klipschorns, they kick ass for sure


hello folks.   for those out there that think the big klipschorn's are not good enough to be a high end quality speaker, guess what??   your wrong!!   I have been in audio for over 40 years. I have heard many speaker systems over the years. I have very good speakers now in my home. I have good equipment running them.  I picked up a pair of k-horns last week.  1986 model year.  replaced the crossovers with crites xovers.  one tweeter blown.  replaced both with ct120 tweeters from crites. hooked them up to my parasound  3500 amp ( yes, way overkill  )  but I wasent in the mood to move it.  speakers placed where they are supposed to be in the corners of the room.  well let me tell you all it took was 2 minutes to decide these things are the bomb.  I dident hear any of the stuff I been reading about over the last 30 years how these speakers are harsh, no good bass and everything else everybody says about them.  as far as im concerned they are clean, clear, crisp, and loud. did I say loud.  volume starts a 7 o'clock,  at 9 o'clock  your ears start to bleed.  I guess the 350 watts into a speaker that only needs 20 will do that.  and all the stuff I hear about  ss amps these speakers don't like.  only 30 watt tube amps will do or you will hear all kinds of noise.  well, all I can say is bull crap to that.  what I here is a speaker sounding better then just about anything else I ever heard.  I played rock,jazz,classical,  all passed with flying color's. all I can say is you guys out there that think they suck. have your ears cleaned out and go listen again.  yes, the 350 watt power house is going to go before I blow everything up. 
tomtab
I've never seen any gear in the forums that can't be picked apart, improved with different drivers, and/or bettered. Speakers or otherwise. 

Name any piece of gear and I'll bet you somebody will tell you cheaper models and more expensive models that beat it- in their opinion anyway.

Nothing new under the sun...

My 2 cents worth... Been a long time Klipsch fan. Started with a pair of Heresy's in college then moved up to Forte's in the mid 80's. I have also owned Cornwal's. I have never had any of the fully horn loaded versions like the KHorns or the La Scalla's or the Belle's. I always liked the sound and always loved how efficient they are. 

Earlier this year, I replaced my Forte's with a pair of Salk HT-3's. Upgraded the electronics as well, had to have more power for the Salks. To me, there is no comparison. The RAAL ribbon tweeter in the Salk's is far more refined and more pure sounding than the tweeter in the Forte's. Midrange is cleaner, they image better and go deeper which really surprised me as I always loved the base in the Forte's. 

Are the Salk's the best speaker made? No, of course not. But they are absolutely ruler flat down to 35 hz (+/- 1.5 db) and they are far more accurate than any of the Klipsch speakers I have owned. 

I still like the Klipsch sound, but until I spent some quality time with the Salk's I really didn't know what else was out there or how good my system could actually sound. 
I still like the Klipsch sound, but until I spent some quality time with the Salk's I really didn't know what else was out there or how good my system could actually sound.

Thanks for sharing.  Sounds like you were a lifelong Klipsch fan until you heard something else.  A lesson that anyone who becomes obsessed with a certain brand (or era) of equipment should learn.  Glad to hear your enjoying the Salks.  I hear that they are fine speakers.

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I sold My Klipchorns after 15 years of enjoyment, Went to Theil 3.6,s I put up with they,re brightness for 10 years and was only happy when I traded them on a pair of Usher B.E 20,s, with a couple of good subs the full and richness of sound is remanicent to the old horns but cleaner.
   There are speakers on the market for $1,500,000. How many Billionairs are out there anyway and have they got time to listen to the music. wish I was one. I would probably buy a pair and then worry about all the poor people in the world. ahh; you just can,t win.