intention is to review Klipsch Heritage series speakers from Hi-Fi or Hi-End point of view... any entry appreciated in advance
Klipsch Khorn (klipschorn)
Klipsch La Scala
Klipsch Cornwall
Klipsch Heresy
Klipsch Forte
Klipsch Cornscala (Unofficial and modified model)
...
Klipsch Khorn (klipschorn)
Klipsch La Scala
Klipsch Cornwall
Klipsch Heresy
Klipsch Forte
Klipsch Cornscala (Unofficial and modified model)
...
I heard the Heresy's and Belle's and loved them both... but this goes back nearly 30 years when i was a budding audiophile.
many thanks Godzilla but in fact I'm in pursuit of most recent heard audiophiles opinions.
but thanks anyway
I've owned both Cornwalls and Heresy's (within the last few years). The bass on the Cornwalls was of course much deeper......quite lovely in fact. The mid horn and tweeter were not pleasant to me. There was too much resonance or something going on with those horns. The Heresy's mid and tweeter were much better but maybe because they were cast iron and not that plastic stuff
It would have been nice to try those cast iron horns in the Cornwalls! The Heresy's oddly (to me anyway) were much more placement "needy" than the Cornwalls.
It would have been nice to try those cast iron horns in the Cornwalls! The Heresy's oddly (to me anyway) were much more placement "needy" than the Cornwalls.
I'm listening to Klipschorns right now. Phenomenally dynamic for classical. I have four LaScala's and a pair of Heresy's. I've heard lots of Klipsch through the years. There's a lot to like (but improvements can, and in some cases, must be made).
The LaScalas (in my opinion) have more mid-bass / lower midrange slam than the Cornwalls, because they are a horn-loaded bass driver. Obviously have more placement options than a Khorn. So if you are really into imaging, they are an excellent choice. Downside is if stock, the bass only goes down to 70Hz or so, but Google for "djk ported lascala" for the bass mod that gets them down to 35Hz.
Cornwalls go much lower than stock LaScalas, which is awesome but (to me) they don't have the mid-bass "slam" of the LaScala's horn-loaded bass. Also, they have a much smaller midrange horn and thus higher crossover. So a not-fully-horn-loaded design but it does dig deep into the bass without modification and there's lots to love about them.
The Klipschorns fire out to the sides until about 350-400Hz. You would think that ruins the imaging but it gives them a fun, room-filling and very exciting sound. In certain rooms / seating positions, they will image but for example, if you have them on a very long wall, then the piano will be as long as the wall! But it's absolutely not a problem for big orchestral -- it sounds really huge. But not so much the 3D holographic pinpoint imaging that some people crave. Still, very big and airy, and my faves overall.
Bigger is better. I would use the Heresy's in my setup as either center-channel or rear surrounds but they can't compete with the bigger versions.
Please note that to get ultimate performance out of -any- of the Heritage speakers, you need to consider upgrades. I recently updated the Klipschorns to have the Elliptrac elliptical tractric horns and they have made a tremendous improvement (over the stock K400 horn in the Khorn and LaScalas).
Here is the order in which to do upgrades at least on the Klipschorn and LaScala:
1. Recap if needed (my primary LaScalas are from 1968!)
2. Upgrade the K400 horn, e.g., to one of the aftermarket wooden tractrix options.
3. Replace the K77 tweeter (e.g., with Bob Crites' drop-in replacement)
4. Consider stopping there but if not, update the crossovers.
5. Consider upgrading the midrange compression driver (big money to get something better)
6. Khorn: consider closing in the backs, or LaScala: djk bass mod (or be a purist and get a proper tapped horn for absolute best performance)
Obviously the ultimate horn system is a 5-way time-aligned monster. But shy of that, I would recommend the LaScalas with all the mods and a tapped horn. If that's too much, Khorns. If corners are not an option, LaScalas with the upgrades and bass mod.
Hope that helps! One caveat: to me, the Klipsch Heritage speakers are awesome on classical. But you might not love them for rock 'n roll (except I would say the Cornwalls do rock 'n roll). So it's very dependent on what music you like, and how willing you are to upgrade etc.
