05-23-08: Mapman
[of Cadersounds] Unfortunately, the big speaker effect discussed in this thread impacts me...there is nowhere in my home I could place them and do them justice even if I were inclined to. Is height a problem or footprint? Jeff makes a Fostex 126 version which a very modestly sized footprint, albeit still at 6 high. (I cannot think that height can be much of a problem unless you have sloping ceiling or such like) I auditioned the 126es at first and I very nearly went for them rather than the Madisons. Alternatively, if you really do need a small speaker, JohnK makes (or used to at least) a Fostex 126E based BLH that is really tiny (2 high) but sounds really very good given their small stature. I have a pair and I had to use stands theyre so tiny. Note, I am not affiliated with Jeff or John in any way, but vouch for their products as a satisfied customer. Regards Paul |
Height and WAF.
The only room I could even think about putting those in is my office (not a fully dedicated listening room) which is only 12X12 and they would stick out like a sore thumb even in there currently. I'd also probably have to consider changing my amplification.
At this point, I'm curious about horns but not likely to make a big investment in them. I may test the waters somewhat soon with a smaller pair of Klipsch reference which would give me a flavor at modest cost.
Believe me if I could, the Cardersounds would get their due share of consideration! Maybe some day when I retire or something I may have the time and inclination to re-arrange my life just for a pair of speakers. Yes, I can be that crazy when it comes to this stuff! |
Mapman I see some of your other posts on Klipsh horns. I for one do not feel the other Klipsch are in the same league heritage. If you do go heritage go old. Mine are 1980 Lascala's and Grey can mids. Mine do not have the Alnico tweeter. They were being phased out by then. The cost of Alnico is $30 a pound and ceramic magnets are 50 cents to $5 per pound. So I bet you can imagine why they stopped using "the singing magnets". I never knew why Lascala's sounded better than friends with '80's and '90's horns. |
YEs, I've looked quite a bit at the Klipsch Heritage line.
If I were to take the plunge, it would probably initially be with something like a Heresy due to size and placement concerns, though the Fortes have also caught my interest based on user reviews I've seen. |
Don't laugh at this Mapman but have you thought about Khorns? If you have corners they do not take up much floor space. I am looking at Khorns (get this) to SAVE space. To me they are majestic looking as well! Cost might be a problem with the Khorns but the foot print is quite small. I have had my Lascala's in a room about the size of yours. That is where Lascala's (also Belle's and Khorns) shine! Small room low volume level dynamics, awesome. I can't imagine what could compete with the big Klipsch in a small room except maybe some new horn designs. I think common thought is big speakers need big room. That is not true of the big Klipsch but maybe true of the wife! |
Yes, Khorns or cornerhorns in general would work and be the other (ultimate?) way to go for me given my constraints if a local pair came up, but obviously they are a much larger investment.
If I decided to go with Klipschorns, they would probably go in a small 12X12 room where my Dynaudios are currently. Also, I'm not in a rush to part with the Dynaudios, but that's a different though related issue. |
Mapman K horns in a 12x12 room your crazy man:) a square 1 of the worst shapes for a audioroom. Placing such a large corner horn in such a small square room is just asking for disapointment. Have you treated your listening room? Might be the best way to improve sound quality. Or move to better digs... |
JohnK,
Yes, I know my 12X12 room is less than ideal, in particular for larger speaker designs.
It is very much a nearfield listening environment, I would say.
That's why I have a pair of small (Dynaudio Contour 1.3mkII) monitors in there currently. They have some needed room to breathe as set up and perform very well in there though certainly more room would be better.
Khorns would work physically. Sonically? Maybe. Almost certainly not the BEST environment to bring out the best.
I've also had a pair of B&W P6s, Magnepan MG 1.3c's, and Triangle Titus in there in the past. The Titus' did well but the B&Ws and Maggies did much better in other, larger rooms. I consider the (much more expensive) Dynaudio monitors an upgrade over the Triangle monitors mostly in terms of satisfying bottom end, though the sound of each otherwise is still quite distinctive.
Meanwhile I'll see if I can convince my wife to move so I can have a better room for a pair of Khorns but will not hold my breath...... |
I built 2 rooms for audio in my new home. One large other 13 1/2ft x 15 3/4 11ft H peak this has my corner horn rig with 8 -15in 4 per front horn I use as a office listening room. Other rooms 20 x 30 designed for horns 8 ft-12ft H some of my bass horns I designed to couple to room so room becomes a bass horn. Maybe talk your wife into a custom designed home only way to get a room thats right:) |
I do have visions of adding an additional optimally designed (for sound) room to my house someday.
In the meantime, I've learned to become pretty adept at experimentation and adapting my equipment to the rooms I have to work with.
I'm very lucky these days in that I can go into any of 5 rooms and also out on my deck on a beautiful day, and be very satisfied with each of the various listening experiences. |
Mapman I have a friend who had a set of Khorns in a trailer and it is STILL the best system I have ever heard. His amp was 20k or so but still sounded great. I have had my Lascala's over the years in large and small rooms and say that is one good thing about Klipsch (horn style) is they sound so good at LOW volumes. I think people see those big speakers and think they need to be loud but I do not find that to be the case. |
Volleyguy,
Call me crazy or a romantic or whatever, but I still retain my visions of proudly owning Klipschorns someday!
Thanks. |
Mapman look into Altecs a bit better than Klipsch and more affordable. |
definitively. Have a look at my horn speaker gallery.
http://www.audiovoice-acoustics.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=31 |
https://www.facebook.com/groups/614272918584739/ |
People love to get Horny. |
Last comment of Ebm always attracts, so get Horny and never look back |
