TubeHiFiNut Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 A good friend just got a pair of Klipschorns from (what appears to be) 1955. Pretty cool looking wood K-5-G Squawker. I searched for the K-5-G and older Klipschorns in general. Some good info. These will need new grill cloth. Appears he will be able to get pretty close on that. Interested in comments from others who have Klipschorns from the 1950s. Did you update or restore to original? Appreciate any comments and feedback? Thank you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted August 1, 2019 Author Share Posted August 1, 2019 A pic of the front. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 A pair? Do they match in appearance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted August 1, 2019 Author Share Posted August 1, 2019 2 hours ago, muel said: A pair? Do they match in appearance? Yes. ***EDIT***I will verify the serial number of the second speaker.***EDIT*** *** EDIT***My apologies. I misunderstood my friend on the serial numbers and manufactured dates. Speaker number one is serial number 1050 manufactured in 1955. Speaker number two is serial number 1263 manufactured in 1956. The speakers look, from what I could see, very similar.***END EDIT*** Should have taken pics of both. I'll try to drive out to his house and grab some pics of the other one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Wasn't that rare for 1955? Did they normally sell singles back then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted August 1, 2019 Author Share Posted August 1, 2019 Just now, muel said: Wasn't that rare for 1955? Did they normally sell singles back then? That I do not know. Makes sense though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbird Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 8 minutes ago, TubeHiFiNut said: Yes. I believe that they are consecutive serial numbers. Wow! That’s rare and amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted August 1, 2019 Author Share Posted August 1, 2019 6 minutes ago, Blackbird said: Wow! That’s rare and amazing. I will verify the serial numbers. Could not get a good look at the second speaker and my eyes are not what they used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanksjim1 Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Very nice! Some folks prefer the K-5-J horn over the K-400. Hopefully, they still have the original Stephens-Trusonic 103LX-2 woofers; rare and sought after. I have #1251 June '57. Keeping it stock. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codewritinfool Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 36 minutes ago, muel said: Wasn't that rare for 1955? Did they normally sell singles back then? I think you're right. Probably not much stereo running around then. I have an article from 1964 advising audiophiles with limited budgets to go for quality monaural (Klipschorn) instead of poor-quality stereo, then later adding a second Klipschorn. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W. Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 37 minutes ago, hanksjim1 said: Very nice! Some folks prefer the K-5-J horn over the K-400. Hopefully, they still have the original Stephens-Trusonic 103LX-2 woofers; rare and sought after. I have #1251 June '57. Keeping it stock. The K-5-J horn does not measure as well as the K-400, it’s bandwidth and FR don’t look as good, but many people prefer its sound. The polar response in the horizontal plane is outstanding, especially considering the era this horn is from. I love listening to this one....use it in a CornScala configuration, very natural sounding! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted August 1, 2019 Author Share Posted August 1, 2019 My apologies. I misunderstood my friend on the serial numbers and manufactured dates. Speaker number one is serial number 1050 manufactured in 1955. Speaker number two is serial number 1263 manufactured in 1956. The speakers look, from what I could see, very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Very nice looking heirlooms there, a real piece of history. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted August 1, 2019 Author Share Posted August 1, 2019 My recommendation to friends, when they get true classic speakers/components/etc., is to restore to original condition. The grill cloth is rough around the edges so that needs to be replaced. Will get particulars on the woofers and horn drivers. Will also evaluate the cone health. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 I have a Dec. 1956 K-5-J (#1272) hanging on the wall as art. It is in good condition with few blemishes. I'd rather have the earlier version, with boats near the throat, to hang on the wall. I will trade one for the other, if your friend wishes to make them sound alike. They are big enough that finding a box is awkward. I also have a functional SAHF once destined for a Shorthorn I never found, if he needs it. BTW, the SNs you cited are only for the K-5. The system SN you pictured is 954, pretty early. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 My friend Tom @kuisis will enjoy seeing this post. He has a similar pair. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 The S/N on the horn is not the S/N of the speaker as John indicated. The speaker S/N is 954 and Jim Hunter in the "Ask the Historian" section can look that serial # up and tell you the date. What is the S/N on the other speaker? I see someone wrote the woofer type on the S/N placard and it should have the Stephens Trusonic woofer. I would leave them as is the way they came from the factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Love the squawker. What material was used for the tops/bottoms? It looks to have been formed or laid up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 10 hours ago, glens said: Love the squawker. What material was used for the tops/bottoms? It looks to have been formed or laid up. I'll have to go back out to my friend's house and 1. take better and mre relevant pics and 2. assess the materials used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windashine Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 On 8/1/2019 at 9:58 PM, JohnA said: have a Dec. 1956 K-5-J (#1272) hanging on the wall as art ... o O (picture for the wonderer's?) lol... I mean, can you post a picture of that... I was thinking about doing the same, but if it sticks out 2 feet or whether it's pointing down... seems like it'd make all the difference... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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