Klipsch under GLASS

[colterphoto1]

Okay here's the deal. I've got a book club that starts meeting over here next week. About 16-20 people once a week. We all stay up late and are coffee freaks. Can't you just imagine me running about trying to put coasters under everyone's coffee mugs?

I've seen this before so it's time I made a defensive manouver to protect my beloved Klipsch speakers. I'm putting Glass tops on my LS and CW's. I've done this before on desk tops, etc. and it's pretty easy to install and complete reversible and non-marring to the speakers' finish.

Call your local glass outfit and order 1/4" plate glass (it doesn't have to be tempered), tell them to knock off the corners (you don't want them to radius it cause it's about a dime's size curve, leaving the speaker corners unprotected. Likewise you don't want sharp corners that'll cut people), and to Finish or Polish the edges. Make sure to pick up some of the clean nickle sized plastic thingies and place them near each corner and the middle of each side of each speaker before gently setting the glass down. This keeps them apart slightly. They will withstand quite a bit of weight.

What you'll end up with is a beautiful glass top that's easy to windex off, collects less junk, and protects. Here's the dimensions I came up with- I'll even save ya the measuring, though you might want to double check.

LS- BR 24 3/4 x 23 3/4

CW 15 1/2 x 25 3/8

The local cost for a pair of each is going to be about $95. Pretty cheap protection. Think of it as a Klipsch Kondom!

Michael

[oldtimer]

Note to those with glass tops on furniture. If you take it off and clean both sides periodically, leave it off for a while to make damn sure that the bottom side is completely 100% dry, or the finish will be ruined.

[colterphoto1]

Good point, there is ammonia in most glass cleaners, trapping it next to stained wood surface might not be a good thing.

M

[bkrop]

Hardware stores sell felt discs with adhesive on one side(for the

glass!!!) and you don't have to worry about the plastic thingys

scratching the veneer

[m00n]

Just get you some pretty little dolies. []

[colterphoto1]

Hardware stores sell felt discs with adhesive on one side(for the

glass!!!) and you don't have to worry about the plastic thingys

scratching the veneer

yeah, but then you'd see the goopy side of the adhesive, and they might slide around. I've used the soft plastic thingies for years on the top of my Dad's old Walnut desk that I lovingly refinished. It get hard use and the glass doesn't slip around and it looks great, no damage to the wood whatsoever.

M

[charlieboy]

I have glass tops for my Cornwalls, and I'm having glass tops made for

my Klipschorns. My buddy works for Guardian Industries, about the

largest glass company in the world. One of their factorys is around 20

minutes away from me. There is such a markup on glass. I had some 27x40

pieces cut for some posters and was quoted around 40-50 bucks a piece

at a glass shop. My buddy cut them for 1.50 each!

[colterphoto1]

remember to tell em what it's for. My picture framing glass is standard clear window glass at 3/32 I believe, that's not quite 1/8. My guys charge like $2 per ft2 for that.

You want to use 1/4 for table tops, etc. Looks like I'm paying around $7 ft2 for that, but that's with edges polished.

[charlieboy]

Yeah my tops for the speakers are 1/4 beveled glass. Had the cornwalls

done for 5.00 . My buddy saw the Klipschorns and wanted to do

them as a little challenge not just square or rectangle. Still only

gonna be around 10 bucks he said, and pobably a 12 pack knowing him!

LOL!

[garymd]

Other than knowing someone in the business, is there a way to save money buying glass? I spent a bloody fortune last summer replacing the glass tops on my patio furniture and we're going to need 8 tempered shelves for some custom cabinets within the next couple months. Can it be ordered directly from the factory? Does it have to be a local shop?

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

Sorry for the hijack Michael. Seemed like the right place to ask.

Good luck with your tops! Great idea. I've always liked the looks of glass tops on speakers and I can't tell you how many times I've hollered at someone for almost setting a drink on my zebrawood!!!

[charlieboy]

garymd,

I hear ya' on people wanting to set drinks on top of speakers. I'll

call my buddy tonight he's on graveyard shift. I'm pretty sure you

cannot order from the factory in fact impositive you can't from them

anyway but he may know somethin I do not. I'll let ya know. Like I said

I feel your pain the markup on glass is huge!!

[Clarence]

Michael,

Whats the book? I just picked up Marley and Me, NYTimes list. Check it out.

