Super_BQ

I suppose it all depends on how insane you want to be. Do we differentiate between your normal consumer or the rich that have loads of $ to buy what's hip? One thing i've noticed is that in high-end brands (like exotic cars), they don't seem to depreciate much. I think it's fair to say that a classic Ferarri will always hold it's value - just like high-end audio brands like Naim. I don't think the Klipschorn will be in the same league as say the Tannoys. In order for Klipsch to be taken seriously in high-end audio, they really need to make 'quality' stuff that will test the time - simply by having a high resale value. If they used similar drivers (such as TAD, Goto, or strict inhouse productions), and commanded a price tag like these other comparable makes, then the high-end community will take the Klipsch brand more serious.

Hi LarryC I suppose you may be right. Interpreting the serial # coding on mine, it's the last 4 digits that would count. http://www.geocities.com/lelamjade/Klipschorns/KHorn10.jpg That's sad to hear Klipsch making the xover into a PCB. I know in building tube amps, the use of PCB is discouraged. In high end class A transistor amplifiers the preference is still point to point soldering. I also question the quality of our current drivers. The woofer looks like a make out of the Eminence factory and the tweeter made in the Phillipines

Hi Dean, It doesn't appear that your AK4 xover looks the same as my AK4 xover. http://www.geocities.com/lelamjade/Klipschorns/KHorn5.jpg Mine were probably the 1st pair (in walnut) that came off the line in 2002. They may be the same xover but the components on the board have been rearranged. Also the amount of Monster Cable hookup wire bundled together on mine seems unecessary. BQ

I think i've managed to fix the problem. The crossovers are fine. When I opened 1 speaker, I could not believe the mess job the previous(s) owners did. They must of used acid core solder because the wire at the terminals corroded green. This was done to all 3 drivers. The other speaker I noticed the tweeter diaphragm measured 6.8 ohms. I have some new diaphragms which measure around 8.4 ohms. The other speaker tweeter also measured around 8.4 ohms so I replaced it with the proper one. I suppose this is the problem when buying 2nd hand. You have NO IDEA what kind of patch / mod jobs previous owners have done. If only speakers were as collectable as classic cars. Enthusiasts only want things original... BQ

Bob, I own a pair of CW II that I believe were made around 1985/86? Can you please confirm as I have them posted here: http://www.geocities.com/super_bq/Klipsch1.html My problem is it appears that 1 speaker is louder than the other. The mid-range and woofer (I think) sounds about the same for both speakers but on 1 speaker, the tweeter seems to be quite a bit weak. Loss in high freq. response. I do know that lower freq bass sound is harder to identify location (if 1 speaker's woofer is actually less than the other). I've measured the resistance at the speaker terminal posts and both have the same ohm reading. I've not been crafty enough to swap horns around and though, by the age, it could simply be the xover? Please advise. Thanks BQ

Hi Dean, From my experience, i'm pretty sure these are polypropylenes, at least metallised polypropylenes. They're not the expensive kinds like Hovlands Musicaps, Auricaps, or InfiniCaps who's to say that paying a premium for exotic brands makes that much of an improvement in the speaker network? ALK4 has been corrected to AK4 on the website. BQ

Don't rush all at once. Geocities sets a bandwidth limit on my website so if it doesn't show up... pleaes try again later or the next day. http://www.geocities.com/lelamjade/Klipschorns.html I've been listening to these speakers for over 6 hours NON STOP! So for those that think horns are too harse or tiresome to the hears, YOU ARE WRONG. BQ

I paid $5800 from a dealer in Everett WA. That was a long time ago and couldn't believe it took me 18 months before they were shipped. I should say they were $5800 with NO taxes as they were directly exported to New Zealand. Currently still in their original boxes http://www.geocities.com/super_bq/Klipsch1.html I do not know if Klipsch may any changes from 2002 to now on the Klipschorns. The dealer did tell me that at the time of my order, there was only like 2 woodworkers building for the Heritage line. I'm not sure if those 2 were Klipschorn builders from the old school or newly hired to take the job? AK4? I never knew. All I can see is they've used Monster Cable inside. I can't really get a good close up shot of the xover network without taking the speakers out of the box. Next year when the new house is finished... i'll finally get to hear them... Talk about patience. BQ

---------------- On 3/25/2004 4:40:08 PM tgourlie wrote: going back as soon as I get $6,750. Then I'll also have to wait the 16 weeks it takes Klipsch to make and deliver. Has anyone ever put the new k-horns up against a vintage k-horn? I really would like some oak oiled horns, but klipsch now only makes lacquered versions. ---------------- How about waiting for 18 months from order for speakers? They're still in storage in their ORIGINAL box waiting for a new house to finish building (ET next year). I ordered them in 2001 and it's 2004 now. 4 years to wait for speakers what you call "patience"! http://www.geocities.com/super_bq/Klipsch1.html I believe the the ones I have are oiled walnut. News to me how they only make lacquered finishes. Has anyone audition these new Klipschorns???? With new xover, new drivers, i'm sure there MUST be a difference in sound (improvement or not). BQ

