How good can 56 year old speakers be?

[craigsub]

Hi guys - most of you know that I love this hobby. My all time dream has been to get a pair of JBL Hartsfields, Klipschorns or Electrovoice Georgians.

The Klipschorns have always used drivers from Electrovoice - the differences between the speakers were cosmetic.

Back in the "mono 50's", all three speakers were considered the ultimate for clarity and dynamics.

I have looked at speakers for about 15 years now - and had a pair of K-horns for a while, but they did not match the decor of our basement theater.

I found a pair of Electrovoice Georgians recently - they were recently restored, and new wiring added. The finish and look matched well with a 1930's Victrola and 1930's large tube radio we have in this same basement.

The speakers arrived Wednesday, and my son helped Dad set them up yesterday.

We fired up "Hell Freezes Over" (Eagles, 1994), and everyone was astonished at the sound these 56 year young speakers made.

Here are a couple of pics (which do not do the system justice - they look a lot better in real life).

Flood lights on:




Flood lights off:

[Dank]

Craig. Those are SSSWEEET and very rare. Congrats on a great find. A buddy of mine had a pair. Of k horns back in the day l loved them. They where just too. Big.

[sbisheff]

Awesome! I REALLY like the sound of the old Klipsch Heritage speakers so I'm sure those sound great as well. The clarity and dynamics are astounding. Very very nice find Craig.

Scott

[rsa]

Beautiful. :applause: Your basement seems smaller than I remember from previous pictures... :D

[Ajax]

That's the small end of the basement. If you could turn a 180, and look the other way, you would be looking down a 45' long basement.

Craig, you know I loved the sound of your K-horns, particularly outside with no room interaction. If you like these as well or better, you've got some great sounding speakers. Cosmetically, there are PERFECT for your room. :applause:

[sbdman]

This was interesting - if you didn't care about the furniture grade exterior, you could get the interior kit with everything needed for $342. Interesting horn arrangement.

Yeah, those were probably the days when a car could be a couple thousand, too.

I assume you open the cabinet doors when playing or is the sub just back firing? Kind of a horn loaded IB?

[rsa]

That's the small end of the basement. If you could turn a 180, and look the other way, you would be looking down a 45' long basement.

A failed attempt at humor. Such big speakers making the room look smaller... :)

[Ajax]

A failed attempt at humor. Such big speakers making the room look smaller... :)

DOH! :doh! 1: Sorry, I missed it. My fault.

[craigsub]

Steve - it is back loaded, making the corner part of the horn - thus "Corner Horn". Those doors do not open - cosmetic only. Otherwise, they would likely vibrate, and the seal required would be difficult.

These speakers are just plain fun ! We had some college kids over yesterday (everyone is home on break_), and they ended up HAVING to watch a movie in this room. They were loving how speakers this old made such great sound.:woo:

[Spiralout]

those things are hideous craig. When you get tired of looking at them, please let me know and I'll haul them away for you. I won't even charge. :salute:
:cool:

[craigsub]

those things are hideous craig. When you get tired of looking at them, please let me know and I'll haul them away for you. I won't even charge. :salute:
:cool:

I will keep this in mind .. :biglaugh:

Thanks for the note, it was much appreciated! :applause:

[zora]

Sweet old school speakers. It is always a nice reminder that basic driver designs haven't change much since the 1920's (better materials not withstanding.) Direct radiator and horn designs are still as "fashionable" today as they were in the 1950's.

[Terrypatterson]

Hi guys - most of you know that I love this hobby. My all time dream has been to get a pair of JBL Hartsfields, Klipschorns or Electrovoice Georgians.

The Klipschorns have always used drivers from Electrovoice - the differences between the speakers were cosmetic.

Back in the "mono 50's", all three speakers were led lighting considered the ultimate for clarity and dynamics.

I have looked at speakers for about 15 years now - and had a pair of K-horns for a while, but they did not match the decor of our basement theater.

I found a pair of Electrovoice Georgians recently - they were recently restored, and new wiring added. The finish and look matched well with a 1930's Victrola and 1930's large tube radio we have in this same basement.

The speakers arrived Wednesday, and my son helped Dad set them up yesterday.

We fired up "Hell Freezes Over" (Eagles, 1994), and everyone was astonished at the sound these 56 year young speakers made.

Here are a couple of pics (which do not do the system justice - they look a lot better in real life).

Flood lights on:




Flood lights off:

YOu have very interesting and exciting hobby. Keep the good work going

[KlipschHead281]

Now those are SWEET Craig!

This 1938 12S267 shakes my entire living room. This picture was taken at the place that restored it for me.
He had no room in the back so he put it out on display, several people tried to buy it!

[diamonddelts]

I would love to hear an older pair of Klipschorns or Altec A7's. I need to know if the legends are true.:D