Sky Hits

Left channel front

Right channel side view

Right channel

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ears, It has been many, many moons since my last post. I hope this finds all of you well. Below I will post pictures of my finally completed project of stripping my La Scalas of black paint, sanding them and staining them. These are 1977 birch La Scalas that were spray painted black at some point before me. Here is a link to "before" pictures: http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/119331.aspx?PageIndex=1 There was a great discussion here when I was beginning the project: http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/122024.aspx Bear in mind I am a wood-working BEGINNER of the beginningest degree. Haven't attempted a project like this ever. So, I'm proud to have gotten through it and bring it to a moment of completion. Also, I'm happy to announce this was a SUCCESSFUL endeavor. My wife likes them much better now. When they were black, she referred to them as "The Death Stars". She is, I think, tickled that I put so much effort in, and she picked the stain which she is pleased with. So, that means the La Scalas stay! No downsizing to Heresies...for now. Particulars: I used two different strippers on each speaker (no good reason to do this, don't do it), both worked fine just differently. One by a Green Earth-y company, the other by 3M. I sanded using two different hand-held power sanders (both orbital, I think), mostly with 60 grade paper (much courser than recommended around here generally.) Finally, Minwax pre-stain conditioner (essential in this case, it turns out) and Minwax Colonial Maple stain (oil-based) picked by my wife.

Greetings! I spend time in the two-channel forum usually, so please forgive me if this post isn't appropriate here. As a singer and keyboardist here in Chicago I've recently made some happy changes to my rig. Specifically, I replaced my main axe, a Roland XP-60, with a Roland XV-88. This is a better board with superior sound and it's treating me great. The XV-88 is known for sounding really great in stereo so I'm thinking of changing my rig to a stereo set-up. My current set-up is sending the keyboard mono thru a Joe Meek meekbox preamp and then into a JBL EON15. One thought is to invest in another EON15 which will be plenty of power and flexibility as well for stereo-play (with effects, etc.) I thought I would check in here to see if anyone had any other suggestions, Klipsch or otherwise. I am only really familiar with the Klipsch Heritage line so speak slowly for me. [] Best regards to all your ears, Seth

Ha! Thanks for reminding me of some of the finer stuff that comes out of my mouth when some of the finer stuff has been going in it.

I was there! And I'm still alive! Seriously, thank you to Steve and to his family for hosting us. Also, thanks to Kwing for the ride to and from the city. I hope some other attendees jump in so I can put avatars to faces. It was a real fun party with a very happy group of listeners. Steve's system is excellent. So great to see and especially hear Jubilees with my eyes and ears. Steve and others can jump in to correct or add to any of the following: As it is currently arranged, the Jubs are in a 7.1 surround system in Steve's basement party space. (I'd go into further detail but you can probably just click on Steve's profile to see the specifics.) We played a wide variety of cd's people brought with them. The two major highlights for me were listening to Black Sabbath's "Ironman" and "War Pigs" as well as a fellow forum member's self-engineered choral concert that sounded just superb. Steve's system gives you the impression that it can take any recording, with any kind of dynamics and respond smoothly and with power and excitement! The custom Belle Klipsch Steve is using as a center channel is quite a piece as well. Since my own system is true two-channel, I found the presence of the center in stereo recordings to be surprisingly strong. This was something I noticed on recordings with a vocalist, but not on choral or orchestral recordings. Of course, I am used to the "ghost center" of my two-channel system at home. We also enjoyed several tracks from Pink Floyd's PULSE DVD and from a Blue Man Group live in concert DVD. Steve has a nice flat screen display to accompany the sound system. But I kept thinking during these moments that anyone with a sense for sound would be amazed at how much more dimenion the soundsystem is able to reproduce in the room than the display. Perhaps a 3D projector will have to be next for Steve... Thanks again to Steve and family and all the good people at the party. It was a pleasure to spend time with you.

Hello again all, This Friday my friend and I are going to do some exploratory testing with different techniques. One idea we have is using a heat gun. Another idea is using stripper. The third, based on the above suggestions would be to hand sand. Any thoughts on each of these? Thanks, Seth

Hi all, just checking in with my progress. Switching the speaker wire at the amp turned out to be revelatory: The output difference is definitely not the fault of the speakers. The slight difference in frequencies, however, may be. It's hard to say so far. Since I am using a tube integrated amp with six tubes, I wonder if I am noticing the beginning degradation of the tubes. I suppose it might be worth finding someone with a tube tester to check this possibility. In spite of now feeling like I have more questions that answers, I am happy to report that playing a little with the placement of the speakers has been really great. Both are now toed in again, the left channel just more dramatically than the right. I'm getting great separation and a beautiful center image. So, problem solved!?!?! Thanks again for all the input, Seth PS I realize now that Dennie meant possibly that my electronics have spl meters (they don't.) I assumed Dennie meant a db reader which would probably also be helpful in this scenario. Also, my amp doesn't have a balance control, so all of my attenuating has been by moving those La Scalas!

