Daan

This is a old thread, but I'm considering opening the doghouse inside, seal both mid-horn and tweeter and port to the back with a removable panel, using two 4" ports cut to 7" . Has anyone done this before? I'm aware of the fact that the midhorn [Dave's fastrack], tweeter and filter take up some space in there, so should I change the length of the two ports?..... My wife "learned to like" the LS's ,but would really hate to see risers under the cabinet, that's why I'm considering to do it the way descibed above. ANY HELP / INFO IS MUCH APPRECIATED! Thanks, Nico

They're already hooked up again and will remain there long enough to try out in the way you suggested..... Maybe I'm getting carried away sometimes because I can't sing [in the shower] myself.[:$]

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts about this. I have listened for about 6 months with your filters Mr. Klappenberg; it made the difference everybody describes after hearing them. Then I removed the K400's, switched to the Fastracks and from the start found the sound to be laidback [to my ears] like described. I ordered a pair of Bob's A-'s because I just wanted to know for sure; they sounded more "live" from the start,and after playing for about two months with one- and then the other again, I came to my conclusion. I'll take your advice and connect them again, trying a "hotter" tap on the autotransformer and re-do the comparison. Thanks for the thumbs-up regarding tonight's game; will the spanish, or the Dutch celebrate tonight???[<)] Nico

Well, like I wrote ; it is not nessessary. Straight out of the box I was very happy with the fastracks as they were. I was just playing around with different damping materials for fun, and posted my findings, for those who were possably thinking about doing the same. There is a lot written already about damping mid- horns, resonances from the bassbin etc. , so I will not add another you-really-must-do-this-mod. On the other hand I'd recommend you to try out this T-amp after hearing the difference between some tube amps [used by a lot of LS-owners] because you'd experience a BIG difference especislly when it comes down to beeing lively, detailed and a 3-d soundstage. Other than that it's a amp that's cheap, small, and you can sell it again when you don't like it..... Damping the fastrack is another story; the materials I put on there won't come off anymore, so it was a gamble what would be the outcome of this experiment; better, no effect, or worse. Place you hand on the backside of the fastrack when playing musice like drums or cello; you will understand why I wanted to try this in the first place. Also would like to add the following; after changing from the old [sagged] woofers to Bob's cast-frame woofers, the K-77 for his CT-125 and Dave's fastrack for the K400 [aluminium ones] , combined with Bob's type-A crossover, these speakers have never sounded better. It's just a whole different experience. I'm not the kind of owner who will change the cabinet itself, but I did try out a lot of different other things [like some more members here[]. With the ALK universal crossovers I found the sound to be more pleasant, but the speakers did not sound like horns anymore; way too laid back, and no foot-tapping anymore... My two sons of 6 and 8 years old helped me making decide which crossover sounds best; they clearly responded after changing the ALK for the type-A .....they began jumping around the room again.[<)] So I have a pair of the ALK's UNIVERSAL's for sale.... [notice that I'm in The Netherlands....] Also my brother-in-law wants to sell his original K401's and K-77's after me installing the units mentioned above in his LS's. [All these items only interesting for European members I guess]. I hope that this helps others; I thank a lot of you for helping me find my way through all "upgrades"and "modifications"....you have no idea how many threads I have read while beeing ill for a year, those threads containing your ideas, troubles and findings.... All these threads have helped me, to find my way through what-to-do and what-not-to , since somebody here already did and found out...... So THANK YOU ALL FROM THE NETHERLANDS, hope you enjoy your horns, and how they enrich your life just like we experience it over here! [] Nico

Just for the record; after trying out several tube-amps, this Trends TA10.1 [which I modified with the help of Michael Mardis his website] sounds terrific! It's a low-cost T-amp powered by the 12 Volt motorcycle-battery that I used before to power my other pre-[tube] buffer and TA2040 amp. I feel every owner of a horn-system should try out a T-amp powered by a battery to be able to compare the foot-tapping feeling these small wonders bring into the music in combination with horns; using the advantage of the high sensitivity to let these amps shine with only 2x 10 Watts [8 Ohms]. After by-passing the [simple] volume-pot and input-lines, shielding the air-core filters, and replacing the input-connectors plus power-inputcaps with bigger and better quality ones, this truly sounds like a well-known review on the internet writes; "a match made in heaven". http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends/ta10_3.html Just wanted to share.[] Nico

The mouth area now has a black finish that matches the looks of the stock [aluminium] K400 horn seen from the front [bUT SOUNDS MUCH BETTER!]. Beeing very satisfied already with my fastracks, I find myself playing music with the volume somewhat louder than before, like it's got even more "ease" to keep that "natural sound" that I like so much. [K400's sold already]......My guess is that if you have a chance to hear a set of these fastracks, your K400's will end up beeing sold as well, no matter howmuch you like them [are used to them] now. Almost forgot; ofcourse I took the time to apply a perfect "square-to-round" filling in the mouth's smallest area prior to painting them for the last time.

