triceratops

If this is a matched pair of Klipschorns it is unlikely both of them would have been built at the same time in the 1940s, because stereo didn't become a popular concept until 10 years later. Sometimes people did buy one speaker for mono and then procured a second one (and tried to match the first with a similar vintage) when stereo became popular. If the speakers couldn't be matched cosmetically, some hobbyists would redo both cabinets (new finish, new cloth, etc) to make them match. Again, it sounds like you are talking about a pair of older khorns, although it is difficult to see that from the pics since they are different views. It will be interesting to hear and see more about these.

Thanks, Gilbert--I hope they still have some!

Timing is everything--great score! HBR translates to Heresy Birch Raw, meaning they were purchased in the unfinished birch plywood state.

Thanks, oldtimer--I think that is a pretty good call. She has limited music training. FWIW she attended a performing arts academy in England called The Brit School, but dropped out to start singing in clubs as a teenager. I think folks who like her are mostly responding to her rawness and emotionalism, rather than her technical refinement. I actually like her songwriting and her lyrics--although the only way to pick them out is with a lyric sheet (LOL).

No argument that Ms Winehouse has some serious problems. But as recently as a few months ago she was also a great singer. Maybe she even will be again, or maybe this is the end of the line. Time will tell. In the meantime, I'd like to bring this topic back to music again. Has anyone besides soundbound watched these clips? I would love to hear some comments--especially if they are actually about the music. Amy the very young jazz singer: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xMyQfHWEOh0 Amy unplugged (caution-explicit lyrics): http://music.sympatico.msn.ca/Amy+Winehouse/concerts/orange/Articles/AmyWinehouse.htm?isfa=1 Amy with her band in London (caution-explicit lyrics and drinking on stage): http://msninconcert.msn.com/music/AmyWinehouse/en-ca/artist.aspx triceratops

Soundbound, IndyKlipschFan, kuisis, Blvdre, thebes, and other Amy Winehouse aficionados, Below is link to a very early clip you may not have seen. I hope the jazz fans will have a look at this--if the link is still working!: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xMyQfHWEOh0 For those who don't appreciate her talent, I won't try to convert you. I never even heard her music until a few months ago and she is my favorite singer/songwriter to come along in a considerable time. Her performance at the Grammys was not her best, but considering the circumstances I was glad she made it through the performance without totally blowing it. Two recommendations: 1. If you don't already have Amy's great CD Back to Black, your local Best Buy may still have copies of a special version of the CD with a bonus DVD included. It is marked $13.99, but as of yesterday they were blowing them out for $7.99. The bar code number is 602517488274 so you can call and ask your local store if they have any copies and have them hold one for you. This CD was to be available for a limited time back in November, so it has been removed from the Best Buy website but individual stores may still have them. The bonus DVD has two programs. The first one is a worthless MTV-type documentary about Amy's career. But the second program is a live performance of her singing four songs at Toronto's Orange Lounge studio with an acoustic guitar player. It is excellent and you can view it at the link below in a lower resolution to decide if you like the performance: http://music.sympatico.msn.ca/Amy+Winehouse/concerts/orange/Articles/AmyWinehouse.htm?isfa=1 2. There is a great live DVD of Amy with her band last year at Sheperd's Bush Empire theater in London, called "I Told You I was Trouble - Amy Winehouse Live in London". You can view a lower resolution version at the link below: http://msninconcert.msn.com/music/AmyWinehouse/en-ca/artist.aspx Check it out! Another Amy Fan, triceratops

I may be overstating this a bit, but Petty saved Rock 'n Roll for me back in the seventies. I had become a bit of a jazz snob, couldn't get into the three-chord stuff anymore. But Petty's You're Gonna Get It! really got to me. Lots of crisp, entertaining three-minute songs, great attitude, great feel! I saw him live at a small theater in Louisville, Kentucky in the Fall of 1978 and he tore the place up. I personally think that time was a high point of his career. So I've got a soft spot for Petty and the jangly Rickenbacker sound. I think anyone who says that Super Bowl show was lip-synched is clueless (IMHO most people in broadcasting are). All you have to do is watch Mike Campbell's guitar playing and it's obvious that it was live. The show sounded like the 30th Anniversary show in Gainsville. That's what they sound like live, and they still sound damned good--after all these years. I don't buy a lot of concert DVDs, but if you liked the Super Bowl show get yourself a copy of the career-retrospective DVD Runnin Down the Dream. It's an excellent film!

