Palladium® P-39F
Owner’s Manual
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Introduction
Important Safety Instructions
1. READ these instructions.
This symbol indicates that there are
2. KEEP these instructions.
3. HEED all warnings.
4. FOLLOW all instructions.
important operating and maintenance
instructions in the literature accompany-
ing this unit.
For over 60 years, our engineers have sought the ultimate: a loudspeaker that could reproduce recorded music
with all the passion of a live performance. The Palladium™ Series approaches aural perfection, while making a
visual statement that is every bit as elegant and passionate as the sound.
5. DO NOT use this apparatus near water.
6. CLEAN ONLY with dry cloth.
This symbol indicates that dangerous
voltage constituting a risk of electric
shock is present within this unit.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or
electrical shock, do not expose this ap-
paratus to rain or moisture.
7. DO NOT block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. DO NOT install near any heat sources such as ra-
diators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. ONLY USE attachments/accessories specified by
the manufacturer.
The Palladium Series P-39F floorstander represents the epitome of loudspeaker technology, with remarkable
clarity throughout the dynamic range and bold styling. Today, Klipsch Group, Inc. is a global force, and this flag-
ship loudspeaker reflects that leadership status; design and engineering teams from the United States collabo-
rated with colleagues from Germany and China to plan and execute the Palladium project.
WARNING: Voltages in this equipment are hazard-
10. USE only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
table specified by the manufacturer, or
sold with the apparatus. When a cart
is used, use caution when moving the
cart/apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip-over.
11. UNPLUG this apparatus during lightning storms
or when unused for long periods of time.
12. REFER all servicing to qualified service person-
nel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as power-
supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus,
the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
ous to life.
In designing the Palladium P-39F cabinet, we first considered the Klipsch heritage and unique approach to
acoustic design. Trends in home interior and furniture were also factored in, as was the current audio market
landscape.
No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.
CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate.
The result is a speaker that flawlessly melds classic Klipsch®
audio with the latest in home furniture trends. The striking
“boat-tail”design hints at the power and performance in-
side, while maintaining a high degree of sophistication and
beauty. More importantly, the arched shape of the P-39F
flagship loudspeaker actually contributes to its remarkable
sound by breaking up standing waves at higher frequencies.
CAUTION!
Risk of electRic shock
do not open
Power. Detail. Emotion. Combined, these qualities are
the embodiment of our core philosophy. And all are
expressed—beautifully—in the brilliant Palladium P-39F
loudspeaker. We invite you, our customer, to share with
us the pride of ownership in this extraordinary product for
many gratifying years.
General Cautions
•
When making or changing any connections to
your system, switch all the electronics OFF.
•
These loudspeakers are extremely heavy. Do not
move them by yourself. Always get help.
•
Do NOT listen to music for long periods at
extreme volume settings. Doing so can perma-
nently damage your hearing.
If you are using the floor spikes:
•
Spikes are sharp! Exercise extreme caution when
using spikes.
•
When running loudspeaker cables, do not trail
them over open floor spaces where they could
cause an accident. Cover them or route them
around potential troublespots.
•
Do not drag the loudspeaker. Lift the speakers
off the floor and set them down carefully when
changing their location.
•
•
Be especially careful not to place a spiked
loudspeaker in areas where there may be hidden
obstacles that could get damaged.
•
•
Before switching on your sound system, turn
the volume level down. After switching the
system on, turn the level up gradually.
Some floor surfaces can be damaged by spikes.
If you are unsure, consult your flooring contrac-
tor for advice before using spikes, or use the
spike seats.
Do not use extreme settings of Treble, Bass or
EQ. Ideally set the tone controls“flat”and turn
any EQ off.
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Getting Started
Preparing the Loudspeaker
Unpacking
Connection Procedure:
Please follow the unpacking instructions fully and in the order shown below. These loudspeakers are
heavy! Do not lift or move these speakers by yourself. Always have someone help you.
There is a specific procedure to be followed:
• Switch off and unplug the amplifier/s and all source electronics from the mains power.
• Place both loudspeakers in the general area where you want them.
• Place each loudspeaker on its side, in its partial packing, as described in the unpacking instructions.
• Connect each loudspeaker.
