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The serial number is written on the label on the back. If the label has been removed or if the SN has faded, you can also find it stamped into the wood on the back. Look for it to be stamped on the top edge of the back panel. The Type AL thing on the back is called a crossover.

That is a bunch of B.S. Horns are great for both home and pro use. Of course I'm talking quality horns here.

I think that speed may still not be the best word to describe what we are discussing. After all, what we are really talking about is how dynamic a Klipshorn is compared to direct radiator speakers how fast can a speaker get loud, and how fast can it go back to no output. This is really what dynamics are all about. Prana-Bindu: Your understanding of horns is pretty good. A horn essentially makes the driver more efficient by coupling the air to the diaphragm. By doing this, the diaphragm in a horn system can move much more air for a given movement of a diaphragm compared to that in a direct radiator. This means that in a horn system, the diaphragm doesnt have to move nearly as much as that on a direct radiator to reach the same SPL. Because it doesnt have to move as far, it can get to that SPL faster. This is how horns get their improved dynamics (and lower distortion) over direct radiators. Remember that we are talking about the dynamics of a K-horn. A fully horn loaded system is going to be more dynamic than direct radiators. There is nothing subjective about this. The physics behind horns give them this advantage over DRs. This is true for any horn system vs. any direct radiator system. If someone cant tell the differences in dynamics between a fully horn-loaded speaker system (e.g., Klipshorns, La Scalas, Belles) vs. a direct radiator with cones and domes (say a Thiel speaker), then they have impaired hearing. The differences are not subtle! Forresthump: I do not have any problems with my head being slow, thank you very much. Arco: I agree with everything you stated in your three above points. For me personally, I am mostly going to be concerned with getting a sub for HT. This shouldnt be as much of a concern, but of course I will try to get something that integrates as well as I can get it. Now, lets get back to what this topic was about in the first place: helping Arco find some subs to match his K-horns. Arco owns K-horns, and he can hear how dynamic they are. I dont think anybody is going to be able to convince him that they are not dynamic and that for OPTIMAL integration, he doesnt need a sub that exhibits equivalent dynamics. I cannot be convinced either. I would suggest that you do some investigation into the Contrabass. It might be just what youre looking for. Hopefully some of the other folks that have mentioned it, and maybe even auditioned it, can chime in.

Those look like some JBL's. Hence, the classic audio REPRODUCTIONS brand.

quote: Originally posted by talktoKeith: ... Bill,had a great time between the Bushes... Keith I think you hit that one on the nose, literally...

Maybe it can be measured. I don't know. There probably is a way to do it. I don't have a test lab, and as I mentioned before, this may not be important to the folks that do test speakers. But just because you can't measure something, doesn't mean it's automatically subjective. If you didn't have the equipment to measure the speed of a car, you can still tell which one is faster by using your eyes. Likewise, I use an even better measuring device to measure dynamics than any of these magazines use in their test measurement -- my ears! Specifications only mean so much. They can give you some information, but they do not tell the whole story. Specifications are NOT going to tell you how an amp, speaker, source, etc. are going to sound (granted, if there was an accurate measurement of dynamics, it should tell you which one is more dynamic, but won't necessarily tell you which one sounds better). Your ears can tell you the whole story.

"Speed" is not a subjective at all. This term really refers to how dynamic a speaker is. Someone once asked if Speed was really the right term, and I suggested that maybe acceleration (and deceleration) are better descriptions. In automobile performance tests, many times they measure how fast a car can go from zero to 100 MPH, and then back to zero again (0-100-0 test). For speakers, maybe the measurement would be to see how fast a speaker (doesn't have to be a sub) can go from say zero dB to 100 dB and then back to zero dB (OK, I know zero dB isn't correct, but let's just use that as an example). The faster a speaker can do this, the more dynamic it is. Why aren't there any kinds of measurements like this? Well, maybe there isn't equipment available to make these measurements (?). But on the other hand, most of the "Highly Regarded" speakers reviewed in magazines are not horns, and if they made these measurements, they would pale in comparison to what a horn can do. Maybe that's another reason why these measurement aren't done. Besides, "High-End" magazines seem to place more importance on imaging and soundstage than on dynamics. This is not something where one person will think one speaker is more dynamic than another and a different person will think the opposite (at least not where there are significant differences). Everyone can tell that a Corvette is faster than a Chevette. It's the same way with dynamics in speakers. Dynamics are the biggest reason why I love Klipsch speakers (and horns in general). I also love live music, and that's probably why dynamics are so important to me.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too and all the other Klipschers!

Aristidis, You have the same problem I do -- finding a sub that can "keep up" with Klipschorns. This is not an easy job, and most commercially available subs are not up to the task. The problem is in finding a sub that will have similar dynamics. Normal direct radiators cannot accomplish this without using many, many of these. It's not about output capability, it's about dynamics, and seemlessly integrating a sub with a horn speaker. That's where the challenge lies. For home theater use only, you may be able to get by with "regular" subs. But if you're looking for a sub for music applications, then it gets tougher. If you don't have a sub that is as dynamic as the Khorn, then you will notice the "slow" bass. I believe that this isn't as big of an issue in home thater applications and can be "lived with". For music, I think it will be too noticable. That is where you either need to use a horn sub, or multiple drivers. Another option is the Servodrive Contrabass sub which I have heard about, but don't know that much about it. You can find information about it here: http://www.servodrive.com/servo/cb.shtml Antother option is to use a horn sub like the Edgarhorn. The problem is that it only goes down to 35Hz. It's also huge and heavy (400 pounds). I don't think there is a website, but here are some photos: http://www.surfnetusa.com/sho/Blowout1.html An other option is to use direct radiators, but again, you would have to have numerous drivers and this would also take up quite a bit of room. I haven't quite decided on how I'm going to tackle this issue, but these are all options I woll consider. Price and size will likely be the deciding factors for me.

