mboersch

I guess I respectfully disagree also with the idea the University driver is crap. When looking at the Atlas K55 vs. the University SA-HF, the university is a much sweeter sounding driver. While maybe for stage volume or something the Atlas will outperform the University, I feel the university has a much sweeter sound, especially with tube equipment. I have a set on Ebay now which is an extra pair I have been hording. I am also in love with the 4401 - the early KHorns with these drivers are the absolute best in my book, and that is from years of experience with the entire Klipsch line - old and new. I do agree though it has alot to do with what you are uing them for. Tube amps though in a listening environment and these older drivers sing like a bird. Thanks, Mike

Hello everyone, an additional note on shipping - great news - Klipsch sells the boxes to ship the Klipschorns - a pair of high frequency horn boxes and low frequency horn boxes cost $380.00. This would enable me to ship these via Forward Air. Costs will vary, depending on the airport, but for instance, shipping these speakers to Newark, New Jersey or LA, California would cost $320 total for four boxes, and can be delivered in a week. Klipsch will also take a week to get me the boxes. This includes full insurance for $3000 in the unhappy event they are damaged. That would bring estimated shipping and the cartons to $700. This is a very reasonable cost when looking at the total picture. Please e-mail me if you need an exact quote, but this should help. Also, check www.forwardair.com to see if your airport is serviced by forward air. Remember, this is only an estimate and prices will vary. Best of luck and I hope this helps! Mike

Hello everyone, this is a truly great forum. I have read many interesting comments and tech hints, but did not register until tonight. I am the person with the 1954 Klipschorns on Ebay. You would not believe the foreign people from Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan that have e-mailed me asking if I would sell then just the drivers, crossover, and top horn assy. One guy has asked if I would stop the auction for $2200 and part them out. That just about made me cry! If anyone is interested, I would rather see them go to a good home than be parted out and shipped to a far away place. Also, let me know via e-mail if anyone is close enough to drive up or meet halfway and we can talk. I also have the utility version from 1954 and was planning on running it on Ebay next. It is exactly the same construction and drivers as my pair (SAHF, 4401, 103-lx2) and is a 1954 using exactly the same stock of wood, crossover, etc., just not as pretty to look at. I also have a second tweeter (same age, color and model and 8 ohms) that I have been keeping as a spare that I would sell with this unit. The sound is incredible and exactly the same as my pair of Khorns I have for sale. My goal is to find a good home for these beauties! A great Ebay'er and avid Klipsch affectionado had this to say about the sounds of a 1954 Klipsch as compared with the newer stuff: "Yes, I have listened to both. As close to 'side by side' as it gets for cornerhorns. Had stock '77's at one time in the corners and pre '55's sealed up with 3/4 ply next to. To me, the difference was striking. Both sound tremendous. However, the older ones IMO sound more natural and spacious. The bass is 'better' (as a matter of personal preference) in the older pair. Goes deeper and punches out with far more authority. Chest rumbling bass as opposed to just fine bass. The older pair has chest and jaw exciting bass even at low listening volumes, while the newer pair loses this effect as you turn the volume down. The pre '55's came with the Stephens Trusonic 103LX2's for the bass engine. 15" and weighing in at over 25lbs this driver is considered by many as the finest bass driver the Klipsch factory ever mounted in it's folded horn. Exceptionally efficient. We all know of the K-33 bass horn the '77's were equipped with. Fairly efficient, under 10lbs with a short throw which produces a very consistant 'Klipsch bass' sound. I prefer the midrange of the older ones. It is sweet and dispersive. The fiberglass/wood sectoral type horn of the older ones creates a very wide soundstage and all but eliminates the 'sweet spot' that the straight horns are (in)famous for. Mine have the University SAHF midrange driver. This is a very utilitarian driver. Practically indestructable. I've seen these with 2 inch dents in them sound as sweet as a NOS. This driver has a very natural sound that compliments the woofer and tweeter perfectly. I believe that the '77's had the K55V. The ones with the push connectors. This driver is hearty as well. It's shortfalls are well documented on this board. The tweeter in the old Khorns is the 'sleeper' component. It is the University 4401 Mid-T. As with all the components of this era, I believe that this tweeter was selected to represent Klipsch because of it's natural sound and it's seamless coexistance with the bass and midrange. Absolutely no harsh shrillness. Zero. Side by side with the '77's, I would have to say that this single component is easily identified as responsible for the greatest difference in sound. To my ears, the K-77 has a 'ringing' quality that can be very fatigueing to me. Network wise, the '77's had the AA's. The AA's strengths and weakness' are also well documented on this board. The older Khorns have the K-500-5000. With crossover points at 500 and 5Khz, this is a fairly robust unit. Over two feet long and 6 inches wide, it sports 3 inch hand wound chokes and large oil filled caps. Again, and much like the 'B' network of the CW's, this is a basic, natural and warm sounding network." Thanks, and regards to everyone on the board. Mike