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tidmack

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    New to La Scala Wow what a sound stage

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    13 hours ago, ClaudeJ1 said:

    As a LaScala owner for many decades (not currently), I read your post as more of an "Ode to Sub Woofers." I have found the LaScala to be more phase coherent than the Khorn, since it's driver differential distance from woofer to midrange means that drivers are within a quarter wave near the crossover points. Not perfect, but way better than the Khorn. It could be why the OP stated they image so well.

    I don't disagree that with the right music (a pretty limited range), my La Scalas were terrific. I've only used subwoofers (crossed way into "woofer" range) with two speakers: Heresys and La Scalas. I think the point I was trying to make is that most folks would understand why Heresys would need subs, but be terribly disappointed to learn that La Scalas tremendously benefit from them them, too. This is all just my opinion, based on the music I listen to, but the vast number of people who modify La Scalas tells me they aren't a great design for a wide range of frequencies. 

     

    Jeff

    New to La Scala Wow what a sound stage

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    36 minutes ago, Bubo said:

    Totally agree Klipsch understood declining marginal returns

    It's the reason the company and designs are still around.

    1% improvement at double the cost is a business killer

     

    Just out of curiosity

    What other large speakers are you referring to

    and what types of music

    When I had La Scalas without subwoofers, I often demo'd them with Sarah McLachlan, Fleetwood Mac, or anything with acoustic guitar. The punch of a La Scala is spectacular and they're a BIG soundstage kind of speaker that shines with vocal-heavy songs. Toss on some jazz, something with upright bass, or let's say '80s-'90s rap, and they're awful. If I hadn't owned 5 pair over the years, I would probably think there was something wrong with the speaker. Their bass response trails off pretty darn quickly. As years went on, I picked up a pair of Klipsch THX subs and ended up with speakers that would rival, or even possibly exceed my Klipschorns. The difference in a La Scala when paired with a capable sub is night and day to me.

     

    As far as speakers in that size range to compare with La Scalas...Within the Klipsch line, the Klipschorn, even when poorly placed, equals the sound of the La Scala, AND has a smaller footprint. Please keep in mind, I am only talking about the original La Scala, not the La Scala II, which I think is a far improved design. Outside the Klipsch line, I immediately think about the JBL C38 or Altec 19, both of which I owned. I felt like the JBLs and Altecs "sounded like they should" consider the large size of their cabinets. Deep bass, detailed, and big, big volume when needed. The lack of bass with the La Scala has always been its downfall to my ears. It has big sound, but always sounded like it was missing an entire octave. But again, I don't think the criticism is necessarily fair, because the speaker was never really designed to shine outside of the punchy rock, or vocal-heavy acoustic realm.   

    • Like 2

    New to La Scala Wow what a sound stage

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    I suspect some of the friction in this thread runs deeper than just this topic, but I guess I don't totally understand what's being argued? I've been on this forum for over 20 years and the driver upgrade topic has been here since my first day. It's no secret that PWK incorporated diminishing returns economics into his speaker drivers; after all, it's a business. If it didn't make sense to spend 2x on a particular driver for a minimal measured improvement, the existing driver was used. 

     

    I think Roy's point about haphazardly changing drivers, and calling it an improvement without any data, is spot on. Our ears will tell us all sorts of things that aren't necessarily true. Roy is one of the few here who has tested likely hundreds of variations of Klipsch designs over the years. 

     

    However, I think people feel particularly moved to upgrade La Scalas and I think there's a reason the upgrade topic comes up over and over and over again with La Scalas: they're a huge cabinet, so folks have expectations for them that are equal to other speakers of similar size. To my untrained, but experienced ears, La Scalas simply don't sound as good as other speakers of similar size, except for with music that lies with a narrow frequency range.  In contrast, few people knock the response from Heresys because for their size, there isn't much out there that sounds better. People will complain about Heresys not digging deeper, but understand their cabinet size  and design doesn't allow for it, and modifications to the cabinet typically negatively alters response in other ways. So, Heresys get left alone...for the most part.  La Scalas, though, take up a bunch of real estate, and require a fair amount of work to sound decent outside a very narrow spectrum of music. So, I've always felt like folks are constantly trying to make La Scalas sound like a speaker they were never designed to be. As an owner of several pairs and incarnations of Klipschorns, La Scalas, Cornwalls, and Heresys over the last 30 years, La Scalas just aren't that good for a wide spectrum of musical tastes. My advice to the OP is to save his money on the La Scala upgrades and put it toward a pair of Klipschorns. Chasing improvement in the La Scala is a losing proposition, IMO.