Hey Fini, Yeah--that's a different kind of distortion that you like--linguistic distortion, maybe? Regarding audio distortion, you'll want to steer clear of the Detroit Cobras--LOL! As for Winehouse, the DVD may work for you because I think it is recorded pretty well, and the performance is incredible. She has some really great male back-up singers and other fine musicians. Included on the DVD is a documentary of Winehouse's brief career to date. You can see her remarkable record label audition as a 19-year old and some early footage before she became tattooed and emaciated. When are you going to make it up to Eugene? Will you be coming to the vacuum tube audio conference next year in Portland?

Hey Fini, Yeah, I guess there's a fine line between "authentic" and "low-fidelity". I like the warm, live-recorded analog sound that is typical of the period of 60's music that Winehouse emulates. For me her recording style works, but admittedly it's a judgement call. There's a great garage band called the Detroit Cobras with similar retro tendencies, and they also emulate the recording style of their favorite era of 60's music. In the case of the Cobras, there's a lot of distortion, overloaded mikes, etc. I dig their music, but they're maybe a little "too authentic" for me! I just listen to the Cobras in the car because it sounds too raw for critical listening.

Back to Black by Amy Winehouse is the most compelling, consistent album of original vocal music I've heard in years. Brilliant songwriting (albeit vulgar lyrics) and a remarkable, expressive voice. I hope Winehouse can overcome her many personal problems to perform again or at least not die at an early age (she is 24). There is also a DVD of a 2007 concert from England called I Told You I was Trouble that showcases her considerable vocal talents (before her recent downward spiral) and draws heavily from the latest album. Brooklyn's Dap-Kings were involved in the instrumental backing and recording of this album. The sound of their records is very authetic 60's analog, recorded live in an old-school studio. If you don't go for Winehouse's over-the-top sexuality, you can get a great dose of Dap-Kings' retro-soul sound in the latest Sharon Jones album, 100 Days, 100 Nights (also released in 2007) or her previous effort Naturally (which is at least a couple of years old).

Here's a look at the back. Sorry about the shortage of info, the owner sent me the link to the photos. I have not seen the cabinet in person. I'm thinking the top is not a Klipsch product, but maybe the bottom is?

This piece is advertised as a Klipschorn, but the midrange is an 8-inch cone driver loaded into the back of the oddly-shaped top hat. Anybody know what this is? Perhaps a home-built top-hat on a Khorn bass bin?

Thanks Bob, for the link to that earlier thread! At the time, I missed the thread, missed the earlier auction, and missed Frzninvt's references to my fetish for old Cornwalls (thanks Charles!) Sorry everybody, I've obviously been working too much! Aside from the hyperbolic, multi-color auction description these do look pretty cool. I'm a sucker for EV woofers. One drawback is that the cabinets are not mirror image--this happens sometimes when you put together two single speakers to make a pair. Even so, those rear-ported cabinets are really rare. I wonder if Khorn57 has seen this thread and auction? triceratops

Wow! Thanks djk, for your detailed instructions! I am really grateful that you not only gave me your suggestions on what to do, but also the reasons why. I also appreciate the excellent schematic. Any thoughts on using motor drive caps or poly caps for this application? Thanks again--I'm sure other Forum members will be able to crib a few tricks from this, too. Best regards, John (triceratops)

