triceratops

When I was a high school student back in the late 1960s, my bedroom had a table lamp on a nightstand beside the bed. One day the switch for the lamp broke off while it was in the "on" position, so the lamp still worked--you just couldn't switch it off. Instead of fixing the switch, I decided to just unscrew the bulb when I wanted to turn the lamp off. That strategy worked fine for a few weeks. Then one day I screwed the bulb in a little too firmly. When I tried to unscrew it later, it didn't budge. So I twisted a little harder and the glass bulb snapped off the base. The bulb collapsed into broken shards of glass in my hand, and before I could release my grip my hand closed down around the electrified wires inside the bulb, shocking the #$#&@ out of me. The filament was extinguished by the event, so there went the only light in the room, and I'm sitting in the dark, with a bloody, burned hand full of broken glass. Nasty smell, too. I made a mental note never to unscrew an illuminated light bulb again. triceratops

I have noticed over the years that a lot of Forum members are fond of Maggies, myself included. It is an interesting contrast to horn speakers in that a khorn bass bin is a rather elaborate enclosure, whereas a planar speaker is no enclosure. Others have pointed out that Maggies are not as efficient as Klipsch, but I would also note that the Maggies are not as critical with regards to amplifiers as Klipsch. You don't have nearly as much problem with sibilance or distortion being vividly recreated as on Klipsch speakers. Even so, I sold my Maggies after I got my first Cornwalls and still love those Cornies. Best in horns, triceratops

When I sold my Belles to Parrot a few years back, they had something similar that the previous owner made for them--I think the material was grey-tinted plexiglass. The plexiglass doesn't weigh much and is easy to handle, so you can easily pop the covers on and off for hazardous duty--like a big party where not everyone knows how much they should respect your Klipsch speakers. I'm not sure if the plexiglass costs more or less than tempered glass. I think Paul mentioned in a thread at the time that they have come in handy. Best in horns, triceratops

Chuck, here's a quick thought on the absent emblems. I know some forum members have seen Klipsch speakers with pie slice emblems unmounted. At least some of the time, the emblems and the little brass brads that were often used to attach them were packed in a little plastic bag and stapled to the back of the cabinet along with the manuals and other paperwork. Klipsch has a really cool history of respecting their customers' personal tastes. The speakers were available in various states of dress from unfinished wood without grills, to exotic veneers without finish, to fully finished with choices of grille material. In some cases there were choices of drivers as well. So it is not too surprising that (at least some of the time) Klipsch even gave their customers the choice of whether they wanted to display a logo on the product--and where they wanted to position that logo (e.g. symmetrical or mirror image). As a point of interest, my current Belles 0N840 and 841 came to me from the original owner's son without emblems. I can not find any evidence that that emblems were ever attached, and the son did not ever remember seeing any on the speakers. I suspect that the original pie-slice emblems were probably just stuck in the big envelope with the other paperwork for the speakers and never mounted. Over time the envelope and the speakers eventually get separated and there you are! Fortunately, thanks to Allan and Tom's efforts your speakers are easy to set up with a historically correct emblem. Even if those speakers never had anything mounted originally, they're your speakers now--I say fly the Klipsch colors with pride! Best in horns, triceratops

Chris, Next time you are going to pass on something cool, pass it my way if possible! I've got way too much stuff also, so I'm stashing the overflow in a friend's house until I can make some more space at home. Have you been following the subwoofer project by the tube club in Portland? John, I might be interested in the 59 khorn single. I have a '61 single that has a wooden squawker horn, 500/5000 crossover, and EV woofer. It is mahogany veneer C type cabinet. What are the stats on yours and any way to get it way out west? Best in horns, triceratops

Damaged? Maybe so, but still damn entertaining! Take heart that if you were really nuts, you would have gone for that Klipsch set of stadium speakers! Those make the LaScalas look like little girly horns... Best, triceratops