I just bought a pair of Cornwall II in the beginnng of the year and personally, I would never dare do any modfication on them. It hurts their resale value dramatically. Also you can be sure the Eminence woofer would not perform the same as the orginal Klipsch woofer. BQ

Interesting thread, I just called the Klpsch parts dept. wanting to order spare parts for my speakers. Not surprisingly, they didn't have any of the new 2002 Klipschorn drivers and diaphrams in stock. For those who are interested, my website link below shows my new 2002 model Klpschorn http://www.geocities.com/super_bq/Klipsch1.html They also informed me on the $900 Klipschorn upgrade. For a company to offer a solution to existing old model Klipschorn owners was pretty good. I can't think of any company today that maintains support for speakers made 20 or 30 years ago. Having said this, the other concern is would you want to butcher your speakers by doing such an upgrade? The analogy is like putting in a new fuel-injected V8 motor into an old classic muscle car made in the 60s and 70s. Definitely wouldn't be original anymore and it would also affect the resale value. For those that don't get to read my website, I can not comment on the sound of my Klpschorns as they are STILL in the original box. Awaiting contruction of a new house. BQ

I'm resurrecting this old post again as I am an owner of a new pair 2002 model Klipschorns (still in the box) as they await for a new home being built. Currently, the dimension of the room is 18 x 22 x 8 (W x L x H in ft) I've read Klipschorns need a fair size room but can anyone confirm the minimum size room, optimal size, and largest size room that Klipschorns will sound reasonably good in? I've seen countless of Klipschorn owners selling their speakers just because they say "don't have the space, room is too small or not idea, blah blah.." Yet, no one has stepped up to say what size room is ideal? I mean, do Klipschorns sound that bad if they're placed in a small room that one has to sell them? BQ

My new 2002 model Klipschorns do indeed use the Monster Cable wiring and terminal lugs. I fully intend to take MORE pictures however, I will have to do so next year when the new house is built. As of now, the Klipschorns stay IN the box. I won't even attempt to take them out of the box because I know they are so big and heavy to move around. As for the drivers, I am certain that they are not the same as the older Klipschorn specs. Even the midrange horn flare looks like some new composite plastic material. Can you consider these new Klipschorns as "New & Improved" ??? For decades, Klipsch had always used the typical lamp cord for internal wiring. I can not verify if the xover is an ALK type. There are far too many variables to say that dropping in a new xover will be it when a new mid-range driver (having different specs than the older Klipschorns) is being used. Most likely, a newly redesigned xover was used. Did you guys catch the extra extended low freq. range of 2 Hz compared to the older models? Sorry i can't show much more photos other than the 4 boxes and serial #s on them. The finish is dark walnut which I find is the most appealing. For future amplification, I intended to use this http://www.geocities.com/lelamjade/2A3.html In future years, I intend to build many more tube amps of low wattage. Anyone else driving Klipschorns with flea power amps like 2A3 tubes? BQ

The reason why tube watts seem to be louder than SS watts is due to the nature of the gain device (the valves vs. transistors). In transistors, the nasty distortion produced is termed 1st order which is most undesirable and highly detectable with the human ear. As mentioned before, the analog waveform is litterally clipped when the transistor is overdriven. In tubes, the type of distortion produced is mainly odd order harmonic distortion. The characteristic of this type of distortion follows a natural state and is not considered undesirable at levels way beyond what is acceptable with SS distortion. So when a tube is overdriven, the analog waveform is somewhat "squashed" rather than outright clipped. The user can drive the tube into distortion levels without noticing a negative affect on the sound quality. In fact, the user may LIKE this type of "smoothness/roughness?" sound in which they are hearing. A better analogy would the sound of a guitar tube amp. Where did this electric distortion sound come from on all those guitar rigs? In all mainstream music we hear the distortion sound from the guitars - yet, when we play that song back on our speakers, how come that sound is not perceived as being annoying? Another important note is speakers DO NOT like clipped distorted signals from the amp. Tweeters can easily be fried without the user noticing any large amount of distortion (what you may perceived as a clean sound may not be in the case for the drivers). BQ

Can someone tell me if Klipsch still deals with replacement diaphrams (voice coil parts) for my Klipsch Corwall II and Chorus I ??? What are the model # of the drivers they use for both TWEETER and MID-RANGE (K-???). I recall that in the past few years that the manufactuer had closed shop making these components? What price range would I be looking at paying as I prefer to keep spare parts of these. Brendon