wallflower

I'm in Lincoln, NE if you want to hear Khorns.

A fellow Klipsch forum member helped me put backs on my K-horns this summer. I took lots of pictures of the process. Send me a PM and I'll send pictures to whomever wants them. It's a very effective upgrade.

I've got pretty decent equipment for both CD and LP (Rega Saturn CDP and VPI Scout TT). Compared to my Technics or Sony CD players the VPI is clearly superior; no question. However, compared to the Saturn, the Scout can not compete. Listening to Redbook on the Saturn will make anyone a believer in the CD format.

I'd like to paint the inside of the K400 horns on my La Scalas (for purely aesthetic reasons). Other than pulling them out of the cabinet and taking off the K-55V drivers, is there any thing else I should consider? Is there a particular type of paint that would be preferred over another? Thanks! Jeff

Thanks again Roger!! Your input and pictures made the project much more straightforward. Jeff

Roger, I couldn't agree more. With all due respect, my guess is with the exception of a very few implementations, nearly all Khorn applications could benefit from either false corners or 60th Anniversary style backs. It stands to reason that unless you have perfect corners (i.e. a perfect seal with the corners of the room, combined with reinforced walls (concrete, 3/4' plywood, etc...) Khorns would probably be dramatically enhanced by false corners or the addition of the backs. Even with the backs added to my speakers I've still reinforced the wall with 3/4" plywood (per PWK specs for the false corner). I noticed that unless I had the reinforcement, the standard drywall had tremendous flex from the bass wave coming out of the Khorn. Thanks again for your input Roger! Jeff

Because of some issues with the room it's necessary to use some flush mounted Klipsch for the rears. Would 94dB rears work o.k. with the 96dB Fortes and Academys?

Just send everything to Bob and let him rebuild them. You'll be glad you did. I'd probably send the K-77s too.

Mark, I've listened to the Khorns (in the new toed in position) with a broad selection of my music (hard rock, jazz, classical, 70's classic rock (LP and CD)) and I cannot get that nasty sound to reappear. I've turned it up as loud as I can stand it and I just don't hear the harsh, tunnelly sound that I heard before. It's really stunning to me how toeing the speakers in has so dramatically altered the sound of these speakers. I'm finally hearing what I thought all along I should be hearing from Khorns (only it's a lot better than I expected). I couldn't be happier with the sound improvement!! Cheers!

Gary, I'm certainly no expert, but I'm pretty sure something is wrong with either your cross-over networks, wiring or tweeters. The high frequency from my Khorns is great. Things are very good in Khorn land for me right now. Good luck!

Update report... After several more critical listening sessions I want to report that toeing the speakers in has effectively eliminated the harshness I was experiencing with my Khorns. They really do sound like different speakers. There just seems to be more synergy with the system. The imaging is so much more precise and yet without a reduction in the soundstage. I've found I can really enjoy listening to music that I previously thought was totally annoying on the Khorns. I'm also able to listen and enjoy at pretty significant SPL levels. Previously I've never been able to get good piano recordings to sound right on this system, but now they sound excellent. For some reason my piano recordings sound better on the Khorns than on my La Scalas. Any thoughts as to why that might be? Anyway, things are much improved and I'm very happy. Thanks all for your input!! Jeff

Actually the room, while finished, has a lot of furniture and "stuff" in it. It's already probably absorbing a great deal of the reflections. I'm sure it could be improved upon but it's not like an empty room. DeanG - Great ideas. I really do need to change out the old wiring. And maybe I do need to go to some ES networks. Thanks all!

HDBRbuilder-<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Great response! With the backs on these Khorns I'm already getting tremendous bass response. I'm not sure I want any more. Now I'm curious if putting them on the floor is going to be too much; as it is they'll rumble your seat and stomach. Thanks again for the great feedback. Jeff

Thanks all for the input! Keep it coming!!! I took the advice and moved the crossing point of the top hat (crossing somewhere around 12" in front of my face). That made a huge difference. The image became much more defined but it also had the effect of reducing the harshness. Specifically it made some of my old rock (which sounded pretty horrible before) sound really great. It seems that the crossing point and harshness had more to do with vocals, and music with lots of distortion (noise), and less to do with music such as jazz. This is very good news because I was beginning to believe I wouldn't be able to enjoy my classic rock on the Khorns. The Khorns are amazing speakers, but they are a real PAIN to get set properly. I've got a pretty good room for them and it's still been very difficult to get the setup right; and that's with the ability to toe the speakers. I can certainly see why many people have tried Khorns and subsequently disliked them. Thanks again for all the great advice. This is a great forum!! Jeff