I went to this event a few years ago, when it was held in Tacoma and it was quite amazing. There were rooms and rooms of boutique audio gear--lots of tube amps, high-end turntables, horn-loaded speakers, etc. There were home-built designs, production equipment, parts, audiophile vinyl, and other great stuff. The new event will be held in Vancouver, Washington over Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26) in 2008. I wonder if Klipsch might want to put together a Heritage room or something like that? I wonder if some Forum members might want to attend? It looks like the event is still in the early planning stages, and the website recently came online. Check it out: http://www.vsac2008.com/

Back in the 1970's, I was playing my guitar through another high-powered kit of that era, the SWTPC amp (Southwest Technical Products Corp out of Texas). At some point my sound started breaking up and I turned around to see clouds of thick smoke billowing out of the amp. A few days later, I hooked up my speaker cabinets to a different amp and one of the cabs was totally silent. I pulled the speaker (a heavy-duty Electro-Voice SRO 12) and pushed on the cone--it didn't move at all! Apparently the voice coil had melted and welded the cone in place. I sent it back to Electro-Voice and they rebuilt it to good as new--no charge! They even paid the return shipping! Those were the days...

I've personally heard a lot of variation in different vintages of standard Heresy's. I don't know how much of it is due to different drivers, crossover variations, capacitor drift, or other variables. I know that Marshall feels the degree of cabinet sealing is a big part of it, too. The HIP's are obviously a different animal since they're definitely not sealed! I'll be curious to compare them with my regular Heresy's and to hear Michael's observations.

Can you post some photos, Andy?

Hey, is that pairs or singles? Either way, that sounds like quite a pile! Brings back memories of Pink Floyd's Umma Gumma! One of the few statements on the forum that everyone will agree on!

Yeah, the guy just played a few gigs in college. Then the HIP's were retired to being home speakers for a quite a few years. Recently the owner moved to a new house so the old stuff finally had to go... A choice photo from the Colter collection--you da man, Michael!

fini, That's a great idea--I'll file it under "be careful what you wish for..." I went to VSAC (Valve State of the Art Conference) in Tacoma a few years back and it was really fun. Lots of amazing tube gear manufacturers, builders, hobbyists, etc. This conference will be the successor to that event. Maybe I should try to talk Trey into having a Klipsch room! You're going to have to make it up here one of these days! Thanks for the compliment. Best regards, John

Thanks, Charles! I think your posts from a few years back originally called my attention to this model. I didn't think a pair of HIPs would ever show up locally. I had to pay top dollar for them, but I didn't think I would get another shot at a local pair this clean for a long time, so I went for it. I know that the rationalization for these is a little thin for me, too. I already have a very nice pair of walnut oil Heresy's and bigger, better Heritage stuff like Khorns, LaScalas, and Cornwalls. Like you, I'm a sucker for the industrial look. I'm hoping my son's former band will get back together for some gigs when he comes home from school for the holidays! The crossovers were converted to the standard Heresy E circuit by the original owner since he was using them at home. I started another thread in Technical to ask djk what would be the best strategy on the crossover. Thanks again for your kind words, Charles! Best regards, John

Thanks for your reply djk! Their primary service would be as Hi-Fi, but the idea would be to be able to pull them out for PA once in a while if the need was to arise. For Hi-Fi, I could use them in combination with LaScalas, Cornwalls, or Khorns or with a sub (I have a Klipsch RSW-15 or an old Velodyne ULD-15 that could be used). Would it be best to convert the network back to the original circuit or to some other configuration? Is it risky for the tweeters to run them as a PA without protective diodes in the circuit? Thanks for any suggestions you may have!

Crossover in place looks like this:

Hi Folks, The story is I bought some Heresy Industrials (ported). They are in great shape and have the ElectroVoice EVM 12L woofer. The owner explained that he modified the HIE crossover to give a more balanced sound. The modified crossover is pictured below. This HIE crossover started out very similar to a Model AA but has had a number of parts removed and now has the same circuit as a standard Heresy model E crossover. My question is, does this circuit make sense for the speakers in the HIP cabinet? I know this is an area of expertise for djk--I hope he replies to this thread!