Nice! Didn't know the Reference subs were out. How does it sound?

I have been thinking about refinishing my speakers in a piano black finish -- you know, the kind that has a very smooth and lustrous finish. Does anyone have any advice or knowledge about how to accomplish this? I don't even know if it's a good idea as it may take more skill and/or tools than I have. It may be best if left up to a professional. Any advice would be appreciated.

Interesting! Did you notice any difference in sound by beveling the horn openings?

Very Nice! I like it -- not just the system, but the entire room!

15", 3-way 32-20Khz 405 W Max Power 105 db/1W/1M sensitivity 4 Ohm nominal impedence Max Output level, Pair, full power: 129 dB Low Freq. driver: 15" cone woofer Mid Freq. driver: 1" compression horn High Freq. driver: 1" horn HxWxD: 29.5" x 19.25" x 15.375" Weight: 65 lbs. Came in both home and pro versions. Home version was covered with black vinyl, pro version was covered in carpet and had handles.

I have Patricia Barber's "Cafe Blue", and it is a very high quality recording. I'll have to check out that "Companion" title.

45 watts is a ton of power for any Klipsch speaker. That's exactly how much power my amp puts out. If you want the best speaker for those 45 watts, well that would be the Klipschorn. Next up would be Belle/La Scala, Cornwall. Those recommendations are because those are the best Klipsch speakers, but just about any Klipsch speaker will work well with 45 watts. On the other hand, if you are asking about an SET amp with 45 tubes, which only put out about 1 watt or so, then you need the most efficient speaker you can get. The Klipschorn again wins here with the Belle and La Scala also providing equivalent sensitivity.

You might also want to evaluate your CD player. If it is an old unit, it may be part of the problem.

Andy, You should be able to find a used Classe Seventy for close to $500. I used to have one of these amps driving a pair of Cornwalls and was very impressed with it. The Classe sound has been compared to "tube sound" -- very smooth, sweet midrange, but a little light in the bass area. I found the model Seventy to have those kind of qualities. The bass wasn't as deep as some other amps, but what was there was very tight and controlled. The rest of the sound was wonderful. Unless you are a huge bass freak, I think you would be very happy with this amp. I can't say how it compares to the other amps recommended, but I do think it would perform quite well. I give it a strong recommendation and I have used it with Cornwalls.

You didn't mention a price range, but I will suggest you consider Classe audio if it fits within your price range. I also think it's a very good match with Klipsch.

I have La Scalas in a room even smaller than what Ross uses. It's not ideal, but I still get good sound. Heresy's are very nice speakers, but they are no match for either of the other speakers mentioned (Khorn, Belle, La Scala, Cornwall). If you don't have the corners (or the cash), then I would consider either the La Sclala or Cornwall. The Belle is supposed to be identical in performance to the La Scala, but in more of a "furniture-grade" finish. The La Scalas are easier to find and also significantly cheaper. My LS are finished and have the front grill, so they look very nice (not industrial by any means). I think they look pretty cool. So, if you can handle the size of the Cornwall or La Scala/Belle, then I would suggest you go for one of these. The La Scala may have the most imposing footprint. Both the Belle and Cornwall are wider, but neither are as deep. I personally prefer the La Scala SLIGHTLY over the Cornwall in all areas except for the deep bass. The Cornwall will go noticably deeper in bass than the LS/Belle. This of course is just my opinion.

quote: Originally posted by discorules: I subsribe and will be looking for it. I get the feeling they're biased against Klipsch, esp the Heritage line. Yeah, that's my impression as well. I was suprised they even published that letter. But then again, I remember them publishing another letter from some guy complaining that his Bose 901's were not on their recommended components list even though they are "the world's greatest loudspeakers". It's also interesting to note that the person who wrote the letter (about the Khorn, not the 901) is a musician, and claims to "know what live music sounds like".

Just got my November issue of Stereophile magazine. In quickly scanning it, I noticed an interesting mention of Klipschorns in the "Letters" section. The letter I'm referring to is on page 14 and is titled "Getting it right." This particular letter is from someone who recently discovered Klipsch and proclaims the Khorn as "the very best stereo sytem I've ever heard". I thought those that subscribe to Stereophile might be interested in reading that letter.

quote: Originally posted by mobile homeless: ...Both given equal footing, I have found the well designed tube amp to deliver a more harmonically rich presentation that draws you into the music. The old idea of rolled off highs and super mushy lows is really a moot point given the proper speakers, good output transformers (the heart of the tube amp), and a well designed power supply. As I said, you owe it to yourself to hear a good valve amp. KH: Your statment, "I have found the well designed tube amp to deliver a more harmonically rich presentation that draws you into the music", perfectly describes my experience when I first connected a tube amp (Audio Research VT-50) into my system. Likewise, I did not experience the tube amp complaints of mushy bass or rolled off highs. Tubes have given me more music enjoyment! I think I can say I'm a tube convert.

Both speakers are excellent. The main difference between the two is that the La Scala has a basshorn, while the Cornwall uses a vented direct radiator for the bass section. This means that the La Scala will sound a little more dynamic in the bass area, and has a little bit tighter bass, but the Cornwall will go deeper. Overall, I think I prefer the sound of the La Scala SLIGHTLY over the Cornwall, but I do notice the lack of low bass in comparison to the Cornwall.

Tell ya what Jim. On the offhand chance that you win the auction, I'll take over for ya. Houston isn't too far from me.