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klipschorns, they kick ass for sure

hello folks.   for those out there that think the big klipschorn's are not good enough to be a high end quality speaker, guess what??   your wrong!!   I have been in audio for over 40 years. I have heard many speaker systems over the years. I have very good speakers now in my home. I have good equipment running them.  I picked up a pair of k-horns last week.  1986 model year.  replaced the crossovers with crites xovers.  one tweeter blown.  replaced both with ct120 tweeters from crites. hooked them up to my parasound  3500 amp ( yes, way overkill  )  but I wasent in the mood to move it.  speakers placed where they are supposed to be in the corners of the room.  well let me tell you all it took was 2 minutes to decide these things are the bomb.  I dident hear any of the stuff I been reading about over the last 30 years how these speakers are harsh, no good bass and everything else everybody says about them.  as far as im concerned they are clean, clear, crisp, and loud. did I say loud.  volume starts a 7 o'clock,  at 9 o'clock  your ears start to bleed.  I guess the 350 watts into a speaker that only needs 20 will do that.  and all the stuff I hear about  ss amps these speakers don't like.  only 30 watt tube amps will do or you will hear all kinds of noise.  well, all I can say is bull crap to that.  what I here is a speaker sounding better then just about anything else I ever heard.  I played rock,jazz,classical,  all passed with flying color's. all I can say is you guys out there that think they suck. have your ears cleaned out and go listen again.  yes, the 350 watt power house is going to go before I blow everything up. 
tomtab
missioncoonery
1,224 posts
 

This has been a classic "my dad is tougher than your dad" thread.

  I disagree...its about someone posting a thread stating if we disagree "go clean our ears out".It has nothing to do with my speakers are better than yours because I never went there at all..What the initial poster did IMO  was tell the audio community that if we don't agree then we are wrong.It was what he said and how he said it that was offensive to me and I called him out on it...and for the record I said more than once in , the $3500-$4500 price range on the used market.No idea where this guy got I was comparing 100K speakers to his Khorns,must be a way to justify im wrong and hes right,who knows?.What I said was in the $3500-4500 price bracket which is what im thinking a nice pair of original un-moddified Khorns are worth on the used market there are lots of modern speakers at the same used market price that will surpass what he is "hereing".Im not thinned skinned, I just don't like guys spouting off stuff that really isn't true in the way he did it.

jond's avatar
jond
5,856 posts
 
Wow people need to relax a bit we're talking speakers here not politics! And tomtab you should throw some tubes at those bad boys, perhaps something vintage to complement the history like a Dynaco St-70 or old McIntosh or Fischer amp or something. Sounds like you're having lots of fun so rock on dude!
mlsstl
1,438 posts
 
Not sure of your point. Whether the debate starts with the opening salvo or a subsequent reply, the result is the same.

I consider myself a neutral observer in this matter. One of my best friends has K-horns, though I don't. It's been a long time since I needed their capacity for "loud", my house isn't a good fit for them, and, mainly, I happen to prefer other traits in speakers. However, for those who want the strong points of a horn and don't mind their drawbacks, they are a great choice. 

My only point is this thread immediately devolved into a typical audiophile grudge match. Disappointing, but not much of a surprise.  
wester17
70 posts
 

I recently sold my Klipchorns after 17 years of pure enjoyment. I’m moving and downsizing, and the new digs don’t have the corners I need. Prior to selling, I went on a six month odyssey (a very enjoyable one, I might add) of listening to every deserving speaker under $3,500 I could get to. I’ve auditioned Aperion, B&W, Magnepan, Definitive Technology, NHT, KEF, Goldenear, Zu, and others – that’s a range from A to Z!). Through it all, I came to the conclusion that the Klipschorn is quite possibly the most overlooked and under-appreciated speaker out there. Used Khorns can be had for as little as $1,500 to $2,000. In that price range, they are very, very hard to beat. They have detail, efficiency, dynamics, and a tonal balance that match up with any speaker out there, and a life-size sound that is matched by few. At high volumes or low, the sound is spot on. The tone is uniquely Khorn – but it’s always impressive. These are amazing speakers, and don’t take a back seat to much of anything under $8k. There’s a reason they are still viable after 70 years.

Many people have never had the chance to hear a pair of Khorns. If you get a chance, take it. You’ll quickly understand why they are so beloved by so many. My hat is off to Paul Klipsch and his amazing Klipshorns.

(In case you’re interested, in my search I ended up with Spatial Audio M3 speakers (check them out. They’re pretty special) paired with 2 Goldenear Forcefield 4 subs. This setup has an open, natural sound that rivals the Khorns. It is better in some respects (especially soundstage and imaging depth), and not as good in other respects. That’s the nature of speakers. But just let me say, don’t make the mistake of underestimating the Klipschorn. They are an amazing speaker!)


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