Replacing Blown KG2s: Looking for "Vintage Look" under $1k (WAF is high)

mathuwm

mathuwm

Active Member
Hi everyone,

Between my youngest and my wife, my Klipsch KG2s have finally met their maker. They are officially blown. I actually have the Crites crossover capacitor replacements sitting on a shelf uninstalled, but at this point, I’m facing a crossroads: do I rebuild the KG2s (new diaphragms/woofers) or move on to something new?

I was eyeing some Fluance towers, but they failed the WAF (Wife Approval Factor) check—she isn’t a fan of the modern tower form factor. She loves the "natural woodgrain" look of vintage gear. While we both love the aesthetic of the new KLH, Klipsch Heritage, and Wharfedale Heritage lines, they are currently outside my budget.

Budget: Under $1,000.00 Current Contender: Triangle Borea BR04 Bookshelf Speakers

My System:

  • Amp: Parasound NewClassic 2125 v.2
  • Preamp: Emotiva PT100
  • EQ: Schiit Loki Mini
  • Sources: Mac Mini (iTunes/Kodi), Apple TV, Sony Blu-ray
I’m looking for recommendations for speakers that have that classic wood/vintage vibe but fit the budget and pair well with the Parasound. Should I go with the Triangles, or is there a "Hidden Gem" in the $800–$1,000 range I’m missing?

Thanks in advance!
 
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If you like those speakers and your wife also approves of them then why not just rebuild? Maybe you can even get parts direct from Klipsch.
 
When you say blown woofers, you mean the foam surrounds are gone or the voice coils are burned up?
 
I will go with some blasphemy...

Mackie Thrash 215 or Mackie Thump 215XT or Mackie Thump Go.

Look, for fun, and see what you think.

Your wife and kids can't blow these up.
 
mathuwm said:
what about

Polk Audio Monitor 10B​

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It seems I misread your initial post, if I'm not mistaken you're looking for new speakers that have that vintage look?

While the Polk's are great speakers one of the drawbacks is the vinyl veneer they used, while it looks like wood it's not and can be a little cheesy looking.

On the other hand there are plenty of folks who have documented stripping the vinyl veneer and applying actual wood veneer. It would be a project though espcially if one has never done it before.
 
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Enophile said:
I will go with some blasphemy...

Mackie Thrash 215 or Mackie Thump 215XT or Mackie Thump Go.

Look, for fun, and see what you think.

Your wife and kids can't blow these up.
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LOL. my wife would hate those. If I were back in college they would be awesome for parties.
 
The Drivers got trashed because somebody had the wrong input selected, cranked the preamp to 11, then switched the input selector.
Scared the you know what out of me.
 
mathuwm said:
Voice coils are trashed
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Don't know where you live, but good condition Klipsch Chorus 1 and similar can be found in the rural South for around $1000 a pair. I sold a mint condition pair for a little more than that last year.
 
If you were happy with the Klipsch's before I'd repair them and install the Krites crossovers.

Tons of service and parts available for them.

A simple 3 amp fuse inline would have saved the speakers.

Installed hundreds of fuses over the years.

Couple times a year i get a call thanking me for that installed feature...

:)
 
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If you like the Klipsch sound (as I do as well), have you considered other speakers in the KG line? There were a bunch of different form factors, some in nice wood finishes.
 
Fleabay has some KG2 replacement woofers for sale for not a lot of money. Just make sure they are exact replacements as fleabay sellers can be shady at times.
 
BmWr75 said:
Fleabay has some KG2 replacement woofers for sale for not a lot of money. Just make sure they are exact replacements as fleabay sellers can be shady at times.
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They also have some actual Klipsch KG2 woofers available used.
 
I am Leaning toward Triangle Borea BR04 Bookshelf Speakers. I need something ready to go and rebuilding the Kg2's is a project, and I already have to many of those. Still open to other Ideas for new/newish speakers
 
mathuwm said:
I am Leaning toward Triangle Borea BR04 Bookshelf Speakers. I need something ready to go and rebuilding the Kg2's is a project, and I already have to many of those. Still open to other Ideas for new/newish speakers
Click to expand...

I’ve had pair of BR04s on stands for a couple of years now and am very happy with them. The green/grey grille cloth looks suitably vintage as a bonus, but of course you can pick whatever suits you or perhaps more importantly, your wife.
 
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