drobo1

If you want high resolution music playback rivaling analog, then it is no contest. SACD is the format to use. It sounds better and has more software support. drobo

I have to agree with Ray Garrison. The Adcom 535 was their best sounding amplifier. I had a couple of 535's and a 555. A friend had 565's and another had the 5802. I still think the little Adcom sounded the most musical and least abrasive. Since going to tubes to drive my La Scalas, the huge solid state amps are in my distant past. Most Klipsch speakers are drawing .1 to less than 5 watts of power most all the time. These big amps don't perform too well at the low end of their power operating range and Klipsch owners never experience these amps where they operate best, the high watt end. drobo

Get it quick. Cary makes great amps. The AE-1 Sig is well reviewed. The 300B tube sounds wonderful into my La Scalas and I think you can even use 2A3's in the AE-1. drobo

I had a buddy in college, early '70's, who had a PA company that did sound for local concerts in the Alabama area. He used multiple Pro La Scalas much like you describe. The purpose of the detached design was to allow various stacking configurations, such as two bass cabinets topped by two high frequency cabinets. drobo

I believe the black thing is a Japanese development. I just love the way my gold faced Sonic Frontiers preamp and Cary amps look in my setup. My visitors have no comment about the black pieces but go bonkers over the gold and silver stuff. However, it costs more to be different. drobo The problem with mass transit is the masses.

Having been through Koss, Sennheiser, and Grado I finally settled on Beyer Dynamics as my headphone company of choice. drobo

I am trying to get some action on this thread. I too am considering some in wall/in ceiling speakers for sites in my remodeling house where music might add a nice touch. Does anybody have any experience with Klipsch's products in terms of sound quality and installation? drobo

It's really not fair to compare many of the current Klipsch lines with the Klipschhorns, La Scalas, and Belle Klipschs. These are true horn loaded speakers over their operating ranges and many of the newer Klipsch speakers are cone direct radiators like so many other generic speakers. I mean to say that it's not fair for the non-horn loaded speakers. I have always liked my La Scalas since I purchased them new in 1979 but I didn't realize their full potential until I tweaked them and began to drive them with low watt SET tube amps a few years ago. I damped the horns with rope caulk, rewired the inside, and replaced the old AA crossovers with Al K's. I do believe a good musical sub woofer is worth the money to fill out the lower octave. I use an REL Strata II and with it's controls I can blend it quite well with the Scalas. Every few months I go to the high end stores to listen to the Martin Logan's, B&W's, Sonus Faber's, and Magneplanars. They all have their strong points but I never have an inferior complex when I get home with my setup. "IT'S ALIVE!". drobo P.S. I do have to admit that the little RB-5 is one hell of a speaker. It's my favorite Reference line speaker. This message has been edited by drobo1 on 09-04-2001 at 09:44 PM

Ray, I used the old brown Dynamat but I don't think I got it heated to the point you describe. I used a heat gun after applying it to my metal squawkers. The oven trick must be the way to go. Anyway, I am very happy with the performance of the rope caulk. drobo

Having tried both the rope caulk and Dynamat materials for damping my La Scala horns, I prefer rope caulk. It's cheaper, easier to work with, and I think it actually damps better. Part of my preference comes from the fact that even though I heated the Dynamat and put it on with pressure and even a roller, it eventually did not remain adhered to my squawker. This problem might be due to our very low humidity here in Colorado. drobo

I AB'ed the two speakers and I think the RB-5 sounds better. It also has a better finish which may be the reason it's similarly priced but with fewer parts in a smaller package. drobo

I have a lot of different music but if you want low frequency loud info check out Joe Satriani's "Engine of Creation". Get the SACD version is you have a Super Audio CD player. drobo

Last few posts are right on. It's the AC power. The whole system sounds better not just the speakers. drobo

I would like to see Klipsch produce a two way horn speaker over the audible frequency range. A horn loaded bass section up to maybe 150 Hz and then one horn from 150 Hz to 18 K could be one idea. The option to use a crossover or only biamp between the two drivers thus eliminatng crossovers would be interesting. It would need to be of the typical Klipsch Heriage efficiency so as to be driven by low powered SET tube amps. drobo

I would try a different dealer/setup. I own vintage La Scalas driven by all tube amp and preamp but auditioned the RB-5's as a second system speaker for my weekend place. The store, Soundtrack in Denver, had an elaborate Klipsch room with all their Reference speakers switchable with a low noise board and driven by Krell electronics. Although Krell is sometimes thought to be strident and forward, I was very impressed with the sound of the RB-5's. I liked them better than even their floor standing Reference big brothers. They are not bass giants and need a good subwoofer to cover the lower octave. I have yet to act on a second system speaker purchase but the RB-5 would still have to be near the top of my list. drobo