Yamaha NS-690 MkII vs. Klipschorn

[gouzos]

I have the following dilemma:

I have a set of NS-690 MkII, with which I am quite happy.

There is however a pair of Klipschorns in very good state on offer almost locally and at a very good price (for european standards).

I am very tempted. Any views?

I should mention that my current room is not that appropriate, but when I move in about a year, it will be just fine for them.

 

[Coytee]

I'm not familar with your NS speakers. That said, not many speakers will pressurize an entire room like a pair of Khorn will.

Also, not many speakers (if any?) are as space efficient as a pair of Khorns. Most speakers like to be pulled out from the rear and side walls a bit (cutting into room space) whereas the Khorns want (need) to be tucked tightly into the corners which is space that is generally unused.

So they're out of the way more than most other speakers, pressurize the room unlike most other speakers. They have some faults but those can be addressed if you want to throw some energy & cash at the issues.

I'd say try it.... if you don't like it you can always move them on to the next person.

 

[ehoove]

What model Klipsch, and what are you driving the speakers with?
Regards,
Jim

 

[legalalien]

Apples and oranges really, I owned and enjoyed my NS690 MK1's which I recently passed to a friend in need. The Klipschhorns are a totally different commitment, they'll need a BIG room with two appropriate corners, a quality tube amp and a careful system matching to maximize what they're capable of. If you're not prepared to do this you may want to pass on them. There are plenty of forums dedicated to these beasts and tons of tweaks and upgrades available. Have you ever actually heard a pair and did they captivate you?

 

[twiiii]

Your 690's are toys placed against a pair of Corner horns. That said it takes a great room to get great sound from Corner horns. Nice Corners with no restriction to impede the out put of the LF horns. A seating location maybe 5 or 10 degrees behind where the axis of the horns cross. Then finding a nice Belle as a center channel to complete the presentation. Your 690s have a nice sound, but are very dynamically challenged and easily over driven in larger rooms. Klipschorns thrive in larger rooms. 60 watts per channel is all the power you will ever need unless you want to blow down walls. I installed my share with MC 60's 275's, 2105's and 2125's and rarely did folks use much more than 3 to 10 watts and that was LOUD. The quality of sound of a Klipschorn is in your face compared to a Yamaha, but once you educate your self to that you'll wonder how you ever listened to your 690's with very poor definition. Some versions of Klipsch heritage line are little bright so don't be afraid to use your tone controls. Finding the right listening position can be a process to as rooms have so much influence on the spectral balance. You can change the balance of the midrange by adjust the crossover to reduce the out put a few db if you wish. This is a great opportunity. I would buy them understanding like any fine musical instrument some voicing might be necessary to get the final result you desire. But don't go jumping off a cliff, take easy small steps at first if you feel the sound spectrum needs to be balanced differently. I think you will really enjoy your purchase in the future and for many years to come.

 

[gouzos]

what are you driving the speakers with?

I have a nice Yamaha M4 power amp, a TOTL Onkyo Integra pre (P3890) and a nice Luxman phono pre. Good items I'm satisfied with, but not tube of course... I would perhaps be willing to change things

"they'll need a BIG room with two appropriate corners, a quality tube amp and a careful system matching to maximize what they're capable of. If you're not prepared to do this you may want to pass on them.[...] Have you ever actually heard a pair and did they captivate you?

The new room woulb be pretty big. Around 8m x 4,5m and they would have to be at the short side. There is a window about 1,5m along one of the short walls. A marble fireplace protruding from the wall would be between them. So not perfect, but maybe not that bad.
I have never heard any Klipsch. In fact never heard horns. But horns are exactly what I find intriguing and want to try.

Thanks a lot for all the friendly comments. I would really like to also hear from other people having had both..