1
2
Remove the Grille box
Remove the Accessories box
Remove the Owner’s manual
and gloves
Open the carton flaps
Lightly tape each flap to the box
with short pieces of tape
Remove the top packing piece
• Attach the spikes following the instructions under the“finalizing the assembly”section of this manual.
• Position the loudspeaker cable between the rear spikes.
• Stand the loudspeaker upright, using great care not to damage connecting cables, furniture or the floor.
• Lift off the top packing piece and the protective cloth bag.
• Run both sets of loudspeaker cables to the amplifier.
• Connect the amplifier.
• Finalize the position of the loudspeakers.
• Finally, fit the grilles (if desired).
3
5
4
TAKE CARE NOT TO TOUCH THE DRIVE UNITS WHEN YOU MOVE THE LOUDSPEAKERS AROUND.
TO PRESERVE THE FINISH, USE THE PROVIDED GLOVES WHEN HANDLING YOUR LOUDSPEAKERS.
Carefully invert the carton
Lift off the carton
Fitting and Removing the Grilles
The grilles are magnetically attached to the cabinet. Specially designed magnets
are housed inside the front wall of the loudspeaker, so that if you wish to operate
the loudspeaker with the grilles removed, no grille mounting hardware is visible.
This preserves the smooth lines of the loudspeaker.
Lift off the center and base packing pieces
The loudspeaker is
ready for connection
To fit the grilles: Fit the top grille first and line it up with the top and sides of the
cabinet. There is a small lip on the top of the grille that should rest on the top of
the cabinet. Now, fit the lower grille, lining up the top of the lower grille with the
bottom of the upper grille. You may now remove the top grille if you wish.
Although operating the P-39F loudspeakers with the grilles on or off is a matter
of personal taste, moving or connecting the loudspeakers should always be done
with the grilles removed. Be especially careful not to touch the drive units.
What’s in the box?
•
•
The grille box contains: one upper grille; one lower grille.
The Accessories box contains: four long spikes; four short spikes; four spike seats; two bi-wiring
straps: one Allen wrench.
• There is a pair of gloves located in a pocket in the side of the packing carton beside the Owner’s manual.
Identify all the components. If any item is missing or damaged, report this immediately to your Klipsch
dealer and the transport contractor for action.
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Positioning Loudspeakers - Stereo
Positioning Loudspeakers - Home Theater
Never allow objects of furniture to impede the loudspeaker or place objects between the loudspeakers and
the listening position.
6’ - 16’
LFE 2
LFE 1
Stereo Positioning
>8”
The generally accepted norm is that
CENTER
the loudspeakers should be as far
away from each other as they are
from the listener. This places the
listener and the loudspeakers at the
points of an equilateral triangle.
Well-designed horn loudspeakers
have“controlled directivity”- the dis-
persion pattern is tailored to provid-
ing the ideal image at the listener’s
ear. This is in contrast to conventional
speakers, where the sound tends to
fire off in all directions.
8’ - 16’
>12”
It follows that when correctly sited,
the performance of a well designed horn loudspeaker significantly exceeds that of conventional“direct radia-
tor”loudspeakers.
Because the bass drivers are in a tuned port enclosure, the loudspeakers must
be operated away from walls and, specifically, corners. The distances in the
above diagram should be considered as minimum distances. Placing them too
close to the walls will cause the bass to become bloated, muddy and indistinct.
The same general positioning rules as for stereo apply but these are some variations.
• The loudspeakers can be placed closer together. Remember that the closer the speakers are to one another,
the less spacious the sound will be in stereo.
The angle at which the loudspeakers are placed relative to the rear wall is
called“toe-in”. Placing the loudspeakers with their backs parallel to the wall will
result in a poor stereo image with the so called ”hole in the wall”effect. Angling
the speakers inwardly too much will restrict the width of the listening seat and
also tend to narrow the stereo image.
• The“toe-in”can be lessened. This will broaden the sound image for more than one listener, but the pinpoint
localization of the speakers will be lessened.
• The fronts of the speakers should be in line with the screen and with the front of the center loudspeaker as
far as possible. Placing the TV screen on the wall (and center channel directly above or below) with the main
loudspeakers protruding significantly is not ideal.
In smaller rooms, it is better to place the loudspeakers more closely together
and sit relatively further back. This is preferable to placing the loudspeakers
further apart and sitting too close - the stereo effect will be significantly degraded if you do.
• The TV should be placed centrally between the loudspeakers.
