New Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 & La Scala AL6 will be active DSP Crossover

These will be great upgrades for the two mentioned Klipsch models - both the new Tractrix horns + 2" exit cinema compression drivers, and not least the optional active configuration. It’s how I configure my horn-loaded speaker system as well, fully actively, and once you learn of the potential it holds with this segment of speakers vs. passive config., there’s no going back to my mind.

Klipsch should be commended for being among the very few to hopefully make outboard active configuration more broadly known, and in layman’s terms trying to explain what it’s about. Really, it’s not that difficult, and the advantages speak for themselves. In a system context one of the true bottlenecks to speak of is that of the speaker to amplifier interface with passively configured setups, and actively it will be all the more clear the resolving potential is entailed in the source material.

Thanks for posting.

@phusis Wrote:

 Klipsch should be commended for being among the very few to hopefully make outboard active configuration more broadly known, and in layman’s terms trying to explain what it’s about. Really, it’s not that difficult, and the advantages speak for themselves. In a system context one of the true bottlenecks to speak of is that of the speaker to amplifier interface with passively configured setups, and actively it will be all the more clear the resolving potential is entailed in the source material.

I agree. In my opinion, no speaker will be state of the art with a passive crossover.

Mike

Love the new design approach and it’s wonderful you have the option to use the speakers without all the additional signal processing which is something I abhor! I have lusted for the La Scala AL5 in American walnut though for years (even the II) and if I had a place to put them that’s the way I’d go before they go out of production. The black might also do if I had no other choice.

I also have to add that Klipsch's engineering was left in good hands with Roy Delagado.  He's achieved a level of refinement of Paul Klipsch's already revolutionary designs that is above reproach having lived with and loved the Heresy IV and the Cornwall IV.  

@faustuss wrote:

... it’s wonderful you have the option to use the speakers without all the additional signal processing which is something I abhor!

Really it's outboard active configuration that's the optional approach here, as passive configuration and typically only using a single amp has been the only route so far, and thus by all accounts will be the default and most common way to configure these new Klipsch models looking ahead - that is, certainly until people begin to experience or otherwise learn about the traits of active config., at which point it's likely to be more widely implemented. 

Few seem to realize that the more predominant signal degradation lies in the passive crossover network in the midst of the amp-speaker interface and not a quality DSP unit prior to amplification, which negates the passive crossover components on the output side of the amp and keeps them from meddling with its control over the drivers. Not to mention the benefit of amp load independency of the different driver segments that sees each their dedicated amp section handling them exclusively, in addition to the advantages of being able to apply differentiated delays, etc. 

So the active crossover digitizes the input signal?