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The final day of the 2024 PWK Birthday Bash featured the latest Chief Bonehead Class given by Klipsch Chief Engineer Roy Delgado. The subject of this class was to introduce the changes coming in the next iterations of the La Scala and Klipschorn (presumably the AL6 and AK7 respectively). We got a tease of the changes at SubFest last fall, but during this class Roy finally revealed the details. Just remember that all of this information is preliminary and subject to change. The first change is the replacement of the K-401 midrange horn. The tooling for the K-401 is finally wearing out. Instead of making new tooling for that old exponential horn design, it was decided that it would finally be replaced with a modern modified Tractrix horn, designated the K-406. This new horn is much shorter and features a 2” throat and “mumps”. The horns in the pictures are prototypes in white plastic. The final version will be the usual black color. The next change is the midrange driver to go with this new horn. This will be the large diaphragm, 2” exit KT-1133-HP compression driver used in the Klipsch Professional line. An external wide dispersion phase plug will likely be added for use with this driver before production. The last change is the replacement of the passive crossover with an active DSP like the Jubilee. This now allows time/phase alignment of all drivers. This also allowed the response to be flattened out, especially the hump in the bass bin range, allowing response to be flat down to 45 Hz. I forgot to take a picture of the two curves, one with the passive network and one with the DSP, but the difference was night and day. The curve with the DSP looked ruler flat down to 45 Hz. However, this also means that the new La Scala and Klipschorn will now require three channels of amplification per speaker. The question was raised as to whether a passive crossover network option would be offered as some buyers might balk at buying three channels of amp power per speaker. Roy said this may be an option. However, a passive crossover network will not provide the time/phase alignment and perhaps not all the response corrections made possible by the DSP. I asked Roy why he didn’t replace the tweeter and midrange horns with a single K-510 horn mated to a Celestion Axi2050 driver and make these speakers two-way active. He said he didn’t do this for two reasons. One was that the K-510 is a 500 Hz horn and would not allow proper crossover to the Klipschorn bass bin which can’t get that high. The other reason was the desire to continue the tradition of providing “upgrade kits” to allow La Scala AL5 and Klipschorn AK6 owners the ability to upgrade their speakers to the latest revision. The K-406 will have the same mounting screw hole pattern as the K-401, allowing a swap with nothing more than a screwdriver. I told Roy I’ll be first in line for any upgrade kit for my La Scala AL5 surrounds. Edit: I forgot to mention, any upgrade kits that might be offered would only be for the La Scala AL5 and the Klipschorn AK6, since only those versions have the Celestion tweeter that will be carried over to the new versions. We then got to hear demos with the new La Scala. How did all these changes sound? In a word, astounding. The improvement is dramatic. The bottom end sounds fuller, the speaker sounds smoother, and better integrated. The hint of shoutiness from the K-401 is completely gone. The improvement is as dramatic as when I head the comparison of the Underground Jubilee and the Hertiage Jubilee. When Roy later paired the La Scala with the large (18 Hz) Hertiage subwoofer prototype, the sound was as close to the Heritage Jubilee sound as I’ve heard from any other Heritage speaker. These are not your grandfather’s La Scala. I imagine the improvement will be similarly dramatic with the Klipschorn as well. Roy has certainly worked his magic once again. Roy also mentioned that the La Scala and Klipschorn DSP units may have a subwoofer out for use with the Heritage horn subs. This was how the demo with the sub was done. I can’t wait for these new versions to be released.

