The original potted crossover has the crossover point at 2 kHz and the super tweeter comes in at 12 kHz. It is a 2 -1/2 way crossover since the mid tweeter does not have a circuit to roll off its upper frequencies. Phase is poor in this original design and the upper frequencies come and go with recordings. This original crossover is also power hungry(100 watts plus) and does not sound good unless you crank up the volume.

The new “reference” circuit is a true 3-way crossover, with 800 Hz and 9 kHz crossover points. The circuit is fully balanced which offers steeper slopes than an 18 dB crossover and phase shift is lower than 6 dB or “First Order” circuits. This reference circuit also utilizes common mode rejection which lowers distortion by a full decimal point. This circuit is much more efficient than its predecessors, including the Khorus X mk II circuit. Reviewers and customers have used as little as 3 watts per channel with good results. Sonically it is hard to believe that they are the same speaker after the upgrade. It sounds as though a down comforter was removed from the speaker. Crystal clear and non-fatiguing highs, along with a clear and fluid like midrange. The bass increases so much it is like a subwoofer was added. Clear, punchy, articulate, and with a weight that bring the musical experience so much closer. There are crossover updates for all Talon speakers from the original designs, but since this new reference circuit, there has not been any changes necessary. All the crossover updates are of significant improvement, but the Khorus update is beyond significant, I would say mandatory to hear what the Khorus can really do.

Michael Farnsworth
Talon Loudspeakers, R&D