Mongo44

Ha! I enjoyed the analogy! And thanks so much, once again, for the valuable information. I waited to hear your thoughts about the Heresys and have decided to go the sub route, per your advice. The more I thought about it prior to reading your suggestion, the more I figured I really didn't need them. I like the sub idea; I just hope that once I find the right one that it works on the system. I suppose that if it doesn't, then I will just pick up another receiver. I will let you know how it unfolds. Thanks! John

Wow! I really appreciate your help. I know this might sound cheesey, but you really find the best people in these forums! I'm a member of a few and am always amazed at members' willingness to help. It just seems so contrary to the world - people - outside this url! Okay, I got the speakers working well. However, I took the subwoofer back, along with the extremely expensive male-to-male cord (9' for $108.00). I really tried everything twice and could get no sound. The Mirage model was "SC8" or something like that. What was odd was that the sub was getting a signal, but no sound was coming out. I worked with all the knobs, etc, etc. I jacked with that dang thing for hours, literally. Got my money back and I can still brag that every trip I take to Best Buy requires a follow-up visit the next day to return the item. At this point, I'm not sure what to do. I can't imagine that the sub chanel is broken, but I guess anything's possible. I do know that it's never been used, though. Also, I just found a good deal on some Heresy IIIs and am thinking of adding those. What do you think? I hear they're pretty awesome speakers as well. Also, are the Klipsch Subs pretty decent? I can't imagine they'd be anything but great, but just thought I'd ask. Most accounts I've read on La Scala setups don't include Klipsch subs, but rather some other fancy brand that I've never heard of. Thank y'all again for your help!

Thanks so much for your advice... Okay, I just went in and began fooling with it (my expert way of trouble-shooting) and relocated the speakers to a 6-Channel output section on the back of the H/K and they are TREMENDOUSLY different. Let's just say that, yeah, the paint's beginning to peel... Wow! Still can't get the subwoofer to work. It's a single chord hookup. Don't understand. I've read and re-read the instructions, but I don't know. I'm surprised to say that, after all I've read about La Scalas lacking bass, that the bass presence was certainly far more than I'd expected. Standing close to the speakers cranked-up reminded me of standing a foot or so from the 3" tailpipes on my '66 Chevelle SS. It moves your pants... I can still see the need for a sub as the mids and highs seemed a bit to sustain a much stronger presence. I will keep working on it. However, I purchased the sub at Best Buy, which is where I tend to just get bent over every time. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that the sub really doesn't work. This is no exaggeration, but I conservatively estimate that 85% of the time I buy something from that place that comes in a box, I'm required to make a return trip to find the missing parts not present in the box, or because they just sold me another POS made on the other side of the world. I wish I were the guy who invented those little gold colored "Made In China" stickers - I'd be living next to Bill Gates.

It's probably my lack of know-how, and my propensity to do nothing but run into bad luck... Especially in the audio world. In fact, I've spent thousands of dollars, especially in the car audio world, and have yet to have a system actually perform without blowing an amp, shorting out, etc, etc, etc. It's a freaking mind-blowing anamoly.

By the way, do these receivers have sub capability?

Thanks, Speakerfritz! I'll check 'em out...

Neil, Thanks so much! I will look for one. What I've noticed is that my current H/K doesn't do a flip in powering the LSs. I can only "hear" them when it's cranked all the way up. And barely hear, that is...

Greetings to the Klipsch Community! I am new to the forum and am a complete know-nothing when it comes to home audio, hi-fi stuff! I have always had extreme bad luck when trying to build a "system" that sounds good, much less even works properly. So, in hopes of avoiding further mishap, I thought I'd come to the experts, which is why I'm here. A little over a year ago, I was given a pair of mint Klipsch La Scalas. They are the LS-BRs and say Type AL on the back of the little circuit panel. Anyway, I have always admired Klipsch speakers and have always wanted some, so I was blown away when these just landed in my lap, free of charge. Unfortunately, I have a system that is not on par with these speakers, although I believe I could make it work with a little effort. Around ten years ago, I purchased a Harmon/Kardon AVR 5 receiver and have been running some old BOSE 301s. I have no amp but I have a Mirage Subwoofer that I can't even get to work. Which is typical, because, after all, it is brand f-ing new... I have been looking at my options and simply would like to add a power amp, but am not sure which route to go. I have heard many good things about the class-t amps, like the Trend T10 (I thinks that's what it's called) and a few others. I certainly don't need monstrous power as the room the speakers are in is not all that large. Besides, I understand the La Scalas work better on amps that produce high-quality sound in the first couple watts and that more is less with these extremely efficient speakers. If anyone could shed some light, I'd certainly appreciate it. I am looking to avoid spending massive amounts of money - just want to get some good clean sound. I don't care about all the surround stuff and home theater baloney. Just want to be able to watch movies and listen to music. Also, when you respond, please do so as if you're trying to explain this stuff to a 6 year old. Usually, when I read the stuff found here, I have no idea what anyone's talking about. I'm serious. When it comes to this stuff, I'm a total greenhorn. Like, what the F is a crossover? Get the picture? Thanks a million! John