To prospective KLIPSCH buyer/owner...
In order to fully appreciate the beauty, finess and strength of the klipsch speakers...IMHO ;)you need to audition it with tube-based systems.
If you go to the standard dealers, like AAVID they are used with almost low end solid state receivers...OUCH!!!!! masakit makinig...very revealing. That is why these speakers get a bad rap...horns sound honky, forward...etc!..I don't think so! It is the supporting gear that you hear.
But to listen to a KLIPSCH with good tube amps (even Php 10-15k vintage tube gear) will result in total different litening experience.
In Wiredstate one of the GURUS - Prof. TOOBS has a old mid-level klipsch driven by a 3/4 watts (LESS THAN 1 WATT) DIY amp (which cost a GRAND TOTAL of Php 11,000...mahal.....na mahal niya ang amp)...all I can say is...you have to hear his system ...and you will believe it!
Even the generic KLIPSCH...DTX yata...in Master HYPERTRIODE's place sound really good...again with the correct tube gear.
A DAVID WILSON - WATT PUPPY (20,000 usd) speaker system driven by the same ss receiver you will hear with what is normally connected to the KLIPSCH demo...I am almost sure will sound ...like the amp....
Another thing I learned about these speaker is that they are very versatile. I have had high end minimonitor...perfect for voice, chamber music and orchestra...but put a Phill Collins live concert...kulang!...but with klipsch...may laban.
Enjoy the audition...that is one of the best part of this hobby. Remember you are the customer, they need you more, you do not need them.
Thanks for your comment, however we would like to clarify the issue.
It is long belief that Klipsch speakers are good for tube amp only...however this is not the case in today's current situation.
Klipsch speaker's are good in both tube or solid state amp....so its a matters of listener's ear to do the choice.
Klipsch is an old brand dating back from 1945....and hand in hand became famous at the golden age of tube amp.
Solid state technology back then was in still in a sorry state. However with the great improvements in technology, it can match the tube amp in bringing the best of Klipsch speakers.
There are models of Klipsch speaker that is really develop for tube amp...this is the case for Klipschorn, La scala and other Legend series speakers...since this are designed in the era of the great days of tube amp. This models mentioned, are still available with a price ranging from US$400 to US$3,500 a piece. We are still happy to say that many still purchasing this great speakers.
As for the case of the Synergy and Reference this are newly designed models, where technology of Solid state is already credible. Being a distributor, we have seen a lot of buyers comment to us that they are happy with their Klipsch speakers. Some are using it in tube but most using it in solid state amp like NAD, ARCAM, Harman/Kardon, Lexicon, ACURUS and Aragon, Proceed and even Sunfire.
Klipsch is a progessive audio design company, thus they follow the technology change without changing their principle that their speakers should sound great in every aspect.
I think the only thing that makes a difference with Klipsch speakers if the amp is designed "Japanese" or "Western". According to AES there difference with the Japanese...they process their listening senses in the left hemisphere of their brain while Westener and other parts of the worl listen to the right hemisphere. Though the listening difference is not yet further studied
