In this review, we will be comparing AK6 and AK7, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 and Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 | Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Midrange | 2" | 3" |
|---|
| Woofer | 15" fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn | 15" fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn |
|---|
| Frequency response | 33-20k Hz | 34-19k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 105 dB | 103 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 100.00kg / 220lbs | 118.18kg / 260lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 53" x 31-1/4" x 28-1/4" 1347.0 x 794.0 x 718.0mm | 53" x 31-1/4" x 28-1/4" 1347.0 x 794.0 x 718.0mm |
|---|
AK6 and AK7 are members of Klipsch's Heritage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Heritage Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both AK6 and AK7 are 3-way speakers.
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6Klipsch Klipschorn AK7
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 |
Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2-inch |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 15-inch
|
1 x 15-inch
|
AK6 features a 1" polyimide diaphragm compression Tractrix horn Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 1 x 15" fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn Woofer. On the other hand, the AK7 features a 1" polyimide diaphragm compression Tractrix horn Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 1 x 15" fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 380Hz - 290Hz.
Frequency Response
AK6 has a frequency range of 33-20k Hz whereas AK7 has a frequency range of 34-19k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 33Hz, the AK6 can go slightly deeper then the AK7's min frequency of 34Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
AK6 and AK7 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. AK6 sensitivity is rated at 105 dB and the AK7's is at 103 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch Klipschorn AK7, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
AK6 and AK7 have the same power range of up to 100 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both AK6 and AK7 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Klipsch Klipschorn AK7's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch Klipschorn AK6's and Klipsch Klipschorn AK7's external dimensions. Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 has external dimensions of 1347.0 x 794.0 x 718.0mm (53 x 31-1/4 x 28-1/4inch) whereas Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 has external dimensions of 1347.0 x 794.0 x 718.0mm (53 x 31-1/4 x 28-1/4inch).
In this case, we can see that Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 and Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 have the exact same height, width and thickness.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 and Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 and Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 is approximately 5700.9cm2 / 883.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 is approximately 5700.9cm2 / 883.6inch2.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 weighs 100.00kg / 220lbs and the Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 weighs 118.18kg / 260lbs. This makes the AK7 18% heavier than the AK6.
Here is a comparison of how AK6 and AK7's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch Klipschorn AK6?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of AK6:
- 2 Loudspeaker cabinets
- 2 Subwoofer cabinets
- 2 Grilles
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
What's in the Box of Klipsch Klipschorn AK7?
Here are the items that come with the AK7:
- 2 Loudspeaker cabinets
- 2 Subwoofer cabinets
- 2 Grilles
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
Sensitivity |
105 dB
vs
103 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
20k Hz
vs
19k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Price per pair* |
16498USD
vs
17998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn AK6 |
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn AK7 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
105 dB |
103 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
33-20k Hz |
34-19k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn |
fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
2" |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
380Hz - 290Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1347.0mm (53") |
1347.0mm (53") |
| Width |
794.0mm (31.3") |
794.0mm (31.3") |
| Depth |
718.0mm (28.3") |
718.0mm (28.3") |
| Weight |
100.00kg (220lbs) |
118.18kg (260lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
American Walnut, Black Ash, Natural Cherry |
American Auburn, Black Ash, American Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
Siblings in Klipsch's Heritage series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
| Bass |
evenly matched |
Much the same reach (33Hz vs 34Hz). |
| Amplifier needs |
A |
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 is more sensitive (105dB vs 103dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6: bi-amping; Klipsch Klipschorn AK7: bi-amping. |
| Price |
evenly matched |
Much the same money ($16,498 vs $17,998 a pair). |
A Klipsch Klipschorn AK6
B Klipsch Klipschorn AK7
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.