The above are our recommendations. Be prepared to experiment until the sound is exactly as you want!
The height of the loudspeaker is important. The midrange should appear to radiate from a point level with
the ears of a seated listener. As these loudspeakers are large, they will sound their best in large rooms, though
there are some adjustments that can be made to redress the position in smaller rooms. These will be discussed
in the section on final positioning.
General Observations
• Set the size of the speakers on your AV processor to“large.”
• For stereo listening (if your processor offers the option) set the subwoofers to“off.”Alternatively, set the sub
woofer lowpass crossover point such that it covers only the lowest octave; ~ 50 Hz.
The above are our recommendations. Be prepared to experiment until the sound is exactly as you want!
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Cables, Crossovers and Connections
Connecting the Loudspeakers - 2
For best results, connect your loudspeakers with purpose-designed loudspeaker
cable. The cables to both loudspeakers should be of equal lengths and be of a gauge
sufficient to drive the speakers comfortably without any loss of power in the bass at
high volumes.
The P 39-F Terminal Panel
As supplied, positive and negative terminals of the Treble, Midrange and Bass Terminal pairs are strapped to-
gether with a three-way strap. A pair of two-way straps is provided in the accessories carton for bi-wiring. This
is how you should prepare the terminal panel for each wiring option.
We recommend a minimum wire diameter of 14 AWG. If you are in doubt, ask your
Klipsch dealer for advice. Because of the location of the terminal panel, you should
connect the loudspeakers before you connect the amplifier. If you are replacing a
existing pair of loudspeakers, we suggest you de-wire the amplifier first.
Standard Connection
Bi-wiring Connection
Tri-wiring Connection
HF
MF
LF
HF
MF
LF
HF
MF
LF
There are two crossover networks in the P-39F. One panel is a dedicated bass net-
work. The second panel is a network for the midrange and treble units . The net-
works terminate in a custom designed tri-wire terminal panel located above the loudspeaker pedestal, under
the loudspeaker. As the bass, midrange and treble elements can be separately connected, three types of wiring
are possible: standard wiring, bi-wiring and tri-wiring.
The terminal panel accepts a wide variety of connectors, including spade lugs, pins or bare
wire. If you have no preference, your dealer can advise you as to appropriate connectors.
The instructions in this user guide relate to bare wire. If you use alternative connectors,
consult your dealer or the hardware supplier’s literature.
No preparation
needed
Loosen the terminals.
Remove the triple straps and insert
the twin straps as shown
Loosen the terminals.
Remove the triple straps
Re-tighten all
Re-tighten all terminals hand tight
terminals hand tight
Standard loudspeaker cable comprises two conductors with one core having a ridge or
stripe. Connect the striped conductor to the Positive (RED) terminal in all cases. This will
ensure that the loudspeakers are properly connected and in phase.
Split the cable to a depth of 1½”. Strip ½”of insulation. If the wire is stranded, lightly twist
the ends together to ensure no stray ends of cable can short adjacent terminals.
Standard (Single) Wiring
The straps are left in place as supplied. Connection may be made to any pair of terminals.
You will need two loudspeaker cables of equal lengths, one for each loudspeaker.
Partially unscrew one Positive and one Negative terminal. Connect the Positive (+ RED) terminal of the loud-
speaker to the striped conductor, or (if you are using custom cable) to the conductor designated by the cable
manufacturer. Connect the Negative (– BLACK) terminal to the plain conductor. Do not connect the amplifier
at this time.
Connecting a Terminal
Partially unscrew the terminal.
HF
MF
LF
HF
MF
LF
1: In the base of the terminal, there is a hole. Insert the bare end of the wire into
the hole.
AMPLIFIER
2: Tighten each connector hand tight. After connecting all the terminals, check
that there are no stray strands of bare wire that can reach across and short out
adjacent terminals.
Right Speaker
Left Speaker
3: When you are sure that all the connections are correct, insert the Allen key into
the socket in each terminal head and tighten fully to secure them. DO NOT
over-tighten the terminals, or you may damage them. (An Allen key (hex
wrench) is provided in the accessories carton.)
Important Note. After connecting and placing the loudspeaker upright, the connections will be hidden from
view. We strongly recommend that you identify each cable to eliminate possible difficulties down the line.
