Legendary American Sound: A Journey through Paul’s Hallowed Halls

While most audiophiles know Hope as the town where, in 1946, Paul W. Klipsch (1904–2002) founded the brand, and as the current location of the factory still producing his legendary, handcrafted loudspeakers, Hope is also the proud home of the Klipsch Museum of Audio History (KMAH) and Visitor’s Center.

The Klipsch Museum of Audio History and related facilities house an invaluable collection, including milestone Klipsch products, test equipment, audio source components, and even some early manufacturing equipment. However, it also contains many artifacts from the era preceding Klipsch and Associates, including Bell Telephone/Western Electric, Armstrong, RCA, Voigt, Edison, and many others.

The Klipsch Visitor Center features a hidden gem: three period-themed listening rooms, one of which includes Paul’s first pair of iconic Klipschorn speakers, recently restored to full working order. Jim Hunter tells the legend of this pair, which Klipsch crafted in his officer’s quarters in the little spare time he had after dedicating 80–90 hours each week to his military duties.

In 1948, Paul Klipsch moved out of his famous tin shed into a building that housed the telephone exchange for the South West Proving Grounds during WWII. It served as Klipsch’s first factory until 1952 and is now occupied by the Klipsch Museum of Audio History.

It was during his service at the Southwest Proving Grounds located in Hope, Ark. that Paul W. Klipsch refined his corner horn speaker design. Visitors to his officer's quarters were amazed by the lifelike reproduction and encouraged PWK to start his own manufacturing business.

He received a patent on his loudspeaker design in 1945, registered the name Klipsch & Associates in 1946, and began making each loudspeaker with his own two hands until he hired his first employee in 1948.

Learn more about PWK's history here: Founder History

The Klipschorn proved that it was possible to reproduce the sound of a live orchestra inside a home. It is the only speaker in the world that has been in continuous production for over 70 years, standing the test of time against all competition. Today, we still make them by hand in Hope, Arkansas, just the way Paul W. Klipsch would have wanted it.

The Klipsch Heritage Series, which consists of the Klipschorn, La Scala, Cornwall and Heresy, are still manufactured and sold around the world today.

Today, the Klipsch factory is across the street from the KMAH. This location still produces loudspeakers in true PWK tradition, including the iconic Klipschorn, the longest-running loudspeaker in continuous production for 78 years, handcrafted by XX employees under the direction of PWK’s protégé, Roy Delgado.

The KMAH and its related facilities are led by men and women of the non-profit Klipsch Heritage Museum Association (KHMA), who painstakingly care for and curate its historical collection with the mission to restore, preserve, maintain, and display Klipsch and Klipsch-related artifacts and archival materials, as well as to conduct important historical research. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the KMAH facilities host educational programs and special events that welcome visitors, engage the community, celebrate music, and inspire innovation in the spirit of its beloved founder.

Jim Hunter, KMAH Curator, Top 5 Favorite PWK Memorabilia:

FIRST KLIPSCHORN -BUILT DURING WORLD WAR II

In May of 1942, using only hand tools, Major Paul W. Klipsch built his first successful horn-loaded corner woofer prototype in his garage. He called it X-3, labeled it serial #1 and applied for a patent later that year.

PLEXIGLASS KLIPSCHORN

PWK'S MILITARY DRESS UNIFORM

A tag in the coat reads “Paul W. Klipsch, 720 W. Ave. D”. This address is confirmed by correspondence to be correct for at least 7/1/1946. And it appears to be in Belle Klipsch’s handwriting.

PWK'S MARKMANSHIP MEDALS

ARTHUR FIEDLER'S KLIPSCHORN

In 1953 Paul W. Klipsch was introduced to Arthur Fiedler, conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra and the world’s largest pop star at the time. A sponsorship agreement was signed, and PWK traded Fiedler a Klipschorn in return for the ability to use Fiedler’s name in advertising.

TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR

Why wait - take the KMAH tour now.

Of course nothing beats the real thing. There is no charge to visit Paul’s hallowed halls. The KMAH is open by appointment only and KMAH Visitor’s Center is open daily from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information, please visit https://www.klipschmuseum.org.