Klipsch Museum First Vinyl Release
Selections from the KlipschTape Recordings
Volume 1 | 1953-1959 KlipschTapes are the pioneering demo recordings from the dawn of hi-fi by loudspeaker legend Paul W. Klipsch and audio giant John Eargle. Over 400 reel-to-reel tapes have survived decades in a hot Arkansas closet to reveal historic sonic imagery never-before heard from this period in early acoustic research and recording technology. Witness true stereo sound when it was a wonder to behold, years before the first commercial stereo album! Limited to an extremely small run of 400, this first pressing was provided by Third Man in Detroit Michigan on 180g vinyl with a 2-sided full color insert - Including Paul W. Klipsch himself describing the recording process. It will undoubtedly become a collector's item among hifi and history fans.
he story:
In the mid-1950s, loudspeaker pioneer Paul W. Klipsch, founder of Klipsch & Associates in Hope, Arkansas, began recording live performances in stereo as reference material for testing his revolutionary Klipschorn loudspeaker. Fascinated with achieving the most natural sound reproduction possible, Klipsch captured jazz ensembles, organ recitals, choirs, and even environmental sounds using minimal microphone techniques and high-quality equipment. In 1957 he formally launched the KlipschTape Division, hiring young musician and future audio engineer John Eargle to help produce and sell these recordings as demonstration tapes for hi-fi enthusiasts and Klipsch dealers. The KlipschTape releases were among the earliest stereo recordings available to the public, made as first-generation copies of master tapes recorded at professional 15-ips speed with no equalization or studio manipulation. Although the venture produced only seven released titles and lasted just two years (ending with a financial loss) it represented one of the first efforts by an equipment manufacturer to distribute direct stereo masters to consumers. Rediscovered decades later in Arkansas storage, many of the original tapes have since been digitized and reviewed, preserving a remarkable snapshot of early stereo recording and the experimental spirit that helped shape modern high-fidelity sound. This collection also includes many never-before heard recordings, previously unreleased through KlipschTapes. Aditionally, the album closes with the completion of Paul W. Klipsch’s Studies In Motion stereo demonstration project, planned but never released.
The original source material was digitized by High Definition Tape Transfers and David Mallette at the Regional Music Heritage Center under the supervision of curator Jim Hunter for the Klipsch Museum of Audio History. This collection was curated, designed, digitally remastered, and produced by Klipsch creative director Matt Sommers (with Jim Hunter) in celebration of the 80-year anniversary of the Klipsch Loudspeaker Company. Published by the Klipsch Heritage Museum Association, Inc. dba Klipsch Museum of Audio History. Unless otherwise noted, all content is ©2026 Klipsch Heritage Museum Association, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication and/or recording may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Become a member, volunteer, or donate to the Klipsch Museum at KLIPSCHMUSEUM.ORG. Follow the Klipsch Museum of Audio History for weekly stories, videos, and images from the dawn of hifi.
SIDE A
Tin Roof Blues | Flem Fergueson and His Dixieland Jazz Band | 1956 | 5:08
Let All The Nations | Austin College A Cappella Choir | 1957 | 1:24
Stars and Stripes Forever | North Texas State College Band | 1958 | 3:30
Toccata and Fugue in D minor | John Eargle | 1957 | 2:52
Banjo and Fiddle | Unknown | 1956 | 0:46
I Think You're Wonderful | Joe Holland Quartet | 1957 | 2:48
Flamenco Guitar Lesson (Mono) | Eddie Freeman | 1959 | 3:12
Lang Lang Blues | Bob Lane | 1955 | 2:30
SIDE B
Basset Hound | Rule Beasley | 1958 | 3:21
Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano | Unknown | 1956 | 2:35
Suite Francaise: VI. Arabesque sur les Flutes | John Eargle | 1957 | 3:28
Lady Be Good | Flem Fergueson and His Dixieland Jazz Band | 1956 | 3:44
Studies in Motion | Paul W. Klipsch (compiled by Matt Sommers) | 1953-1959 | 8:06