Milling prooved to be the answer to get a perfect flat surface and alignment of the mounting-surface for the adaptor. [picture showing the back-end before milling] this situation was compensated by a foam layer,factory-glued to the adaptor's mounting surface; I wanted it to be perfectly flat and in line with the horn's mouth. The first pic shows the dynamat and the milled and sprayed surface, allowing me to mount the adaptor with a small amount of glue only.

Another pic; after all layers have been added, it was time to dry in the open for some hours.

Athough beeing more than satisfied with Dave's fastrack horns for my La Scala's, after a customer asked to try out a dampening-product, I just could not resist. I took out the fastracks and started with sanding the inside of the horn since I liked the original finish, but wanted to experiment with a smoother finish. After that I sprayed them again with satin-black paint after I removed the adapter that holds the magnet assembly. I found the adaptor was fitted with a foam layer, and that the surface where it was mounted was not in line with the mouth for both horns. I milled that area [the backside of the horn] so it was completely in line with the mouth-area now , removed the foam layer from the adaptor, and glued it in place. Then a layer of Dynamat was added to all sides of the horn, next a layer of underbody-coating to make it moisture-resistant, followed by a thick layer of "HELIX dampening-paste" coming from Germany [the stuff that the customer asked me to try-out for applying-purposes]. This stuff is easy to apply with a paint-brush, like a thick paste and hardens out fast without any "ugly-smelling additives". Result is a wooden horn that now weighs considerably more than the original, sounds very "dull" when tapped, and gave me some eveings of fun, playing around with different materials. BUT...... does it sound different...? It does, but only at higher volumes; at soft to normal listening volumes there is no difference in sound, when playing louder "the sound just stays the same" as where voices used to alter a bit before [results from the resonances coming from the bassbin..?] So not a mod I would recommend to everyone, unless you have too much time and some material to play around with [wink]

Hello Dave; I would like to order another pair of them [for my brother-in-law]. He hates me after hearing my LS's with the fastracks....he can not live with the way his stock LS's sound anymore.[] Please deliver them just like mine [same finish], and LMK when you can have them ready. Thanks, Nico

Thank you for helping out; I have Emailed Noah, and also found the Bob Crites drivers. Nico

To complete my original set of La Scala's, I am searching for a set midrange drivers. Do you have a pair for sale, or do you know someone who has, please contact me. Can pay right away shipping included, verified PayPal member in The Netherlands. Thank you, Nico

The amp used; valve buffer with 6N11-J [or 3 other types] , tripath TA-2025, thel audio 2-way double-mono parametric EQ, input select plus high-end volume pot with RC. The amp is powered from a 12 Volts motorcycle-battery which needs charging after 3-4 weeks [playing music 3-4 hours every day on moderate/high volumes].

The combination with the ALK universal sounds just perfect for my ears, and also measures that way in our livingroom..

I'm trying to post some pics....

Just wanted to share my experiences with the FASTRACKS. After deciding which way to go; keep STOCK, or go for UPGRADES, I decided that a painting is to look at , and a loudspeaker is to listen to.PERIOD. So I read alot here, and found out that others posted very helpfull threads about upgrading the LS's.[thank you all !] After going that route with new speakers plus crossover, I enjoyed listening to them more and more, but...only for an hour or so......[] I send Dave some Emails asking him about the FASTACKS, to keep the original look of my cabinets, but at the same time get rid of the EAR-FATIQUE. Dave send the pair of his home-made wooden horns [packed to withstand a tornado] to my home in THE NETHERLANDS. While emerging from all the packing material and [3...] boxes, the professional make and finish was a joy to look at immediately. After a few days I found the time to install them [did not mind only beeing able to look at them during that time [] ] and installing them was indeed really very simple. I must add here that my first plan was to add Dynamat to my K-400's, but decided I wanted to try the FASTRACKS anyway, to be able to compare between the two. So out with the [undampened] K-400's, and in with the fastracks, positioning the LS's again, and.....LISTEN. It turned out to become one of those evenings you just can't go to bed to get some sleep..! From the first notes they produced I knew the K-400's were [literally] history. These wooden horns sound so much more natural, that I am currently find myself listening to every recording I have, just to discover more details and less irritation to my ears. After one hour I was amazed that I still was enjoying the music without the feeling "my ears had enough" [ear fatigue] AMAZED because I own my LS's for already 20 years and lived with it all this time! CONCLUSION; Bob Crites, Al Klappenberger, and Dave with his FASTRACKS made me replace my stock speakers plus filter, so now it's only the cabinet that is still stock....AND I THANK THEM ALL ! ....CAST-frame woofers, replacement K55-V diafragms + ct125's from Bob, ALK universal crossover from AL Klappenberger, Fastracks from Dave. For all of you that like to keep the original look of the early LS's , but would like a HUGE upgrade in sound at the same time; I recommend the FASTRACKS. You're invited to come over to this side of the pond and listen.[] Nico Rolvers, The Netherlands

I removed the screens after reading about it, and thinking about it for some time. We live in a relatively very clean environment . [climate-wise, and my wife and I like a very clean household] So I took the screens out, and noticed that words now " end" when the singer closes his/her mouth. That was obvious right away, listening to tracks I know for more than 20 years. Also voices and instruments are somewhat better placed in the soundstage between the speakers, like coming further into the room. This is just my 2cents; I would make the change again when needed because it simply is an improvement accoarding to my ears, and I accept the possability of having to change the diafragms one day. NOTE; I do not say that everyone should do this, to your ears it may make no difference, you'd only end up taking the risk mentioned in the previous comments; THINK ABOUT IT FIRST. BTW; removing them is simple and without risk IMO. Unscrew them, hold upside down like mentioned earlier, gently push a small sharpened screwdriver into the mesh under about 45 degrees, and gently pull out. Check the area just behind the removed mesh to be absolutely clean [you might find some dust-from-the-past there] and place the drivers back. I took no pics of this operation, simply because on each driver it was done in a matter of minutes.

