Klipsch’s Heritage speakers, side by side. Here is the Klipschorn AK7 alongside the La Scala AL6 and Klipschorn 80th Anniversary Edition, showing where it sits in the range.

The Klipschorn is the speaker that started it all. Introduced in 1946 by Paul W. Klipsch, it holds the distinction of being the longest-running production loudspeaker in audio history. The new AK7 iteration preserves the fundamental genius of the original corner-horn design—delivering the effortless, live-concert dynamic range that only a fully horn-loaded enclosure can provide—while completely modernizing the acoustic engineering. It remains a colossal, room-defining instrument, but one that couples its towering output with newly refined transparency. For the first time, the Klipschorn can also be driven actively via an optional external DSP crossover, taking its legendary efficiency and phase coherence to an unprecedented level.

Brief product overview

A fully horn-loaded, three-way floorstanding loudspeaker with a dual-cabinet design. High frequencies are handled by a 1-inch K-771 neodymium compression driver with a newly patented extended phase plug, while the midrange employs a massive 3-inch K-1133 compression driver mated to a K-406M Tractrix horn with patented Mumps technology to smooth the polar response. The lower cabinet houses a 15-inch K-33-E woofer firing into a fully enclosed trihedral exponential folded horn, allowing for deep, tactile bass extension down to 34Hz. Sensitivity is a breathtaking 103dB with an 8-ohm nominal impedance, meaning it requires virtually no power to achieve concert-level volumes. The AK7 features a redesigned input panel supporting traditional passive bi-amping or tri-amping, as well as an active crossover mode. Handcrafted in Hope, Arkansas, the book-matched veneered cabinets measure 135.2 x 80.0 x 71.5 cm and weigh a staggering 118 kg each.

How it sounds

The Klipschorn AK7 does not just reproduce a recording; it recreates the physical event. Because every single driver is coupled to a horn, including the 15-inch woofer, there is zero acoustic compression during dynamic peaks. The start-stop speed of bass transients is unmatched by any direct-radiating speaker, hitting with the visceral, chest-thumping impact of a live drum kit. The larger 3-inch midrange driver and refined phase plug on the tweeter produce a vast, three-dimensional soundstage with pin-point imaging, stripping away the harshness sometimes associated with vintage horns. At 103dB sensitivity, the AK7 reveals the finest micro-details and texture in a recording, scaling from whisper-quiet intimacy to terrifyingly massive crescendos without a hint of strain.

What we’d partner it with

A speaker this efficient and revealing requires amplification of the absolute highest caliber, where the quality of the first watt is paramount. The pairing of the McIntosh C22 Mk V vacuum tube preamplifier and the McIntosh MC1502 vacuum tube power amplifier is an endgame solution. The C22 Mk V imparts a lush, organic warmth and an ultra-quiet noise floor, while the MC1502—delivering 150 watts of pure tube power from its bank of KT88s—maintains an iron grip on the Klipschorn’s massive folded bass horns.

For the digital source, the Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub brings exquisite Scottish engineering to this American classic. Configured with Linn’s reference-grade Organik DAC architecture, it provides a flawless, ultra-resolving analog signal into the McIntosh preamplifier, extracting every ounce of spatial detail from high-resolution network streams.

For analogue playback, the Thorens TD 124 DD turntable honors a shared mid-century heritage while delivering modern reference performance. A direct-drive reinvention of the legendary broadcast deck, its immense torque and precision tonearm provide an incredibly stable, rhythmic foundation. Connected to the C22 Mk V’s stellar built-in phono stage, it delivers vinyl playback with astonishing scale and realism.

Who shouldn’t buy it

If you are constrained by space, this speaker is entirely out of the question; the Klipschorn is roughly the size of a commercial refrigerator and weighs 118 kg. It physically dominates any room it enters. If you prefer a highly damped, laid-back, or artificially smooth presentation, the AK7’s unvarnished, hyper-realistic live energy will feel too intense. Finally, its 103dB sensitivity is completely unforgiving of noisy electronics or poor-quality recordings—it will mercilessly expose every flaw in your signal chain.

While older Klipschorns required tight placement in the physical corners of a room to complete their bass horn, the AK7 features a fully enclosed back, giving you much more flexibility in positioning—though corner placement still maximizes low-frequency boundary gain. Due to their extreme weight, unboxing and positioning will require at least two strong people. The McIntosh C22 Mk V and MC1502 are pure vacuum tube designs; they generate substantial heat and require plenty of open ventilation above their chassis. Allow the tubes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to warm up before critical listening. Connect the Klipschorns to the 8-ohm taps on the MC1502. If you decide to upgrade to the Klipsch active crossover DSP later, ensure you remove the factory jumpers on the speaker’s rear binding posts to properly isolate the drivers.