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Connecting the Loudspeakers - 3
Connecting the Loudspeakers - 4
Bi-wiring
Bi-amping and Tri-amping
Bi-wiring reduces unwanted interactions between the bass drivers and the midrange and treble units.
True bi-wiring is connecting separate cables from the bass terminals and the midrange/treble terminals to a
common connection at the amplifier. Several cable manufacturers produce specialized cables where one cable
jacket contains four cables, thus enabling bi-wiring within one cable cluster. This eliminates the need to run
separate cables and simplifies connection. In any case, the method of connection is the same.
Connecting each loudspeaker drive element to separate amplification offers the highest possible performance
level. It is not necessary for the amplifiers in the treble and bass sections to be identical. In fact for tube ampli-
fier enthusiasts, there are advantages to using smaller amplifiers in the treble and midrange sections as the
smaller transformers offer the significant possibility of extended, sweeter treble response.
To multi-amp, the following criteria are essential:
Prepare the crossover panel as shown on the previous page. Proceed as for standard wiring, but connect one
cable to the bass terminals of the speaker. Connect a second cable to the midrange and treble terminals. Refer
to the diagram. After connection, tighten all the terminals with the supplied wrench as shown previously.
• The amplifiers should be phase coherent. In other words, all amplifiers should be, by design, phase non-invert-
ing or phase inverting, or if not, should be connected so as to be all phase non-inverting or phase inverting.
• The amplifiers must have identical voltage gains, or should be set up to have identical voltage gains.
• The amplifiers must have low residual noise characteristics, especially in the midrange and treble sections.
• Amplifiers in corresponding channels must be identical; i.e., both bass amplifiers must be the same and so on.
HF
MF
LF
HF
MF
LF
If any of the above conditions are not met, separate amplification will be significantly worse than ordinary
bi- or tri-wiring. If you are unsure about these concepts or unsure if your amplifiers meet these criteria, it is es-
sential that you consult your Klipsch specialist dealer before proceeding further.
AMPLIFIER
Right Speaker
Tri-wiring
Left Speaker
HF
MF
LF
MID /
TREBLE
AMP
Bi-amping
The Mid/Treble amplifier is bi-wired
(One channel shown)
The logical extension to bi-wiring is tri-wiring, where all the elements of the loudspeaker are separately con-
nected to the amplifier.
BASS
AMP
To tri-wire, you need to remove all the straps connecting the terminal pairs and then connect three cables as shown
in the diagram below. After connection, tighten all the terminals with the supplied wrench as shown previously.
TREBLE
AMP
HF
MF
LF
HF
MF
LF
HF
MF
LF
Tri-amping
(One channel shown)
MID
AMP
AMPLIFIER
BASS
AMP
Right Speaker
Left Speaker
Important Note. After connecting and placing the loudspeaker upright, the connections will be hidden from
Important Note. After connecting and placing the loudspeaker upright, the connections will be hidden from
view. We strongly recommend that you identify each cable to eliminate possible difficulties down the line.
view. We strongly recommend that you identify each cable to eliminate possible difficulties down the line.
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Finalizing the Assembly
Final Adjustments
The P-39F has a phenomenal frequency response and superb dynamics, so playing large orchestral or rock
music will be an awesome experience, but may not necessarily be the best guide in setting up the speakers.
Your listening tests should be performed with a wide range of music, including unaccompanied vocal and solo
instrumental recordings with as little processing on the source as possible. A natural solo cello recording will
reveal much about the bass characteristics of your room and positioning. The best position will yield smooth,
extended bass without boom or smear.
Fitting Spikes
The loudspeakers are supplied with a set of long spikes and a
set of short spikes. All are adjustable and fit in the same way.
Spike seats with felt bases are supplied for use where spikes
are inappropriate; e.g., on stone, hardwood or marble floors.
The spikes may be fitted with sets of short spikes, sets of
long spikes or as a combination of two short spikes at the
front and two spikes at the rear to assist with imaging,
(Refer to the next page)
Collar
Spike
Shaft
The loudspeakers are“handed”- the recommended position is with the bass ports facing outward. The ports
distribute a lot of air at high bass volumes, so if the speakers appear to boom even slightly re-positioning them
with the ports facing inward may help significantly.
