dpbenson Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 About 3 years ago a friend of mine lost the lease to his club and had this KP-600 system (with the flying hardware) stored. Last year he decided not to re-open and offered me the chance to pick it up. I didn't really think they sounded bad at the club but its kinda hard to tell with a live band in the mix. Imagine my surprise when I really took a look at them. One 18 was blown in each sub, three of the 15's were blown, and all 4 of the HF diaphrams were shot. The 10" drivers and Mid Horns seemed ok. With the exception of someone cutting the grill cloth out around the 18's (said there was a buzz) the cabinets were in good shape. To top things off, they were only powered with 2 amplifiers. On the good side, they did come with two KP-600-EC 4-way crossovers and a SYSTEM MANUAL. Well, with reluctance, I bought them anyway and the money I mean fun began. I got the diaphrams with help from Bob Crites & Co.,grill cloth from Accoustical Solutions in Richmond Va, and reloaded the cabinets with 15" and 18" Eminance Omega Pros. After finding out it was a 4-way system, I decided to power with Crown Macro-Tech amps. I put a 3600VZ on the subs, a 2400 on the woofers, and two 1200's for the mids and highs. (Note at this point, I haven't even heard them yet) Well, after 6 months of dikin around finding parts powering up EQ'ing etc, we grabbed a beer and moved to the bar. I'm here to tell ya, the opening crescendo of Dire Straits "I want my MTV" at 110db will make the hair on your arms stand up. I'm not saying this is the best sounding system in the world by any means, but after some long critical listening, I gave my LaScalas to my son and moved my Dahlquist DQ-10's to the garage. Now to my point... I am posting this for two reasons. #1-- This is kinda like closing the barn door after the horse is out, but is there something that I could have done better. By that I mean speakers, diaphrams, amp selection etc. I've never met an audio person who wasn't a critic.. and #2-- I've had one hell of a time finding stuff to get this system running and even AFTER finding this forum there is not a lot of info. Like how do these compare to Jubilees, K-horns etc.?, how many are out there?, are they are a bunch of junk and should I use them for firewood??? Hey, information is information. Oh, by the way, I do have pictures of the refurbished system if anyone is interested but cut me slack as I am a newbie and will have to figure it out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhendrix Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hi dpb, Welcome to the Forum!! I am jealous!! The KP-600 is a rare, and very fine system. I have heard the system only once, and years ago. Klipsch design engineer, Mr. Roy Delgado, was the principle designer of the system and can add more flavor to its origin than anyone. Klipsch customer service expert, Mr. Michael Colter is quite well-versed on the KP-600 info. A call or email to these two gents will find many of your questions answered. I would love to see photos once you figure out how to post 'em. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I haven't reworked mine yet, but got a KP600 stack this summer. I also have the MCM1900 systems and a KP682/KI362 PA so it'll be interesting to compare them one day. This system used to tour from Florida up the east coast with a R&B band from Sarasota. They used the UF and LF bins from the Kp600 for portability and the MSSM and MSM horns from the 1900 stack. So the other components are pretty fresh. Did you have any trouble getting all the HF drivers working? I've not even looked into parts acquisition yet. Mine have some fibreglass damage on the corners and I'm wondering how to properly 'build them back up' so they look original. You were lucky to get the networks and cables. I got only a few cables with mine. That's going to be a problem unless Roy has some of those Mil-spec type connectors in a dusty bin somewhere in Hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwc Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 The 10" drivers and Mid Horns seemed ok. Could you please show me a picture of these? In fact photos of the whole system would be nice. Thanks jc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpbenson Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 I did find a small crack in one of the corners and I went down to O'Reillys autoparts and got some Dynatron - Dyna-Hair. It is a long strand fiberglass super thick formula. It filled in nicely but the hole wasn't very large either. The speakers and cables have all been converted to Neutric Speakon connectors. NL4FC's on each sub cable and NL8FC's on each cable to the woofers and jumped to the HF cabinets. These correspond to matching connectors on the patch panel in the rack. As for the horns, no I didn't have too much trouble with them. The mid horns (as I call them) are K-60-M 2" (5cm) compression drivers. These were ok so I didn't have to mess with them but my notes say that an EV 81161xx diaphram might work. These are out of an EV DH1506 driver. The HF horns are K-78-M 1" (2.5cm) compression drivers and the diaphrams are the same as the K-77F in the LaScalas. As a note, If you have to replace the 15" speakers, you will have to get the pad rings from Klipsch. (PN 157026 $4.06ea.) Otherwise the speaker cones are just too close to the baffle plates. I didn't at first and had to tear them all down again and put them in. If you don't have one, email me your address and I will send you a copy of the system manual. Good luck on the rebuild and I think you will find it well worth it.. dpb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodcaw boy Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 so have you cranked up the stacks? in Christ, because of God's grace, roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpbenson Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Ok -- try this... Copy this link into your browser: http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh297/dpbenson/ 1) L click on picture 2) L click again for full screen 3) L click again to shrink picture back 4) L click on next picture ( kinda on top right) dpb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpbenson Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 I posted a link for the pictures with a few instructions. dpb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpbenson Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Yes I have - much to my wife's chagrin.. After having bands in the basement for 25 years I think she would be getting used to it by now..She has had to fun-tack all her china..Being able to run these up a bit is why I appreciate them so much. Surround sound is nice but I am pretty much a stereo type of guy. It's almost like standing in front of a stage and getting the full SPL level of a live band playing right in front of you. It also makes my tinnitus go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhendrix Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Oh, my! Truly a thing of beauty!! You a lucky boy . