| Author |
Thread: Best Looking Speakers, Period.... |
    
audio-oni Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 04:19 pm: |
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Hello! 1st post here, and kinda a newbie.
I've decided to jump into the world of good audio system despite my wife's reservation about cost and space it all would take in our living room.
So I decided to make her happy by getting speakers that sound and look nice. NOTE: I want to show case the speakers, and not hide them in walls, behind faux rocks, or make them small like souveniers. I kinda want to make a stamement that big speakers can be pretty.
Anyway, so which of the fllor standing speakers do you think looks the best? I like the look of NHT's fllor stander with their piano laquer, but maybe there's something else out there.
Thanks,
audio-oni |
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Silver Member Username: Cornelius
Post Number: 143
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 04:26 pm: |
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I always thought Totems looked nice. Nice finishes and smaller sizes.
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Silver Member Username: Paul_ohstbucks
Post Number: 855
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 04:30 pm: |
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price range? |
audio-oni Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 04:36 pm: |
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I'd say 2k is max for a pair. |
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 05:14 pm: |
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That rules out the ultra-cool looking B&W's that go for $20,000 a piece...
Form over function? |
Bronze Member Username: Xsound
Myrtle Beach,
SC
United States
Post Number: 71
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 05:45 pm: |
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You don't mention what type of electronics you will be running, what types of music you will be listening to, or the percentage of music to movies you will be running. Also the room size and characteristics would be helpful: hardwood floors, or carpet, etc.
I understand the Wharfedale Opus line is incredible in appearance and sound quality. They fit in your price range.
I also hear very good things about Quad's l-series speakers.
2 very unusual speakers that sometimes achieve a high WAF are Magnepan and OHM. They are very different speakers appearance wise, but for some reason women sometimes think they are cool. Both have very distinctive sounds and rabid fan-bases. There may be a Maggie dealer near you, but OHM is only available on-line; however they have a very generous home demo period.
Another on-line company that seems to have some of the best looking speakers around in Onix Rocket. You can check them out at av123.com. I have never heard them, but reviewers seem to really like the sound, and their following is very hardcore.
A more traditional looking speaker with nice real wood veneer finishes are Monitor Audio.
Enjoy |
Silver Member Username: Dmwiley
Post Number: 590
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 05:56 pm: |
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What difference does it make as to what the other posters think on this topic? Don't you have enough brains to figure out what looks best to you? If you don't, you need a lot more help than anyone in this forum can provide. |
audio-oni Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 06:21 pm: |
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Dale,
I am asking around for what others think. I happen to be quite open-minded. I have my own preferences, but there are probably more speakers out there than any one can throw a stick at, so it's good to see what others have to say. After all isn't that why we all come and participate in a forum? To hear what others have to say, to open our eyes and eras a little bit?
Chill out, I feel sorry for those who have to deal with you on a daily basis...
audio-oni |
Silver Member Username: Stealth_c
Dublin,
CA
USA
Post Number: 206
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 06:24 pm: |
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I personally like the wood veneers on Cambridge Soundworks speakers, but not too many people here much care for their stuff. |
Silver Member Username: Gavincumm
Post Number: 207
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 07:54 pm: |
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the wood veneers on usher audio speakers are to die for, as well as the sound. check 'em out!
http://www.usheraudio.com/
they sure LOOK expensive, and sound it as well. However they are really affordable. |
Bronze Member Username: Mauimusicman
Post Number: 50
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 08:04 pm: |
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Well....there are GMA Europas. They are made of "cast marble". Europa. Lemon pledge makes them shine nicely too. Europa. Plus nothing beats their sound. Europa. Those Usher speakers look pretty darned nice though, I must admit. Europa. Just can't help but think of the recording artist though. Europa. |
Silver Member Username: Gavincumm
Post Number: 208
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 08:20 pm: |
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here we go again with the impersonator pushing speakers he has never heard. |
Silver Member Username: Eramsey
South carolina
United States
Post Number: 123
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 08:24 pm: |
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Hey Gavin how much U.S.D. are those big speakers with the 15" drivers on the Usheraudio website? E.Ramsey |
Bronze Member Username: Mauimusicman
Post Number: 51
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 08:25 pm: |
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I wouldn't call it "pushing", merely suggesting. Europa. Even that is more of a joke than anything. Europa. Lighten up Gavin. Europa. |
Silver Member Username: Gavincumm
Post Number: 210
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 08:39 pm: |
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the horn speakers? they ARE expensive at $20,000 a pair, but must be totally awesome to listen to.
for a run down on the prices on usher speakers this is the best link I have found.
http://responseaudio.com/usher%20loudspeakers.htm
check it out. Usher Audio is dealer only, but they will sell to you if there isnt a local dealer close to you. Trust me, these speakers really do look (and sound) the part.
