Klipsch ...
... is an audiophile speakers gorilla, but unfortunately is privately held so not an investment opportunity.
Mike,
<< i have been a long time Klipsch speaker maniac owning my first pair in high school. i had no idea that they make computer speakers. i wonder if they are still made in hope arkansas??? >>
Evidently, at least most of their products are. From their website ...
>> Since 1946, Klipsch Audio Technologies has always remained true to its founder's vision of producing no-compromise, premium-quality audio products. As one of the first U.S. loudspeaker companies, Klipsch continues to be the high-performance brand of choice for audiophiles and home theater aficionados around the world. From humble beginnings in a tin shed in Hope, Arkansas, Klipsch has become one of the leading manufacturers of loudspeakers for audio and home theater use. The company was founded by legendary audio engineer Paul W. Klipsch on the promise of a corner, horn-loaded speaker design. Movie theaters and concert halls had long used horns to reproduce motion picture soundtracks, however those horns, at over nine feet long, were much too large for use in the home. Klipsch's solution was to fold the horn back onto itself and place the speaker cabinet in a corner, making the walls of the room an extension of the horn. An unquestionable success, the Klipschorn®, patented in 1945, is still considered by many to be the finest loudspeaker ever made and is the only speaker in the world that has been in continuous production for over 50 years. ... <snip> ... Up to the age of 96, Paul Klipsch played an active role in the company he and his wife Valerie sold to a cousin and Indianapolis businessman Fred Klipsch and his wife Judy in 1989. Paul W. Klipsch passed away on May 5, 2002. He was 98 years old. Since the change in ownership, the company has experienced tremendous growth. The product line has expanded greatly and since the year 2000, the company has introduced more new products than at any other time in its 58-year history. While founded on the principle of reproducing "concert quality" audio, much of the company's growth today can be attributed to sales of home theater loudspeaker systems. Priding itself on offering a full-line of products, Klipsch manufactures floorstanding, bookshelf and architectural loudspeakers, powered subwoofers, center channels and surround sound speakers.
Klipsch is a globally recognized brand known for its ultradynamic sound systems for homes, computers, professional cinemas and commercial venues, including more than 100 Hard Rock Cafes in 36 countries and thousands of movie theaters across the U.S. alone. With a cult-status following of dedicated fans, Klipsch is acclaimed throughout the industry as an innovator that strives for excellence in the powerful, detailed reproduction of music and film sound. With the acquisition of the former Mondial Designs company in 2001, Klipsch Audio Technologies also manufactures high-end amplifiers, preamplifiers, processors and other electronics and accessories under the Aragon brand name. Klipsch Audio Technologies is a privately held global corporation with worldwide headquarters in Indianapolis, manufacturing facilities in Hope, Arkansas, and wholly owned subsidiary Klipsch Europe BV in the Netherlands. <<
klipsch.com
<< anyway, if their computer speakers are anything like their audio speakers, that would be my first choice!!! >>
The recently released ($380 delivered at Amazon where they are "coming soon") Klipsch "iFi" 2:1 system looks like it may be the Cadillac of iPOD speaker systems and, since it has a line in jack, also the Cadillac of 2:1 PC speaker systems. I'll be looking at them when I can audition them locally. The Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2:0 pair without subwoofer also get excellent reviews. They sell for ~$115 delivered.
I am however now enjoying my ($120 delivered Friday from PC Nation) 200 watt Logitech Z-2300 2:1 speaker set which is now completing burn-in. I'm using the satellites as full room speakers in my office rather than near-field and they are placed forward at 8' separation 30" off the floor -- since their fixed angle is slightly upwards, and each is 8' from my primary listening position. They sound great there, but also at the desk 15' directly behind me. Very rich and warm midrange, very good bass that will shake the walls but gets a tad confused at times, very clean sound at relatively high volume levels as well as very low levels where I normally listen although these invite turning the volume up, and they have excellent stereo separation. They fill my 350 sq. ft office, and the well designed remote control sits just left of the mute and volume buttons on my Microsoft multimedia keyboard. For the money they are an exceptional value -- more than I expected since they replaced a decent Altec Lansing 2:1 system with a good subwoofer. At their price I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who subscribes streaming/downloading music services like Rhapsody or music store download services like Rhapsody, or simply rips and stores CDs or vinyl, but the Klipsch "iFi" looks like the high end route to travel.
Best,
- Eric - |