they can fix it w/out problems

I built a roaster and roast my own coffee Then brew on my prosumer machine setup

1957 Motorola Masterpiece Current play, Dion-The Wanderer

As the title says I made my first foray into Klipsch with a pair of Forte III. I am stunned at how nice they sound paired with my Jolida tube amplifier running 6550s and a Conrad Johnson preamp. I'm hearing recorded music in a whole new light. The clarity is stunning! Horn instruments, stringed instruments, woodwinds, pianos and voices sound so incredibly realistic. Not like anything I've heard. The midrange is incredible for overdriven guitar. Bass can get get deep and thump. I'm noticing little things I've never heard before like picks hitting strings, Lee Morgan taking a breath during a solo, different layers in recordings, etc. I've always had "East Coast" speakers in the past, which can be a little laid back, and these are so uniquely different it took a little getting used to and dialing them in. I was kind of disappointed at first. Once I got placement correct the bass improved dramatically and the soundstage improved 10 fold. Now they are incredible! Thanks to everyone on this forum for sharing tips etc. Your posts were immensely helpful when I first received the speakers! Looking forward to experimenting with different speaker upgrades and equipment in future!

The 2024 PWK Birthday Bash was a lot of fun. Here are some pictures from the different events that I took. Others who attended are welcome to add theirs to this thread. Here are a few pictures of people hanging out at the KMAH Visitor Center before the Museum Annual Meeting on Thursday March 7 and then the meeting itself.

I am the white dot in the center of this. Trees extend like this for miles in every direction .Springtime can be a bit irritating. Wouldn't give it up for anything.

Next play

Hemi or Magnum? 🤔

Rachael Price from LSD and the yMusic Ensemble... superb!

The brain is such a weird creature! Always got something playing around in my head, Bach, Beethoven, Dire Straits.... Like tryin to explain a dream ya had... Woke up this morning to this running down that neuron highway..

No Need to dust...Just Powerwash

That was funny to walk into and an even better read. 😂 Cantilever's? Ha! You guys always wondered WHY I didn't dust? Now ya know!

The closing evening at the Visitor Center featured good food and live music by the Moss Brothers.

The banner of Mr. K looking out the window of the Visitor at the Birthday Bash in his honor.

The Stormwatch is the last album released by the original lineup It is is a little darker in content than Benefit I have it in the collection

Whatever happened to Robert Gordon?

I went to a Prince concert at Civic Center in St Paul Minnesota in December 1984. He played a ivory guitar and while playing a solo he was stroking the fret board and a white substance was squirting out the neck. I think it was 7 days straight of sold out concerts.

Does it sound different depending on whether one is sittng where the Sonex is still intact as opposed to rotted and missing and all that is left is plywood behind you?

So all I need is money...Ok thanks

You mean the farm above me on the mountain? His family used to own most of the land around here. He seems unhappy about that.

I can't believe that figure of 43 billion. JJK The artist typically gets 85% of the concert gross. For the Tokyo shows alone she would get approx. $4 million. Her ticket prices started out at a few hundred each, but groups bought large lots of tickets to resell. The average has been over $1600 each. They were initially released at around $500 each, but bought by 3rd party ticket sellers and the prices shot up.

Went to a concert at a church I used to attend. My retired, primary care doctor wrote songs using the psalms as the basis for each song. Had a seven piece acoustic group. All great musicians and song writers themselves, All, except my doc have toured with different artists or written for some. The offering went to support a puppet ministry, that started at that church and still travels around the world. Afterwards I talked with Jason Armstrong, who I have not seen for probably 20+ years. He builds electrics for his company American Exotic Guitars. https://americanexoticguitars.com/ He has some nice Tele models made from sassafras that are beautiful.

I'll take 3 upgrade kits...please. Even though buying new Lascalas or Khorns aren't in the playing cards...yet. I love it and am excited for the change. I find it funny how some of the naysayers talk trash on Klipsch products, then these new ones come out and they're in awe, nicely done. Thanks for sharing and taking the time for a right up.

Thanks Michael for sharing the pictures and details of what Roy has accomplished with the continuing evolution of the awesome La Scala and Klipschorn. I certainly missed being there with all the Boneheads 🙂 miketn

The final day of the PWK Birthday Bash featured the Chief Bonehead Class about the changes coming with the La Scala and Khorn. I posted about the class in a separate thread.

