1400 Array.....anyone have?

[mwjw]

The 1400 Array really does not have a "horn" sound. It does have the huge dynamic range that you expect of a horn speaker but you do need a lot of power to extract it. I have listed to the 1400 with a number of amps. I particularly like it with the MC-452 but you can use nearly all of the power available if you are a loud listener, in that case the 601's would be better. That being said, if you dont need to play at concert levels, event the ARC VSI-60 is pleasant to listen to on them. They are a much more neutral speaker than the Khorn with a lot more focus in the soundstage. The presentation is big but maybe not the "wall of sound" that the Khorns have. The Everest's are for that.

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by Pyro

Jon,

You seem to be taking a path similar to mine from several years ago asking about a variety of speakers.

Can you consolidate into one thread what speakers you have demo'ed and ones you are considering?

This is from a guy who likes the Klipsch sound including most recently LaScala IIs then 60th Anv Khorns.

Thanks

Had: Klipsch Heresy III, Klipsch Cornwall III, Goldenear Triton Two, Klipschorn
Considering: JBL Array 1400, McIntosh XR100, B&W 802D, Bryston Model T, Axiom Audio LFR1100, ???

[vahe]

Originally Posted by jdandy

The Khorns are unique speakers in many ways, particularly in their high efficiency (105dB @ 1w/1m). They have a 15-inch woofer in a folded-horn cabinet that delivers strong deep bass to below 20Hz. And yes, they are big and require corners to perform their best.

One tradeoff of extreme high efficiency is limited low frequency response, Khorns go down to about 35Hz, nominally I would draw the line for their low frequency power output at 40Hz, at pull power of course.

Vahe

[Repete]

Hi

Came from another route onto to the set of 1400s Im playing now and has been for ~2 years.
I absoultely love these speakers!
IMHO you dertainly do get some of the clear advantages from a horn loaded mid and top without the setbacks....Very well balanced construction.

As mentioned above in the thread they are a little power hungry (like all models with JBLs LE14 series speakers).
Have my set running on a ML380s/432 combo. Works well and doesnt fall short even at rather high levels.

I guess I am a real JBL head so route these speakes has been over quite a few JBL models mostly late 70s to mid 80s constructions. Lats stop before these was 250ti 1st edition and the last Jubilee edition.

In foreseeable future I will never part from these.

Oh yeah...looks..... Before buying them and first few days the lady of the house wasnt exactly thrilled with the look and to be honest I was a bit sceptical as well. But the finish is very nice and the eyes quckly got used to them....?
Design does split people visiting.....The sound never does.

Regards
Repete

[jpw]

I have years of experience with both the K-horn and the JBL 1400 Array's.
Few commercially made speakers for home will come close to beating the K-horn for shear dynamics and undistorted high output capability, in short what I call "jump" factor. Other than these qualities (more important to some than others) the 1400 will be far more linear and dramatically less colored from top to bottom while also giving a far more convincing stereo image. Their horn loaded top end and larger displacement 14" woofers will give noticeably more dynamic contrast compared to your typical direct radiator speaker as well as having quicker attack, particularly noticeable over the range the horn covers, which will give them a greater sense of "you are there" aliveness. Bear in mind that the 1400 Arrays sensitivity is limited to around 89db by the woofer with the mid and treble horns being padded down 15-18 db to give flat response. This explains while they like lots of power, 200-300 wpc or more. They have surprisingly low coloration overall with the most obvious departure from linearity not coming from the horns, but from the woofer/cabinet resulting in a sometimes over ripe upper bass and lower midrange balance.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jpw

I have years of experience with both the K-horn and the JBL 1400 Array's.
Few commercially made speakers for home will come close to beating the K-horn for shear dynamics and undistorted high output capability, in short what I call "jump" factor. Other than these qualities (more important to some than others) the 1400 will be far more linear and dramatically less colored from top to bottom while also giving a far more convincing stereo image. Their horn loaded top end and larger displacement 14" woofers will give noticeably more dynamic contrast compared to your typical direct radiator speaker as well as having quicker attack, particularly noticeable over the range the horn covers, which will give them a greater sense of "you are there" aliveness. Bear in mind that the 1400 Arrays sensitivity is limited to around 89db by the woofer with the mid and treble horns being padded down 15-18 db to give flat response. This explains while they like lots of power, 200-300 wpc or more. They have surprisingly low coloration overall with the most obvious departure from linearity not coming from the horns, but from the woofer/cabinet resulting in a sometimes over ripe upper bass and lower midrange balance.

jpw... Welcome!

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by jpw

I have years of experience with both the K-horn and the JBL 1400 Array's.
Few commercially made speakers for home will come close to beating the K-horn for shear dynamics and undistorted high output capability, in short what I call "jump" factor. Other than these qualities (more important to some than others) the 1400 will be far more linear and dramatically less colored from top to bottom while also giving a far more convincing stereo image. Their horn loaded top end and larger displacement 14" woofers will give noticeably more dynamic contrast compared to your typical direct radiator speaker as well as having quicker attack, particularly noticeable over the range the horn covers, which will give them a greater sense of "you are there" aliveness. Bear in mind that the 1400 Arrays sensitivity is limited to around 89db by the woofer with the mid and treble horns being padded down 15-18 db to give flat response. This explains while they like lots of power, 200-300 wpc or more. They have surprisingly low coloration overall with the most obvious departure from linearity not coming from the horns, but from the woofer/cabinet resulting in a sometimes over ripe upper bass and lower midrange balance.

[jdandy]

jpw.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

[TWK]

Did you get the Arrays? I considered these about 5 years ago. Teh seller had these and Wilson Watt Puppy 6's. He told me that in his honest opinion, the Array 1400's were better speakers.

I have had several Klipsch heritage speakers, including the K Horns (I have a pair that need to be restored in storage along with some La Scalas). If you have the stock K400 horn, the array 1400's should be a step up, even more so when considering the very difficult placement problems with the K Horns.

[lynkage]

While my arrays are DIY and modded' from the original, I would not trade them except for maybe some 67000's ever!

I am however a big fan of the LE14H-X and would consider this to still be an excellent driver that will compete with most woofers made today even though they are a 50 year old design. It seems to handle endless amounts of power and is very dynamic.

I use the 476Mg compression driver (from the S9900) and it is just light years better than any CD I have heard with the exception of it's Be counterpart.

On the top is an 045Be. It is not really needed but it fills the hole on the top of the horn!

I am going to try a 1500AL and a 1200Fe below the horn just to see which one I like the best.

Anyways looks like a fun forum!! Enjoy