Newbie Question

[Capin-Newbie]

Hello all.

I am new to the forum and have some newbie questions.

I recently purchased a set of Klipsch KG 4 speakers for $50. So far I am very please with them and I think they sound and look great; however, one thing is confusing me.

The Klipsch website says they are 8 ohm and 95 or 96 dB but on the back of the speaker it says 4 ohm 91 dB... Does anyone know the real spec?

I am driving them with my temp amp (Kenwood KM-208) and so far so good, but the amp has a switch for 8 ohms or more load or 8 ohms or less. I put the switch in 8 or less hoping this would keep me safe until I know for sure.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Brian

[wuzzzer]

I'm not sure where you looked, but on the KG4 spec sheet this is what it says:

KG 4 Specifications

frequency response

38Hz-20kHz±3dB

power handling

100 watts maximum continuous (500 watts peak)

sensitivity

94dB @ 1watt/1meter

nominal impedance

6 ohms

tweeter

K-74-K 1" (2.54cm) Phenolic dome compression driver

high frequency horn

90°x40° Exponential Horn

woofer

Two K-8-K 8" (20.32cm) Poly ICG cone active / KD-12 12" (30.48cm) Fiber-composite cone passive

enclosure material

Medium density fiberboard construction (MDF)

enclosure type

Bass reflex via passive radiator

dimensions

24.25" (61.6cm) x 15.75" (40cm) x 10.75" (27.3cm)

weight

40 lbs. (18.2kg)

finishes

Walnut Oil, Oak Oil, Finished Black

built from

1985

built until

1992

Changes in ohm rating and other specs were common within the same model.

http://www.klipsch.com/products/discontinued/details/kg-4.aspx

[Champagne taste beer budget]

Welcome to the forum!!

Great deal on the KG4's, they usually sell for a lot more than that.

Here's a link to the Klipsch info on the original KG4:

http://www.klipsch.com/products/discontinued/details/kg-4.aspx

It shows a different number than you quote; are yours a set of 4.2 or 4.5?

I'm listening to my 1986 KG4's right now, Hell Freezes Over, and though I know there are better sounding systems out there, I'm very happy for what I have invested. Always looking to upgrade, but have decent tunes when I get a chance to listen.

Oh yeah... you should be safe with either setting, but can't really recommend one till I know for sure what you have!

[Capin-Newbie]

Thanks, I guess that is the same info I found, I just miss quoted it.

So do I go by the specs online or do I go by what is on the speaker? Can I check them with a multi meter?

Sorry for al the rookie qustions, just getting started in the collecting and listening hobby.

I have the plain KG-4s. I thought $50 was a good deal on them. Very glad to have picked them up.

Thanks

Brian

[djk]

"The Klipsch website says they are 8 ohm and 95 or 96 dB but on the back of the speaker it says 4 ohm 91 dB... Does anyone know the real spec? "

People in marketing are allowed to change specs by a factor of 10:1 or 1:10 to make the product look better (it's part of their job description).

If you hook a meter on the speaker terminals, it will measure 4 ohms DC resistance. It only measures this low at a couple of spots, so they felt justified on the newer versions to advertise them as 6 ohms. Newer spec sheets claim higher sensitivity , in part based on 3~4dB of 'room gain'.

If you amp has a low impedance setting, that's what I would use.

[colterphoto1]

Yup, DJK hit it right on the head. Congrats on your Klipsch purchase- that is a very good deal, they are usually around $200. Use the lower impedence switch on your receiver and have a blast!

Experiment with room placement. In the corners, keep them with a couple inches free space on either side of the cabinet. Or near a wall, but 8-12 inches out. Just a bit of movement will fine-tune the bass response.

I recommend covering the Passive Radiator in the back with a 'waffle grille', the kind you get at musician/PA stores for woofers. It'll protect from cats claws and small pokey fingers.

Michael