Friday night at the PWK Birthday Bash featuring Chief Bonehead Fajitas (aka Royjitas) and live music by Dave Almond.

On my last two posts I neglected to mention Dion is 45rpm, which is obvious. Little Richard is 78rpm. I am amazed how good 78s sound.

Look for a 3 or 4 year old flagship avr since the price drop on electronics takes a big hit after a few years old. Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer, Sony and a few others to choose from. Flagship avr's have discrete amps for each channel, separate compartments for preamp, power, biamping, ect..

OH OH Someone is expecting!!! Magnum...

*JEALOUSY* I miss my drafting room, big time! Will watch for the post for sure

Thanks, it was the the "middle of the road" price range. I'll post the drafting table setup in the CCC thread or the youtube one soon I hope!

You floors look nice. My first house had oak hardwood. My current house is carpet. Very good for acoustics though.

Magnum! Whooo Doggie! *Paul won't recognize the thread when he gets back here

That's funny. Appreciate your concern @Klipsch104db! it was pulled out to move it Floor's new, the house is new to me, and I used to paint for a living! They're possibly drying now one for the last wall behind the pc.. other back in the box.

....rear cover artwork and the day time vibe............yup, back to more vino to cheer on Joey D. 🍷

Magnificent! Tabernacle Choir Maynard

Ok, time to pull something from the LP library. There is a very nice bit O history with this one. Not far from from here, and close to my place of work in Northampton MA, there is an intimate music club. Great food, and always top notch artists. In fact, I was on the very stage with a couple of bands I was in! = an honor! Anyway, this was 2019, and when ever Joey D. came to town, as a Hammond organist myself, Chris and I along with other fans and friends would make sure to be at the show. Joey really looked good on this night, lost lots of weight, and with a new hair style looked great! The concert was wonderful and there was NEW merch available. I made it a point to pick up his newest album available on a DOUBLE LP presentation. I made sure to have him sign it after the show. What was REALLY a very cool thing was..............I knew the company that rented the 1954 B3 Hammond to him. I talked to the fellow in charge and mentioned, "Before you put that rear cover on the organ, have Joey sign, date it and add the venue name as well." So, I got some photos with Joey, and asked him to sign the inside of the organ, and HE DID happily!! Sadly, Joey D. has passed recently, and now, some lucky person one day will make the discovery and fine his signature inside that Hammond B3. I took photos while he was signing it as well. Ok, here is side one, disc one on the U-Turn custom.

2nd coat's going up finally. "Stuff" "blues" over being kept by threat from 85% of my belongings. & that stone the last month have kept me from it. Throwing down with the Benny Moore today and that re-released "Song Remains the Same" full concert now recording! the cd cover emulates the original release but not what is on the cd's! If you heard it back then you will recognize this release has more tunes in it!

George will love that^^^ Wind's been blowing so hard it turned a couple of my clocks back. https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/NationalForecastChart/map.php# High of 50?? Nope, it hit 47 and has been going back the other way since! Looks like @Dave1291 might have some snow.

Senior Coconuts Kraftwerk Tribute!

Well I have heard Klipsch Heritage speakers before. Like I mentioned. Mom and Dad still have their Heresy's that they purchased in the 80's. I'm certainly going to try to keep the room as open as possible. I'm curious how the stucco walls will effect the sound quality. I'm hoping that it will help and not hurt. I'll try to keep everyone posted as to how things are working out. Rabbit hole away....Geronimo!!!!

only if it's been properly rejected & replaced!

Hi, As mentioned in this post: Sorry for any inconvenience, but we no longer support using Tapatalk for this forum.

The main issue is we are getting a ton of traffic from over 1000 Russian IP addresses, probably trying to DDOS the site. I'm attempting to mitigate. Step one was upgrading the forum software which was about 2 years overdue. Obviously there is more to do.

Prayers sent to Rodney, and good vibes. He seems like an incredible guy, very generous. People like him are becoming harder to find. God bless you sir.