HRDROKN's System.....

Looking at the specs of those drivers:

Nominal Basket Diameter 12", 304.8mm
Nominal Impedance* 4 ohms
Power Rating
Watts 500W
Music Program 1000W
Resonance 51Hz
Usable Frequency Range 45Hz-2.3kHz
Sensitivity*** 93.1
Magnet Weight 56 oz.
Gap Height 0.375", 9.53mm
Voice Coil Diameter 2.5", 63.5mm

I believe you when you say that they're not as "punchy." You should be running 2 tfm-55xs in mono, one for each pair if you want to even come close to driving them properly. As far as hitting noticably lower, maybe the elimination of the passive crossover has extended the low end response a bit? It seems to me though, that its probably due to a grossly misaligned tuning frequency if anything, wrong size box and ports per new drivers. I'm not an expert in these matters but I do know that ported boxes are specifically tuned to the drivers per cabinet volume.

Looking at the specs of those drivers:

Nominal Basket Diameter 12", 304.8mm
Nominal Impedance* 4 ohms
Power Rating
Watts 500W
Music Program 1000W
Resonance 51Hz
Usable Frequency Range 45Hz-2.3kHz
Sensitivity*** 93.1
Magnet Weight 56 oz.
Gap Height 0.375", 9.53mm
Voice Coil Diameter 2.5", 63.5mm

I believe you when you say that they're not as "punchy." You should be running 2 tfm-55xs in mono, one for each pair if you want to even come close to driving them properly. As far as hitting noticably lower, maybe the elimination of the passive crossover has extended the low end response a bit? It seems to me though, that its probably due to a grossly misaligned tuning frequency if anything, wrong size box and ports per new drivers. I'm not an expert in these matters but I do know that ported boxes are specifically tuned to the drivers per cabinet volume.

Jesse...you running two bridged 55's into the 30's???? That's about 1000/per channel if I recollect into 200 watt speakers. Aren't you afraid of blowing something up???

No, I'm running my new 225x5 bi-amped to my '30s. I'm commenting on HRDROKN's new drivers he replaced in his '30s-- he described them as "not as punchy" but he's running them with a single TFM-35x in stereo. The KLF-30s run dual 12s on each speaker and are rated 200 watts rms, 800 peak. The drivers he went with are rated 500 rms each and 1000 peak. I'm thinking the new drivers should have the dual 55s to restore some of that punch!

Remember that my TFM-35x has been modified by Rich, so it has a bit more bang than stock.

Interesting read... I also have the KLF-30s and have been thinking about crossover/ woofer replacement. I've already added the titanium tweeters and mid range replacements. Did you try running the active crossover before you switched drivers? I've talked with Bob Crites a couple of times about building custom 2-way passive crossovers for the upper end but so far he just wants to sell me the complete set. I was thinking about ordering his driver replacements he has on eBay for $200 a pair. I would only do it though if he would work a deal on custom crossovers at the same time. Where did you buy your woofer replacements, how much were they and do you reccomend them? Thanks.

Yes, I've been running the active crossover for a while now. I would have kept the K31's, but after years of abuse, I felt the need to try something different. I did not do a bunch of calculations either... the recommended ported volume was in the ballpark and I got a good price on the speakers. I might try a different set in the future. I do like the vocals now... they have a nicer tone, more low end than before, just doesn't seem to punch out that midbass. I would recommend more research.

Thanks for the review. I've been looking at a few options for my drivers as one of them has started buzzing on me at low volume. It's really annoying on certain songs but otherwise sounds fine and still cranks. I have them bi-amped now with the Sunfire and would like to go with an active crossover in the near future. I really love these speakers as they are now and I'm kind of afraid that I'll screw them up some how if I change them. I asked Bob Crites about his replacement drivers and he told me that they were designed for the Heresy IIs (small sealed box) and that he just tried them one day in the KLF-30s and liked the way they sound. I do trust Bob Crites and have bought numerous items from him but usually he has things designed for specific applications. I might just have all four woofers reconed by a shop in Seattle. Anyway, glad to see a fellow Klipsch guy on here! Thanks again.

45 hz doesn't seem like a very low bottom end for a speaker of that SIZE (They're huge if you've never seen them). Perhaps that driver isn't suitable for your application after all...? Can't imagine the old driver wasn't better. The KLF-30s are supposedly flat to lower than 30 hz I thought....?

From the Klipsch website for the KLF-30:

Specifications
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 36Hz-20kHz(+-)3dB
POWER HANDLING 200 watts maximum continuous (800 watts peak)
SENSITIVITY 102dB @ 1watt/1meter
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY HF 7,000 Hz
LF 825 Hz
TWEETER K-79-K 1" (2.54cm) Polymer diaphragm compression driver
HIGH FREQUENCY HORN 90(o)x40(o) Exponential Horn
MIDRANGE K-52 1.5" (3.81cm) Polymer diaphragm compression driver
MID FREQUENCY HORN 90(o)x60(o) Tractrix(r) Horn
WOOFER Two K-31-K 12" (30.48cm) Poly Carbon Graphite cones
ENCLOSURE MATERIAL Medium density fiberboard construction (MDF)
ENCLOSURE TYPE Bass reflex via dual rear-mounted ports
DIMENSIONS 45.25" (114.94cm) x 14" (35.56cm) x 16" (40.64cm)
WEIGHT 102 lbs. (46.31kg)
FINISHES Light Oak, Medium Oak, Mahogany, Black Satin
BUILT FROM 1996
BUILT UNTIL 2001

Hey,
I'm thinking about a set of KSF-5.5's for $300.00.
What do you guys think of them ?

I talked with Bob Crites also because I wanted to build a new set of Chorus speakers. He told me that the drivers and horns are not available anymore.


Rick,

Chorus would be pretty hard to build because of parts. The woofer is not made any more and that is probably also true of the midrange and tweeter. So almost all the parts would have to be found on the used parts market. Much easier to build one of the Klipsch Heritage speakers like the Cornwall or Heresy since every part is available for those.

Thanks,

Bob Crites
1925 East Gum Log Rd.
Russellville, AR
72802
phone 479-967-1542
bobcrites@mac.com


So I thought I'd give the 5.5's a try.

Are you talking about the KG 5.5s?

They don't look like the KG series.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ele/2227684473.html
What do you think ?

Now that I compared them side by side. They are KG-5.5's.
The Lister is full of beans !

They look just like KLF-10s except the port is in front instead of the rear...

Those are the KG 5.5s-- They're good speakers, definitly have a lot of slam to them. Since they're only a 2 way design they seem to lack just a little bit of midrange or full bodied mids when compared side by side to like a Quartet or Forte. Those are my personal favorite out of the whole KG line up as they were the top of the line in that series and carry a big punch. $300 is a good price if they're in mint condition. I think the next step up from there would be the Forte' IIs but they sell for around $500. Good luck!

Thanks jjptkd,
Your avatar makes me drool by the way !