Hauck

I was going to ask a similar question. Can one crimp and then solder? This would seem ideal. Phil

Well, I have taken filmofreddy's advice of going beyond the removal of the "elliptical filter" from the AK-3 network on one of my Klipschorns (the same speaker that has been Dynamatted, rope caulked, and stuffed with polyesther fiberfill). I have now removed the 125 uH inductor which is in parallel with the tweeter, leaving me with two 2 uF capacitors in series with the tweeter. After a short audition, I am quite pleased. I will continue listening for another week and decide whether to replace the two capacitors with a single 3.5 - 4 uF Hovland (or other such upgrade). Phil

I received a response from Klipsch on the L-C in parallel with the tweeter in the AK-3 network . . . while not an exhaustive explanation, it was something: "You can remove the branch from the network, BUT THAT WILL LEAVE YOUR TWEETER UNPROTECTED. At a given frequency, the roll off goes from 6db to about 50db. Be sure not to over drive the tweeter with it removed! We also do not know what the change will do to the sound of the system." I am positively not worried about overdriving the speakers . . . I am running 100 watts per channel, the loudest I have ever played these is around 1-1/2 watts, and I have measured peaks of about 103 dB on the A-scale. I have also brought this subject up to five electrical engineers, and no one can precisely explain what the series L-C in parallel with the tweeter does (how it works) . . . I am fascinated and need to find out! filmofreddy, you have called this a "state variable" resistor . . . what is that and how does it work? What would you feel happens to the sound as a result of its addition or deletion? Where can I learn more? One electrical engineer called it a low pass filter . . . does this make any sense? Phil

I clipped the "red wire" that connects in the series 2uF capacitor and 500uH inductor which is in parallel with the tweeter in my Klipschorns (1999 vintage, AK-3 network). I now have one speaker "Dynamatted, rope-caulked and clipped". I still plan to fill the upper end of the enclosure with polyesther fiberfill, and then sit back and listen for a while. After clipping the red wire, I listened to Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Loreena McKennitt, Kenny G, and Reba McEntire. This session was done in monaural, with lights out, and my bass control turned down 12 dB (this effectively begin to gradually drop out frequencies below say 500 Hz . . . at 200 Hz -3dB, 100 Hz -6 dB, etc.). This allowed me to focus on the changes I had made. The upshot is I must thank our good friends John Albright and JWGorman for their guidance and pioneering efforts . . . these tweaks are worthwhile. Obviously, we are all splitting hairs at this point, but there is a perceived improvement. Let me recommend that anyone taking these changes on do a serious A-B comparison after one speaker is completed . . . let me further recommend Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On", Reba's "For My Broken Heart", and Loreena McKennett's "The Highwayman" . . . simply breathtaking! I have been in contact with Klipsch to get a more precise definition of the capacitor-inductor arrangement . . . I want to understand precisely what it does from Klipsch's point of view . . . I will share what I learn when I get a response. Phil

JWG, God bless you! I haven't been able to put words to my thoughts, but you did. I have no axe to grind with Antelope if he comes to the forum with a better mousetrap, and with a spirit of help and cooperation that I found with nearly every member. But he has repeatedly trashed PWK and others. Antelope, please lose the attitude, come back with meaningful science we all can use, and some people skills. You'll be welcomed back with open arms and we'll all benefit. Phil Hauck

Well, the Christmas tree has been down for a couple of weeks, so I have been able to test one of my 1999 Klipschorns with the Dynamat treatment. The squawker horn (plastic) was given the Dynamat application, with some rope caulk applied around the driver to horn interface. I applied rope caulk to the tweeter horn. Finally, I applied remaining Dynamat to the back of the squawker and tweeter horns mounting board. I used Dynamat Super which is foil backed. If anyone would like to be sent a few digital photos of the modification, please Email me. Many of us that purchase Klipschorns do so because of the clarity of the bass horn and are typically willing to put up with that mildly annoying middle and high end edge. I have tested this dampening modification by listening to Aaron Neville, Roxy Music, Gary Moore, Michael Franks, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews Band, Supertramp, George Benson, Sting, Celine Dion, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Tracy Chapman, Loreena McKennitt, Santana, The Who, Joe Satriani, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Mark Cohn, Fourplay, Joshua Redman, Eric Leeds, Seal, The Rippingtons, Chip Davis, Candy Dulfer, ZZ Top, Beethoven Symphony #9 (Herbert Von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic), The Doors, Bonnie Raitt, Montrose, Blue Oyster Cult, Melissa Etheridge, Blues Traveler, Lion King soundtrack, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin, Diana Krall, Neil Schon, Tom Waits, Bette Midler, Kansas, Wishbone Ash, and James Taylor so far . . . I think a reasonably broad spectrum sampling. My assessment is that I have found the Dynamat and rope caulk modification generally worthwhile. It makes a subtle, if not negligible difference at low volume levels, but is much more pronounced at higher volume levels, say about 1 watt or more. It does indeed take much of that slight edge off the midrange and tweeter. I hesitate to use the word mellow . . . lets just say that I perceive things to be more realistic, and I feel I have taken another step, albeit a small one, towards the Holy Grail. I believe the difference would be far greater with metal horns, as John Albright attested to with his Lascalas. Overall, I am quite pleased with the difference, and will get around to modifying the other horn sometime this spring. I am next considering some of filmofreddy's advice for biamplification of the Klipschorns. Man, I cannot wait to add a Belle or Lascala center channel. Phil Hauck