Speakers So Iconic That They Now Look Like Modern Design

At first glance, you might assume that Klipsch’s floorstanding Klipschorn speakers are some kind of fancy refrigerator or newfangled entertainment center. The straight lines, smooth woodgrain and cloth coverering are all so perfectly mid-century that they look like something you’d see on a really expensive Bluetooth radio. But, like a snake eating it’s tail, it turns out that good design is a timeless phenomenon that comes back to inform (or eat) itself. The Klipschorn is more than just a good-looking classic, it also sounds great too.

In the ’70s, its horn-loaded speaker design and unique low-range extension played a major role in the now legendary acoustic experience of David Mancuso’s Loft parties—which, it could be argued, have heavily influenced the development of club sound installations ever since.

And, as it turns out, Klipsch is now honoring the Klipschorn’s 70th anniversary with a special edition model limited to just 70 pairs. So, if you have $16,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you can now order a pair of these decidedly non-Bluetooth friendly speakers.