Usher audio speakers (the sane ones) are priced anywhere from $400 up (the CP-730 are only $1400 a pair for towers)
I think you will love them.
www.usheraudio.com
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Silver Member Username: Eramsey
South carolina
United States
Post Number: 124
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 08:46 pm: |
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Thanks for the info Gavin! Those dual 15" towers look VERY impressive and I'm sure they sound heavenly! E.Ramsey |
Silver Member Username: Petergalbraith
Rimouski,
Quebec
Canada
Post Number: 502
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 09:32 pm: |
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The best looking for me (he didn't say small) is the Klipschorn. It looks like a nice piece of furniture. For example, they sit in the corners in this picture:
http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/files/Feb2-media%20room%2012.jpg |
Bronze Member Username: Pbdr
Post Number: 13
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 09:36 pm: |
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For something that is fairly traditional, but still nice to look at. Check out PSB: http://www.psbspeakers.com/ Their image line is well thought of and I like the way they look.
For somehting VERY distictive, and also verywell thought of. Check out the Gallo Reference series: http://www.roundsound.com/ref3.html
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Bronze Member Username: Pbdr
Post Number: 14
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 09:37 pm: |
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Oh, also, try and ignore Dale's abusive posting. Appearently he's a jerk... |
Silver Member Username: Eramsey
South carolina
United States
Post Number: 125
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 10:05 pm: |
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Ditto on that Peter! E.Ramsey |
Silver Member Username: Gavincumm
Post Number: 211
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 10:23 pm: |
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the ref. 3 is an OUTSTANDING speaker in every way. gets my acolades along with my Usher Audio post above |
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 3713
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 10:25 pm: |
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When we know nothing about your tastes other than you want to make a statement, it is like opening the telephone book to find a name you like. Too many pssibilities.
Might I suggest speakers do not have to be large to make a statement. Big speakers either sound horrible shoved into a space you can walk around or they sound much better 7' out into the middle of the room. Read some reviews if you doubt this fact. If you insist on a big speaker which can exist quitely in a corner until called upon, listen to the Allison line. http://www.allisonacoustics.com/
If clarity and musicality are the goals to which you aspire, there are many speakers that do not require the side of a room to accomplish that task. Most people will be more impressed by the amount of sound they hear coming from a small speaker and subwoofer than a behemoth. If WAF is a concern, I would suggest there are better people to ask than a bunch of guys on an audio forum. (No offense, guys.) Why don't you ask your wife what she prefers and go from there. If she says she prefers Bose, get a divorce. FAST!
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Silver Member Username: Petergalbraith
Rimouski,
Quebec
Canada
Post Number: 504
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 10:31 pm: |
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If clarity and musicality are the goals to which you aspire, there are many speakers that do not require the side of a room to accomplish that task.
That was aimed squared at me, but you don't say why?
You're implying that's it a bad thing, but a lot of people like their khorns. |
Silver Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 388
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 10:37 pm: |
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I'm sick I suppose but I really like the way the B&W 705 looks on its stands. I also like Totems, Usher, Sonus Faber, and Dali. These speakers aren't all unique but they look well make. At 2k most floorstanders look like....well....speakers. A beautiful bookshelf speaker at that price is the Paradigm S2, wonderful wood veneers under piano laqcuer finishes..quite the yummy speaker. |
cousin_it Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 10:56 pm: |
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I agree with Arthur and Gavin about the Ushers. I was just looking into them yesterday at the responseaudio.com site. |
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 3714
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 11:53 pm: |
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Well, golly gosh, Peter, certainly I remember every component every forum member owns. No, I was not speaking implicitly about K-Horns, yours or anyone else's. I would not suggest K-Horns to anyone unless I knew the speakers would work in their room. I have no information that suggests audio-oni can make the best of K-Horns. Unless the speaker is flush to the wall all along its rear edge, the horn loading will not work properly and the bass response will suffer. Though also corner loaded, the Allison's do not have this requirement for fit. Like Quads and Apogees, Dunlevy's and Wilsons, along with many other large speakers, a blanket recommendation of a K-Horn is out of the question.
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Bronze Member Username: Diablo
Fylde Coast, England
Post Number: 97
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:19 am: |
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How about BeoLab 5 speakers?
They don't look like speakers at all, just two identical works of art which will become more valuable as the years roll on (maybe).
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Silver Member Username: Petergalbraith
Rimouski,
Quebec
Canada
Post Number: 506
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:20 am: |
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Jan, I wasn't making blanket recommendations on what to buy, just stuff he should look at that happens to look good. If they met the WAF criteria, then he can looks into them further.
I don't own khorns, yet. But I posted about 'em and you had that wall comment... Am I getting too touchy? |
Silver Member Username: Edster922
Abubala,
Ababala
The Occupation
Post Number: 398
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:42 am: |
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audi-oni,
LOL, don't mind Dale, he's just...well, Dale.
