go klipsch. I had those beauties for eight years. Nary a whimper. Sounded particularly good with Luxman electronics. 1993 - Another bout of audiophilia-nervosa strikes; I sell the cornwalls and buy Amrita Reference Standards. Very good sound, BUT; Ya just don't know what you've got 'till it's gone. Fast-forward to '98; After years of steadily building, my klipschorn fascination has become an obsession. (A clue: I had saved the 1986 AUDIO magazine issue featuring a cover shot and full review of the klipschorn .) After deciding to make a change, I was basically down to the k-horn, or a pair of Legacy Focus, having heard them at the Springfield, IL factory. July, '98 - We're driving to Chicago, so I've planned a stopover in Springfield (IL). If things work out, maybe get the Legacys. But by pure luck, I happened to notice an A/V store in a strip-mall in that same town, that had a klipsch sign in the window. Mosey'd on in, not expecting much, but there they were; a beatiful pair of k-horns in the precise livery of my fantasy - oak oil w/black grilles. It was lust at first sight. But of course, I had to at least go through the motions of making a fair comparison with the Focus, which I did. From Nanci Griffiths' superb "Other Voices, Other Rooms", to the Dirt Bands' "Circle II", to some really slammin' Fleetwod Mac ("Tusk"), those 'horns just kicked the Legacys out of the picture. Throw in a very good price and the deal was done. I came back in a couple of weeks with a U-Haul in tow and took those puppies home! HAPPY AUDIO BOY!!!s> ------------------ JDMcCall

Unfortunately, your experience is all too common. I'm sure it's hard to get knowledgable, consciencious salespeople, or aty least to keep them for long. ------------------ JDMcCall

Yeah Baby! Thanks for the dope. I had assumed the false corners would have to be much bigger...Makes me consider trying my k-horns in a different (bigger) room! ------------------ JDMcCall

Just a thought to ponder concerning new "hi-rez" digital formats: most adult males do well to hear 16khz, let alone 20 or 50khz. And yes, since SACD shifts noise out of the audioband in to the ultrasonic region, what could be the benefit of amps and speakers reproducing it??? Also, Sony DOES market some extremely good speakers. These are in their ES series of audio gear. The top of the line SS-M9 was very favorably reviewed in STEREOPHILE a while back. The whole line is designed and built right here in the USofA. Not to be confused with their el cheapo stuff. ------------------ JDMcCall

derek0903, I can't reply directly to your question, because I've never heard the RF-7, but I would suggest that you try to not be influenced by whether a speaker system is a two-way, three-way or whatever. Just listen and let your ears decide, as there are excellent designs of all types. Indeed, to many audiophiles the holy grail of loudspeakers would be a full-range, single driver, crossover-less design. To me, the proof is in the sound. ------------------ JDMcCall

joec64, I'm not sure I follow. Are you talking about using a stereo pair, close to the TV? This instead of a dedicated mono center channel fed from the center channel output of your receiver? If that is what you mean, I would definitely advise against it. It will shrink and smear your front soundstage, and yet not provide clean dialogue anchored to your video display either. Kind of the worst of both worlds. It would play louder, but clarity would suffer greatly. ------------------ JDMcCall

quote: Originally posted by JoshT: Wired1, if you don't want to wait, you can always buy used. --JoshT If YOU can find an immaculate oak/oil belle klipsch with black grille, 1982-present, then please let me know! I've been lookin' for over three months now. ------------------ JDMcCall

Gotta hand it to Sony. Though they tend to try to throw their weight around as far as promoting "their" formats, they do stand by them very well. I agree that MD is a cool format and ideally would survive as a replacement for the audio cassette - two channel tunes for portables, mini shelf systems and auto sound. And for us wackos - SACD! Make that multi-channel SACD. ------------------ JDMcCall

Ahhh, oak! Lovely, lovely, lovely. ------------------ JDMcCall

Wired1 and other heritage-starved faithful, I tried to order a single belle klipsch to anchor my cornerhorns back in early Spring, only to learn I'd have to wait till "late Summer". I've been searching everywhere I can think to look for pre-owned one (oak oil / black grille) with absolutely no luck. I am just trying to be patient. At this point, I'll be pleasantly surprised if they start shipping before the end of the year. To be honest, I've been so frustrated at times by this situation that I've even considered abandoning my heritage system plans altogether. Maybe put together a Reference rig. But I'd never actually do that unless they sounded better than the 'horns in a direct comparison, in my music room. And I really can't imagine that happening. So. We're just stuck in limbo, it seems. Oh well, it's not like SACD and/or DVD-A are taking off like wildfire. ------------------ JDMcCall

