Ianr

yes, I did thanks wuzzzer. I try to do that annually so they're pretty good. Ian

They are amazing!

can't see anything mate!

yeah, I'm not too worried, more amused that the dealers didn't really know what they were doing, if in fact there is a right and left. Of course, that would also mean that the buyers didn't know what they were supposed to get either and never read the Manual. I have never seen a pair exactly like mine and I guess being a decorator model means any mods will be unique. The top hat sides go all the way back to the wall and the bass bins have no sides to hide any thing. The top hat lid is chip board too whilst the base is plywood and there is only one vertical brace, right in the centre at the rear. I'm guessing that the top hat lid might be a DIY addition too as I see pix of some K'horns with no lids. By enclosed backs do you mean a false corner? As mine back onto a brick wall I've toyed with the idea of fitting these. I'm assuming the previous owner fitted the longer top hat sides thinking that he would hear an improvement. Ian

No mate, I haven't seen any but I'll probably pull them out and go over them in the next few days/weeks. One thing I have been pondering - the bass bin hatches are both on the left as you look at the speakers and this is where the bass speaker terminals are. The crossovers are in the top hat, above these hatches and the cable holes in the top hat base are on the left for both speakers too. So, the left speaker cables run around the rear of the speaker making it about 20 inches longer than the right. I made them the same length so the right speaker cable is 20 inches longer than it needs to be. According to the Heritage Owners Manual, they are built so that the amp connections are closest to the amp. So, I have 2 right hand speakers as does Wirrunna who is also in Australia. It looks like the distributor in the day wasn't aware of this so there are at least 2 guys out there with 2 left hand speakers. If this is true, I hold little hope of the top numbers matching the bass bin numbers given that they are shipped in separate boxes. If they are shipped as pairs there's even more room for error. All will be revealed. Eventually. Ian

Thanks wuzzzer! I'll write that down inside the top hat so the next owner won't have to wonder. Wait a second, where's the fun in that? lol Ian

Hi, I'm hoping someone can shed some light on when my Klipschorns were built. I have read through the Heritage Speaker Codes but am none the wiser. My father bought these used, here in Australia in 1979/80 and the drivers are all originals from at least then. I'm pretty sure they are a "Decorator" model. The top hat stamping on the base is USA SL 216. I must say, the S sure looks like a 5. The K-77 tweeter serial number is 18550 and is a Klipsch driver. The K-400 squawker serial number is 20042. Also a Klipsch driver. I am yet to look for numbers on the bass cabinet or speaker. The only reason I have looked at the top hat is because I was swapping out a blown tweeter. Thanks for any assistance. It would just be nice to know. Ian

Hi all, I'm hoping someone can shed some light on when my Klipschorns were built. I have read through the Heritage Speaker Codes but am none the wiser. My father bought these used, here in Australia in 1979/80 and the drivers are all originals from at least then. I'm pretty sure they are a "Decorator" model. The top hat stamping on the base is USA SL 216. I must say, the S sure looks like a 5. The K-77 tweeter serial number is 18550 and is a Klipsch driver. The K-400 squawker serial number is 20042. Also a Klipsch driver. I am yet to look for numbers on the bass cabinet or speaker. The only reason I have looked at the top hat is because I was swapping out a blown tweeter. Thanks for any assistance. It would just be nice to know. Ian

a good friend owned La Scalas and always lusted after my Klipschorns. I guess that says something. We never did get around to A/B'ing them and our sources were always different so there's that too.

Wirrunnna, just looking through some old stuff for another members question, in this case the Klipsch Heritage Owners Manual and found this - "There is a left and a right low frequency cabinet with respect to the input panel. This allows the speaker’s binding posts to be oriented toward the electronics to minimize the length of speaker wire." There ya go! Maybe we both have right hand speakers. Ian

HeritageManual2005_635042114380840000.pdf JJkizak, this might help with the side wall question. Pages 4 & 5

Hi again, Just as a matter of interest, your parts box has 4 drivers and 2 crossovers that you are no longer using? If so, would you be interested in selling them? It might be a good, easy upgrade path for me. After all, my drivers are all about 50 years old. Dave is not doing pre-assembled kits any more so that avenue looks like a dead end. Thanks, Ian

Wirrunna, PM sent. Thank you.