Method: Run the textured collar halfway down the
Spike Seat
Stridency in the upper section caused by underdamped rooms can be compensated for by hanging drapes or
pictures on the walls to dampen reverberant walls; increasing the amount of soft furnishings will also help to
eliminate high frequency“ringing”.
threaded shaft away from the spike point. Insert the shaft
into the plinth and screw in tight. Now run the collar up to
the plinth and lock it finger tight. Repeat for all four spikes.
Room resonances are often structural. In such circumstances, good placement will minimize but not eliminate
these resonances.
Hint: If you feel that you may have to move the speakers around a lot before you get them exactly right, it is advisable
to start out with the spikes resting in their spike seats. This will allow you to easily slide the speakers on a hard floor
surface. After finalizing the speaker position, you can then mark the position of the feet and remove the spike seats.
Apparent height is critical. The speakers have controlled directivity. In the P- 39F, phase response anomalies are
kept to vanishingly low levels by reducing the distance between the midrange and tweeter horns to the abso-
lute minimum; nevertheless, if you are in the wrong seat, it may happen that the sound stage is not perfectly
integrated. One remedy is to tilt the speaker slightly (if necessary by using a combination of long and short
spikes) to aim the midrange driver at the listener’s ear to yield best driver integration. Take your time with this
—the effects on some music may be small and quite startling on others.
Caution: Regardless which size spike is used make sure the textured collar is threaded on the spike. Failure to do so could
result in damage to the plinth.
Dressing the Cables
If there are more than one cable to each loudspeaker, gather them and lay them side by side. Make sure you have
identification on all the cables. Ensure the cables are connected the same way round with no loose or faulty con-
nections. Leave a small amount of slack and then bring the cables out between the spikes. It may be helpful to
tape bi- or tri- wired sets side by side to the underside of the plinth to stop them from interfering with the spikes.
Phase
Phase is not a matter of preference. Out-of-phase effects manifest themselves as poorly defined bass, poor
stereo with very vague localization of instruments and voice, and generally fuzzy, ill-defined sound. A single-
wired out-of-phase system is easy to detect; a tri-amped system with one element connected out of phase
can be nearly impossible to track down. If you find that there are problems with the system that no amount of
experimentation can cure, check all the loudspeaker and amplifier wiring carefully. If you have connected your
speakers strictly in accordance with this manual, no phase problems will arise.
Standing the Loudspeakers Upright
With the help of an assistant, lift the speakers into the vertical position. The feet must be secure, as there will be a
large amount of pressure on the two spikes that come into first contact with the floor.
Remove the top packing piece and the protective bag from the loudspeaker. Be careful to avoid touching any of
the drivers.
Conclusion
All the advice above will help you get the most out of these superb loudspeakers, but in the final analysis you
should do what your ears tell you is right — you are, after all, the final arbiter of your system.
You should now level the loudspeaker. If the floor is not perfectly level, you will find that one spike is off the
ground. Starting with this spike and with the help of a spirit level, you should now adjust the spikes so the speak-
ers do not wobble and are not at an angle. Try to get the speakers to the same height if at all possible.
Happy listening!
Final Connections
Now, connect the loudspeakers to the amplifier/s using the diagrams on pages 8-11 to help you.
You are now ready to enjoy your music!
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About Your Loudspeaker
Loudspeaker Components -1
An International Project
Bass Drivers
The Klipsch P-39F has drawn on engineering, design and manufacturing resources from all aver the world. In addi-
tion to our formidable team in the USA, we have used European industrial designers, British theoretical physicists
and manufacturing and production specialists from China. The focal point of these resources is our birthplace,
Hope, Arkansas, where, under the vigilant eyes of the most skilled manufacturers of horn loudspeakers anywhere
in the world, your P-39F was built, tested, measured, evaluated in rigorous listening tests, and finally shipped.
With 18-mm peak to peak linear excursion, and three 9-inch cones, the P-39F is capable
of remarkably clean dynamic response down to a -3 dB point of 39 Hz.
The woofer utilizes a low mass hybrid Aluminum/Rohacell®/Kevlar® cone with an over
hung voice coil. Even under massive dynamic demand, the driver retains linearity and
low distortion. A three-part high intensity neodymium magnet is used with a main
magnet, plus rear and forward magnets to ensure linearity, reduce stray magnetic
energy and provide intense field strength in the voice coil gap. Dual Faraday rings on
the pole piece minimize unwanted inductance, enhance heat dissipation and minimize
dynamic compression.
