Klipsch Tangent 50 Value

[tlann]

Hi everyone, I'm wondering what a decent price would be for Klipsch Tangent 50s in good condition. I've found some numbers online elsewhere, but most of those posts are from more than a decade ago, when vintage audio was generally cheaper.

I'm looking at a pair for $250 and am wondering if this would be a relatively cheap way to introduce some Klipsch horn speakers into my tube system (Dynaco SCA-35) without spending Heresy prices. And, additionally, I'm curious if it seems likely that I'd be able to break even if I decided to resell them if I don't end up liking them. I currently have JBL L26s that I do really like, but I want horn speakers for the tube setup.

Thanks for any info and help!

 

[BilboBaggins]

Personally, I think $250 is a little steep, but go listen to them and then decide?

Speakers, unless they are TOTL and very special, have actually gone down in value over the last few years. And generally, unless they are very special, they are still a hard sell these days. I have a pair of Genesis Physics 2 speakers for sale locally, and not even a nibble at the same price. People don't even try to negotiate for a lower price. And I consider the Genesis Physics speakers to be quite special.

I've had Klipsch T10s and T200s. I still have the T10s, and I heard the T200s after the buyer had set them up in his audio room with a lot of room conditioning. They sounded really good. I sold them for $150 about 8-10 years ago.

 

[tlann]

Personally, I think $250 is a little steep, but go listen to them and then decide?

Speakers, unless they are TOTL and very special, have actually gone down in value over the last few years. And generally, unless they are very special, they are still a hard sell these days. I have a pair of Genesis Physics 2 speakers for sale locally, and not even a nibble at the same price. People don't even try to negotiate for a lower price. And I consider the Genesis Physics speakers to be quite special.

I've had Klipsch T10s and T200s. I still have the T10s, and I heard the T200s after the buyer had set them up in his audio room with a lot of room conditioning. They sounded really good. I sold them for $150 about 8-10 years ago.

Thanks for the insight!

The speaker market seems pretty hot here in Portland, OR, but maybe that's not the case everywhere. I've wanting Klipsch Heresys for several years now, but I've rarely come across any cheaper than $600. It seems to me that they were available at lower prices roughly 10+ years ago.

In any case, it sounds like maybe I should just hold out and continue waiting for Heresys. The Tangents are enticing because they're much cheaper than Heresys, but perhaps not quite cheap enough (and not, of course, the same speaker to begin with).

 

[BilboBaggins]

I

Thanks for the insight!

The speaker market seems pretty hot here in Portland, OR, but maybe that's not the case everywhere. I've wanting Klipsch Heresys for several years now, but I've rarely come across any cheaper than $600. It seems to me that they were available at lower prices roughly 10+ years ago.

In any case, it sounds like maybe I should just hold out and continue waiting for Heresys. The Tangents are enticing because they're much cheaper than Heresys, but perhaps not quite cheap enough (and not, of course, the same speaker to begin with).

My own rule of thumb is to try something if I am intrigued by it, as it sounds like you are. The T50 looks like an interesting speaker design, and if you can get it low enough that you can fairly easily sell it in case you don't really take to it at the audition. The problem with auditioning anything, is that it is through seller equipment, which may not be up to par. You will really get to hear them when you get home, and then give yourself some time to get to know them. I still have my T10s. They are pretty good surround speakers.

 

[fredgarvin]

$250 is a good price in Oregon right now. Anything Klipsch is being advertised at double it's actual worth imo. Heresy's were routinely at $300-350 on CL until the new Klipsch series became so popular.

 

[tlann]

$250 is a good price in Oregon right now. Anything Klipsch is being advertised at double it's actual worth imo. Heresy's were routinely at $300-350 on CL until the new Klipsch series became so popular.

Thanks for the input! Out of curiosity, have you ever heard the Tangents?

 

[fredgarvin]

Thanks for the input! Out of curiosity, have you ever heard the Tangents?

No, I think they were mostly sold on military bases. They seem a A lot like the KG series. You don't see many around so resell may not be great.

 

[tlann]

No, I think they were mostly sold on military bases. They seem a A lot like the KG series. You don't see many around so resell may not be great.

Yeah, I would definitely want to make back my $250 if I ended up not liking them, so resell value is a good thing to consider.

 

[sanford12]

Thanks for the insight!

The speaker market seems pretty hot here in Portland, OR, but maybe that's not the case everywhere. I've wanting Klipsch Heresys for several years now, but I've rarely come across any cheaper than $600. It seems to me that they were available at lower prices roughly 10+ years ago.

In any case, it sounds like maybe I should just hold out and continue waiting for Heresys. The Tangents are enticing because they're much cheaper than Heresys, but perhaps not quite cheap enough (and not, of course, the same speaker to begin with).

I wouldn't make Heresy's a laser focus for speakers. Thought they might be a good speakers and and mine were an early version recapped but you can find better more well rounded speakers for less money. I can't recall a pair speakers I've run in my system as mains that weren't better and the Canton Karat 300's I have now if A-B'ed with Heresy's would show how lacking Heresy's are and the Canton's were $250 already recapped.

