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

@m-db wrote:

So the active crossover digitizes the input signal?

If it’s an analogue input, yes, and so it has to be converted back to analogue from digital (where the Digital Signal Processing is taking place) on the output side of DSP before it enters the amplifiers. Unless of course the amps have digital inputs (like Lyngdorf/Tact) in which case the signal can remain digital all the way from a digital source to just prior to the output section of the amp, at which point it will have to be analogue going to the drivers.

Before being sceptical about a possible A/D to D/A conversion step in a DSP with analogue inputs only, however, consider this: what’s most important is the quality of the DSP unit itself, not whether it adds an additional A/D conversion step at the input side. People get too high strung about these conversion steps, especially when not taking into account that the whole of the passive crossover is removed from the "equation" and instead letting a quality DSP handle the crossover function prior to amplification, on signal level, and with the additional amps required for the respective driver sections.

I can understand the principle among those with an analogue source and wanting the signal to remain analogue all the way to the speakers, even if - personally - I’d consider digitization in a quality DSP the lesser evil for fully active configuration rather than staying with passive crossovers for an all-analogue approach. Having said that and to reiterate, I understand the anti-DSP sentiment from those with analogue sources, if nothing else to stay analogue on principle alone.

Oh, of course: there’s also line level analogue electronic crossovers for active configuration like the ones found in ATC speakers, and this way there’s no digitization when going active.

All in all, it seems as if Klipsch is having a moment.  Actually, if I'm reading the tea leaves correctly, the Klipsch moment is connected to a couple of other moments: 1) the growing (though still niche) popularity of low power SET amps, and 2) growing popularity (though still niche) of highly efficient speakers.  The two are related of course, and the Klipsch Heritage line is well positioned to benefit because of its lineup of uber efficient transducers.  But Klipsch is not merely resting on its laurels by schlepping their old designs and chanting odes to St. Paul.  They are tweaking and refining their old models with new drivers, crossovers (internal as well as external) and even have a new speaker in collaboration with a newcomer, the Klipsch Ojas 2-way speaker reviewed in Stereophile this months.  Also note the interview of Roy Delgado, Klipsch's head designer.  (Someone in the Klipsch marketing department must be wide awake too!)  Good for them and good for the hobby.

@phusis 

"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."

Interestingly, there is nothing new here and any well-seasoned hobbyist is well aware of the multitude of approaches to sound reproduction and accepts them as revelatory or rejects them out right.  We've seen this over and over again at least as long as I've been around.  You should have a look at @norcalal's post preceding this one.

Chow.

Call me a skeptic on the active/dsp option, I'd have to hear it in direct comparison to the passive. I have both HQPlayer and Roon dsp to play with prefer no dsp with my considerably modified Klipschorns.

I do like the direction Klipsch Heritage is taking with Roy, finally getting better drivers and horns, the old metal exponential horns were absolutely horrible.

@faustuss wrote:

Interestingly, there is nothing new here and any well-seasoned hobbyist is well aware of the multitude of approaches to sound reproduction and accepts them as revelatory or rejects them out right. We’ve seen this over and over again at least as long as I’ve been around. You should have a look at @norcalal’s post preceding this one.

Chow.

Most audiophiles have heard of active speakers, yes, but not that many of them seem to have a firm grasp of the definition and implications of active configuration(s) and what it really means, requires and offers.

Introducing Digital Signal Processing (that you apparently loathe), often comes on top of an existing, passively configured speaker system as a means into digital room correction, and in that regard DSP is an additional measure, but the point of active configuration is by-passing the passive crossover section, which in the case of the new Klipsch models means removing the cable jumpers on the back that connects the output terminals from the passive XO with the driver input terminals, and instead wiring the respective amps (3 stereo amps or 6 mono dittos) directly to each of the driver input terminals, that are again wired directly to each of their drivers. Meaning, each amp is fed with a line level signal from the DSP telling them the specific frequency range to cover, and thus one means of filtration (analogue, on the output side of the amp) is replaced by another (digitally, on the input side).

Running speakers outboard actively via a quality DSP/electronic crossover with amps and DAC of one’s own choosing is certainly not your everyday audiophile meal; in fact, it’s a rarity - to put it mildly. So, getting down to brass tacks there is something new here, and that’s a speaker manufacturer (among few) that offers outboard active configuration as on option on top of, or rather in addition to their - as an outset - passively configured and horn-loaded speakers.

And just to be clear: to be "well aware of the multitude of approaches to sound reproduction" one has to have actual experience with their entire range to be able to fairly assess them and deem their revelatory or rejectional status, as you so put it, or else it’s just talk and conjecture.