jmysza Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi gang, First time poster. Thanks for being here. I just went and looked at a pair of Klipschorns (1990, type B, oiled oak). They are in amazing cosmetic shape aside from a few minor nicks - original wicker grilles... all original K-55-M squakers, K-77-M tweeters, and AK-3 crossovers. They were sitting in the middle of a small room side-by-side hooked up to a crappy Yamaha A/V receiver and a JBL active subwoofer??! They sounded pretty awful. I turned off the subwoofer and tried to remove all of the DSP from the amp (don't think I was 100% successful) enough to verify that the tweeters/squakers/drivers were all functional. The only music source I had for the demo was unfortunately over-processed FM radio. I'm aware of the fact that when I get them home and put them in the corners they will sound better and have increased bass response. The current owner said he inherited these from his neighbor 2 years ago when he moved, and exclaimed "they don't make these anymore", and "they CRANK". My longterm goal would be to tri-amp them with active 3-way crossovers and possibly replace some of the diaphrams. He says (true or not) that a guy is coming on Sunday with cash, so I have only a short time to decide. He's $1500 firm for the pair. What do you all think... should I go for it? - Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACV92 Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I don't even own a pair of KHorns and from what you're describing I'd do it in a heartbeat. $1500 is a really good price from what I've seen. Leaves you room for some upgrades if you feel that you need to after you get the home. Once properly placed, driven with better upstream gear, I can only imagine how happy you'll be. My vote is to open the wallet and load them up. Edit: They do still make the Khorns, base units are $6K each, 70th Anniversary are even more. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACV92 Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Here's a link that describes the difference in the models, A, B, C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmysza Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thanks AC... didn't know the types were merely cosmetic differences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Go get them now! Get going 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasDom Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 That's a great price for the condition you described. I'd recommend you take a friend with you to pick them up because: (A) They are heavy (B)You'll need a getaway driver since it sounds like a steal Goooooooo! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted March 15, 2018 Moderators Share Posted March 15, 2018 All good advice, buy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 I have 1989 K-horns with those same drivers and network. Get them! That is a very good price if in good condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff. Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 There are a few things in life you will regret not doing. Missing this chance is way up there. You will not lose any money if you decide down the road they are not for you. Those are plug and play! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Great price! GO! There is also NO NEED to replace the diaphragms in a working driver. Though, there are some better sounding drivers available, particularly for the K-77-M. I believe I have read there are no longer any replacement diaphragms for the K-55-M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolve2525 Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Bob Crites shows how to fit Atlas K55V diaphragms into K55M on his website. Those are still available. https://critesspeakers.com/rebuilding_a_k-77m.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibson66 Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 I bought a pair in 1978 and they are still the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 As everyone else has said, $1500 is a no-brainer, you don't even need to research or think about it. If you get them and don't like them you can resell them and make a least $1000. Check your PM. I sent you a research tool. And welcome to the Klipsch forum. -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmysza Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 Thanks all. Renting a van and picking them up tomorrow! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACV92 Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 13 minutes ago, jmysza said: Thanks all. Renting a van and picking them up tomorrow! Cool! I just missed a nice pair of Cornwalls yesterday. Keep us posted on your progress and your opinion of how they sound. I'm living vicariously. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmysza Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 So here we are 3 1/2 years later and these are absolutely my favorite things in the world. As they are being used as the “mains” in my recording studio I decided to power them with 2 solid state Schiit Aegir’s used as mono blocks. When I push them however, they do get a bit harsh. So, I’m thing upgrades… and I thought I’d reach out to the experts ; ) 1. Would a new set of Crites AK-3 crossovers have a noticeable impact, given that the speakers have existing 1990 AK-3 crossovers in them? 2. I would love to jump to Volti Audio V-TracII horns, but the price is a bit rich for me right now. Any other suggestions to tamp down the harshness at louder levels and warm things up? Any and all input is welcome and much appreciated. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 10 minutes ago, jmysza said: 1. Would a new set of Crites AK-3 crossovers have a noticeable impact, given that the speakers have existing 1990 AK-3 crossovers in them? Noticeable impact? Ummmm, no not much. Go to a new AA network build. 10 minutes ago, jmysza said: 2. I would love to jump to Volti Audio V-TracII horns, but the price is a bit rich for me right now. Any other suggestions to tamp down the harshness at louder levels and warm things up? Yes, go to an AA network build and you can tame the mids with two very simple changes. PM me if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 No Affiliation - klipsch offer Factory klipsch capacitors for sale via @JEM Performance, they can troubleshoot your AK-3 Crossovers or repair them with new klipsch capacitors - JEM Performance is The klipsch Certified Heritage crossovers repair center . you can reach JEM via PM @JEM Performance or 412-401-6915 /email theaudioroom@verizon.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestonTom Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 My suggestion is to first be very precise about what the "problem" is. Refreshing the capacitors might help, but you can do this cheaply by getting the raw parts from Parts Express (search the threads) or even "bypassing" them (search the threads). Bigger improvements (IMHO) can be achieved by room placement and making sure you have good corners (search the threads on "false corners") and snug in the corners (search the threads on "pipe foam"). All this should be done before any mention of JEM or Volti Some day you might even thank me for just having saved you from spending a bunch of money (IMHO). Good Luck, -Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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