The P-39F is the culmination of over 60 years of research and engineering advancements, having been designed
with the most advanced computer aided design (CAD) tools available, rigorously evaluated using our own
in-house proprietary software, built to the most stringent quality standards and voiced by a panel of our most
experienced listeners. No Klipsch loudspeaker has ever had more care and attention to every detail lavished on it
than your P-39F.
The metal cone of the woofer is damped with a composite Rohacel and Kevlar layers which minimizes ringing
and maintains low mass, eliminating breakup and other distortion products. As is the case with
the midrange driver, the surround uses a flat-sided shape that keeps surround-produced
output to a minimum and preserves phase response. The cast aluminum frame assures
maximum heat transfer without any reflection of the back wave of the driver that would
otherwise alter the sound. An inverted half-roll low density foam rubber surround com-
pletes the clean appearance.
Although building one pair of matched loudspeakers is relatively straightforward, building hundreds of matched
loudspeakers is challenging. Measurements play an important role in analyzing loudspeaker characteristics, but
the human ear is the ultimate test gear for evaluating its reproduction quality . At Klipsch, every loudspeaker de-
sign is strictly evaluated using listening tests designed to expose even the very smallest weakness. All final voic-
ing is performed under blind conditions, using trained listeners and standard audio sound tracks selected based
on their particular area of auditory excellence. All information is tabulated and reported back to the designer for
analysis. In almost all cases, Klipsch products are evaluated against similarly priced competitive models. It is only
in this manner that Klipsch can truly rely on the quality of feedback received, eliminating skewed data that may
result due to influences caused by price, brand recognition, or visual appeal.
The woofers see differing pass bands. This preserves consistent dispersion through
the critical woofer to midrange transition region and has a positive impact on off-axis
performance and stereo imaging. This upper woofer covers the entire range from 30 Hz
to 500 Hz, where it crosses over to the midrange driver, while the two lower woofers cover only the
low and mid-bass. This“tapered-array”design delivers full bass impact, plus a graceful transition between driver
groups in both tonal accuracy and dispersion.
Design
The P-39F is a 3.5-way bass-reflex full range loudspeaker with high sensitivity and
extremely low distortion. The five drivers of the P-39F comprise three 9”woofers,
an advanced 4.5-inch horn-loaded compression midrange driver, and a .75-inch
titanium horn loaded compression dome tweeter. Each driver was designed by
the Klipsch Engineering team and optimized for superior performance within
each transducers bandwidth. Accurate driver design minimizes the need for
driver corrections in the crossover network. Thus, the crossover is a straightfor-
ward design, with extremely high-quality components ensuring minimal insertion
loss. By presenting a simple load to the amplifier, overall system performance is
enhanced, a phenomenon rarely found with conventional designs. Each com-
ponent used in the crossover, from the air core inductors to the polypropylene
capacitors, has been selected to provide an undistorted transition between
transducers. The superior components used in the P-39F are complemented by
the unique horn and enclosure design and highlighted by the elemental perfor-
mance of the industrial design. The massive laminated MDF enclosure is based
on a curved non-parallel wall structure for minimal resonance. Both the tweeter
and midrange compression drivers are integrated into a common molded two-
element horn optimized for bandwidth, clarity, and efficiency.
Midrange - “The midrange is where we live.” Paul W. Klipsch
The inverted dome midrange driver operates from 500 Hz to 3.5 kHz and is a unique
design, not found on any previous Klipsch product.
The driver sensitivity of 106 dB allows minimal excursion at normal playback volume.
As cone excursion reduces, so does distortion. The 4.5-inch aluminum dome is
driven by 3 high temperature N35H neodymium magnets, ensuring linearity under
a range of listening volumes. The pole piece is topped by a copper cap to minimize
unwanted inductive components. The surround has half the density of the material
typically used and thus offers reduced mass. Unlike most designs, this midrange driver delivers much more out-
put from the dome and less from the surround. As a surround is always in motion and always changing shape,
output from its surface is high in distortion—minimizing surround surface area is another means to reducing
overall distortion.
The midrange unit is housed in its own magnetically-shielded sealed
enclosure, which isolates the driver from acoustic energy generated by the
woofers. Every effort has been made to ensure great accuracy, as well as
long-term durability from this unique driver.
