Mike Lindsey Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I have a different opinion on the horn change outs. I would not do it if what you want is a Khorn. If you change the collapsing vertical K400 to a tractrix then it is very simple. It is no longer a PWK Heritage speaker. It sure won't sound like one. Probably the most unmistakeable characteristic of a PWK Heritage speaker is the collapsing vertical polars that give that top end you know is Klipsch. I have heard a few of the forum horn guy's homemade Tractrix horns and they are excellent. I'm not criticzing the horns at all. Just swapping one of those in there creates something altogether different. It's not a Khorn anymore after that. Yes, it will sound very good. I have never cared much for any of the Klipsch mid horns. I have owned Khorns, La Scala's, Cornwalls, Heresy's, Chorus', Chorus II's and Epic CF2's, and the exponential horns all sounded compressed and honkey to me when applying some volume (the Chorus and Epic are tractrix). When I ran the La Scala's it was with Altec 511B's, which was a major improvement over the K400. The V-Trac with the BMS drivers puts the mids in another universe. You can like the PWK sound all you want (and I appreciate and respect that), but if you are looking for the best sound you can get out of the speaker I would suggest you look at some of the other alternatives. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I have a different opinion on the horn change outs. I would not do it if what you want is a Khorn. If you change the collapsing vertical K400 to a tractrix then it is very simple. It is no longer a PWK Heritage speaker. It sure won't sound like one. Probably the most unmistakeable characteristic of a PWK Heritage speaker is the collapsing vertical polars that give that top end you know is Klipsch. I have heard a few of the forum horn guy's homemade Tractrix horns and they are excellent. I'm not criticzing the horns at all. Just swapping one of those in there creates something altogether different. It's not a Khorn anymore after that. Yes, it will sound very good. I have never cared much for any of the Klipsch mid horns. I have owned Khorns, La Scala's, Cornwalls, Heresy's, Chorus', Chorus II's and Epic CF2's, and the exponential horns all sounded compressed and *** to me when applying some volume (the Chorus and Epic are tractrix). When I ran the La Scala's it was with Altec 511B's, which was a major improvement over the K400. The V-Trac with the BMS drivers puts the mids in another universe. You can like the PWK sound all you want (and I appreciate and respect that), but if you are looking for the best sound you can get out of the speaker I would suggest you look at some of the other alternatives. Mike I look forward to hearing some of the newer alternatives. I still say it ain't Klipsch anymore but I'd very much like to hear all this midrange I've been missing. I have no doubt your new setup sounds amazing. It should for the price! One thing folks must realize though is not everyone listens at the same volume. I know what Mike means when he says "applying some volume" and I almost never listen at those levels.[:|] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I hear ya Gary... I would not consider it Klipsch any longer, and would not try to push it off as such. It does sound great though! [] I need you to come down to Florida for a weekend. I can put you guys up. We can play some golf, and listen to some good music. :-) BTW, not sure why it *** out the word h o n k e y. I guess it doesn't know the context you are saying the word in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 IMHO Al Green would sound much better on the VRDs. As for the horn talk. I prefer my 24"x12" Dukane horns over the K400, 500, etc. but then that's just getting too big!!! It's all about compromises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Just ribben ya JL[] I think I would have chosen Natalie Merchant myself honestly[] Man I would love to hear Mike's system sometime as I know he has it dialed to the max[8] Mike, that last line of your signature always tears me up as if what you have above is not enough gear to envy in the first place. Ah yes, through on some Ramstien and lets get this party started[<)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchester21 Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 No worries JL- Al green is in my top 5 list and will get a spin tonite nice doing business with you as well- Mike- I can not wait to hear about your new amps. If they are better than these I could not stand it. Listening to some Johny lang as we speak. Wilburys on deck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I hear ya Gary... I would not consider it Klipsch any longer, and would not try to push it off as such. It does sound great though! I need you to come down to Florida for a weekend. I can put you guys up. We can play some golf, and listen to some good music. :-) BTW, not sure why it *** out the word h o n k e y. I guess it