wuzzzer Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 A long time customer at work stopped by the other day. I'm not sure how we got on the subject but at some point our conversation steered towards electronics and he mentioned that his audio system consisted of vintage amps, tube amps, turntables, etc. I asked him what speakers he used and he said "I have a pair of Klipsch cornerhorns, Khorns." Turns out he bought them brand new in the 1980s. We chatted about Klipsch for a while and he said his friends have had LaScalas and Belles. He said that the Khorns are in a 2 channel setup and he also has a Reference series setup for home theater. I told him I was jealous and that I've never even heard a pair of Khorns. He said the imaging they provide is incredible, being able to close your eyes and tell where each instrument was placed during the recording. Its rare that I bump into someone who even knows what Klipsch speakers are, let alone someone who owns Khorns with a complete tube system! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 A long time customer at work stopped by the other day. I'm not sure how we got on the subject but at some point our conversation steered towards electronics and he mentioned that his audio system consisted of vintage amps, tube amps, turntables, etc. I asked him what speakers he used and he said "I have a pair of Klipsch cornerhorns, Khorns." Turns out he bought them brand new in the 1980s. We chatted about Klipsch for a while and he said his friends have had LaScalas and Belles. He said that the Khorns are in a 2 channel setup and he also has a Reference series setup for home theater. I told him I was jealous and that I've never even heard a pair of Khorns. He said the imaging they provide is incredible, being able to close your eyes and tell where each instrument was placed during the recording. Its rare that I bump into someone who even knows what Klipsch speakers are, let alone someone who owns Khorns with a complete tube system! Wuzzzer, So when do you get your first audition??? Beeing quite familiar with both the K-horn and the Forte II, I will tell you that as far as articulation of good reference material is concerned, you aren't missing anything with your Forte IIs if you have a good listening room and they are propperly set up. If anything, I think the Forte IIs are more articulate when set up correctly, but the K-horns are so much more efficient that you wont even be able to tell if the Forte IIs are playing or not if you have it in 4 channel stereo, they will just play so much louder, and still clean.... Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollar bill Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I run across this often, but really must learn to shut up, as I am often the one that is talking about how great they are, making the competition for local used, more difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted October 29, 2009 Moderators Share Posted October 29, 2009 That's rare to run across someone like that, most people I talk to has never heard of Klipsch or they had seen them in BB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I discovered that the Local Movie Theaters here- all Use Klipsch ! Haven't been, but it is nice to Know. I had a similar experience when I moved here..............talking with a local Artist (Paint)............and he ask me, if I had heard about Klipsch.....he has a nice set of Fortes, and KLF 20's...............small world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 So when do you get your first audition??? Beeing quite familiar with both the K-horn and the Forte II, I will tell you that as far as articulation of good reference material is concerned, you aren't missing anything with your Forte IIs if you have a good listening room and they are propperly set up. If anything, I think the Forte IIs are more articulate when set up correctly, but the K-horns are so much more efficient that you wont even be able to tell if the Forte IIs are playing or not if you have it in 4 channel stereo, they will just play so much louder, and still clean.... Roger I thought about asking for a listening session but felt awkward doing so. I don't know why. I remember Duke Spinner calling Forte IIs mini-Khorns. We're planning on selling our house next year and one requirement will be a much wider room for the home theater. Our basement room now is long and narrow. I used my Fortes to DJ a couple wedding dances in large ballrooms and they filled the room nicely and sounded amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 So when do you get your first audition??? Beeing quite familiar with both the K-horn and the Forte II, I will tell you that as far as articulation of good reference material is concerned, you aren't missing anything with your Forte IIs if you have a good listening room and they are propperly set up. If anything, I think the Forte IIs are more articulate when set up correctly, but the K-horns are so much more efficient that you wont even be able to tell if the Forte IIs are playing or not if you have it in 4 channel stereo, they will just play so much louder, and still clean.... Roger I thought about asking for a listening session but felt awkward doing so. I don't know why. I remember Duke Spinner calling Forte IIs mini-Khorns. We're planning on selling our house next year and one requirement will be a much wider room for the home theater. Our basement room now is long and narrow. I used my Fortes to DJ a couple wedding dances in large ballrooms and they filled the room nicely and sounded amazing. Well for comparison purposes, realize that it takes four Chorus IIs to achieve the same spl of a pair of Klipschorns, or 8 Forte II speakers. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckears Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Here'a another "chime-in" as someone who usually receives a blank stare when I mention my speaker brand preference... most people have heard of Blose and the usual suspects of Pioneer, etc... As for Klipchorns and its cousins in the Klipsch universe; I really have not heard anything to compare to them. The "real" sound to all instruments and vocalists, and the imaging and presence they provide have not been matched by other Klipsch speakers, and definitely by other brands. To my ears, at least... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennie Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I thought about asking for a listening session but felt awkward doing so. I don't know why. Hey Wuzzer, you know how we like showing off our gear? I bet he is the same way. Try dropping a "I sure would love to hear those Khorns" next time you talk to him. I bet he'd love to show off his gear! Thanks for sharing the story, it isn't often I talk to anyone who knows Klipsch. Dennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnatnoop Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I thought about asking for a listening session but felt awkward doing so. I don't know why. Hey Wuzzer, you know how we like showing off our gear? I bet he is the same way. Try dropping a "I sure would love to hear those Khorns" next time you talk to him. I bet he'd love to show off his gear! Thanks for sharing the story, it isn't often I talk to anyone who knows Klipsch. Dennie I thought about asking for a listening session but felt awkward doing so. I don't know why. Hey Wuzzer, you know how we like showing off our gear? I bet he is the same way. Try dropping a "I sure would love to hear those Khorns" next time you talk to him. I bet he'd love to show off his gear! Thanks for sharing the story, it isn't often I talk to anyone who knows Klipsch. Dennie I bet he'd love to have ya listen too! Let him know about the forum, send him this link, two birds one stone![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Well for comparison purposes, realize that it takes four Chorus IIs to achieve the same spl of a pair of Klipschorns, or 8 Forte II speakers. Roger Hmm, I am not sure I understand. Maybe at 1 watt right? Because the Chorus II's will do 121 dbs with peaks of 130 dbs. So just exaclty what are you saying the Khorns are capable of? From the literature I've read they both appear to reach 121dbs. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Wuzzzer, your customer could have been me if he had a Belle center! Bought my KHorns new in 83, have all tube gear. If you're ever in my neighborhood, feel free to drop by for an audition! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckears Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Well for comparison purposes, realize that it takes four Chorus IIs to achieve the same spl of a pair of Klipschorns, or 8 Forte II speakers. Roger Hmm, I am not sure I understand. Maybe at 1 watt right? Because the Chorus II's will do 121 dbs with peaks of 130 dbs. So just exaclty what are you saying the Khorns are capable of? From the literature I've read they both appear to reach 121dbs. Thanks. Sensitivity, or even theoretical sensitivity (8 Fortes?), is not the most meaningful aspect of the K-Horn. Room interaction via the corner-loaded bass horn and eerily-accurate reproduction of instruments make this speaker stand above the rest of the Klipsch line. Not that the others don't sound great - I love my Fortes; there is just a realism to the Klipschorn that haunts my sonic memory, and will until I either own a pair,, or shuffle off this mortal coil... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Well for comparison purposes, realize that it takes four Chorus IIs to achieve the same spl of a pair of Klipschorns, or 8 Forte II speakers. Roger Hmm, I am not sure I understand. Maybe at 1 watt right? Because the Chorus II's will do 121 dbs with peaks of 130 dbs. So just exaclty what are you saying the Khorns are capable of? From the literature I've read they both appear to reach 121dbs. Thanks. Correct, at 1 watt, and on up until the Klipschorns peak out, hence why you can't even hear the Forte IIs playing when listening in 4 channel stereo at the same power output. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Well for comparison purposes, realize that it takes four Chorus IIs to achieve the same spl of a pair of Klipschorns, or 8 Forte II speakers. Roger Hmm, I am not sure I understand. Maybe at 1 watt right? Because the Chorus II's will do 121 dbs with peaks of 130 dbs. So just exaclty what are you saying the Khorns are capable of? From the literature I've read they both appear to reach 121dbs. Thanks. Sensitivity, or even theoretical sensitivity (8 Fortes?), is not the most meaningful aspect of the K-Horn. Room interaction via the corner-loaded bass horn and eerily-accurate reproduction of instruments make this speaker stand above the rest of the Klipsch line. Not that the others don't sound great - I love my Fortes; there is just a realism to the Klipschorn that haunts my sonic memory, and will until I either own a pair,, or shuffle off this mortal coil... Glad you want a set, to me it Klipshorns are impressive to look at, heavy enough to make it hard to steal, and more athoratative sounding, but I always picked up more articulate nuiances with my Quartets. I've had several Klipschorns, and a couple of LaScalas as well, but now I'm into the Pro Stuff and alot more SPL with better Bass then the Klipschorns. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Well for comparison purposes, realize that it takes four Chorus IIs to achieve the same spl of a pair of Klipschorns, or 8 Forte II speakers. Roger Hmm, I am not sure I understand. Maybe at 1 watt right? Because the Chorus II's will do 121 dbs with peaks of 130 dbs. So just exaclty what are you saying the Khorns are capable of? From the literature I've read they both appear to reach 121dbs. Thanks. Correct, at 1 watt, and on up until the Klipschorns peak out, hence why you can't even hear the Forte IIs playing when listening in 4 channel stereo at the same power output. Roger I see what your saying. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Well for comparison purposes, realize that it takes four Chorus IIs to achieve the same spl of a pair of Klipschorns, or 8 Forte II speakers. Roger Hmm, I am not sure I understand. Maybe at 1 watt right? Because the Chorus II's will do 121 dbs with peaks of 130 dbs. So just exaclty what are you saying the Khorns are capable of? From the literature I've read they both appear to reach 121dbs. Thanks. Sensitivity, or even theoretical sensitivity (8 Fortes?), is not the most meaningful aspect of the K-Horn. Room interaction via the corner-loaded bass horn and eerily-accurate reproduction of instruments make this speaker stand above the rest of the Klipsch line. Not that the others don't sound great - I love my Fortes; there is just a realism to the Klipschorn that haunts my sonic memory, and will until I either own a pair,, or shuffle off this mortal coil... I've lived in the world of just being content. I have better sounding speakers IMHO than probably 85% of the globe. My Chorus II's sound good. They don't eat are cost me anything actually. They let me enjoy music. I've never been one looking to see if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence so to speak. Basically I'm happy right where I'm at. I do love hearing all the others experiences that their wants and needs take them. Great to see some folks always searching for the holy grail. Music is great and Klipsch lets me enjoy it immensely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 I've lived in the world of just being content. I have better sounding speakers IMHO than probably 85% of the globe. My Chorus II's sound good. They don't eat are cost me anything actually. They let me enjoy music. I've never been one looking to see if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence so to speak. Basically I'm happy right where I'm at. I do love hearing all the others experiences that their wants and needs take them. Great to see some folks always searching for the holy grail. Music is great and Klipsch lets me enjoy it immensely. Amen Randy [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 I thought about asking for a listening session but felt awkward doing so. I don't know why. I remember Duke Spinner calling Forte IIs mini-Khorns. We're planning on selling our house next year and one requirement will be a much wider room for the home theater. Our basement room now is long and narrow. I used my Fortes to DJ a couple wedding dances in large ballrooms and they filled the room nicely and sounded amazing. Well, if you would like to hear my modified Klipschorns, you are welcome. I replaced the Khorn midrange with an Altec horn and driver. HUGE improvement. Let me know if you would like to hear my setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleJ Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Wuzzzer: I strongly recommend/suggest/ that you take Kevin up on his offer. I've had the honor and privilege to audition his set-up a couple of times and his Altec modded K-horns have to be heard to be appreciated. Since I have a pair of K-Horns, it didn't take too long to notice the HUGE improvement that the Altec driver/horn make compared to my K-Horns. Kevin also has a great selection of tube amps so if you haven't heard tubes before, you are in for a treat. We all know that the speakers and the amplification are only 1 piece to the puzzle; you still need a proper room to make it all come together. I can't begin to describe in words Kevin's listening room (I can't find the forum post with the pictures). You just have to experience it yourself to appreciate the hard work and planning that was done to make everything just right. Make the trip...you'll be glad you did. JJ P.S. Your newly painted Altec's look excellent and bet it adds a nice touch to your listening room decor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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