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Loudspeaker Components -2
Loudspeaker Components -3
Treble Compression Driver
Cabinet
Low distortion, high sensitivity, wide bandwidth and neutral tonality have been,
in this ground-breaking design, pushed beyond the standards for any previous
Klipsch driver.
Functionally, any loudspeaker enclosure provides a mechanical placement
of each transducer, a method for suppressing acoustical radiations and a reso-
nant chamber to extend low frequency performance. The P-39F is an artistic
blend of beauty and functional performance. Its industrial design was guided
by the global consultancy of BMW Group DesignworksUSA.
Built around a .75-inch titanium dome, the tweeter makes use of two very large
high temperature N35H neodymium magnets in an unconventional configura-
tion. The titanium dome and surround are formed as one common unit.
Enclosure resonances can be suppressed through the geometry of the en-
closure and mass of the panels. The P-39F enclosure contains nonparallel wall
structures and thick, high mass walls. Nonparallel wall structures significantly
decrease standing waves. Cabinet wall thick-
The chamber behind the tweeter dome is resistively damped via a filled tube
to reduce reflection of the back wave—and thereby the distortion that would otherwise be produced. The phase
plug that puts the dome into a compression mode also has a unique chamber within it that extends the upper
frequency limit of the driver. This proprietary technique offers numerous benefits, including the elimination of
undesirable standing waves in the high pressure layer between the phase plug and horn. The result is a smooth
impedance transfer function, and a benign load on the partnering amplifier. Additionally, this technique produces
smoother amplitude response through the high frequency
nesses are a minimum of 1-inch thick with an
even thicker front baffle. Custom inner and
outer laminated panels sandwich a middle layer of dissimilar material designed with
a different mechanical impedance to ensure the cabinet does not color the sound.
range. With its unique horn and phase plug, the P-39F tweeter
demands far less drive current from the amplifier, so the driver
can maintain full dynamic capability at any volume level.
To further increase enclosure stiffness, four“H”braces are strategically positioned
in the enclosure to reinforce the structure, control resonance and minimize modal
standing waves. The massive front baffle design allows all woofers and the mid/
high horn structure to mount flush to the exterior edge. The width of the front
baffle has also been minimized to decrease the total area. A smaller front baffle
directly correlates to improved off-axis performance. The overall enclosure was de-
signed to extend the low frequency response of the three woofers to 39Hz (-3dB).
This fourth-order, vented enclosure contains three custom flared, tuned ports
cleverly blended into the rear of the curved enclosure. Just below the ports, a high
mass aluminum and steel base is integrated into the bottom of the enclosure. The
base contains four adjustable floor anchors, which decouple the cabinet from the
floor by supporting the cabinet at just four points.
This driver is inherently flat from 3 KHz to 30 KHz. and has an
inherent sensitivity some 10 dB greater than direct radiating
designs. Distortion is also reduced by a factor of 10 dB, against
conventional tweeters.
Crossover Network
The network is a two board construction located adjacent to the speaker’s base
plate, which conveniently positions the tri-wire input connectors at floor level.
This minimizes the length of speaker wire and produces a clean finished look.
Bass Network
Tractrix® Horn Design
Horn-loaded technology is the driving force behind the remark-
ably accurate Klipsch sound. Horns offer high efficiency, low dis-
tortion, controlled directivity and flat frequency response, allowing
them to more closely reproduce the quality and tonal charac-
teristics of live sound. In the P-39F, the high and mid-frequency
drivers both use the latest evolution of our Tractrix® Horn design,
featuring a 90° x 60° coverage pattern and a lofted throat design
for exemplary on-axis response. These horns have been molded as
a single unit, using a proprietary, acoustically inert, carbon-infused
thermoset composite material. The high- and mid-frequency
drivers are connected to the horns via chamber-dampened phase
plugs that result in a 4:1 compression ratio, delivering remarkable
efficiency with astonishingly low distortion. This arrangement
allows the P-39F to provide a unique combination of precision,
clarity and effortless power.
Through very accurate driver engineering, the system offers excellent perfor-
mance without the need for corrections in the crossover network. A crossover
should provide a smooth transition from driver to driver, allowing each element
to operate at its optimum performance within its designed frequency range. This
accomplished, the network can be a straightforward design and use extremely
high quality parts without imposing unnecessary budget constraints. A simple,
elegant crossover also means the speak-
Mid and Treble Network
er will have a more direct and coherent
character as compared with products that must employ complex
networks to iron out their shortcomings. Polyester capacitors along
with all air-core inductors, ensure best performance and longevity.