But if you're just looking for a great DIY project, the Cornscala is (in my opinion) close to unbeatable. You can get something that has a certain amount of Klipsch-i-ness but with (potentially) some Econowave goodness (depending on your choices), and there is an active support community for the Cornscala, and excellent, trustworthy vendors. Bang for the buck, Cornscala is pretty awesome if there aren't a lot of used Klipsch cabs in your area.
The LaScalas (in my opinion) have more mid-bass / lower midrange slam than the Cornwalls, because they are a horn-loaded bass driver. Obviously have more placement options than a Khorn. So if you are really into imaging, they are an excellent choice. Downside is if stock, the bass only goes down to 70Hz or so, but Google for "djk ported lascala" for the bass mod that gets them down to 35Hz.
Cornwalls go much lower than stock LaScalas, which is awesome but (to me) they don't have the mid-bass "slam" of the LaScala's horn-loaded bass. Also, they have a much smaller midrange horn and thus higher crossover. So a not-fully-horn-loaded design but it does dig deep into the bass without modification and there's lots to love about them.
The Klipschorns fire out to the sides until about 350-400Hz. You would think that ruins the imaging but it gives them a fun, room-filling and very exciting sound. In certain rooms / seating positions, they will image but for example, if you have them on a very long wall, then the piano will be as long as the wall! But it's absolutely not a problem for big orchestral -- it sounds really huge. But not so much the 3D holographic pinpoint imaging that some people crave. Still, very big and airy, and my faves overall.
Bigger is better. I would use the Heresy's in my setup as either center-channel or rear surrounds but they can't compete with the bigger versions.
Please note that to get ultimate performance out of -any- of the Heritage speakers, you need to consider upgrades. I recently updated the Klipschorns to have the Elliptrac elliptical tractric horns and they have made a tremendous improvement (over the stock K400 horn in the Khorn and LaScalas).
Here is the order in which to do upgrades at least on the Klipschorn and LaScala:
1. Recap if needed (my primary LaScalas are from 1968!)
2. Upgrade the K400 horn, e.g., to one of the aftermarket wooden tractrix options.
3. Replace the K77 tweeter (e.g., with Bob Crites' drop-in replacement)
4. Consider stopping there but if not, update the crossovers.
5. Consider upgrading the midrange compression driver (big money to get something better)
6. Khorn: consider closing in the backs, or LaScala: djk bass mod (or be a purist and get a proper tapped horn for absolute best performance)
Obviously the ultimate horn system is a 5-way time-aligned monster. But shy of that, I would recommend the LaScalas with all the mods and a tapped horn. If that's too much, Khorns. If corners are not an option, LaScalas with the upgrades and bass mod.
Hope that helps! One caveat: to me, the Klipsch Heritage speakers are awesome on classical. But you might not love them for rock 'n roll (except I would say the Cornwalls do rock 'n roll). So it's very dependent on what music you like, and how willing you are to upgrade etc.
But if you're just looking for a great DIY project, the Cornscala is (in my opinion) close to unbeatable. You can get something that has a certain amount of Klipsch-i-ness but with (potentially) some Econowave goodness (depending on your choices), and there is an active support community for the Cornscala, and excellent, trustworthy vendors. Bang for the buck, Cornscala is pretty awesome if there aren't a lot of used Klipsch cabs in your area.
Just to clarify, I mean "shy of that, I would recommend the LaScalas with all the mods except the bass mod and a tapped horn."
Also, a LaScala with all the upgrades and bass mod is arguably superior to the Khorn if imaging is important to you, because of the placement flexibility. It would also have superior mid-bass / lower midrange performance in my limited personal experience.
I have a pair of 85 Heresy with CTW125 tweeters and Ti mid diaphragms, have not rebuilt the networks but will soon. I have a pair of Forte and a pair of Forte ll I prefer the Forte ll. Both had Ti tweeter diaphragms and Ti mid diaphragms and some new caps in the xover. T also have (had gave a pair to my daughter) two pairs of KLF 20 both with Ti Tweeters and mids and fresh caps. I find the KLF 20 to be a better speaker in every way to the Forte ll. The KLF were significantly braced and stiffened. This helped a lot. I also moved the rear ports on one pair of KLF 20 from the rear of the cabinet to the front so they could be positioned closer to the front wall. I have a pair of Quartets which have be heavily bvraced and stiffened and have had the woofers replaced with KLF 20 woofers all Ti diaphragms and freesh caps.
