bigblaze Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I am running klipshorns with B&K sound type A-4500 crossovers, a cayin TA30 tube amp and using a mcintosh c15 preamp. I listen to all types of music and like alot of bass. I am really disapointed in the bass output of the horns. finally I decided they needed some reinforcment so I added a SHU Research VTF3 MK-3 subwoofer. all I can say is wow! most impressive sub I have ever heard. I am still trying to get a little more bass from the k-horns is it that I am using a tube amp that is holding them back? any sugestions on getting more out of them? the corners are good and solid and they are sealed to the wall correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boom3 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 try a good SS amp with at least 60 w/ch and see if you like it. There are many here who think Khorns and tube power amps are perfect together, but most of those will agree that it takes experimentation with different tube amps to find one that works right (for them) with a Khorn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTLongo Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I agree with you that Klipschorns CAN sound weak in the bass department. The truth is, and experience shows, that they are very amplifier-sensitive. I have run them with four different A/V receivers and the bass was thin with three of them, but just GREAT with the oldest receiver, a vintage-1990 Pioneer pro-logic VSX-5700S. In two-channel mode that Pioneer would really drive them in the bass and they were Nirvana. Just gorgeous, very musical, no need for a subwoofer. Same speakers, same corners, same setup, but with the other receivers they sounded almost "tinny" by comparison. Go figure. Unfortunately for the Pioneer, I am running a three-channel setup (see profile) and the old pro-logic center channel wouldn't cut it. In stereo the setup was superb, but in three-channel the center channel wouldn't keep up. So, I am running the array at present with an Outlaw Model 970 pre/pro feeding an Outlaw 7075 amp via a Teac 12-channel equalizer with the the 30 and 60hz sliders boosted. The combo drives the array well but still a little anemically in the bass compared to the venerable Pioneer. Solution: a Velodyne S1500R sub to anchor the really deep stuff. But (APOSTASY!) a small part of me almost wishes I didn't have that beautiful Belle Klipsch center so I could have Khorn two-channel Nirvana driven by that beloved old Pioneer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 K-horns are very sensitive to the room and to electronics. I felt for some time that mine lacked a certain amount of bass fullness and depth, and that possible causes included (1) putting them across the short wall of my 18' X 11' room; (2) large pieces of furniture that are less than 4' from the bass horn mouth, so the bass doesn't have a good launch; (3) formerly, one was placed against an outside entry door, and the bass picked up considerably after I replaced the old single-glazed full-light door with an IG (insulated glass) half-light door; (4) a little boost after replacing single-glazed room windows with double-glazed argon-filled windows; and (5) my OTL amplifier is relatively thin-sounding compared with OP transformer-based P-P amps like VRD's. Take another look at your room and door and furniture arrangements, and your electronics. I don't think tube amps per se are weak in the bass, and IMO SS can have an edgy quality on horns that sounds artificially clear (again IMO) but isn't necessarily beneficial. Also take another look at your sound sources -- some CD players are thin-sounding and IMO can have that edgy SS quality. Misaligned cartridges in LP players can sound very tinny and lacking in bass. Make sure your speaker wire is a full 14 or 12 gauge, and not 26-gauge weaklings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigblaze Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 unfortunatly I am very limited with my room situation I really only have one wall I can place them against and my listening position seams to be the biggest dead spot as far as the bass goes. even with the amazing sub I added it is weak in my listening spot. have tried several positions with the sub too. I had a chance to pick up a great mcintosh ss amp I should have grabbed it. I hate to give up any on the great sound the tube amp is producing. I am fairly new to the high end home audio. I have drooled over k-horns for years. an add came up on the local clasified adds a few months ago for the k-horns and the cayin amp I offered an ar-15 in trade and here I am. also picked up the mcintosh C15 preamp for 350.00 from another add locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennie Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Congratulations on the K-horns and the move to high end sound. Try putting the sub in your listening postion and move around the room and find where the bass sounds the best, put your sub there. You should be getting decent bass with the sub and the K-horns. Dennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEvan Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 It's a different kind of bass, amazingly natural but never overblown. It may sound lacking compared to a direct radiator bass especially if you like slamming rock & roll. If you love pipe organ & orchestral music , Khorns are king of the hill in bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 my listening position seams to be the biggest dead spot as far as the bass goes. even with the amazing sub I added it is weak in my listening spot That makes me wonder if perhaps you have a null or void (or what ever it's called) where the bass might cancel out there? I don't know much about room acoustics...and...you said you moved the sub around.... I would have thought the null would have moved when you moved the sub around but again... I don't fully understand how that stuff works. Just a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I think you're on to something (not on something...this time[]), Richard. I was thinking the same thing. My problem is, there's a void wherever I sit... bigblaze, where abouts are you located? Perhaps a fellow forum member nearby can help you troubleshoot. Welcome aboard here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundbound Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Can you try some different audio components with your Klipschorns to see if you can get the bass you want? Can you borrow some from some friends to try with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I hope you have them in decent corners? Your statement about against the wall has me concerned, no corners = thin/no bass. Flea powered tube amps aren't going to generate thunderous flap your pants bass either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 A big help is to ensure that the bass horns are sealed tightly into their corners. Gaps as small as 1/4 inch can have a negative effect on bass output. Do a forum search on foam pipe insulation. There are many posts on this subject, lots of info, including some with pictures. I would investigate this first - I just helped a friend set up some Khorns and the foam insulation really improved his bass output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tblake10 Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I have the same sub and run it with the klipshorns and like it a lot adding that sub 40hz bottom end. But my khorns have killer bass by themselves. Natural, tight. btw, have you ever tried putting that sub right next to your listening position? If you love bass you have to try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 could the crossovers be out of spec? how old are they? k-horns in good corners have really good bass in my experience. not bloated but good. tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 it may seem simplistic, but are we IN PHASE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KdAgain Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Good point! I have the same issue. How do we know for sure, and with all drivers? I have all driver plusses to crossover plusses, and same from amp, but what if one of the drivers is mis-marked? Thanks, Rod it may seem simplistic, but are we IN PHASE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Yes, excellent question, MC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Im intreaged, i dont know if i spelled that right. Great knowledge if i ever pick up a pair of horns and what does in phase mean. And not to change the subject but how do you quote another post not just the last. duder or nick which ever you all perfer to call me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigblaze Posted April 17, 2009 Author Share Posted April 17, 2009 yes in good solid corners sealed with pipe insalation. in phase unless the wires going into the sub are wrong. I think maybe a lot of people have different ideas about strong and week bass. I am into cars also and everyone seams to have different ideas about what is a fast car as well. maybe I should get some readings on SPL in my room and we will all know exactly what I consider week bass. btw my comfortable listening volume is too high for around 90% of everyone I have had listen with me. and I am not loosing hearing. lol I get an annual hearing test and it checks out great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowcio Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 It's a different kind of bass, amazingly natural but never overblown. It may sound lacking compared to a direct radiator bass especially if you like slamming rock & roll. If you love pipe organ & orchestral music , Khorns are king of the hill in bass. I think that this sums it up. It's dependent on the type of music you listen to... I've never listened to rap on Khorns, but I would imagine there are better speaker choices if this is your musical preference. However, orchestral and organ music sounds awesome (my father in-law loves listening to this music on his). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.