INDIANAPOLIS (January 5, 2006) - To help celebrate six decades of success and longevity, Klipsch is introducing a special anniversary edition of its legendary three-way Klipschorn speaker. Originally developed by audio pioneer Paul W. Klipsch in 1946, the Klipschorn set the industry standard for high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, low distortion, smooth frequency response and powerful bass.

With a limited run of 200 pairs, the 60th anniversary Klipschorn is crafted for high-quality sonic performance and adorned with distinct aesthetic features that will never be available again.

While each speaker's high-frequency cabinet is decked out in a high gloss black piano finish, the front panel of the low-frequency cabinet comes in a sophisticated Lacewood veneer. The black anodized aluminum kick plate at the bottom of the speaker features a silver PWK logo with a real diamond inset, the stone that represents 60 years.

For the first time ever, the rear of the speaker has received a cosmetic "facelift." Solid panels now enclose the rear high frequency and low frequency cabinets to add a more elegant appearance, eliminate any corner and response issues and allow for toe in or out.

Two display windows are also included on the back of each anniversary Klipschorn to show off an updated crossover network and a silver, engraved plaque that honors PWK and lists the speaker's production number.

For signal purity and perfect driver integration, the crossovers are made with premium components and feature high-end Van den Hul internal wiring. Magnetic grille posts allow for secure attachment and easy removal of the low-frequency grilles, while top-grade WBT binding posts ensure secure connection to any type of cable.

"Even though the Klipschorn has been around since the early days of Hi-Fi, it is still one of the best performing speakers on the market," said Mark Kauffman, senior product specialist. "Aside from contributing to the birth of the Hi-Fi era, it is the only speaker in the world that has been in continuous production for 60 years."

Sold in pairs, customers will receive a certificate of authenticity signed by Klipsch Chairman and CEO Fred Klipsch for their limited-edition speakers.

Klipschorn History

Unsatisfied with the sound quality of phonographs and early speaker systems, Paul W. Klipsch used scientific principles to develop a "corner horn" speaker that sounded more lifelike. He called it the Klipschorn.

Movie theaters and concert halls had long used horns to reproduce motion picture soundtracks, however those horns, at over nine feet long, were much too large for use in the home. PWK's solution was to fold the horn back onto itself and place the speaker cabinet in a corner, making the walls of the room an extension of the horn.

An unquestionable success, the Klipschorn, patented in 1945, represents a legacy that has guided Klipsch speaker engineering throughout the years. Every Klipsch loudspeaker is designed to the same live-sound philosophy that inspired the Klipschorn.