    • Like 5
    • Thanks 1

    2 Amps 1 Pair of Speakers Switch Recommendation

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Just now, Ceptorman said:

    Yea, this isn't the best solution, but it does work well. I have a hi powered ss amp and liked the idea that this will handle the power.

    Right now, I think I'm going to reach out to the company that Jim used up in Canada. It sounds like they can customize these switches to your needs. For me, the ability to test an incoming piece of equipment more easily would make the investment into a custom switch totally worth it.

    2 Amps 1 Pair of Speakers Switch Recommendation

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Just now, Ceptorman said:

    Yes, it runs off a 12v trigger. One channel has priority. Turn on an AVR with a 12v trigger, activates switch, and only that amps signal goes to your speakers. Turn it off, and the previous amp's signal goes to speakers.

    10-4, thank you for explaining. I've been exploring all sorts of options this afternoon. I was familiar with speaker switches, but didn't know such a thing existed for amps, preamps, and sources. Really cool stuff out there...

     

    2 Amps 1 Pair of Speakers Switch Recommendation

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    10 minutes ago, jimjimbo said:

    Personally, I would be very wary of a switch providing a load to my powered on tube amp when not selected......just sayin'.....

    Thanks for the input, Jim. I was thinking it would be beneficial to have a load on the amp, as it's not good for a tube amp to not see a load? I saw an old thread where you purchased an SP-1 from Mapletree Audio Design. Do you recall what you paid? ...wait, I was able to see a price list. Looks like $220. Seems reasonable if well built.

     

    2 Amps 1 Pair of Speakers Switch Recommendation

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Guys, I'm in a situation where I'd like to switch between a solid state and tube amp, with one pair of speakers. Some days, I just want to use the tube amp. Here is the switch I see recommended most:

     

    https://www.amazon.com/Amplifier-Receiver-Speakers-Selector-Switcher/dp/B0796KGVXT#customerReviews

     

    With the Specialty AV switch, how do I split my preamp outputs? Can I just Y the RCA jacks and run a set to each amp? Is this "legal" to do?

     

    I'm open to suggestions for a different/better product, or a thumbs up for this unit. Basically, I want to make sure I don't ruin my amps. I've had my Mac 2105 for over 20 years now and its sentimental value far outweighs its cost.  Thanks for the insight.

     

    Jeff

    Klipschorn amplifier question

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    19 hours ago, Bubo said:

    .5 Watts is really loud

    2 Watts is screaming

     

    McIntosh Tube MC-30s are loved by many (30W) monoblocks Class B

    Cut sheet gave the specs at .5 Watts, which were stellar. 1956 Reference

     

    First Watt and Clones are prized for solid state Class A

    Schiit just came out with a promising 20W Class A

     

    The speaker designer , Paul Klipsch thought 20 Watts was plenty

     

    Normal listening volume on my 200 Watt McIntosh amp is 1/100th of a watt......typically peaking at 1/20th.

     

    https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/mcintosh/mc30.shtml

    https://www.thetubestore.com/lib/thetubestore/schematics/McIntosh/McIntosh-MC30-Owner-Manual-Schematic.pdf

     

    620877-4e7e6cdf-mcintosh_mc30_monoblock_

     

    I've had many of my own threads get derailed, so hopefully I can be excused this time. I did a double-take at your profile when seeing your favorite artist is Poe! Man, I really dug her first album and had a chance to meet her and the band after a show at Milwaukee's Summerfest festival...back in 1994-5?? Anyways, I'll have to look her up and see what she's been up to. Thank you for taking me back in time.

     

    Jeff

     

     

    • Like 1

    1981 HWO Heresys For Sale Madison, WI Consec Numbers Dual Phase Plug K55

    in Garage Sale

    Posted

    On 10/3/2020 at 5:44 PM, dwillie said:

    Not too long ago I had a pair of Walnut Oil Heresy with the solder terminal K 55's.  They were remarkable!  This model Heresy may not be the most dramatic speaker Klipsch has made, but for their size and considering their vintage, very, very impressive.  In my two separate rather small listening areas, with Quartets and La Scala's, I just didn't have the room to keep all of them.  I regret letting them go.

    For those that do not know, Jeff is a good guy to work with.  Good luck with your sale.  dwillie.  

    Seeing your message this morning made my day, dwillie. I appreciate the kinds words, my friend. Have a super week.

     

    Jeff

    • Like 1
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