JohnA

Gil's "Dope from Hope" shows a device to be used between a stereo preamp and 3 power amps at "line" level. A speaker level device would be much more robust. John

The Klipschorn and the other models you mentioned WILL reproduce that 27.5 Hz piano fundamental, just not as loud as they can higher bass notes. In fact, the output at 27.5 MAY be so weak you think there is nothing there at all, but really there is. My La Scalas seem that way on the 22 Hz synthesizer notes in the Titanic theme song. 22 Hz from a La Scala is so weak it might as well not be there at all. John

I haven't tried the 2x4 brace thing in my La Scalas because I haven't decided it is that severe a problem and I don't want to mar the finish. I plan to add a "shelf-brace" to my rear channel La Scalas when I can afford to refinish them. It will look like this: http://www.hps4000.com/pages/525_.html I'll put the brace at the 40% point from the bottom of the basshorn. John This message has been edited by John Albright on 08-16-2001 at 11:08 AM

Pioneer has made such cheap, low-quality gear for so ;ong, most Klipsch owners see it as too inferior for consideration. I'm leery of the Elite series as well. John

Dirty relays in your power amp? I had similar problems with an amp and that was the fix. John

I don't think you'll have a problem using a seperate powered sub system and splitting the preamp's output, but call Sonic Frontiers to be sure. I get more satisfying results with a 60 Hz xover to my La Scalas. You will want a BIG, powerful, low distortion sub(s) to match your La Scalas. I generally don't like subs, but I have been very satisfied with my *pair* of VMPS Larger Subs (sitting in the corners to maximize output). John

Larry, More than likely you have an "open" in the woofer's voice coil; check it with a continuity tester or a multimeter from, say, Rat Shack. It Can be repaired by reconing the speaker, but that's a job for an expert technician. You could always buy another woofer, too. John

Crossover failures are rare. However, I can't tell what you are measuring from your description. Disconnect the tweeter wires from the crossover and measure the resistance across each wire. A good tweeter will read about 6 ohms and you will hear a tinny scratching from the tweeter while touching the meter leads to the tweeter leads. High resistance and no scratching means a blown tweeter. Take it to a GOOD pro audio shop and have them install E-V T-35 diaphragms at $21 each plus labor (the K-77 IS a T-35). John (w/ 4 La Scalas in my HT)

Paul, I don't think you'll hear the difference between the 16 ga. and 12 ga. on your surrounds. I think the biggest factor id the limited frequency response of surround speakers and the information sent to them in a *typical* movie. Two 16s would be as good as one 12, but not a "clean". John

You'd have quite a manufacturing facility if you could replace magnets and voice coils with the precision required in a speaker. If you think they are that deficient, don't buy them. John

Actually, ELVIS is The King! John

If you run left and right to the same, normal speaker your amp will protest and might blow a fuse, if you're lucky. John

The top of the Belle DID have at least two 2x4 braces, one on each side of the squawker to support the top. I can't remember if there was a steel plate to shield the TV. Contact Trey Cannon at 1-800-KLIPSCH. John

The Heritage Series are the original Klipsch speakers. They use exponential horns. The tractrix horn design has been around a long time, but Klipsch began using it relatively recently. You will have to special order the Heritage Series and it will be a while before they are in production again due to the drivers being unavailable. The replacements have not yet been selected. John

RMinten, The Reference Series are 2-way systems with the midrange frequencies split between the woofer and the tweeter. I'd say the woofer reproduces the most of the midrange. The Legend series has to have the midrange horn because their tweeter cannot reproduce the midrange. Neither the Legend nor the Reference series speakers have "subwoofers", just "woofers". A powered subwoofer usually has a built-in crossover that could be used to limit the deep bass sent to the speaker. I would not recommend modifying the speaker's crossover network to reduce the deep bass. John

The only "mode" I like in my ACT-3 is "Party". All 6 channels are sent a full range signal, either L, R or L+R. With Live recordings, the effect is of sitting in the middle of the Venue. The "Club" mode is O.K.; the rest are too odd sounding. For the most part, I don't use use the DSP modes. John

If your horns distorted like a bad connection, I'll bet they were bottoming out in their magnet structure. A popping or crackling sound will result. I'd back off the gain about 10 dB. John

You don't say what you're trying to correct, so It's hard to recommend a particular amp. However, I have a Parasound HCA-1000A that fits your bill and will have high damping to control the speaker, especially in the bass. It runs in Class A up to about 1.6 watts. John

K-horns and La Scalas will sound remarkably alike until you hear a bass drum or deep bass note. Then, the K-horns will move your pants legs. La Scalas can't. I have 4 La Scalas and no proper corners. John

The difference is the Promedias and Quintets are not similar in performance. From comments BobG has made, I infer the Quintets are capable of going louder and are suitable for the distances found in small rooms. The Promedias are intended for close listening and aparently cannot get as loud as the Quintets, or handle as much power. John This message has been edited by John Albright on 07-15-2001 at 12:36 PM

I've seen that picture before. Now that I know more, I wonder if the horn is long enough to be a real subwoofer. John

Jim, DON'T toss out those K-77-Ms! They can be overhauled at a good sound shop. The diaphragm is about $22 from E-V and is still available. Klipsch will overhaul them for about $77 each, I believe. NOS E-V tweeters may be obtained from Layne Audio in Nashville, TN (of course) for about $110 http://www.speakersupply.com/ Sam at Techstar in Nashville will overhaul your tweeters and ship them back to you for a reasonable price. John

Well, I hope the plastic IS cheaper. A basic tenent of engineering is that the geometry of an object (length, width, & thickness) controls its stiffness. If the material is the same, this is easy to see: a 2x4 is stiffer than a yardstick. The glass reinforced plastic frames may well be stiffer and maintain better alignment than a equal stamped steel frame. As with the floors of your house, strength is not an issue, stiffness is. You don't want your floor to feel like a trampoline and you want the stiffest woofer basket you can afford. Good engineering is the CHEAPEST full performance solution. John This message has been edited by John Albright on 07-14-2001 at 02:59 PM

Socks are fine and there will be no damage to the speaker. One of my previous speaker systems (Marantz) even suggested stuffing the port to control the bass in problem rooms and they provided a response curve with the port stuffed. I have done it to other ported speakers as well. John

T-man, Tell your dad, I'm doing just as you suggest. I run from the sub out of my pre-amp/processor to the line in of a seperate power amp and then to 2 huge passive subs. It works so well I routinely vibrate knick-knacks off of the furniture upstairs. John