What I'm trying to say is don't overlook speakers without the name recognition of Klipsch. Heresy's are an entry level speaker that most people move on from fairly quickly. Had my pair for maybe a year.

 

[tlann]

I wouldn't make Heresy's a laser focus for speakers. Thought they might be a good speakers and and mine were an early version recapped but you can find better more well rounded speakers for less money. I can't recall a pair speakers I've run in my system as mains that weren't better and the Canton Karat 300's I have now if A-B'ed with Heresy's would show how lacking Heresy's are and the Canton's were $250 already recapped.

What I'm trying to say is don't overlook speakers without the name recognition of Klipsch. Heresy's are an entry level speaker that most people move on from fairly quickly. Had my pair for maybe a year.

Thanks for that perspective! I've tried Heresys in my system (borrowed from a friend), and I liked them quite a bit, which is why I've been keeping an eye out for them. I also like my current speakers, the JBL L26s, but I definitely noticed a big difference between the two-way JBLs and the three-way, horn-loaded Klipsches — I also tend to gravitate toward the "live band" sound that Klipsch speakers often have; it works particularly well with my little tube system.

 

[sanford12]

Thanks for that perspective! I've tried Heresys in my system (borrowed from a friend), and I liked them quite a bit, which is why I've been keeping an eye out for them. I also like my current speakers, the JBL L26s, but I definitely noticed a big difference between the two-way JBLs and the three-way, horn-loaded Klipsches — I also tend to gravitate toward the "live band" sound that Klipsch speakers often have; it works particularly well with my little tube system.

That's what my Heresy's did best with. I had a Pilot 602 6BQ5 receiver and I thought they sounded better with that than with my Sansui 1000A with 7591's

 

[BilboBaggins]

Thanks for that perspective! I've tried Heresys in my system (borrowed from a friend), and I liked them quite a bit, which is why I've been keeping an eye out for them. I also like my current speakers, the JBL L26s, but I definitely noticed a big difference between the two-way JBLs and the three-way, horn-loaded Klipsches — I also tend to gravitate toward the "live band" sound that Klipsch speakers often have; it works particularly well with my little tube system.

I used to have L26s as well as L36s, L46s, L16, L100Ts and a few other flavours. I still like them, but you never see them now. Those that have them aren't letting them go.

I also currently own a pair of Cornwalls, T10s, a centre and a sub all made by Klipsch. I had the Heresys for a little while. I didn't take to them at all, but those Cornwalls are right up there with my Kef 107s and Sony SS-G7s! The problem I have is that the speakers I like take up a wee bit of space.

For me, audio has been a journey. In the beginning, I tried every speaker I could get my hands on for cheap. Then I found better and better speakers. If I come across something I had once and liked, if the prices is right, I would buy them again. I like revisiting my impressions on different gear. Keeps things very interesting. This area used to be quite good. I don't know what happened. But it is sounding like $250 might be a good price after all. Only you can judge its value to yourself.

 

[tlann]

I used to have L26s as well as L36s, L46s, L16, L100Ts and a few other flavours. I still like them, but you never see them now. Those that have them aren't letting them go.

I also currently own a pair of Cornwalls, T10s, a centre and a sub all made by Klipsch. I had the Heresys for a little while. I didn't take to them at all, but those Cornwalls are right up there with my Kef 107s and Sony SS-G7s! The problem I have is that the speakers I like take up a wee bit of space.

For me, audio has been a journey. In the beginning, I tried every speaker I could get my hands on for cheap. Then I found better and better speakers. If I come across something I had once and liked, if the prices is right, I would buy them again. I like revisiting my impressions on different gear. Keeps things very interesting. This area used to be quite good. I don't know what happened. But it is sounding like $250 might be a good price after all. Only you can judge its value to yourself.

You're right that people seem to be holding onto their JBLs. I might have a hard time letting go of mine. Not sure the Tangents would sound better than the JBL L26s, but I suppose there's only one way to find out...the only hope would be that I'd be able to make my money back if I resold the Tangents. Seems like that might be possible for $250, though maybe it'd take some patience.

That said, the specific Tangents in question look to be in quite nice condition. The original seller didn't post pictures (sent them to me in an email instead), so it might be relatively easy for me to pass them down the line if I just included pics in a future listing.

Here are a few pics:

 

[fredgarvin]

I believe they have a 10" passive radiator in back.

 

[tlann]

I believe they have a 10" passive radiator in back.

Yes, that's right — I have a picture of that, too, but didn't include it. But those passive radiators look to be in good shape, too!

 

[Hajidub]

Thanks for the input! Out of curiosity, have you ever heard the Tangents?

I own a pair of T100's. Nice 2-ways, ton of bass; crisp highs, but what draws this series down is the cheap-ish cabinet build. Those 50's look way more quality than my 100's. $250 all day IMO.