Klipsch KG-4 Maintenance

[CelticKnot]

Hey all. I have a pair of Klipsch KG-4s and I am the original owner. They have been treated well; always stored in conditioned space and used almost daily for the past 35 years. Cabinets oiled regularly, etc. Still have the factory boxes too (for transport, of course).

What can I expect to need to do to these guys for maintenance and such to make them last another 35 years? I'll be gone (or close to it) at that point but I'd like my son to be able to inherit a solid pair of speakers. They look and work perfectly to my eye/ear but I know things age!

Cheers!

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
I bought a pair of the Black, KG-4's...

I bought a Capacitor Kit, and Ti Tweeters from Crites, and...

Did the work myself, if you can solder, not really that hard.

I would think they are good for 30 more years no problem, and they sound great!

 

[CelticKnot]

I bought a Capacitor Kit, and Ti Tweeters from Crites, and...

How can you tell if a recap and/or tweeters are needed?

 

[krautmaster]

After 35 years, the electrolytic capacitors in the crossovers are toast (actually about 15-20 years IMO). Replace them and you'll get better bass and highs... the Crites "silver" crossovers look like a pretty good option:

KG4 Crossover - Pair, New - FREE US Shipping!

This is a new KG4 crossover to replace the original. It is built with the same circuit design as the original, but uses higher quality parts. Our crossover networks are all offered now in three versions which you can select from the pop-up menu: Copper Edition with Mylar/Polyester capacitors and...

critesspeakers.com

 

[seagiant]

After 35 years, the electrolytic capacitors in the crossovers are toast (actually about 15-20 years IMO). Replace them and you'll get better bass and highs... the Crites "silver" crossovers look like a pretty good option:

KG4 Crossover - Pair, New - FREE US Shipping!

This is a new KG4 crossover to replace the original. It is built with the same circuit design as the original, but uses higher quality parts. Our crossover networks are all offered now in three versions which you can select from the pop-up menu: Copper Edition with Mylar/Polyester capacitors and...

critesspeakers.com

Hi,
The Silver Option, was the Kit, I used after some good advice from DEFTECHY a Member here...

He also bucked up my courage to do it myself as I do know how to solder.

Not that bad once you see what is going on.

Here's the Logic, the Caps are old the Tweeters are maybe outdated compared to the TI Models...

Also, once done you then KNOW they are giving you the best sound they can give!

I also installed a Grill for the back 12" Passive Speaker, to protect it!

 

[CelticKnot]

After 35 years, the electrolytic capacitors in the crossovers are toast (actually about 15-20 years IMO). Replace them and you'll get better bass and highs... the Crites "silver" crossovers look like a pretty good option:

Makes sense. They still sound good but to your point, they could probably sound better.

The Silver Option, was the Kit, I used after some good advice from DEFTECHY a Member here...

Thanks, I am not ready to shell out $250+ yet but I'll start budgeting!

I also installed a Grill for the back 12" Passive Speaker, to protect it!

Looks badass.

 

[Hajidub]

Makes sense. They still sound good but to your point, they could probably sound better.


Thanks, I am not ready to shell out $250+ yet but I'll start budgeting!



Looks badass.

Great way to look at it. We're talking some overpriced caps for a extremely low voltage situation (i.e. crossover). Just hit Partsexpress and buy the (4) caps you need for probably under $10.

 

[seagiant]

Great way to look at it. We're talking some overpriced caps for a extremely low voltage situation (i.e. crossover). Just hit Partsexpress and buy the (4) caps you need for probably under $10.

Hi,
Not hardly!

Unless they come in a Crackerjack's Box!!!

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
Here is a pair of KG-2's, on some Red Oak Stands, I made, I picked up THREE of these for $25!

Recapped the Crossovers, but kept the OEM Tweeters as they sounded so good, and punch WAY above their weight!!!

Still looking for a single KG-2 to go with my extra...

 

[gadget73]

A vaguely contrary opinion here:

Only caps in the crossover you really need to bother is the NP electrolytic. The other two are film and almost certainly fine. Should be one cap on each speaker, offhand I don't remember the value but its the one thats not a tubular yellow thing. Mine were pale green I think, and considerably off value. I replaced the film caps because I'd bought fancy ones but the originals were perfectly fine and got recycled into something else.

I also felt the tweeter diaphragm upgrade was worth doing, but I don't really think the fancy film caps that replaced the original film caps did much of anything.

 

[grindstone]

I'd let the kid decide if they need Ti diaphragms but, if you're keeping phenolics, I'm with @gadget73 on only replacing the 33uF part (with another electrolytic). There are lots of KG4 threads around here and elsewherre.

 

[gadget73]

You can use film, I did, but 33uF in film is a big capacitor. It won't sit on the board neatly and you end up zip tying the thing to the crossover somewhere and running wires. If I had to do it again I'd probably just stick another NP electrolytic in there and call it a day.

 

[absolve2525]

Hey all. I have a pair of Klipsch KG-4s and I am the original owner. They have been treated well; always stored in conditioned space and used almost daily for the past 35 years. Cabinets oiled regularly, etc. Still have the factory boxes too (for transport, of course).

What can I expect to need to do to these guys for maintenance and such to make them last another 35 years? I'll be gone (or close to it) at that point but I'd like my son to be able to inherit a solid pair of speakers. They look and work perfectly to my eye/ear but I know things age!

Cheers!

I would replace the original electrolytic cap with a Parts Express electrolytic cap. I wouldn't bother replacing the mylar cap either. I undo the polyswitch protection in the crossover also, since I don't play them that loud.

 

[CelticKnot]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I will go down the path of doing a recap but not sure when exactly that'll be.

I undo the polyswitch protection in the crossover also, since I don't play them that loud.

Can you explain this a bit more?

 

[krautmaster]

Many speaker crossovers have either a Thermal switch and/or a circuit breaker to protect the tweeters from damage if you get too rambunctious with the volume knob (pic is of the crossover in my Infinity RS4b

 

[absolve2525]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I will go down the path of doing a recap but not sure when exactly that'll be.


Can you explain this a bit more?

Here's some discussion on the topic. https://audiokarma.org/forums/threads/recap-kg4-x-overs-or-crites.548323/ Yours may or may not have polyswitches. You may also want to check to see if your tweeters use ferrofluid. It's reddish oily substance in the tweeter magnet gap that improves power handling. It can dry out and cause problems. Some KG4s used it, some didnt. You can replace it or add more if you need to. Parts Express carries little vials of it. You can remove it completely also.

 

[automojo]

My experience on the electrolytics, and I have changed my view over the years.
I would not normally axe them, unless the speakers have been driven hard on a regular basis.
Esp if they are a pain.
If they are easy-then NP.
Same with the tweeter caps-the yellow Mexican poly caps are fine for these speakers.
The biggest gains are the ti diaphragms.
If you liked the sound of the speaker when new-IMHO don't get too carried away changing things.
Maybe-even the diaphragms.