Yeah, I'd be glad to. I've already got a headache from the fireworks anyway. A little more cranium crunching probably wouldn't hurt any more. I don't work cheap, but I would work for a belle klipsch if you've got one sitting around gathering dust. ------------------ JDMcCall

One of the most impressive sounding CD's I've heard lately is "The Mix" by Kraftwerk. It is dance remakes of some of their older work. Sounds absolutely awesome over klipschorns. The bass and drum machines especially. The only bad thing is that after you listen to it, anything else you put on sounds dull in comparison. So just save it for the last selection you listen to before you power down your system for the night. I'd highly recommend this disc to anybody who likes dance/techno/electronic music at all. ------------------ JDMcCall

According to the very well informed folks at consumer reports, NO ONE needs to spend over five or six hundred dollars for a pair of speakers. Gee, I wish I'd known that before I bought my klipschorns! Think of the money I could have saved. Could have gotten a lifetime subscription to CR, plus a lovely pair of (pick a brand; flavor of the month, vinyl wrapped, 6 1/2" woofered bookshelf sound appliance). Not to rain on this Viking love-fest or anything, BUT the Rams are lookin' to go all the way - again!!! ------------------ JDMcCall

It kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it? All the fuss and bother about achieving response down to 20hz or below. If popular music is your musical meat and potatos, why bother? Give me a high-output/low distortion pair of klipsch that can slam at 40hz! Below that - that's what they build RSW15s for. Oh BTW; TtoK, I'm not really being hard on myself. I really do have this huge, fat 7 7/8 hat size head. I'm a total freak!!!s> When I was a kid, my dentist told my mom that I would be a music lover. He deduced this from the size and shape of my noggin! The guy must have been a student of phrenology. He nailed it! ------------------ JDMcCall

...still looking for an oak/oil belle klipsch, 1982-2001. Must be in very good condition. E-mail me. ------------------ JDMcCall

Hi John, All I can tell you off the top of my big, fat head is that the lowest string on a four-string bass is supposed to be approximately 40hz. Seems it was actually 40 point something. I've read it a number of times and I should remember exactly, but being weak of mind, it eludes me. ------------------ JDMcCall

Considering your professed status as a horn devotee, if you've got the room for them, then go for the k-horns. If your room is questionable, then I'd recommend either belles or la scalas. "Be horny and happy." ------------------ JDMcCall

Khorn, I know this is just stating the obvious, but just get the biggest, baddest sub you can afford! And having done that, you still won't have a sub that can really keep up, but it'll help. What little experimenting I've done trying to smooth the bass response of my 'horns has shown me this; Adding "more" bass is easy; making "better" bass is not! Recommendations: Klipsch RSW15, Paradigm Reference Servo 15, Bag End 18" sub, 18" Velodyne and REL (let your wallet be your guide!) ------------------ JDMcCall

As I am certainly not privy to the goings on at Klipsch board meetings, I can only go by what they've done in the recent past, and by what they've said. They do seem to be trying to go where the money is. Can't blame them for that - they have to eat, too. But that is generally into the home theater/computer/custom install areas. After all, us traditional audiophiles seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. They say they have no plans to abandon the "Heritage" loudspeakers. I'll take them at their word. But I'll feel a lot better when they actually start shipping them again. -I WANT MY BELLE!s> ------------------ JDMcCall

Thanks for the ideas, Max and Gil. I really don't want to get that tweeter horn much higher than it is anyway, but maybe no more than a couple of inches would not make much difference. I'm more concerned about the bass. I do wonder if cones or points would offer any sonic benefits similar to what they supposedly do with conventional (non horn-loaded woofer) speakers. Audio Advisor sells some aluminum cones (Michell Tenderfeet) that are an inch and a half high, that screw into the bottom of the speaker. To the tune of $10.65 a pop. But geez, how would you move the speaker around on those things? I'm sure it could be done, but that's getting a little...difficult. I kind of like the notion of a thin slab of something between the speakers and the carpet. Weight is no problem - they're sitting on concrete. Now if I can just figure out what. Any and all ideas are appreciated. ------------------ JDMcCall

Legairre, Just try'em! They may match up very well. Klipsch must think so, at least. Besides, even identical speakers will not sound exactly the same when they are in such different locations as is typically the case with HT set-ups. ------------------ JDMcCall