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What speakers are replace Klipsch horns?

After 25 years my wife has finally won the battle of the coffins, as she so fondly referred to my Klipsch horn speakers. In the throes of a major living room remodel (22x26 with 10-15' ceilings), I have capitulated. The K-horns are going. I have just returned from my local audiophile retailer, stunned that the only speakers I really like (B&W somethings) were around $8k. My question to those of you out there more learned and more up-to-date than I (just about everyone, I suppose), is this:
What would make a good replacement? Is $2000 a realistic price? Is buying used safe? My amplifier is a Haffler DH-220 (115 w @ 8 ohms), preamp Haffler DH-110. I listen to CD's and vinyl - mainly jazz (lots of piano) and opera, rock, blues, and classical to a lesser degree. Do all these esoteric speaker brands I see on your site require components beyond sound source-preamp-amp? Thanks, mcehlers@hotmail.com
mcehlers
argent
245 posts
 
I am familiar with the K-horns, as my father used to own a pair. The main problem you face is buying a speaker that can recreate the sheer volume of sound that the k-horns can create without spending alot. You were probably listening to the B&W Nautilus 802s at that store. Great speaker, but you might need a little more power than what you have. If allowed, keep the K-horns--change the finish, as suggested above--and then upgrade the electronics. Let us know what your maximum budget might be for speakers if you have to sell the k-horns. 2k for speakers might not provide the lower extension you need if you listen to piano, nor fill the room you have described.
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cowman
26 posts
 
I recommend you keep the K-horns. If you've been enjoying your music through them for 25 years, you will most certainly miss the effortless dynamics and the room filling capability. If, as the other members suggest, you change the veneer and grill they should blend into your large room rather nicely. Add an SET tube amp and you will be in audio nirvana. Good luck and good listening!
gregm
3,405 posts
 
More of same: the Klipsch are keepers IMO -- even if one day they end up as a secondary set. At $2k it is doubtful that you'll find better USED (forget new) -- and even if you do, you'll be entering a long (and expensive) phase of electronics upgrading to make the new speakers sing. Also, contrary to Klipsch playing well in corners, most other speakers like to sit out close to the MIDDLE of a room...

Rather, upgrade the "looks" as suggested and, maybe, sink $2k (or whatever's left after veneers etc) into a good used preamp. Later, you can upgrade the power amp if you wish (SET is a good choice with Klipsch, so are lower powered class A ss).

I'm sure your wife & you will enjoy the Klipschs' new sound and looks!

Cheers!
lak's avatar
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lak
4,627 posts
 
Yes! PLEASE keep the K-horns. Don't let them go, I believe you would regret selling them for the reasons mentioned in all the above posts. I have read and respected comments that the above audiophiles have written, and I have come to respect their opinions. Although other modern speakers are good, Those K-horns are very special. At least keep them for another system or as back up.
Best regards,
mcehlers OP
1 posts
 
Okay, okay, he can keep them! I'm the evil wife who finally had had enough of these huge speakers (it wasn't the veneer, just the size). After reading your passionate responses to the idea of selling the K-horns, I give up. So now the question is, if, as several of you suggested, he needs a SET tube amp to reach audio nirvana, what is a SET tube amp? And what do I have to pay to buy one for him for Christmas? AlmaB
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