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkp Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Now that is a wall of sound! Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 OHMYGAWD!! THose are beautiful. Mine are hacked up by comparison. Any yours have the integral flying hardware! Very sweet. Nice job on the grilles btw, that's a LOT of cloth. Nice to see those super racks full of Crown and other goodies. Mine has been put together in pieces parts, but I have K2 and two of the Microtech 1200's so trying to play 'catch up' on a budget. DROOL- you've got some nice toys there. What on Earth is that room used for? Band practice, recording, or just 'jamming along with the band'? I really like the idea of replacing all terminations with Speak-ons. They're the new industry standard, not terribly expensive, and wiring bundles (for touring systems) would be more standardized if it's all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpbenson Posted March 5, 2008 Author Share Posted March 5, 2008 To answer your question, the room is used for all the above...But lately, I just put on my Steely Dan T-shirt, park at the bar on the far end of the room and enjoy. I do have a question though.. Do you know if there was a right and left configuration on the HF cabinets? My cabs have the mid-driver module on the left and the horn module on the right. I wanted to swap them on the left stack so both mids would be in the inside and the horns would be on the outside. I thought this configuration would be more balanced for stereo. Anyway, as it turns out the shaft sizes on the modules are different and you can't swap them. The cabs are also molded so you really can't turn one of them over. All of the pictures I have show the horns on the left and mids on the right..Just curious. dpb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 You can swap the horns around, yes. The manual shows several configurations including a stack with two of the square K41 horns in one bin and the dual manifolded tweeters in another bin. See upper right diagram of page 3 of the attached manual. KP 600.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyKlipschFan Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 are they are a bunch of junk and should I use them for firewood??? Why yes, of course, just send them to me here......hehehehehehehehe The other equipment looks old and outdated...as well. Tell ya what, why not take a huge tax write off and I will give ya 200 for it all? You can deliver when? I know, a little early for April Fools, and yes, I am kidding!!!! As a singer THAT would be a KILLER system!!! I am sure Colterphoto1 is drooling. I think Roy Delgado or Jim Hunter designed that system? Chime in here Michael? It was way before it's time and HUGE spl's that was made to be on the stage or flown too! Get it back to specs... and ooo la la! One thing for sure... you could play in a band out with that system live in 90% of the clubs, and not look to have to find another system to add to it! Big or Small it could handle it all! OK, medium to big clubs and bars might be more like it? It might be a little much for the local coffee house club! A WALL OF SOUND 4 SURE! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 The LF bin is very similar to a Delgado patent we have hanging on the wall in Engineering. That manifolds two 15" drivers together. I believe Hunter had a hand in designing the manifold on the 4x K44 driver setup in the MSM horn cabinet. Jim told me there is a video of them crash landing the system from a hanging position on a crane. I'd love to see that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpbenson Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 Hey, thanks for the attachment. I read it all with coffee this morning. It all looks like it should be a piece of cake. BUT, I think there's more to it. I'm sure we tried swapping the K-41 with the horns and found out the shaft on the K-41 was too big to fit through the centering cone of the horn section (or vice versa). I think I was too much in a hurry to get the system running and didn't want to mess with it anymore. So, as we speak, I'm going to get my portable fork lift (neighbor), and tear down the left HF cab and take another look. This time with pictures.. By the way, are you an engineer with Klipsch and really know the guys who designed this system?? If so, I am humbled and feel like I've been preaching to the choir.... And also, if you are, or even if you are not, in your travels see if you can come up with a schematic of the KP-600-EC 4x crossover and the crossover in the HF cab. That would pretty much finish up my documentation on the system. I want you to know I really appreciate your feedback. dpb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyKlipschFan Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 It is really what this board is all about. People, (Klipsch forum members) and Klipsch employees helping out other Klipsch fans! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Hey, thanks for the attachment. I read it all with coffee this morning. It all looks like it should be a piece of cake. BUT, I think there's more to it. I'm sure we tried swapping the K-41 with the horns and found out the shaft on the K-41 was too big to fit through the centering cone of the horn section (or vice versa). I think I was too much in a hurry to get the system running and didn't want to mess with it anymore. So, as we speak, I'm going to get my portable fork lift (neighbor), and tear down the left HF cab and take another look. This time with pictures.. By the way, are you an engineer with Klipsch and really know the guys who designed this system?? If so, I am humbled and feel like I've been preaching to the choir.... And also, if you are, or even if you are not, in your travels see if you can come up with a schematic of the KP-600-EC 4x crossover and the crossover in the HF cab. That would pretty much finish up my documentation on the system. I want you to know I really appreciate your feedback. dpb Naw, just some regular guy with an obsession. Started collecting Klipsch about 4 years ago and have travelled all over and met lots fo nice folks. I've only been here a bit over a year. After 12,000 posts on the Forum they have to hire you, plus I lived in Indy anyway. It was a natural fit. Yes I know Roy Delgado who received a patent for the horn type. He still does our horns and all the pro cinema gear. He's a great guy. I'll ask around, Hunter probably has the schematic downstairs in his pile-o-stuff. He keeps everything. Welcome to the Madness (but you were there already, weren't you?) Thanks for the tips on rebuilding and replacment drivers. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 You KNOW you're in with a crazy bunch when you need a FORKLIFT to work on your speaker stack! Very impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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