Klipsch P-38F, P-17B, P-27S, P-27C, P-37F User Manual

Palladium

P-38F
P-37F

P-17B

P-27C

P-27S

Owner’s Manual

Important Safety Instructions

1. READ these instructions.

2. KEEP these instructions.

3. HEED all warnings.

4. FOLLOW all instructions.

5. DO NOT use this apparatus near water.

6. CLEAN ONLY with dry cloth.

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 ra­diators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including ampliers) that produce heat.

9. ONLY USE attachments/accessories specied by
the manufacturer.

10. USE only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
table speciedby 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 qualied service person­nel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as power­supply 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.

This symbol indicates that there are
important operating and maintenance
instructions in the literature accompany­ing this unit.

This symbol indicates that dangerous
voltage constituting a risk of electric
shock is present within this unit.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or
electrical shock, do not expose this ap­paratus to rain or moisture.

WARNING: Voltages in this equipment are hazard­ous to life.

No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to
qualied service personnel.

CAUTION: Changes or modications not expressly
approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate.

CAUTION!

Risk of electRic shock

do not open

Page 2

General Cautions

• When making or changing any connections to
your system, switch all the electronics OFF.

• Do NOT listen to music for long periods at
extreme volume settings. Doing so can perma­nently damage your hearing.

• When running loudspeaker cables, do not trail
them over open oor spaces where they could
cause an accident. Cover them or route them
around potential troublespots.

• Before switching on your sound system, turn
the volume level down. After switching the
system on, turn the level up gradually.

• Do not use extreme settings of Treble, Bass or
EQ. Ideally set the tone controls “at” and turn
any EQ o..

• These loudspeakers are extremely heavy. Do not
move them by yourself. Always get help.

• Ifyouareusingtheoorspikes:

• Spikes are sharp! Exercise extreme caution when

using spikes

• Do not drag the loudspeaker. Lift the speakers
o the oor 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.

• Some oor surfaces can be damaged by spikes.
If you are unsure, consult your ooring contrac­tor for advice before using spikes, or use the
spike seats.

Introduction

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.

The Palladium Series 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 loudspeaker range
reects that leadership status; design and engineering teams from the United States collaborated with col­leagues from Germany and China to plan and execute the Palladium project.

In designing the Palladium cabinetry, we rst 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.

The result is a speaker range that awlessly melds classic Klipsch® audio with
the latest in home furniture trends. The striking design hints at the power
and performance inside, while maintaining a high degree of sophistication
and beauty. More importantly, the arched shape of the loudspeaker actu­ally contributes to its remarkable sound by breaking up standing waves at
higher frequencies.

Power. Detail. Emotion. Combined, these qualities are the embodiment of
our core philosophy. And all are expressed—beautifully—in the brilliant
Palladium loudspeakers. We invite you, our customer, to share with us the
pride of ownership in this extraordinary product for many gratifying years.

Page 3

Getting Started

Unpacking(P-38F / P-37F)

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.

1

3

Carefully invert the carton

Open the carton flaps
Lightly tape each flap to the box
with short pieces of tape
Remove the top packing piece

2

4

Lift off the carton

Lift off the center and base packing pieces

Remove the Grille box
Remove the Accessories box
Remove the Owner’s manual
and gloves

5

The loudspeaker is
ready for connection

Page 4

What’sinthebox?

• Thegrilleboxcontains: one upper grille; one lower grille, (P-38F / P-37F) or one single-piece grille

(P-17B, P-27C and P-27S)

• TheAccessoriesboxforP-38FandP-37Fcontain: four long spikes; four short spikes; four spike col­lars; four spike seats; one Allen wrench.

• TheAccessoriesboxforP-27Ccontains: two short front spikes; one short-barrel rear spike; one
long-barrel rear spike; three spike collars; three spike seats; one Allen wrench.

• TheP-17BandP-27Sdonothaveanaccessorybox, but do include an Allen wrench with the
owner’s manual packet.

• There is a pair of gloves located in a pocket in the side of the packing carton under 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.

Preparing the Loudspeaker

ConnectionProcedure:

There is a specific procedure to be followed:

• Switch o and unplug the amplier/s and all source electronics from the mains power.

• Place both loudspeakers in the general area where you want them.

• Connect each loudspeaker following the instructions under the “connecting the loudspeakers” section of

this manual.

• Attach the spikes, following the instructions under the “nalizing the assembly” section of this manual

• Run both sets of loudspeaker cable to the amplier

• Connect the amplier

• Finalize the position of the loudspeakers.

• Finally, t the grilles (if desired)

TAKECARENOTTOTOUCHTHEDRIVEUNITSWHENYOUMOVETHELOUDSPEAKERSAROUND.
TOPRESERVETHEFINISH,WHENHANDLINGYOURSPEAKERS,USETHEGLOVESTHATAREPROVIDED.

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.

To t the grilles: Fit the top grille rst and line it up with the top and sides of the

cabinet. For the P-38F, P-37F and P-17B there is a small lip on the top of the grille

that should rest on the top of the cabinet. Now, t 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. (The P-17B, P-27C and P-27S have a single one-piece

grille only.)

Although operating the 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.

Page 5

Positioning Loudspeakers - Stereo

Never allow objects of furniture to impede the loudspeaker or place objects between the loudspeakers and
the listening position.

StereoPositioning

(P-38F / P-37F / P-17B)

>8”

The generally accepted norm is that
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 dis­persion pattern is tailored to provide
the ideal image at the listener’s ear.
This is in contrast to conventional
speakers, where the sound tends to
re o in all directions.

>12”

(30 cm)

º

5

(2.4 m - 4.9 m)

8’ - 16’

º

- 40

(20 cm)

It follows that, when correctly sited, the performance of a well designed horn loudspeaker signicantly exceeds
that of conventional “direct radiator” loudspeakers.

Because the bass drivers are in a tuned port enclosure, the loudspeakers
must be operated away from walls and, specically, 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 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” eect.
Angling the speakers inwardly too much will restrict the width of the listening
seat and also tend to narrow the stereo image.

In smaller rooms, it is better to place the loudspeakers more closely together
and set them relatively further back. This is preferable to placing the loud­speakers further apart and sitting too close - the stereo eect will be signicantly degraded if you do.

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 nal positioning.

Page 6

The above are our recommendations. Be prepared to experiment until the sound is exactly as you want!