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Advice and opinions! Speakerlab 7 vs GNP Valkyrie

A

ajack

New Member
Full disclosure- I know almost nothing about sound systems, so if you speak to me like I am a dummy I will not take offense, and might actually prefer it! I have my choice between a pair of Speakerlab 7's or a pair of GNP Valkyrie. I am not sure what other equipment I will be using with the speakers as I also might be able to get a McIntosh tube setup working thanks to my dear brother, or will use a solid state system if we aren't successful with the tubes. I am choosing between these two smaller speakers, but I am also receiving a pair of large vintage (not sure of the model) Klipschorn speakers. If these end up being too large for our space, I want to keep a pair of the smaller speakers for backup. As you can see, I am awash in speakers, but alas do not know what I am doing! Any advice?
 
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I've never seen nor heard a Speakerlab speaker in my life.
The GNP Valkyrie is a joyful listen, though:)
Valkyries.jpg
 
There's pretty much only one model of Klipschorn, although they've been available in many different styles/finishes over the years. A lot of people like Klipschorns with tubes, so they may be your best if you get the Macs and you have the room (remember that the K-horns are designed to be placed in the corners of the room). But really, your best bet is to listen to all of them and see which sounds best to you. I doubt you could wrong with any one of these sets.

There's a decent chance that either the Valkyries or the Speakerlabs will need to have the foam surrounds on some of the cones replaced (the Klipschorns don't use foam; I assume the others do but I can't tell for sure from the pictures I've found). Don't despair if that's the case - if you're a do-it-yourselfer, you should be able to handle it yourself (it's not too difficult, but a little time consuming, and there are tutorials and vidoes online). If not, you can remove the drivers that need repair and send them away for refoaming.
 
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Tubed-- beautiful GNP! Looks to be in better shape than the one I am looking at.
Swechsler-- I am not going to be able to listen to the speakers before deciding which I want as they are not hooked up. Not sure of the year and finish of the Klipschorn. There are actually what I believe to be two KHorn sets to choose from. One looks like it is from the 1950's with an EV horn on it..? and the other, while still vintage I am sure, is not as old. These were all my Dad's and while I am not sure a KHorn set will ultimately fit in my space, I want to at least give it a go. I do not exaggerate when I say I really don't know about this stuff, and I am just trying to muddle through. Thanks for all the advice.
 
swechsler said:
There's a decent chance that either the Valkyries or the Speakerlabs will need to have the foam surrounds on some of the cones replaced...
Click to expand...

The 1st 2 generations of Speakerlab 7 have rubber surrounds on the woofers (small cabs with horn tweeters and mids). If the speakers in question are the large cab 3rd gen (leaf tweeter, 6.5" cone mid) or 4th gen (aka DAS-7, dome tweeter, 6.5" cone mid) then the mid and 1 (10" woofer 3rd gen) or both (4th gen) of the woofers have foam surrounds.

Cheers,
James
 
IMG_0938.JPG IMG_0939.JPG Okay, after getting some help from my audiophile brother, I have the system set up. Went with the Klipschorn and the Speakerlab 7's. The size of the room that the the Klipschorn's are in is not ideal and finding corners to put them in was a challenge but because I don't want to get rid of them I just made it work!
 
And you got the Mac too. Great! I'd recommend a more solid platform for the turntable, though, and away from the speakers. The way you have it set up now, you're just asking for feedback when you start playing it louder.
 
Yep, got the McIntosh up and going too! Still need to work on the McIntosh power amps, as they will need a bit of investment put back into them, but overall, it's coming together. Yes, the setup is pretty bad right now! Oy vey! As soon as things slow down just a bit I will be looking for a more permanent solution for the peripheral components.
 
Congratulations; that Mac/Klipsch set-up looks pretty epic! But, I have to admit, I'd still love to hear those GNP Valkyrie's too. They got very good reviews in Stereophile, when new. Each sub-enclosure was even lead lined to damp vibration. A TOTL speaker, like the Klipsch. Regardless, You did good!
 
StimpyWan, I agree... I so wish I could have heard the GNP's. At the end of the day I just became overwhelmed with his estate in general that I just took two sets and tried to not second guess. But, somewhere in the back of my brain, I think maybe I should have taken the GNP's instead of the Speakerlabs! Oh well, I really can't complain as we are blessed with incredible sound, particularly with the KHorns.
 
DAA4CE35-6430-4FC3-87D0-91AD10BC18B4.jpeg Hello. Hope this reply two years later finds it’s way to be helpful. From the three mentioned speakers I can only comment on the GNP Valkyrie speakers. I own a pair. The others I’ve not listened to. My system(s) are all solid state based and separated into the HT 9.2 surround sound with a digital/analog receiver
 
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