Okay, let me ask about Klipsch...

[anatech]

Hi Tom,
Yes, call customer service at Klipsch. They were very nice people last time I spoke with them.

All speakers below the flagship in any line is built to a price point to position it in the market. For some brands, they are all built to a price point.

There are other really good brands as well. Klipsch has their market fairly well scoped out.

-Chris

[angsuman]

Yea i've always been curious if they use baffle step compensation or not. Apparently not. If they did it'd lower sensitivity figures by 3-6dB which in many cases would still result in amazing sensitivity still. I think this is where they get their reputation from being bright.

[3-LockBox]

Originally posted by angsuman
Yea i've always been curious if they use baffle step compensation or not. Apparently not. If they did it'd lower sensitivity figures by 3-6dB which in many cases would still result in amazing sensitivity still. I think this is where they get their reputation from being bright.

I think the newer designs from Klisch are overly bright. Their older models were based on old fashioned design, meaning that they were big drivers in big cabinets with broad-faced front baffles. Of course they would run into baffle step problems as they followed the current tower trend. This happened to Polk as well.

I don't think mass market manufacturors are concerned with baffle step any more, since so much of the market is geared towards HT, where soundstage and frequency response is a function of electronics and not speaker design.

And yes, a lot of commpanies have gone to cheaper cabinet materials with vinyl covering. That's why I like to find old cabs and recycle them for my own DIY projects. It would cost me a fortune to make a cab out of 5-7 layer plywood or double sided veneer MDF.

[ptwining]

I agree - even though the newest Klipsch I've heard is my KG2's.

Compared to the Heresy II's and the La Scala they are thin and honky - and worst of all - loud. Don't get me wrong, at reasonable volume they are really pleasant - but mid-rangy when you crank them. There is only so much an 8" with a passive radiator can really do with low-end.

The low-end gets indistinct and sloppy as the volume goes up and the mid-range gets overly aggressive.

Still, they are a wonder in that they can pump out the dB.

Regards,
Tom

[JandG]

I had prime example's in mint condition of the KG-4..they are missed for some strange reason..I think I have MUCH superior speakers now....I think............................

[ptwining]

I am having the same experience. The more I listen to these KG2's the more I realize why I love/hate them.

They are pleasant but not great. There is some quality missing. In some way they are too wide, if you know what I mean. Too open and sloppy, but I'll be damned if I can put my finger on it exactly.

Paul Klipsch knew his business alright.

My Exodus 2641 clones absolutely kick the Klipsch butt, but produce nowhere near the raw output - and there is something nice about what the Klipsch do. Nowhere near the audiophile quality of the 2641's but definately something.

Something like an ugly but willing date...

So, I hear ya...

[edit]

Also, there's something really wierd about sitting here listening to a pair of Klipsch, any Klipsch, and bitching about it. How bizarre.

Spoiled or what?

[another edit]

In fact, if I succeeded in building a pair of speaks that did what the KG2's do, I'd quit happy. Even though I know they sit more than halfway down the totem pole of decent loudspeakers. D**m, how wild is that?

As I've said many times before - nobody who's heard them has failed to make me an offer to take them off my hands. Whatever marketing dude at Klipsch did the KG series focus groups needs to be hired...immediately!!

Not that the KG product would measure against serious hardware - but that they are just good enough to hit the mass wallet like a freight train...

Regards,
Tom

[anatech]

Klipsch.....are ..... perfect ..... for ..... surround ..... sound.

They also make a mid fi receiver come alive where other speakers don't. So they are loud with some finesse.

-Chris

[ptwining]

Amazing in their own right for the right application.

Quite a statement actually. Not something others accomplish easily...

Listen to Tony Levin Shandanken on them...

As long as you keep the volume 1/2 or lower - mindblowing - period.

Shazaam...

Regards,
Tom

[angsuman]

I've always wanted to listen to their newer models, When I went shopping for my first pair of speakers (before diy) I listened to the Klipsch Reference and Synergy series and I'd have to say the Synergy series was horrible it was so painfully bright. The Reference series were much better but still too bright...I might try and make a very high sensitivity system with horn tweeters too one day for my home theater but I think i've been scarred a bit too much. While they do pair great with cheap receivers to acheive high SPL, I find many movies while finely recorded, end up being recorded a bit too bright and its very evident on voice sibilants or swords clashing and its made worse especially by the speakers at the movie theater, but its almost as bad on the Klipsch in my experience.

[ptwining]

I don't do HT but I suppose I understand. I have no experience with x.x systems.

I have always listened to 2 channel sound. No interest in anything more.

Old Klipsch are ledgendary, rightly so. The new stuff I don't really know or care for (from my limited experience). However, they are skillfully crafted and do a fine job of mid-fi reproduction. Better (as my posts indicate) than I would have thought!!

The more I listen to these D**n things the more I like them (sort of).

Still, my Exodus 2641 clone project cranks on to bury these KG2's.

Maybe I've chosen a minor target to defeat but if I can't do better I'll be bummed major!!!

On the other hand, who the h*ll am I to challange Klipsch. Masters of audio. Intimidating to say the least.

I'll keep you posted.

Regards,
Tom