[AK3 crossover recaped]

Double take! I just did this to mine and I thought I was looking at my own pictures!

[new Klipschorn owner]

I am the owner of the other "special" serial number Khorns mentioned in this thread. Now I'm interested in peeking at some component serials to get a better idea. Sadly when I had contacted Klipsch Support the response was bad, they based the date off the label copyright stamp. 😂

[Klipschorn 5 digit serial number?]

2 hours ago, mustang_flht said:

I do not have the answer, but I'm curious to know what is this mystery !!!

 

The big plus is that the 2 numbers are consecutive : 35501 and 35502 !  

 

And then it's a nice up for Milk  

 

Indeed! I have asked Klipsch Support as well. The first person that answered via their support e-mail gave a date based off the Copyright date on the label, but with the AK-3's in it I'm very doubtful. I voiced that concern and they are getting more senior people involved so hopefully between these forums and support, I'll have an answer!

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

19 minutes ago, Frzninvt said:

I would at the very least go with Kimber Kaps or even better Auricaps they are available at Parts Express and other places.  Sledgehammer coils are a good choice for the coil replacements.

 

@Frzninvt Just curious, what is the perceived difference going from Sonic to Kimber to Auri?

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

3 minutes ago, twk123 said:

I am a fan of electronic music as well and the Klipsch heritage actually excels at trance and other types of music that have very 'fast' sounds. The horns have a very tactile presence and the immediacy really comes out when you turn the volume up where other speakers start to get muddy. When you finally get it set up, I personally recommend Infected Mushroom's "Nevermind" at the highest SPL you can stand. You can actually feel each and every note they cram in there hit you in the face.

 

@twk123 Oh I will definitely do that! I just caught them a few months ago here at our local venue that gets decent acts in, such a good party! Love me some infected. Do you have any insight on the crossover specs for stuff like this? The curve on the AK-3 work well? I think I'm keeping the AK-3 in regardless for now, but just curious, especially for future tinkering.

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

@Frzninvt Yeah we are in the process of cleaning that smoke crap out now and popped the woofer cab. I shouldn't be surprised, but amazing how cherry it is in there! Sealed very well (obviously, I mean we ARE talking about Klipsch ). What is the recommended cap then if not Sonicap (that's what Crites sells correct?). And what's the difference there?

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

@Wirrunna Thanks for that! Seriously something we've been kicking around and preparing to ask about after I delve into the forums a little. My listening tastes are a little different than most here I would imagine, as I am into electronic music a lot, specifically progressive house and trance/progressive trance, so the debate becomes whether a rebuild from Crites is the way to go or a change in XO to ALK's for different slope...however, my gut instinct is to stay true and just rebuild with the Crites. I love the sound out of the already and we haven't touched anything yet. I'll look into that post you sent too, time to start the investigating now!

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

@ricktate indeed! We did some research and figured it's 89 - 95, since that's when the AK-3 was used, if I'm correct in my deciphering of the timeline. Picture of the crossover is below! Really love to figure this one out. Posted this question over on the Ask the Historian thread specifically, since I realized I kinda cross posted when my primary intent was to figure out safe cleaning options.

 

[Klipschorn 5 digit serial number?]

So, I picked these up yesterday locally and am really excited to get started working on them. Unfortunately they came from a smokers home, and I've been seeking help in one of the other Forums on how to clean them properly without damaging them; however that is not the reason I'm over here now. I wanted to know the year these were made and the serial number look-ups have not provided an answer to my question. As you can see from the photos below, these K-horns have a 5 digit serial number, and that doesn't seem to match up with anything I've found online or in these forums. I'm hoping someone here has some knowledge or can help with these. It does appear that the tester was Judy Clayton who, after some research, appears to have been in that department in the late 80's->90's, and I am guessing a year of 1990, but would love some confirmation, and maybe history on why the serial number doesn't match the standard?

 

Thanks in advance! If anyone ventures around Montana, stop by for a beer and a listen (once I get them cleaned up).

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

@wvu80 Yeah I gathered it would take a bit of time, be a little nasty, but willing to put forth the work. My buddy's place, who's garage this is at, has a nice backyard and it's starting to turn summer here, so that might call for some afternoons in his pool with a drink monitoring the Khorns outside for a little bit once we get them mostly cleaned up. Doesn't sound too bad . Appreciate the advice. It looks like the online advice, including Klipsch owners, that a couple different solutions will likely work, the water/vinegar solution and potentially a nice lemon oil type wood cleaner may be the best beat - and of course everyone recommends the outside sun option!

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

6 hours ago, mustang_flht said:

For serial numbers read this

 

 

• KC = Klipschorn - Model Type C, no "collar"
• BR                Birch                       Raw 
• ...

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks! Yeah I had read this, but was confused on the year based on the serial number provided, the format doesn't match up with anything in there, unless I can't figure out how to read a S/N, which who knows, could be.

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

3 hours ago, ricktate said:

For the cloth get some Dreft spray from baby dept at Walmart. spray on cloth then with wet dry vac suck  dirt and smell out. Works wonders on couches chairs car upholstery and smells great after. The wood you could refinish it or just clean it with wood restorer.

The year they indicate you probably need a capacitor upgrade and just incase you didn't know get 1 inch pipe foam or those swim tubes to seal the speaker in the corner. Also seal the horizontal part of bass bin. Also check the rubber washer on the mid driver.

If you want to replace the cloth be advised that is stapled on there with about 1000 -2000 staples. 

 

 

Thanks for the advice! Definitely saw all those staples already and was dreading having to replace it for just that reason but, what's a good deal without a little work. Regardless, I'd rather clean it if possible so I'll try that before I straight ditch them. Also saw that pipe foam tip somewhere else on here, what a great idea and will definitely be doing that! As for the caps, we're gonna test them but yeah quite sure it will need replacement and plan on doing it anyway. I've had serious problems with tracking down the year even with the serial number decoder posted a few posts up - I had researched that before but the 35501 S/N didn't match anything, unless I'm reading that wrong.

 

Thanks for the advice! Can't wait to get her cleaned up!

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

2 minutes ago, codewritinfool said:

Dude, that is an amazing score.  You know, you could always replace the grille cloth to get rid of the smoke there.  Not sure about the wood, though.  Ya know, not very helpful, but if you took up smoking....

 

Congrats!

 

Thanks! I'm not gonna lie, was giddy as could be to get them at all. Been on my list for a while. I was definitely debating just getting new cloth, if someone can convince me that cleaning them won't be that bad, I'll keep them though. Just had to reply because you're comment made me laugh...and is a solid point!

[Cleaning smoke from Klipschorns]

Well, I just picked up two Klipschorns for $1,200. Listened to them at the owner's house and they sound great; however they were in a smoking environment. Obviously bought them knowing a lot of work was going to have be done to get them cleaned, but I think they were still worth it. Any tips on cleaning smoke from the wood, cloth, and as much from the components and driver as possible? I've read from here, and on other sources, that things like a 1 part water - 4 part vinegar solution may help with the wood. Also suggested are using an ozone generator, although guessing will still need to scrub the get any scum off. From the serial number (and obvious appearance) they are raw Birch wood. On that note, I've been having trouble decoding the serial numbers based on what I've read, if anyone can help with that too definitely would appreciate it. I have them stored in my friend's garage while we gameplan how to get this smoke out. On the plus side, they sound freaking awesome!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

-Mike