I normally love to recommend Ascend CMT-340s but since you listed "cool-looking" and "making a statement that big speakers can be pretty" I had to cross them off---exquisite sound quality at an unbelievable price but just a plain black box.
Since I do like the Internet-direct business model, let me point you to these Swan 6.1s in Real Rosewood:
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/cgi-bin/theaudioinsider/speaker.html
Not sure how they actually sound but I love the top-cabinet tweeters (a B&W knockoff probably). Have heard positive feedback about them on other forums though.
I also like how Magnepan speakers look, though your wife might not agree...LOL! |
Bronze Member Username: Jimvm
Gonzales,
Louisiana
U.S.A.
Post Number: 54
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:57 am: |
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audio-oni - Adhering to your criteria of floorstanding and around $2k, I'd have to say B&W 704's. |
Silver Member Username: Paul_ohstbucks
Post Number: 858
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 01:38 am: |
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C'mon....Cerwin Vegas look the best!! How can anyone resist that beautiful orange ring??
HEH |
Silver Member Username: Dmwiley
Post Number: 595
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 08:54 am: |
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Jimvm, you neglected the most important criterion: they must be pretty. Although the original poster indicated he wanted something that sounded and looked nice, his question was: "Anyway, so which of the fllor standing speakers do you think looks the best?" Obviously, sound is not a primary consideration. At least Paul's somewhat facetious last entry responds directly to the inquiry. Most of the other responses do not. Pity. But not uncommon. |
Silver Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 513
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:18 am: |
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audio-oni
Not sure where you are so not sure what the prices are in your area, but here are some pretty speakers, some of which you will discount because they're standmounts (why do they have to be floorstanders?). Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so if you don't like you're blind  :
Wilson benesch ARC (http://www.wilson-benesch.com/arc/arc.html - the stand is part of the speaker)
Sonus Faber (any - they're almost all gorgeous)
Chario
Totem Arro, Hawk and Forest
B&W 704
Naim Allae
Regards,
Frank. |
Bronze Member Username: Divin11112000
Michigan
Post Number: 33
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:37 pm: |
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I would have to throw my opinion in of Martin Logan's. The flatness of the electromagnetic is pretty awesome looking. Unfortunately I found that if your not in the "sweet spot" they lose some of their sound (at least the model that I heard, not sure if it is in all of their speakers)
jmo
chris |
Bronze Member Username: Jimvm
Gonzales,
Louisiana
U.S.A.
Post Number: 55
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 01:31 pm: |
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"Jimvm, you neglected the most important criterion: they must be pretty. Although the original poster indicated he wanted something that sounded and looked nice, his question was: "Anyway, so which of the fllor standing speakers do you think looks the best?" Obviously, sound is not a primary consideration. At least Paul's somewhat facetious last entry responds directly to the inquiry. Most of the other responses do not. Pity. But not uncommon."
My reply was to his question: Which looks the best -- given the criteria he stated regarding type and cost. I tried to be helpful. Did you? |
Silver Member Username: Gavincumm
Post Number: 219
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 01:32 pm: |
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the MartinLogan mosaic and montage are in the price range mentioned, which is about 2 grand fot the mosaic, and 1500 for the montage.
The mosaic and montage use a driver similar to magnepan, called ATF, short for advanced thin film. These drivers are actually made by Bohlender Graebener (sp) and sold to Martin Logan for them to modify to their needs.
These speakers sound awesome when broken in, but absolutly CAN NOT be driven by anything less than the best you can afford. Driven by cheap, mass market reciever (sony, onkyo, etc.) they will sound shrill and hollow. However, spend a little on a rotel or NAD reciever at the bare minimum, and you will reap all these speakers can give you.
Thank you for reminding me of these remarkable speakers! |
Bronze Member Username: Gigondrums
Post Number: 12
Registered: Mar-04
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| Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:17 pm: |
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Elac 310.2 jet & Elac 330.2 jet:
Don't know if anyone mentioned these, but they sound great, with surprising bass output.
http://www.elac.com/en/index.html
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Silver Member Username: Dmwiley
Post Number: 604
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 08:54 pm: |
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Yep. I think you were just about as hepful as I. No more, no less. |
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| Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:50 pm: |
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Hi, I have a pair of Klipsch SF-1's and the tweeter is blown. How easy is it to fix myself? |
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 3723
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:12 pm: |
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We can't tell you on this thread unless they're really good looking speakers. |
richard_head Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:33 pm: |
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"Hi, I have a pair of Klipsch SF-1's and the tweeter is blown. How easy is it to fix myself?"
Ask Maui, he knows.
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Silver Member Username: Petergalbraith
Rimouski,
Quebec
Canada
Post Number: 526
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 09:44 am: |
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Anon, start a new thread!
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