KLF 20'S THOUGHTS, AMP CHOICE

[Big Rig Guy]

I've had the 20's in the shop now for 4 days, they rock, no problem there. Did notice one speaker has the infamous glue problem and that the top rear panel vibrates at louder listening levels.

Did a search here on the forum, and found alot of useful info, so maybe in the next day or two I will reglue these cabinets. I plan on using a two part epoxy though in place of the glue. I use this in the shop, for fibreglass repairs to truck parts etc and found it too be extremely strong.

Been driving these 20's with a Sharp lower grade 150 watt/channel power amp that I recently bought used. I have bought a Phase Linear 400 series two power amp and expecting delivery in about a week or so from Wester Canada. I had the series one years ago with my Khorns.

Before, anyone jumps on this thread regarding the amp choice, I run this system in a truck shop and have to compete with the sounds of impact guns, grinders etc, I cannot think of a better amp that can sustain higher power levels without overheating and shutting down as in the past with so many amps, they shut down.

The Sharp amp, continually runs up close to 100 a side, especially at night when I work alone. I find the amp straining, bass is getting muddy etc, highs are harsch.

So, thoughts-concerns and or opinions??????????????

[OU Sig]

I used to run mine on a QSC RMX850 amp with a legit 200 watts RMS/side when I lived in the fraternity house (they competed with about 400 people/party and numerous other systems and never missed a beat). That amp never overheated when playing at full power on bass heavy songs and other classic rock songs all night long. I sold the amp because I had to move on from that life, but 200watts/speaker was way plenty but I could tell the speakers wanted and could take much more (as long as it was clean power).

[michael hurd]

Thoughts: In a nasty environment like that, a closed convection cooled chassis would be best, failing that, a fan cooled model with a filter that can be cleaned often.

Instead of using a Fusor repair adhesive at over $60 a tube, I would go with the single component Sikaflex adhesive sealant.

Spend some time researching about different amps, a used Bryston might fit the bill, as well as a Crown K1 or K2.

[Big Rig Guy]

Michael- I stopped using Fusor products in the shop and switche over to 3m brand, had too many problems with Fusor, anything product of this type out of the Ashland group I found to be good products.

Sikaflex, yup, but will use either the West System or MVS system, this stuff is pretty much bullet proof.

An amp with a fan, might just suck in all the dust continually and I think that might be worse. The enviroment here, is pretty much the worst case scenario for this type of equipment. I go through fax machines, about one every other month, same with printers.

I put the Rf 15'S I had bought originally for the shop, into my Rv in the same spot where I had a similair type of Polk speaker. I don't know, but the sound from these RF 15 was not all that good, acutally was surprised at the low quality of sound, at least compared to the Polks. Now having said that, I used a Carver Reciever, and am now, going to switch that out for a Nad Monitor Series 7100, that I use in the shop here, but luckily for me, a guy about an hour away has a used one for sale, should be interesting to see the improvement. I had bought the Carver Reciever for the shop, as the Nad has one channel in the power amp section not working. I did not like the sound of the Carver in the shop either.

The days in the 80's, yup loud rock and roll all night, can't believe I still have ears,lol. I can take the rock and roll still, but no where near as much.

We need the volume in the shop, plus I need speakers and amps that can take the abuse when someone turns it up. Gotta be idiot proof?????????

[Colin]

Sounds like you will need a large foam box to keep dust out of the amplifier, and a fan to cool it; I would use big ole horns for an industrial application like that

[maxg]

Just to be different - a Rotel 1080. 2 channel power amp with 200 wpc. They are basically all heat sync so they shouldnt overheat and there is no worries about the fan as there isnt one. Probably a more practical alternative in your environment as a fan cooled unit would gum up pretty quick IMHO.

Of course you will need some form of volume control but a passive with a control is not expensive and similarly unlikely to breakdown / overheat / get clogged up.

[Spkrdctr]

Since you don't mind spending serious money, I recommend the Crown K-1 amp. It is made specifically for your shop environment and is awesome. I have been using the K-2s lately, but the K-1 will do fine for you. I think you can find them used if you look around, especially with a store that caters to local rock bands/guitar people. If it works, don't worry about it being used, it will work fine. Good Luck!

[Big Rig Guy]

Had the Rotel, smaller version a few years back, albeit, only I beleive 60 watts/side, that one overheated and shut down badly. Like Rotel components too.

Nads all shut down too, the Carver that I had in here for a wee, continually shut down.

The Sharp I am running right now, does not shut down, but should, at the higher levels, just does not cut it.

Now the Phase Linear 400 Series 1, I had for well over ten years, and been in the family for 20, never once shut down. Through all the Ac Dc years, at extreme high power, driving Khorns, then into a smaller system, driving Missions and Polks- ie 4 ohm loads, again never shut down, nor a hint of problem. Mind you, you could not touch the amp in any part due to heat.

Speaking of horns, my brother still has my set of Khorns I had bought in 85, I will be talking to the other brother this weekend, to see if he can buy them from my brother and then sell back to me. Myself and the one brother do not get along.

They were offered back to me some ten years ago for a grand, but at the time I did not have the room, now I do. I paid 4500.00 CDN in 85 for them.

I went about 15 years, with all different brands of speaker, higher end stuff, alot of it very good, easy on the ears, still, I was always comparing anything that I had a the time, to the Khorns, nothing measured up. These 20's I bought last weekend, are the closest thing to the Khorn sound, that I have heard to date. I am very impressed with them.

[vman71]

Sunfire amps run very cool and don't have a problem overheating. You should be able to find a used one very easy. I haven't had a problem yet with any of my Sunfire gear.

[kohill]

I use a Rotel Rb990bx. It's the previous generation of the amp Maxg recommended. 200 wpc. It gets my KLF-20's loud, real loud. I bought it used on Ebay for a little over 300.00 plus shipping. Plus it does a bang-up job of controlling the bass output. My previous amp was boomy, but not this one.