The network produces a fourth-order electro-acoustic filter when
combined with the smooth, natural roll off of the drivers.
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A Long, Long, Road...
Conclusion
Total Quality Management
To meet the rigid quality standards set at Klipsch, an extensive manufacturing audit is in place. All transducers are
within 0.5dB of the reference standard. Once all transducers are measured, they are grouped into matched sets.
All matched transducers are then installed into the enclosure and measured again as a completed loudspeaker.
Again, the speakers are sorted as matched pairs. The speakers are paired to ensure the most accurate imaging and
stereo performance. At the end of the manufacturing process, the speaker is shipped with a hand-signed docu-
ment, depicting each loudspeaker’s performance. When a P-39F is shipped, it has completed the most rigorous
testing of any speaker on the market.
Raw veneers
A raw cabinet pair
Work in progress...
Care and Maintenance
Very little maintenance is required. To maintain the finish of the loudspeakers, wipe them carefully with a soft
lint free polishing cloth. Occasionally, and to remove fingermarks etc., wipe the cabinets with a barely damp
clean soft cloth and finish with a lint free polishing cloth. NEVER use any form of spray, furniture polish, saturated
polishing cloth, or the like. Doing so will dull and streak the fine finish of the cabinets.
Does it fit?
Work in progress...
Drive Unit component inspection
Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner to clean the grilles while they are installed on the cabinet. To clean the grilles,
remove them, brush them out by hand with a soft brush and replace them. Never touch the drive units either
with your hands or with any tool or other object. This may damage the drive units irreparably.
Warranty
The Warranty below is valid only for sales to consumers in the United States and Canada. KLIPSCH, L.L.C. (“KLIPSCH”) warrants
this product to be free from defects in materials or workmanship (subject to the terms set forth below) for a period of five (5)
years from the date of purchase. During the Warranty period, Klipsch will repair or replace (at KLIPSCH’s option) this product
or any defective parts (excluding electronics and amplifiers). For products that have electronics or amplifiers, the Warranty
period on those parts is for a period of two (2) years from the date of purchase. To obtain Warranty service, please contact the
KLIPSCH authorized dealer from which you purchased this product. If your dealer is not equipped to perform the repair of
your KLIPSCH product, it can be returned, freight paid, to KLIPSCH for repair. Please call KLIPSCH at 1-800-KLIPSCH for instruc-
tions. You will need to ship this product in either its original packaging or packaging affording an equal degree of protection.
Proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale or receipted invoice, which is evidence that this product is within the Warranty
period,must be presented or indicated to obtain Warranty service. This Warranty is invalid if (a) the factory-applied serial num-
ber has been altered or removed from this product or (b) this product was not purchased from a KLIPSCH authorized dealer.
You may call 1-800-KLIPSCH to confirm that you have an unaltered serial number and/or you purchased from a KLIPSCH
authorized dealer. This Warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and will automatically terminate prior to expiration if
this product is sold or otherwise transferred to another party. This Warranty does not cover cosmetic damage or damage due
to misuse, abuse, negligence, acts of God, accident, commercial use or modification of, or to any part of, the product. This
Warranty does not cover damage due to improper operation, maintenance or installation, or attempted repair by anyone
other than KLIPSCH or a KLIPSCH dealer which is authorized to do KLIPSCH warranty work. Any unauthorized repair will void
this Warranty. This Warranty does not cover product sold AS IS or WITH ALL FAULTS. REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS AS PROVIDED
UNDER THIS WARRANTY ARE THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER. KLIPSCH SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDEN-
TAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ON THIS PRODUCT. EXCEPT TO
THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRAN-
TIES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PRACTICAL
PURPOSE. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages or implied warranties so the above
exclusions may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights, which vary from
state to state.
Ready for
final assembly
Assembled and anechoically tested
Ready to pack and ship
Warranty Outside The United States and Canada
The warranty on this product, if it is sold to a consumer outside of the United States or Canada, shall comply with applicable
law and shall be the sole responsibility of the distributor that supplied this product. To obtain any applicable warranty service,
please contact the dealer from which you purchased this product, or the distributor that supplied this product.
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