Michael, I appreciate your dedication to the personal pick-up school of Klipsch aquisition. You have logged more epic miles than anyone (even the legendary road trips of members like Tom Mobley or Pirhana) in going to pick-up Heritage speakers rather than shipping them. So my hat is off to you for your dedication--pick-up is always the best way to go for transporting vintage Klipsch. However--of the Heritage line, the speaker that is most amenable to shipping is clearly the Heresy. I have shipped Heresy speakers to members Eq shadimar, khorn58, and Tom Mobley over the years, and they arrived unscathed. You'd have to see my packing--poly bagged, then cardboard, then bubble, then styrofoam, then double-boxed with layers of styrofoam. The boxes were cut from large appliance boxes and fabbed up to fit exactly, and the final packages were huge. It was a lot of work and took an insane amount of time. I will admit that the speakers could have been damaged--but you could also have an accident driving all night to pick them up and then you could get damaged along with the speakers. So there is always some risk--I'm just saying it is possible to ship Heresys and try to minimize the risks. But you would have to know or trust the person who is boxing them. That said I have also successfully shipped Belles and Cornwalls, but that's whole different story involving custom shipping crates, not cardboard! Best in horns, triceratops

ajsons, I really like the 1960 Khorns with the EV woofers, but some of that is based on looks (wacky modern grill cloth with metallic thread, wood/composite squawkers, and plexi nameplates with the cursive khorn logo). I still haven't got these set up right in decent corners to do some critical listening. I also have some 1976 khorns with CTS woofers and hope to get them in the same room with the 1960 khorns and do some A/B comparisons. I will actually have four decent corners to put them in once I finish building the listening room--it's over a year behind schedule! Aaargh! Best in horns, triceratops

Hi Ajsons, Thanks for the follow up and sorry for the long delay in my response. I started a new job and was off at training with no email access. I wonder how the EVM-15B compares to the old EV SP15WK (which looks a lot like an old EV SRO bass guitar speaker)! I've always liked EV woofers and have the SP15WK in my 1960 Klipschorns. I also have a single University tweeter in storage, but I can't remember if it is a 206 you talked about or something else. I think a shortened version of that tweeter was also used in some 1950's Khorns. The non-folded cabinet you pictured looks like it might be University's answer to the Cornwall. The Classics threads are fascinating. Too bad the Classic cabinet I once purchased was stored poorly by the previous owner and I could only salvage the drivers and crossover and had to discard the cabinet... Best in horns, triceratops

I've been off the Forum for a while getting trained for a new job. I got a raise that I've already spent on more audio equipment I don't need! I was impressed with the equipment shootout GaryMD and friends did last year, so I've started accumulating amps and preamps to do some listening comparisons out here in the west. Some of the gear is tube and some is SS. I figure I'll listen to it in different combinations for a few months and see what happens. So far the pile includes: MC 225 (PP tube), MC 240 (PP Tube), Welborne DRD 300B Monos (SET), Threshold S150 (Pass design SS Class AB), Forte 3 (Pass design SS Class AB), Forte 1A (Pass Design SS Class A), Eico HF-81 tube Integrated, Threshold FET One SS Preamp, Mac MX-110 tube tuner/preamp, Mac C-20 tube Preamp, Voice of Music tube integrateds, and a bunch of Japanese solid state stuff (Denon, Nakamichi, Kenwood, etc). I admit the variety is thin--too much McIntosh tube gear and too much Nelson Pass SS stuff--but hey, it'll be fun anyway. Now I just gotta get that listening room done... To all those on this thread who are happy with the sound of their system--you are fortunate! I always seem to hear the problems in my system, and I think it is much better to be satisfied and just enjoy the music! Best in horns, triceratops

Ajsons wrote: >Maybe when I fully understand this, I should be able to choose the best driver that fits the Classic, and maybe improve the low end. Although I haven't digested everything in this thread, I think the Classic is a pretty cool beast. Is there a better bass driver for this application than the University C15W? I have a pair of those drivers and some other isolated Classic parts (Mid horn, crossover,etc) if anyone is looking for some of that stuff. At one point I thought I might build a pair of Classics, but as I've managed to acquire more big Klipsch than I can fit in the house (OK it's a small house) that'll never happen. Best in horns, Triceratops

I have a little different take on Kevin's offer. $2K is not out of the ballpark for a set of Belles in what look to be excellent shape--I don't see any raised or broken veneer in the photos, nor do I see any tweaked corners. One of the nice features of an oiled walnut finish is that it can be cleaned up nicely. Yes, they are worth less than they would be if Kevin cleaned them up. And hopefully, Kevin will negotiate down a bit for his Forum buddies. After cleanup, I think he will get offers in the range that Paul cited. Just my opinion. Best in horns, triceratops