I do not have a SPL meter, but now would seem to be an appropriate time to pick one up! Thanks, Dennie, I'll check back in.

Hi Dennie, thanks for replying. I did switch the TT outputs. Didn't try reversing the speaker wires at the amp but will try that too.

Knights of the Court of Klipsch (Court of the Klipschon King?), It has been a while since my last post, summer has been fast-paced and wonderful. A special hello again to Kwing and JamesV who I had the opportunity to meet in person this summer. I have some trouble-shooting to do and I'm hoping for help. I'm definitely noticing more output out of my right channel La Scala over my left channel. In fact, depending on the record, friends who have been over with less experienced ears that mine have noticed it as well. The right channel often (almost always?) seems stronger. Maybe 3db, just by ear. I have a Bang&O tester record that I use to test the speakers. In the balance test, the difference seems to be obviously in the midrange frequencies. In fact, there are some pronounced higher notes in the right speaker, whereas the left test tone sounds duller. I have been playing with placement this afternoon with satisfying results. The right speaker is just about straight on from the wall. The left speaker (the weaker one) is toed in, just under 30 degrees. This brings the balance test the closest I can get it, not bad, also I have a pretty great stereo image in this scenario. So, good enough for now, but I'm wondering, is it time to think about replacing the diaphragms of my K-55-Vs? As a note, these are 1977 La Scalas. I have refreshed the AA crossovers with Bob Crites' cap kit, I have also replaced the tweeter diaphragms. Thanks and all the best in sound and life, Seth

Thanks again, Tom. I responded.

Hi Tom, Yes, Joe has extensive listening experience. In fact, we've done plenty of critical listening together. Also, his listening room is not ab ideal room corner-wise as well; Your setup may be a very good match for him. If you have time/inclination, Joe is knowledgable and will be gracious, I assure you. Thanks, Seth

Exactly the kind of direction I was hoping for. Thanks both.

Hi all, I tried an experiment and purchased a sanding block (medium fine grade) and tried it out on the back of one of my La Scalas. The good news? Under this boring mat black paint, there is wood grain underneath! The bad news? Doing it by hand would be a lot of work, effort and time. So, I'm looking for a power sander to borrow from one of my friends. Any advice or direction from any of you on this project is warmly welcome here. Here is a link to what will someday (soon!) be the "Before" pictures: http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/119331.aspx?PageIndex=1 Cheers, Seth

Whoops, dupe post. Just pushing up that post count...

Ha, Coytee, with over 8,000 posts, you appear to be a much more veteran member than myself! []

Hi twK. Yes, as a matter of fact Joe is a DIY guy. I will be pointing him to the thread as it goes along so I'll make sure he sees your offer. Probably he will still be interested in hearing a pair of Khorns first as I don't believe he has yet. And I know he is thinking of other possibilities as well. Thanks for posting your offer.

Thanks for checking in, JMON. If no one else from the area jumps in, perhaps I'll give you Joe's email address for when you get set-up.

I've been away from the forum for a little while and haven't taken the opportunity to properly (you know, out loud to the peanut gallery) thank JamesV for having me out to his house to listen to his soundsystems. About a month ago, James invited me to visit him at his home to check out his Cornwalls, speakers I hadn't had the opportunity to hear before. Due to my missing the Indiana South Shore train, James ended up picking me up in his car in downtown Chicago and driving me back and forth to his house in East Chicago, Indiana. In addition to meeting the friendliest pitbull I've ever seen (no bull), I had a chance to experience James' RF Home theater set up in his living room before heading upstairs to see his three different Heritage setups. We spent some solid time listening to James' vertical Cornwalls, and it was very interesting to note the various contrasts between them and my La Scalas. James graciously let me play record after record and I am very appreciative of his time and hospitality. It was a pleasure to meet a fellow forum member in person, and I look forward to meeting more of you in the future. Seth

Hello all, My good friend Joe is interested in swapping out the speakers in his 2 channel system (some pretty great dynaudios) for something new (to him.) Khorns are being considered as a possibility amongst others. Joe and I used to work together at an A/V store in Michigan but Joe now lives in Tempe, AZ. Is there anyone with Khorns in the greater Phoenix area that would consider having my friend over for a listen? I can vouch for him and for his audio and music enthusiasm. Best, Seth

And WFMU out of Joizy! http://www.wfmu.org/ If you haven't listened to free form radio before, do your brain a favor and give it a try! This one also stream.

WCBN, free form radio from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: www.wcbn.org and WNUR, from Northwestern University, Evanston: www.wnur.org Both streaming on the web!

Some amazing playing here. In addition to his always elegant piano playing, Mr. Garner hits the harpiscord for a few strange and beautiful songs.