(WOW book clubs too? You do it all... dont ya??)

[colterphoto1]

I wouldn't think you'd want to have GLASS shipped.

Just establish a relationship with a dealer nearby and ask for discount for multiple pieces. I go in and order lots of 16x20 and 11x14 at the same time, he cuts em from scraps in his spare time, gives me a deal.

Tempered for shelving is really quite special. They have to cut, finish edges, then usually send out somewhere to have the glass retempered to strengthen it. It's fairly complex. That's why the cost on that product.

Michael

[PrestonTom]

Michael,

I am also curious: what is the book. I was once told that book clubs were a great way to meet interesting & well-read women. Inquiring minds want to know....

Good Luck,

-Tom

[garymd]

garymd,

I hear ya' on people wanting to set drinks on top of speakers. I'll call my buddy tonight he's on graveyard shift. I'm pretty sure you cannot order from the factory in fact impositive you can't from them anyway but he may know somethin I do not. I'll let ya know. Like I said I feel your pain the markup on glass is huge!!

Thanks! PM me if you get any info. I really appreciate it.

[KungFuNat]

nickel sized plastic things?

[colterphoto1]

they are clear, soft plastic bumpers, if you will, that separate the glass from the surface. They are non-marring, non-slip. You'll get them from your glass guy. I don't know the technical term for them. I'll find out this week when I pick up my speaker tops.

Gary- just Pay the man already and get your tops- don't you like OWN a bank or something like that?

Michael

[Def Leper]

The downside of glass tops is twofold:

1. It encourages people to set drinks on them.

2. They don't protect the speaker from a spill, which will run down the sides, back or front, including grille cloth.

In another thread, I suggested that one person who was doing new construction for a bar/rec room to build dummy wall above the speakers, but for a finished room installation, I'd simply build a frame or box to match the speaker footprint, and finish it in a number of ways. Just think of the speaker front and sides continuing vertically from the top of the cab for as far as you need to prevent people from sitting drinks on top. I'm sure folks can come up with even more ideas.

1. Most expensive-- some custom cabinets that match the veneer of the Khorns, with a pair of doors in front, providing usually much-needed storage. This could extend to the ceiling or just high enough to prevent drinks from being placed on top of it.

2. Least expensive-- Simple 3/4" X 34" framework with matching grill cloth. I'd go a little fancier and provide a wood base and crown trim to match the Khorn. This could be extended all the way to the ceiling if desired.

3. Least obtrusive-- False wall corners that match the wall texture and color. Once again, I'd border top and bottom with matching wood trim.

There are many other variations, including inclined planes, but the general idea is to completely protect the top of the speaker by blocking access to it.

[colterphoto1]

Mssr Def,

with all due respect, enclosing loudspeakers of any type in any design of secondary enclosure poses a number of acoustical problems. Any speaker with a passive radiator or rear mounted port absolutely cannot be treated this way. In my experience (and I've seen several attempts), there is always some type of sympathetic cabinet vibration present. This is accounted for in voicing the speaker at the factory, it is part of the total sound, as is the size and shape of the motorboard.

Dr Who can probably elucidate on the acoustical reasons for this, but the secondary enclosure nearly always results in a 'tubby' or 'boomy' sound quaility at some frequency, an very undesirable quality. Furthermore, the speaker location must be predetermined and is henceforth locked in.

Your #2 above, a framework covered in grille cloth would not display these problems but I can't imagine having a fabric box surrounding my LaScalas, it would look ghastly, even in the most expensive fabric.

Most Klispch owners are proud of their speakers, especially those with genuine hardwood or exotic finishes. I consider mine as fine furniture for the room. I wouldn't dream of 'hiding' them except in a special HT darkened application.

Thanks, please don't take offense, I'll keep my Klispch Heritage proudly out in the open, properly pulled from the wall and toed in for precise positioning (are you listening Woodog?). My guest can be wowed at their appearance and the glass tops, while perhaps being more 'inviting' of the occasional trinket or beverage, is a small price to pay. Any we're usually more civilized around here. I don't think any drinks would be spilled. We just don't behave like that any more.

Michael

[Cal Blacksmith]

You don't need those plastic things under the glass, I have had glass on the same speaker for over 25 years and there has been no damage to the speaker.