General Speaker Advice and Recommendations

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by shotgunshane, Mar 7, 2017.

  1. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,276
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I never got myself to like Klipsch highs.
     
  2. Olor1n

    Olor1n Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    290
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Van Diemen's Land
    I anticipated honky top end from the Klipsch but didn’t really get a sense of it.

    I also heard and loved the Spendor A2. Reminded me of the HD650 which has been my go to for years.

    The Klipsch is on the other end of the sonic spectrum but I didn’t mind it.
     
  3. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,512
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Eastern Iowa
    I can't speak to the RP series Klipsch as I've never heard any of them. But what I've learned over the years is that Klipsch tend to be pretty picky with source and amplification if you want to transform them from loud, party speakers to something that maintains a balance between detail, smoothness and big dynamics. A lot of solid state can make Klipsch sound like Sam Kinison on a coke binge. SETs can work well, but lose out on dynamics and low end control. I've heard a lot of the older Klipsch Heritage range on Class A, which really changed my mind about the potential that these have as a viable high fidelity speaker.

    Of course it's possible that my comments apply to horn speakers in general, not just Klipsch but I have limited exposure to other brands with the exception of live music applications, probably being run on big-ass Crown or other pro amps
     
  4. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,345
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I’ve never heard a horn be tamed fully. Even the crazy JBL waveguide has some rapacious horn flare.
     
  5. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,750
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Calgary, Alberta
    Home Page:
    The JBL 4367 I heard briefly in-store was very impressive, especially in the highs. It beamed like a son of a bitch but I never picked up that etched, metallic sheen that some horns seem to have. Overall the whole experience could be desribed as effortless, its imaging was like nothing I have experienced before.

    That said, I really think a Metrum NOS dac (et al.) would be a really good pairing with a horn.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    The 4367 shouldn't beam, unless you are more than 30° off axis. As long are you are in the dispersion angle of the horn, there should barely be any off-axis rolloff below 10-12kHz, and any rolloff above 10-12kHz will be no worse than a small dome tweeter. At least speaking for this particular horn profile. One of the primary reasons to get a horn is uniformity of polar response, at least within it's intended dispersion angle.

    Klipsch has been addressing FR weirdness in successive versions of their speakers. Their drivers are dirt cheap and many owners eventually upgrade them.

    Horns get a bad rap because of the typical PA installations (overdriven insufficient number of speakers or crappy cheap speakers) and 80s Klipsch models, likely powered by Carver or early Adcom amps, often heard like this at the Good Guys.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2019
  7. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    @ChaChaRealSmooth - One speaker that comes to mind that may fit your bill especially used is the Legacy Audio Monitors. Nice sounding and stood out in a good way among lots of the stand mount speakers I have heard at RMAF over the years.
     
  8. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,464
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
  9. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,695
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    NOVA
    Home Page:
    That's fascinating!
     
  10. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    266
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    EU
    Do you have a recommendation for a good analog crossover? Brands / models?
     
  11. Coleman22

    Coleman22 New

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2019
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Austin
    VINTAGE BBC style speakers?

    wondering if anyone out there has any advice on which vintage models and brands to look for. I am aware that the drivers for some models are no longer produced so maybe best to avoid certain ones but I can’t find much info on what to buy if looking in this market.

    I recently heard some Harbeth 30.1 and liked them but they are too pricey for me. So hoping to get into a budget speaker that gets me close.
    Looks like the ls3/5a and ls5/9 are commonly found. Not sure if you can get ls5/9 drivers should you need a replacement though. I know falcon is selling 3/5 drivers and crossovers.
    I’m seeing Chartwell, Rogers, spendor, and Harbeth vintage speakers on various sites.
    Any pointers or things to look out for would be appreciated !
     
  12. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    I can't offer too much advice other than if you have never heard an LS3/5a do NOT buy it blind. I fell into the hype decades ago and blind bought a pair of Chartwell LS3/5as. Biggest speaker mistake of the dozens of pairs I have been through in my life. Took a lot of power to get them to bark, unexciting, unless you like the way they sound on bbc male news presenters. Not dynamic, boring. I could not wait to replace them with a much cheaper pair of Dynaco a25s.

    I do like some of the Harbeths though. And if you want a great bass limited stand mount speaker keep an eye out for the Silverline Minuet used. Good luck!
     
  13. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,026
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rapallo, Italy
    Haven't kept up, it's all too rich for my blood, sorry.

    That kinda setup is more space/time than I'm wiling to invest into 2ch.
     
  14. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,201
    Trophy Points:
    93
    what is the budget?
     
  15. Coleman22

    Coleman22 New

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2019
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Austin
    About 1500-2000
     
  16. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

  17. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    266
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    EU
  18. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2019
    Likes Received:
    956
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
  19. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    266
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    EU
    Thanks! Your hint helped a lot, since I don't know much about discontinued Klipsch speakers.

    It's a Klipsch Legend series KLF30.
     
  20. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2019
    Likes Received:
    956
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Haha well I was way off but glad to hear you found them.
     

Share This Page