Thanks for the input!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Actually the stands are ostensibly a complete floor, meaning the Khorn sits over a solid piece of two 3/4" sheets of Baltic birch plywood laminated to each other and the surface area of the stand platform is larger than the bottom of the Khorn, so I think the stands are accomplishing the task of completing the bass horn lens. Think of it as an extension of the floor which sits on rollers. On the other hand I can see where the potential exists for the extra height created by the stands to be causing a problem for the mid and high frequencies. Perhaps I just need to put the La Scalas into action until I finish the room??....

Heres my situationI need help... <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> I have 1988 Khorns and Ive added the 60th Anniversary style backs to them. That upgrade is very effective at providing excellent bass response while permitting the speakers to be toed out. The effect is very good in terms of imaging and soundstage. However, there seems to be an issue with the squawker in that many times vocals will sound constrained and even harsh or grainy. The sound is as though its coming from an enclosed space, sort of like a tunnel or cave. My room is 17 by 35. Ive designed non-parallel walls for the sides walls. Currently I have no ceiling (only exposed floor joists) so I doubt Im getting any reflection there. Ive added sound deadening material at the first reflection point on the side walls coming off of the Khorns (mirror test). I also have the Khorns sitting on full bottom stands for two reasons: since the basement isnt completely finished Ive mounted wheels on the stands to accommodate moving the speakers when necessary (note: I do have markings on the floor to help in identifying the optimal location to return the speakers to when I move them), also since its in a basement, just in case, I want to protect the speakers from any potential water damage. Ive also upgraded the cross-overs to AK-3s (from Bob Crites). What I have to compare are my 1981 La Scalas with new Bob Crites AA networks. It seems the La Scalas sound much better at higher volumes than the Khorns with the AK-3s. I dont notice any of the graininess or harshness with the La Scala/AA combination. In fact I prefer my La Scalas, however they dont produce anywhere near the bottom end that the Khorns generate. The speakers are tucked into the corners but at the same time toed out to accommodate imaging and soundstage (squawker and tweeter pointing just past my ears to the outside). My listening position is about 14 feet from the center line of the speakers (which seems to be optimal for imaging). The stands are about 5 tall. Currently the system consists of: BlueBerry Xtreme Pre-amp Conrad Johnson MF-2500 A Power Amp Rega Saturn CDP VPI Scout/ Dyanvector 10x5 1988 Khorns or 1981 La Scalas My questions are: Do I potentially have a diaphragm issue with one or both of my squawkers? Am I experiencing an issue because of the stands and the angles they create to my listening position? Any other ideas? Thanks in advance for your help!! Jeff

I have a friend that's contemplating putting together a surround system anchored by Fortes. Without breaking the bank, what would you all recommend for a complementary center channel, rears and sub-woofer? Also, it would be preferable if the center and rears were as physically small as possible.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Ideas? Thanks, Jeff

I've got lots of pictures of the process and some words of advice to share. It would be easier to talk over the phone. Send me your phone number in a PM and we can talk. Regards, Jeff Edited... I just realized you're in the U.K., so I guess we'll need to communicate via email, unless you want to coordinate a time to call me. Jeff

Hi Jay, I'll take it. It will surely fit my Scout. Please advise what I need to do! Thanks and Best Regards, Jeff

Hi Rob, You have PM. Thanks, Jeff

Hi, You have an email mesage from me. Jeff

I've heard some report the big ring clamp is the best accessory to add and probably one of the top reasons to get the Scoutmaster.

Congrats!! I'm sure you're going to really enjoy it. What cartridge are you putting on it? I have a Scout and like it a lot.

tigerwoodKhorns - Have you ridden a dirt bike much before (I mean off-road and on the edge)?

Does anyone have a set of AK-3 crossovers they'd like to sell (both HF and LF)? Thanks, Jeff