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80th-Anniversary Klipsch Klipschorn
- Thread starter Bushikan
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squirrelnest
Lunatic Member
Wonder what a pair of those will cost!
IDK. Tiger wood; DSP; Limited Edition; new horn. I’m guessing somewhere between $25-30K.
I wonder if this is the official launch of the next 2-way generation of the Klipschorn.
soundbound
Well-Known Member
fredgarvin
Super Member
I just read somewhere that it's a limited edition, 200-300 total pairs and priced at $18,999. The OJAS Klipsch speaker with a finish is up to $25k.
soundbound
Well-Known Member
Do you think it will sound better than a recent model three way Klipschorn?
If it comes with DSP (or is a $3500 option), its two horns would be time-aligned. That’s a plus—and an option with the current Klipschorn. But then they’d require the added cost of biamping.
If Klipsch actually produced a top horn that can sufficiently cover that wide range currently covered by the Klipschorn’s mid and tweeter—similar to the Jubilee horn—power to them (but doubtful). And, if so, why go back to the three-way configuration—which would be rendered obsolete? It’s also got a sealed back—which supposedly means it doesn’t need to be sealed to the corners, and allows for optional placement.
In my auditions of sealed-back Klipschorns—placed out away from corners into the room—I’ve always felt the bass was constricted/lacking. (Others haven’t.) So, I guess someone will have to compare them and report back.
In terms of their aesthetics: They look bold and handsome enough, I guess. They seem clearly “complete” in their design stance. But I’m not a fan of the brass(?) inlay. Too Art Deco and ornamental for me. (But, overall, it works.)
However, I’d prefer an enclosed top—as in the traditional finished Klipschorn—which feels less unfinished/industrial and more like living room furniture—and would be easier to clean and provide a place for tchotchkes. (Where are people going to put their leaky potted plants?) To me, there’s something too contemporary-industrial-fad-feeling in the currently fashionable OJAS-naked/pro-horn-on-top look. I think, aesthetically, this design has a shorter shelf life. But I’ve also never really been a fan of enormous, ostentatious blowers sticking out of car hoods, either.
Still, I’d happily live with a pair of Jubilees.
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Exactly. PWK moved on.
fredgarvin
Super Member
For the Limited Edition 80th Anniversary Klipschorn, Klipsch brings that idea into the present with an external active DSP crossover network. The system is designed to manage phase, time delay, EQ, and gain so the woofer and high-frequency horn integrate more precisely through the crossover region. That matters with a loudspeaker this efficient, because small timing and level errors do not exactly hide in the shrubbery.
Klipsch has already moved in this direction with the active crossover option offered for the AK7 Klipschorn, introduced in 2025. The anniversary model takes that concept further as part of the loudspeaker’s core architecture.
The external active crossover can be placed on a shelf or inside an equipment rack, and includes adjustable low- and high-frequency trim controls. That gives owners some room to tailor the system to the room and their listening preferences, which is useful because a Klipschorn still treats the room as part of the loudspeaker.
www.ecoustics.com
Klipsch has already moved in this direction with the active crossover option offered for the AK7 Klipschorn, introduced in 2025. The anniversary model takes that concept further as part of the loudspeaker’s core architecture.
The external active crossover can be placed on a shelf or inside an equipment rack, and includes adjustable low- and high-frequency trim controls. That gives owners some room to tailor the system to the room and their listening preferences, which is useful because a Klipschorn still treats the room as part of the loudspeaker.
Klipsch Debuts Limited Edition 80th Anniversary Klipschorn and OJAS kO-R2 Speakers at High End Vienna 2026
Klipsch brings the limited 80th Anniversary Klipschorn and OJAS kO-R2 horn speakers to High End Vienna 2026.
www.ecoustics.com
grindstone
Well-Known Member
Who knows what the horns are--maybe Tsintao designed those, too (!) Just funning...yeah that was uncalled-for and (too-much) cheap-shot--it was the hanging curve ball. No, even if they are K-5's in low volume plaster/sandcastings, surely Roy put some phase-plug love in there to extend it (or at least be protected) and the driver has some not-inconsiderable performance capabilities (vs. even venerable 555's). Costs a lot of money to make low volume stuff that has to be pretty.
To my knowledge, they (PWK or Roy) never "moved-on" from collapsing verticals -- they just assert that it's Controlled Directivity and adhere to Roy's program / test data to aim for DI 8 here or there, call it OK as long as its smooth, etc. Who knows? Certainly not me, but that's why board-spew is board-spew. Maybe it's all brand-new crazy-optimized flare that just looks K-5-sized. Excepting the CF-line, I think we all have to admit there can be some "house sound" to the products and this must've passed those tests, too.
It's all a commentary on what a bugger it must be to be in that company these years. Surely they're all doing what they can -- their market(s) have been identified and they've made an effort to freshen something. Perhaps Devon ID'd a sort of approach that they've adopted; if it can add a "new" subsector line item in the quarterly reports (and presumably higher-margin?), several places I've worked would've Pounced on it. The long-term employees care a lot, we all know that--they just keep getting new directions from above. I hope what remains of all the old "names" can continue to exist -- we've lost too many. Maybe onesy-twosy is all that's left for big stuff.
The only real offense is the pictures that have them out from corners. Those of us with the enclosed rears know that they're mostly useless compared to corner placement but if you want to flog them with processing, hey--let the customers/reviewers/market speak. Still be cleaner than a lot of stuff and a plausible argument to get them in more dwellings.
To my knowledge, they (PWK or Roy) never "moved-on" from collapsing verticals -- they just assert that it's Controlled Directivity and adhere to Roy's program / test data to aim for DI 8 here or there, call it OK as long as its smooth, etc. Who knows? Certainly not me, but that's why board-spew is board-spew. Maybe it's all brand-new crazy-optimized flare that just looks K-5-sized. Excepting the CF-line, I think we all have to admit there can be some "house sound" to the products and this must've passed those tests, too.
It's all a commentary on what a bugger it must be to be in that company these years. Surely they're all doing what they can -- their market(s) have been identified and they've made an effort to freshen something. Perhaps Devon ID'd a sort of approach that they've adopted; if it can add a "new" subsector line item in the quarterly reports (and presumably higher-margin?), several places I've worked would've Pounced on it. The long-term employees care a lot, we all know that--they just keep getting new directions from above. I hope what remains of all the old "names" can continue to exist -- we've lost too many. Maybe onesy-twosy is all that's left for big stuff.
The only real offense is the pictures that have them out from corners. Those of us with the enclosed rears know that they're mostly useless compared to corner placement but if you want to flog them with processing, hey--let the customers/reviewers/market speak. Still be cleaner than a lot of stuff and a plausible argument to get them in more dwellings.
