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ALK crossover upgrade with photos

Last post 11-04-2009 9:50 AM by DTLongo. 38 replies.
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  • 11-01-2009 9:35 PM

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    01 - Trachorns and networks in Al's car.jpg
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    Herewith a set of photos of an ALK crossover upgrade to my 2003 Klipschorns.  They are his full top-of-the-line setup, a pair of Trachorns plus his ES-400T and ES-5800 extreme-slope crossovers.  Al Klappenberger, who lives nearby, himself performed the install 10/31/2009.   Further info is in the captions to the pictures.  There are some 20 photos in all.  I'll post listening impressions (so far, favorable) later after I've lived with the speakers for some days and had time to audition more material that I know well on them.  

    #1 - Trachorns and networks in Al's car


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 9:37 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    02 - My left Klioschiorn awaits its surgery.jpg
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    #2 -  My left Klipschorn awaits its surgery.  The lower "Klipsch" logo is stock.  The pie-logo above it is a stick-on that I purchased a pair of from Klipsch around 2004. 


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 9:41 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    03 - closeup of stock grille area.jpg
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    #3 - closeup showing the stock squawker and tweeter outlines.  Compare with the new grille after the install later in this series.


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 9:43 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    04 - Al removing the top cover.jpg
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    #4  - Al K. removing the top cover


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 9:48 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    05 - Tophat uncovered.jpg
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    #5 - tophat uncovered showing stock squawker and tweeter


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 9:50 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    06 - Trachorn with the Klipsch drivers installed.jpg
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    #6 - stock squawker driver and tweeter installed on the Trachorn and mounting board


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 10:19 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    07- closeup of tweeter.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #7 - closeup of tweeter


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 10:21 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    08 - Trachorn and electronics in place.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #8 - Trachorn and networks in place. 


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 10:23 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    09 - squawker & tweeter networks.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #9 - squawker and tweeter networks.  These are to the left in the previous photo.


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 10:25 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    10- view looking down.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #10 - view looking down


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 10:27 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    11 - woofer unit.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #11 - woofer unit.  This is to the right in picture #8.  The quality feel, weight and heft of these units is something to hold and behold.  Beautiful, jewel-like workmanship, everything hand-assembled.  


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 10:33 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    12 - woofer unit.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #12 - another view of the woofer unit.  This unit is the "gateway" for the whole system.   The center pair of wires is the input from the amplifer.  The right pair is output to the woofer driver.  The left pair outputs to the midrange and tweeter crossovers.  The latter allow the user to adjust relative midrange and tweeter levels by moving jumpers on respective transformers.  ALK provides documentation showing what connections to use for what result.  ALK's default setting runs the midrange 6 db down which is what I'm using for the time being.  It sounds good relative to the stock setting which to my ear had the squawker too "hot." 


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-01-2009 10:37 PM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    13 - connection to woofer driver.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #13 -  This is the connection to the woofer inside the bass bin.  Earlier the hatch was opened, the stock AK-4 crossover inside was disconnected and the woofer wires connected  to these terminals on the inside.  


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-02-2009 12:21 AM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    14 - completed install on left speaker.jpg
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    #14 - completed install on the left speaker.  The cat, "Pookie," an animal shelter adoptee, supervised the proceedings throughout.   


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.

  • 11-02-2009 12:25 AM In reply to

    • DTLongo
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-16-2002
    • Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Posts 530

    Re: ALK crossover upgrade with photos

    15 - placard.jpg
    Reply Contact

    #15 -  placard


    Tom in Delmar, MD. 2003 Klipschorn mains, 2004 Belle Klipsch center and Velodyne S1500R servo subwoofer. Khorns upgraded in October 2009 with ALK Trachorns + ES-400T and ES-5800 crossovers. An Outlaw Model 970 tuner/preamp/processor feeds the three channels to an Outlaw Model 7075 75 wpc power amp through a Teac graphic equalizer for the right and left channels. HT in another room anchored by a Pioneer 50" plasma supported by a Harman-Kardon AVR-235 receiver, classic Large Advent mains, center channel is a (remarkably good!) RadioShack Minimus-7, sides and rears are Klipsch RS-35's plus a JBL B380 subwoofer modified with a dual-voice-coil Memphis 15" speaker to run off the main amp's subwoofer output through a separate old amplifier. A compact JBL PS100 sub behind the TV adds bottom to the center channel.
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