I agree with the comments about a nice matte finish cotton looking better than satin, but a cotton/poly velveteen material also looks really good. Some of the vintage souvenir Asian jackets are reversible and embroidered inside and out with a dark velveteen on one side and bright colored satin on the other. I could post some pix of a modern jacket I have which was made in that style and has images of koi--not Klipsch--embroidered on it. There would be some great possibilities with Klipsch graphics! Best in horns, triceratops

Tony, I'm sorry to say, but it looks like I will miss this event. I have to fly to Florida earlier in the week for my job and it doesn't look like I will be able to get back for the get together. Maybe next time... Best in horns, triceratops Eugene, Oregon

Ever seen the Terry Gilliam movie, Brazil? Best in horns, triceratops

Mandi, Since you got a great deal on the albums, you should reward yourself with a kick-*** turntable to get the most mileage out of your new vinyl! By kick-*** I mean a good used Thorens or something like that for a couple hundred bucks, although an "economy" Teres turntable kit for a couple grand would be a more kick-*** way to go. OK, I'm not there yet either. Best in horns, triceratops

I'm certain this will sound great with my McIntosh C-20 pre-amp, 1960 Khorns, and Thorens TD 145. We'll be talkin' live on Wednesday, Jim! Best in horns, triceratops

What Paul said--hope someone on the Forum jumps on these! Isn't that Tom (Pirhana's) neck of the woods? Best in horns, triceratops

Gee, a four-hour drive at the end of an extended plane ride might not be the best way to go. Frzninvt, I'll probably go the Little Rock route, too. If I can get lucky on the scheduling... Best, triceratops

Get yourself a stationary training stand (eg Cyclo-ops, Elite, Blackburn, or whatever) these come up real cheap at garage sales in the summer. They are handy for getting used to and also setting up and and adjusting your clipless pedals. Use real low tension as mentioned earlier. Practice clipping in and out 6 million times on the training stand. Now read Mark Twain's essay "Taming the Bicycle" you'll get a chuckle out of it when you aren't falling down anymore. Best in horns, Former New Product Editor of the now defunct Bicycle Guide Magazine and road tester of way too many clipless pedals triceratops

Fini wrote: "Wouldn't you love to go to a wedding or a reunion, where they've set up tube gear, and the DJ is spinning vintage vinyl on a high-end table? 'OK everybody! Quiet down! We're gonna play Rubber Soul!'" Fini--I've got an even more retro idea. I'm dating myself here, as I grew up in the era portrayed in the movie "That Thing You Do!" Remember when people used to have live music for parties? Lots of events--school dances, birthdays, beer bashes, weddings, etc almost always had a live garage band. Then came the disco era, and all of a sudden people would stand in line and pay big bucks to hear...records? Disco may be dead, but it seems the DJ era is still going strong. But I'll bet in almost every town there are probably a few good local bands that would play a gig for the same or less money than the cost of a professional DJ. Wouldn't it be cool to go to an event and hear some live music--possibly something new and original? And if these local bands got a few good gigs then maybe they would spring for some LaScalas and a decent soundboard! Best in horns, triceratops

Hey Chris, Is anyone in your entourage flying into DFW or is everyone local? If I can make it to this event (depending on the date) can I tag along with you folks if I fly in? Are you thinking of driving over Friday AM and returning Sunday PM, or what? Anyone else in the carpool mode from the airport at DFW? Or is there a better route to take if coming from the West Coast? Best in horns, triceratops

Others have already said this but you will do better with Fed Ex Ground than UPS Ground in terms of rates. In most cases the prices are similar, until you start dealing with oversized packages. Then UPS jacks things up much higher than Fed Ex. Good luck, do the right thing. It all comes around eventually. Best in horns, triceratops

I received the Cornwall risers from Tim (No Disc) today. Great condition, accurately described, and expertly packed. They came through UPS without a scuff--can't beat that! Excellent transaction all around. It sure is nice dealing with a Forum member--thanks, Tim! Best in horns, triceratops

Amy, thanks for clarifying the situation. My apologies for assuming it was unauthorized. Best in horns, triceratops