Congrats from the Netherlands; it's only once in a while our eyes see something which is OUTSTANDING like this. By designing this, coming up with solutions for various problems along the way, and building it with your own hands ,you may call yourself a true craftsman all the way. A set of speakers desired by many......[]

Talking about quality here.... When I saw these original woofers for the first time, I was stunned by their "cheap looking appearance" [*-)] 16 years back, they both had membranes that were just sagged, coming outwards on the lowest side, and inwards on the upperside. I was amazed they did not rib against the magnet-cores yet! Back then I wanted to change them already, and now I will, and with a bit better ones as well. Also I tried a [very good] 2x 30 band EQ on them , together with my analyzer, to determine wether they did what they should do in freq, response... they didn't anymore. I guess the mis-alignment takes it's toll on the response, and I 'm SO HAPPY that these speakers are in my posession again, that I want to give them a fresh start.[] Going one step at the time, and asking for advice from people like you, I hope to make the right decisions and enjoy these speakers for the rest of my life. [My wife has already accepted the fact that when the LS's have to go, I'll go with them[:#]] [JK] she loves the sound they produce as well, and when I come home from work, for the first time I sometimes find her playing music.... Got to go; have to listen to my complete collection of CD's again since "the return of the LS's ". Nico

Thank you for bringing it up; I was already informed about this. Since I'm well equipped for wood-working plus metalwork, I will have no troubles with making this woofer fit[] After looking at the thread, I saw that others already went that way, covering the woofer, and shaving the excess metal off the edges. It's only 1/8 inch too large in diametre in total; I'm happy with my decision to buy these woofers! I'll post my experiences with pics after fitting them, maybe usefull for others in the future....

Thank you, and also the people who have send me PM's; in only a couple of days I have been receiving good advice about what to do. Result; I ordered a pair of cast-frame woofers plus a repair-set [sonicaps] for the original crossover from Bob Crites. Next step will be replacing the complete crossovers by ALK 's gentle slope ones in August, when I have funds again, and also a friend of mine in the US will bring them with him when he visits us here. I choose the cast-frame woofers, having lots of experiences with both stamped steel ones and cast ones; the later beeing much more rigid, plus Bob also told me they are slightly better. So for the next couple of months I'll listen to the effect these upgrades will have on the speakersystem, and go on from there. I thought about replacing the original k77-m tweeters for Bob's version, but decided to take it easy and go step-by-step. They already sound great as they are now imo, so things can only get better. Thanks again for the input! Nico

Thank you both for your words; in regards to the turning of the woofer; I did that already years ago, but find the replacement woofers not expensive [found them on the bay at Bob Crites'add], so am going to replace them to get a fresh start. Also would like to replace the AA crossover for a new [and upgraded?] one; what is considered the best choice ? While reading posts on this forum, and finding various crossovers....I'd like to replace these original ones with the best that are available for my early LS's, [alu mid horn]. I'll also ask Bob if the woofers with the cast frame are better than the stamped ones. Thank you; as a newbee I can not do much more yet ,then ask for advice from you members, I appreciate the help very much!

Hello to you all. I've just signed up here as a new member, [ location; The Netherlands],hoping to get help with taking care for my la scala's, and to tribute whatever I can to help others with various things I do know.... A bit history about these speakers; I bought them about 16 years ago after a most convincing hearing-test; I was blown away by the dynamic range, clarity and livelyness they displayed. They came in very good shape, undamaged by moving around, [or watering plants], with original receipt of purchase, and a lot of dust. After 3 years I had to sell them because of moving to a much smaller appartment; luckily my father-in-law was just as enthousiastic about them, and bought them with the agreement that he would sell them back to me when he needed them gone. His daughter and I separated, but I always kept in contact with her parents; resulting in the return of my la scala's last week! They are connected to a denon dcd2560 player, Thel passive pre-amp, and a Phoenix Gold MS 2250 high-end car audio amplifier which get's it's 14.4 volts from a huge powersupply. I restore these amps for a lot of years already, and they are amazingly suitable for home-audio for their high-end capability's. If anyone would like more info about these special amps I'll post more about the subject later on. First; thank you for reading this, and the first thing I would like to ask is if there are replacement woofers for the K33-E that can be used without the chance of ruining the original specs. These woofers have the square magnets; the cones have gotten out of their original position, due to their age. Still playing fine, but at some point, the voive-coil will start to rub against the magnet-core for sure. Thanks again; any help getting recone- parts, or replacements is appreciated. Nico