doesn't know the context you are saying the word in. I will spend next winter in North Florida. I would also like to hear your system sometime.I don't golf, but if you have any lakes nearby I would like to fish in them. BTW - I used to live in Ocala Florida back in the early 70's. What kind of amps did you finally settle on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I am one who is very happy with the stock Klipsch configurations, save for rebuilding the networks with high quality parts. I tend to be more modest with the volume - low 90's db meter readings at the listening position is about as loud as I ever listen, and usually a little below that. At those volumes, the Klipsch sound is not only OK, it's preferable, because the simple networks with high quality parts and gear give a closeness, purity, and immediacy that is missing with the more complex networks. If I were the type to listen at louder volumes, then I can see the aftermarket upgrades having merit, but that's not how I use my speakers. MUCH of these preferences (or lack thereof) regarding the aftermarket horns/drivers is dependent on the habits of the listener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 AN- my memory is suspect but it seems to me you steered me towards the VRDs early on as well as Heritage speakers for HT and 2 ch. You were exactly correct....... Yes, I seem to recall telling you so[H] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchester21 Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Yes- I had some fantasy about buying a mac 275 and having a Heritage 2ch / ref HT system in the same room. You were right on all counts. I would have wasted more money learning by trial and error. After the fact looking back it makes perfect sense to share the K horns beween HT and 2 ch as they do both so well. I followed your advice to the letter and I am much better off. Morale of story- When you dont know what you are doing -listen to some who does.[Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gartenman Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Thanks for the kind words from everybody. This day is a memorable one that I will not forget. Equal to the day I brought my K horns at 2 AM on valentines day last year. I paid dearly for that one.If anybody s considering a 2 ch pair of mono blocs for Heritage- do yourself a favor and listen to the VRDs. Thanks CB - hope to see you soon. they get better every day as they break in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gartenman Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 The GE 6550s sound unbelievable.the GE's are a very good tube, but sonic changes occur more dramatically when swapping out preamp tubes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 [] I have a different opinion on the horn change outs. I would not do it if what you want is a Khorn. If you change the collapsing vertical K400 to a tractrix then it is very simple. It is no longer a PWK Heritage speaker. It sure won't sound like one. Probably the most unmistakeable characteristic of a PWK Heritage speaker is the collapsing vertical polars that give that top end you know is Klipsch. I have heard a few of the forum horn guy's homemade Tractrix horns and they are excellent. I'm not criticzing the horns at all. Just swapping one of those in there creates something altogether different. It's not a Khorn anymore after that. Yes, it will sound very good. I have never cared much for any of the Klipsch mid horns. I have owned Khorns, La Scala's, Cornwalls, Heresy's, Chorus', Chorus II's and Epic CF2's, and the exponential horns all sounded compressed and *** to me when applying some volume (the Chorus and Epic are tractrix). When I ran the La Scala's it was with Altec 511B's, which was a major improvement over the K400. The V-Trac with the BMS drivers puts the mids in another universe. You can like the PWK sound all you want (and I appreciate and respect that), but if you are looking for the best sound you can get out of the speaker I would suggest you look at some of the other alternatives. Mike Alternatives??? You mean like the modified tractrix alternative in my avatar? I've been at this awhile too......I just stuck with the Klipsch engineered tractrix, that's all......[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnatnoop Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 congrats, looking forward to the pics! and any more impressions after you've lived with them some would be read with great interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Would love to hear that set up, Congrats! Still no pics??????????