WMcD, thanks for the input. Rest assured, you didn't say too much at all. I have confirmed, via the stethoscope improv that there is no sound at all from that speaker in question and later today (when I finally stop searching for some meaningful Eliptrac info, why is it so hard?) will do some electrical testing as you described. Ian

Ah that's interesting. Wirrunna. There seems to be a lot of DIY involved in both the driver construction and crossover mods, is that right? I don't have the space or equipment to do much - no garage, just a small shed full of motorbikes and a carport unfortunately. I think I saw in a post that you can also get them delivered already assembled. If so that would be the best option for sure. I can't find a full description of the kit anywhere to see exactly what you get. Frustrating. Ian

babadono, that's true but the bass connections from the crossover are on the main cabinet on the left, below the crossover. I have toyed with the idea of moving the crossover and may well do so when/if I have to replace the tweeter. Thanks for the reply.

Wirrunna, what I had saved was for a Volti VTrac horn replacement. It appears that the Eliptrac might be hard to come by these days. The company shut the doors and a guy still makes them to order, as of Dec. 2019. How long have you had yours? Randyhoo, I've seen them on ebay. They do the job OK?

Wirrunna, I would not have a clue as to when mine were made or what type of drivers are in them. There are no labels on them but I believe they are the "Decorator" model due to the finish which remains unchanged since the '70s. As you can see, not attractive at all anymore and something I intend to address in the new year. I've come to think that top-hat treatment interferes with sound dispersion too. I'm also retired so I have the time and have some other speakers to use but it's hard to bring myself to disconnect the K'horns knowing they'd be out of service for some time. That's an old picture and the equipment is different to what I normally use. I'm into digital these days and use Roon via an Antipodes server/streamer and a Denafrips Pontus DAC. A little Miniwatt amp is in play atm and I have a few old valve amps that I rotate through occasionally. Still have my albums and Rega TT so one day........ What's driving yours? Thanks for the invite mate, I'll take you up on that next time. You're welcome to stop in here next time you're up this way too. 5 minutes off the highway. Ian

Wirrunna, I have the AA crossover which I got from Bob. I've seen (and saved somewhere) the Eliptrac I think. It's a whole new top section isn't it? It sounds like a good upgrade but then I'd have to store the old top cabinet somewhere. I'll check it out again. I've never seen another pair of Klipschorns anywhere. What era are yours? Broulee, lovely spot. We love the South Coast but most of our friends moved north so we don't get down there as often as we'd like too. I have an ex work-mate in Bermagui who I ride with (motorbikes). Next time I'm heading down that way I''ll give you a nudge.

Wirrunna, Ah, you're probably right mate. I never looked at it from that angle. I'm in Engadine. Where are you? I see South Coast.

Ha ha ha. The old toilet roll on the speaker trick! I should have thought of that. I'll do it tonight. Thanks for the reply Wuzzzer.

Thanks for the reply Andy. I'll test the leads I think. It's taken weeks to convince my self that it is actually faulty. If it tests OK, I'll swap the top sections around and go from there as I guess it could be something else.

Thank you. I'm looking forward to reading them. I'll be looking for some build info on them while I'm at it too as I'm unsure of exactly how old they are. My father bought them second hand, here in Australia in 1980. I've had them since about 2000 and replaced the crossovers around 10 years ago. All of the drivers are original but if I have to get a new HF speaker I'll replace both.

Hi all, I have a pair of '70s era Klipschorns and as difficult as it can be to determine for sure, I suspect the tweeter in one is blown. To test I intend to remove the speaker connections at the crossover and test there. Or should I disconnect at the speaker and test there? On another note, my speaker terminals are both on the left hand side of the speakers. I thought one should be on the right side so both cables ran from the sides closest to the amp. Do I have 2 right hand speakers which would mean that there is someone out there with 2 lefts? Thanks for any assistance. Ian