Sky Hits

You may have seen my recent thread that I am the proud new owner of some 1977 La Scalas. I am already enjoying them immensely but it has been strongly recommended to me that replacing my crossovers with new ones will dramatically improve the speakers. Currently I have what I believe are the original networks, AAs. They also have a strange little box attached to each one that has a little knob for the tweeters and midranges. I'm not sure why. I called Klipsch to find out the price of buying their latest crossover networks for La Scalas and was told that with '77 Scalas, I would have to buy the entire upgrade kit (crossovers, tweeter and woofer drivers) because their latest networks wouldn't be compatible with my tweeters and woofers. He also said the midrange drivers may or may not be compatible. I didn't know what I had at the time of the conversation but I have K-55-Vs. Anyway, this upgrade kit from Klipsch is $1,000. I have since heard that through resourceful members of the forum I can purchase other networks for significantly less that would work with the drivers that I have. So here are my questions: Can anyone recommend the Klipsch upgrade kit? Or tell me more about the advantages/disadvantages of swapping out so many components? I can tell from so many signatures here that Bob Crites' kits come well recommended. I'd be happy to hear about that too. I'm all ears, thanks in advance for entertaining an issue that must come up a lot on this forum. Seth Hitsky

Thanks for the clarifications. When I spoke on the phone with someone at Klipsch, I understood the La Scala upgrade kit to include new crossovers, tweeters and woofers. I got the impression that if you have the right model mid drivers that they should be compatible. The price mentioned: $1,000. If I'm hearing that it isn't worth it, and I should instead consider just replacing the crossovers (or even just the caps?) and possibly the tweets, that's interesting news to me....I'm definitely interested in further input on this topic. Originally I just called Klipsch about buying updated crossover networks for the La Scalas and was told that their new crossovers wouldn't be compatible with my k-77s and 33s. Thus, the upgrade kit. PS Reggae heads: Thanks for the positive irations! PS Burning Spear's "Marcus Garvey" and "Garvey's Ghost". And from the 60's...Desmond Dekker's "Fu Manchu"!

Hello everybody, thanks for all the great responses. I've been away from the computer and boy, you walk away from a thread around here and...!!! Anyway, to respond to some of what was asked/said, I actually got these La Scalas for a bargain: $650! The owner originally posted them on craigslist for $800 a month or two ago and couldn't find a taker. So he dropped the price, because he wanted to move them, but also said he couldn't in good conscience drop it any lower. As far as my plans go, I spoke with someone at Klipsch about the upgrade kit to convert these puppy's into La Scala IIs. It includes new networks, new bass and tweeter drivers. It does assume that you have the right midrange driver and if anybody can tell me if the K-55-V works with the upgrade kit, I'm interested in finding out. It is already wonderful listening, and yes, very "live" sound. I'm actually having a little trouble with my sony integrated amp (the right channel is noticably a little quieter than the left channel) and was considering spending a few hundred bucks on a better integrated (perhaps used): arcam, marantz or nad, until I can really invest in some nice separates. I'm also noticing a subtle tracking issue with my technics turntable (some 'crackliness' in the treble at times) that I need to either get worked out, or perhaps replace the thing with a better table. I think it's a testament to the Scalas though that I'm able to suss out all of these subtleties. I'm really enjoying their sound, how the vocals and horns levitate in the room...and the hihats for jazz? So crispy! So to the music discussion! I feel honored that my placing King Tubby as my avatar has sparked such a nice discussion about Jamaican music. I'd like to add Joe Gibbs to the list of talented producers already mentioned. Particularly his African Dub series of records. And I do have a copy of Legend on vinyl. Anybody ever notice that there are two versions? One that has some "remixed" versions of some of the songs?