[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I have a different opinion on the horn change outs. I would not do it if what you want is a Khorn. If you change the collapsing vertical K400 to a tractrix then it is very simple. It is no longer a PWK Heritage speaker. It sure won't sound like one. Probably the most unmistakeable characteristic of a PWK Heritage speaker is the collapsing vertical polars that give that top end you know is Klipsch. I have heard a few of the forum horn guy's homemade Tractrix horns and they are excellent. I'm not criticzing the horns at all. Just swapping one of those in there creates something altogether different. It's not a Khorn anymore after that. Yes, it will sound very good. I have never cared much for any of the Klipsch mid horns. I have owned Khorns, La Scala's, Cornwalls, Heresy's, Chorus', Chorus II's and Epic CF2's, and the exponential horns all sounded compressed and *** to me when applying some volume (the Chorus and Epic are tractrix). When I ran the La Scala's it was with Altec 511B's, which was a major improvement over the K400. The V-Trac with the BMS drivers puts the mids in another universe. You can like the PWK sound all you want (and I appreciate and respect that), but if you are looking for the best sound you can get out of the speaker I would suggest you look at some of the other alternatives. Mike Alternatives??? You mean like the modified tractrix alternative in my avatar? I've been at this awhile too......I just stuck with the Klipsch engineered tractrix, that's all...... LOL! Yeah, that comment wasn't directed at you even though I responded to your post. [] I have heard the K402 in a 3-way setup (6Foot8's Jubs) and they sounded excellent! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I hear ya Gary... I would not consider it Klipsch any longer, and would not try to push it off as such. It does sound great though! I need you to come down to Florida for a weekend. I can put you guys up. We can play some golf, and listen to some good music. :-) BTW, not sure why it *** out the word h o n k e y. I guess it doesn't know the context you are saying the word in. I will spend next winter in North Florida. I would also like to hear your system sometime.I don't golf, but if you have any lakes nearby I would like to fish in them. BTW - I used to live in Ocala Florida back in the early 70's. What kind of amps did you finally settle on? Would love to have you down. Let me know when you plan on being in the area. I live just outside Orlando. I am currently listening to the Korneff 45 while I am having a new set of VRD's built by Craig (Winchester bought my VRD's). I am really enjoying the 45 at the moment. I am thinking I will keep both, and will switch back and forth depending on the mood I am in. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Would love to have you down. Let me know when you plan on being in the area. I live just outside Orlando. I am currently listening to the Korneff 45 while I am having a new set of VRD's built by Craig (Winchester bought my VRD's). I am really enjoying the 45 at the moment. I am thinking I will keep both, and will switch back and forth depending on the mood I am in. Mike How are the new VRD's different than your previous ones? Glad to hear you are enjoying your 45 amps. I do the same thing. When I'm by myself I listen to the 45 amps exclusively. When I have someone over and they want to play a DVD music video on the loud side, I hook up my 300B amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hklinker Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Would love to have you down. Let me know when you plan on being in the area. I live just outside Orlando. I am currently listening to the Korneff 45 while I am having a new set of VRD's built by Craig (Winchester bought my VRD's). I am really enjoying the 45 at the moment. I am thinking I will keep both, and will switch back and forth depending on the mood I am in. Mike How are the new VRD's different than your previous ones? Glad to hear you are enjoying your 45 amps. I do the same thing. When I'm by myself I listen to the 45 amps exclusively. When I have someone over and they want to play a DVD music video on the loud side, I hook up my 300B amps. Mike-Tell me more about the VRD's I am curious to learn about them. Thanks, Herb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Would love to have you down. Let me know when you plan on being in the area. I live just outside Orlando. I am currently listening to the Korneff 45 while I am having a new set of VRD's built by Craig (Winchester bought my VRD's). I am really enjoying the 45 at the moment. I am thinking I will keep both, and will switch back and forth depending on the mood I am in. Mike How are the new VRD's different than your previous ones? Glad to hear you are enjoying your 45 amps. I do the same thing. When I'm by myself I listen to the 45 amps exclusively. When I have someone over and they want to play a DVD music video on the loud side, I hook up my 300B amps. Well, the VRD's will be new for starters. [] They will come with a beefed up Power Supply, and new Cardas Caps, and will match the rest of my gear in Cherry. Becasuse of the nice deal Winchester gave me I also felt it was a good deal to purchase new from Craig, and give him some new business. [] Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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