Klipsch speaker choices

" there is absolutely no good reason in buying a Klipsch speaker "....from the guy who thought, and probably still does ( and not so long ago ), that original Advents were the best there was, regardless of cost....I take what Helo says, with a single grain of salt.....however, he is, as all are, entitled to opinions. Enjoy ! MrD.

mrdecibel, I have appreciated your input over the years while looking for ways to improve my sound system, even beyond speakers, so thought I'd add some clarity on the dampening mod.  I understand some horn and speaker combinations can yield better results for the same mod.  Long throat metal horns like the Altec 811b or RCF H3709 can benefit from dampening (and if using an 811b and the cabinet extends past the sides of the horn, be sure to use foam on the cabinet like Altec did on the Model 19). 

As mentioned, I replaced the Forte I midrange compression driver with the earlier Heresy's, and at that time I also purchased the Heresy horns, model K-701.  The driver was a construction quality and sonic improvement.  However, I was surprised that the earlier K-701 horns lacked much of the outside molded webbing for structural support compared to the late 1980s versions in the Forte I (and I assume Heresy speakers of that timeframe.)  Tapping them showed a marked difference in ringing and sustain with the webbed horns obviously being better damped. 

So I kept and applied damping material to the webbed horns. Also, as mentioned, made sure the horn gasket was in place and the horn properly tighten to the baffle, something far more important.  

For me, with this speaker, the other earlier performed mods were more noticeable improvements.  The "no appreciable difference" would have been based on that.  It may have also been because of additional work on the cabinets, like having them properly sealed, etc., had also already been done.

However, I appreciate that the damping material could play a large roll in the results.  I used 1/4" Dynamat dense foam sound deadener because I had very good results when used to quite interiors of classic cars.  All of the horn's outside surface area, including in between the webbing, was covered.  How does that compare to your method?

As far as the sound of Klipsch speakers, or any high efficiency horn loaded speaker combination like older Altecs, part of the enjoyment is the particular sound and dynamic range they give.  If that's what the original poster prefers, great, then follow that path and include tubes electronics to make the most of it.  To each their own, but remember that most albums of any type of music in the 1960s and 1970s were mixed listening through 2-way monitors with horns by Altec, and were good enough for The Beatles and Mr. Martin.  (Not trying to start a debate of point source studio monitors vs. loudspeaker).

I don't think Heresy IIIs have a particular tonal response...horns are often more "immediate" sounding because of their efficiency and that's a good thing, but my experience with these things indicates they're somewhat tonally neutral in the sense that nothing jumps out as harsh treble or mids...they're simply coherent and clear, and revealing of whatever's driving them.

@mrdecibel 

" there is absolutely no good reason in buying a Klipsch speaker "....from the guy who thought, and probably still does ( and not so long ago ), that original Advents were the best there was, regardless of cost....I take what Helo says, with a single grain of salt.....however, he is, as all are, entitled to opinions. Enjoy ! MrD.

Please show me where I said Original Advents are/were the best there was/is, regardless of cost. I've never once made such a statement on Audiogon or anywhere else. I have, however, stated that in an A/B comparison with $3K Vandersteen 2CE Sig IIs, I preferred my NEW LARGE ADVENTS.  Please don't misquote me. Further, it was you who influenced me to perform the Heresy III damping mods, which resulted in zero net improvement - a fantastic waste of time and money. So maybe it is your words that should be taken with salt.

Lastly, have a listen to a pair of speakers with an truly exceptional, clean midrange, something like the Spendor A4, a Stirling Broadcast, or an ATC monitor, and you'll realize the Klipsch Heritage line needs more than some damping material to do away with inherent design weaknesses. They're certainly not the worst speakers out there. I still listen to mine, but over the last couple years I've found much better value elsewhere. I'm inclined to share my honest opinions and experiences so that others may achieve better sound for their hard-earned dollars. Unlike some here, my statements are not born out of brand fanaticism. 

Hey..."Mr. D" guilted me into damping my mid horns and it was a fun and cheap mod that made 'em sound somewhat cleaner and was worth it, so THANKS "D"...I've heard all of the speakers helomech mentions...a couple of 'em extensively, and I still maintain that Heresy IIIs have mids that utterly  give up nothing to those brands, and in fact I'll argue that in terms of lifelike tonal qualities and realism, they're more to my liking relative to any of those...note that worrying about those pesky "hard earned dollars" would suggest avoiding pricey mini monitors (although I do own a few for near-field mini monitoring) or $3,500 A4s (which I like actually but they're too inefficient, and simply another ho hum "drivers in a box" design) over a pair of sub 2 grand Heresy IIIs, which can sound like actual music on 2 watts. I'm starting to sound like Guttenberg but I have no audio brand fanaticism, although nobody makes anything like a Heresy III for me to compare mine to...except...uh...