[H] It has been since Saturday that I have had my newly aquired La Scalas hooked up but I've been hesitant to offer a report because...well, I've been heavy listening! On Saturday I borrowed my friend's minivan and trekked out to the outer Chicago suburbs from the city to pick up my La Scalas. Thanks very much to John, "the seller" who started with a great post at Craigslist, was upfront and honest, offered the speakers at a very decent price, hooked them up properly so that I could preview them well, and even helped get them into the minivan! (Also thanks to John's wife and baby who needed the space. John's 'settling' for his Heresies now.) On to the audio: I'm running them on a rough-and-tumble system now....the La Scalas are really going to be the first building block of a two-channel system that will take me a year or two to put together: I'm currently using an old sony integrated amp from the early 80s, creek audio phono pre, technics turntable and a grado gold cartridge. I started out listening to some dub reggae and was immediately pleased with the bass. I feel as though I bought two kick drums and set them up in my apartment. I moved on Paul Simon's Rhythm of the Saints which really showcased what horns can do with horns! The horn hits on the record sounded amazing. Next I played Amhad Jamal's Live at the Pershing "But Not For Me" concert and was so pleased to have the sound of that piano in my room. There's nothing like playing really varying styles of music to showcase the versatility and response of these speakers. So then came the trouble: I noticed that one of my tweeters had gone out! No sound at all. I called the seller to make sure I wasn't going crazy and he told me to check the connections because something may have come loose. I tightened up the connections to the network (AA networks, by the way) and thankfully the tweeter started singing again. I made a mental note to really check all of the connections as these are very old speakers. Sorry, as I don't have a digital camera (a dinosaur, I know) I can't post any pictures. Truthfully they are not much to look at: painted matte black, these were owned and used by a church in Oregon for an electric organ. But the sound is everything! Very happy new La Scala owner, Seth Hitsky

Here in Chicago, the Smart Bar (underneath the famous Metro Club) installed a Funktion-One sound system in 2006 and since then has had the best sound in town for a dance club. The sound is clear and crisp and the bass bins are evenly distributed around the dance floor. With the right DJ (can't emphasize this enough) it's a great night out. www.smartbarchicago.com

Thanks everyone! As far as the crossover attachments go, I assume it was some kind of added eq control, which is why I would like it removed. Is it best to leave it alone?

Hi Everyone! I went to check out these speakers. (Sorry the link doesn't work anymore.) The serial numbers are not consecutive: 9R406, 9R433 but are both from 1977 according to another thread. The gentleman selling them had them hooked up in his garage for me and they really sounded great. Here is my question: The crossovers, which are Klipsch AA have a little attachment on each one that has a knob for tweeter and a knob for mid. I'm assuming these were not originally part of the crossovers. Has anyone ever heard of this before? Do you think it would be possible to remove such attenuators? The reason these are no longer listed on craigslist is because I put money down. I'm coming back with a minivan to pick them up...couldn't say no to the price for my first Klipsch La Scalas!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/ele/336268261.html These were posted just two days ago on Chicago craigslist. I called the guy last night. He's been the owner since 1989 but they've been in storage for quite some time. His original post was for $1200 but now he's got it up to $1400....I suppose he's had some good response. If I go to see them (it's a bit of a trek from Chicago), any suggestions on what to look for? He says he has them hooked up to a 300 watt yamaha amp in his garage...that's obviously not optimal for listening.

Thanks for everyone's input. I do have one good corner and one 'false' corner for khorns. But I wonder what the closest distance is that one could have to the two speakers from each other to create a worthwhile soundstage.

Hello everyone! I first fell in love with Klipsch while living in New York City. I helped my friend, a fellow audiophile, maintain and update his Khorns (paired with Mark Levinson mono blocks and preamp). I now live in Chicago, and am beginning to plan my own two-channel system. My apartment is too small for Khorns, and so I am thinking of hunting for La Scalas. The catch is, I haven't heard them. Anyone live in the Chicago-area who would be interested in demonstrating their La Scalas for me? Any opinions on my choice of La Scalas as a good choice for someone who loves Khorns but has a smaller listening room? Thanks in advance for any and all input.