There is more which can be done to further upgrade but these are a huge improvement over stock. Remember if you hear any of the klf that they are stock with poly teweeter diaphragms which are a waste of time you can upgrade to phenolics or just make the jump to Titanium. Of the KLF series the KLF 20 will be the least expensive to upgrade due to xover inductor values and I think is also the best woofer size compromise if you need more bass build subs. You should also not overlook the Epic series CF3 and CF43 here again the CF3 has dual tens the CF 4 dual 12 inch drivers . The Epic series are three driver two way designs. I have the parts for a set of CF3 but have not yet built them up. I am guessing that they will become my favorites but for now that position belongs to The KLF 20 modified. Superb speakers. I spent over 20 years with stats and I don`t miss them right now with the Klipsch. I will also add that there are ultra high quality German made C-Core auto transformers which are excellent though not inexpensive they are worth the entry ptice of about $125.00 each pluss shipping and duty. I heard Klipsch as a kid and it has taken a long time for me to get back to them. Very glad that I did. Hope this is of interest. Best regards Moray James.
I've heard all the lot & agree with most comments..But my preference leans toward the Cornwalls.........however, knowing what I know now...Why did Klipsch not upgraded the Cornwall when it was re-issued. Most glaring to me is both horns are not flush mounted on the baffle......they are bolted/attached from the inside. You see the 3/4" of plywood from the front......& just how poor will be the diffraction when the wavefront exits the horn mouth & encounters that "mini" mouth that is the "hole" in the baffle. Then.....there is the Grill-frame, unchanged since ??? Do they even know of diffraction effects?? I'd get the Cornwalls & rebuild them to my desires. I know this is nit-picking, but it all adds up!
________________________________________________________Rick.........
________________________________________________________Rick.........
Thanks for that Moray... I remember seeing all of those speakers in the stores when I was younger.
a friend of me want to realize an audio set-up for monophonic music reproduction. All devices are present except the loudspeaker.
He want to have either the klipsch model Heresy or Cornwall
Usually only one pair is available and not a single device. Additional the cost therefore should be as low as possible. Therefore the question:
Who from Europe can make an offer for a single devices of the above mentioned model ?
At best from the first series. My email adress is currently follow:
kirschner-hifiQweb_de (please replace "Q" and "_" through the correct signs - thank you)
And an other question: from which manufacturers are the from Klipsch used transducers resp. drivers? I know this only from the old tweeters - this was the no longer available model T35 from Electro Voice.
Best thanks for your advices.
He want to have either the klipsch model Heresy or Cornwall
Usually only one pair is available and not a single device. Additional the cost therefore should be as low as possible. Therefore the question:
Who from Europe can make an offer for a single devices of the above mentioned model ?
At best from the first series. My email adress is currently follow:
kirschner-hifiQweb_de (please replace "Q" and "_" through the correct signs - thank you)
And an other question: from which manufacturers are the from Klipsch used transducers resp. drivers? I know this only from the old tweeters - this was the no longer available model T35 from Electro Voice.
Best thanks for your advices.
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Cleaning and reassembling this Khorn as I type. This is the first klipsch I own. LOL. I never liked plastic horns so never wanted the new type, bought a Heresy copy that the garage sale dude swear up and down was a klipsch heresy 100%, I got 1 home cos I didn't have the $15 asking, so I paid 5 and got it home to get more $$, opened up the screwed on grill and found a 12" EV full ranger in a all wood cabinet. Went back and yelled @ him and got the other one for $2.
In any case I am so chock full of EV's that only the big klipsch'es ever make me perk up my ears. And now Khorns are here and clean as a whistle after I'm done cleaning the dust off the crossover.
Anyway, first klipsch. And its a Khorn.
Looking forward to listening and maybe modding it.
Cool.
Srinath.
In any case I am so chock full of EV's that only the big klipsch'es ever make me perk up my ears. And now Khorns are here and clean as a whistle after I'm done cleaning the dust off the crossover.
Anyway, first klipsch. And its a Khorn.
Looking forward to listening and maybe modding it.
Cool.
Srinath.
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