Bubo

I agree, and this whole subject goes back to why Paul liked orchestra recordings as he had a base point to compare to, but consider that Roy apparently always listens to Bonnie Raitt on speaker prototypes that he is finalizing, seeing if she sounds nasal or whatever. What's the difference between doing that and paying attention to James Hetfield while singing "One"? Most likely nobody here knows what Bonnie Raitt sounds like in person and unamplified any more than James, so why would a recording of her automatically be more acceptable? Furthermore, Bonnie heavily uses a stratocaster and keyboards, really no different than listening to the tone of Kirk Hammetts rig. But yes, you're entirely right, and this can be demonstrated in the Hope gathering forum about the big system they brought. There were some things I just didn't think sounded good. Most people disagreed. And, I don't really care. The original engineering work in audio was all done by male engineers, which is why the phone network is optimized for male voice. Early theater sound systems also had a hard time reproducing female voices for the same reason. I have sampled systems where the female voice is all but inaudible. As to cymbal and piano strikes, these may be more a test of the amplifiers ability to go from zero to wide open instantly, since that is what is required. The ear is pretty good at detecting if a voice sounds lifelike, minus auto tune etc, and female voice still seems to challenge a lot of the engineers and equipment. Music with lots of distortion, like a Hendrix song, may sound pleasing or great, but what can we compare the distortion to unless we have two spectrum analyzers running and an analysis tool?? Once you have source you are comfortable with, it becomes a box swapping exercise. In my case a couple of weeks at Audio Associates swapping between the various Klipsch Speakers and the McIntosh gear. I am still very satisfied with the purchase, not to say that there isn't something out there better. If I have the time money and gear, or manufacture a pair, I would like to compare side by side a mint pair of Altec 820c speakers with the 802c-G drivers. The 820c was billed as the best speaker in the world, may still be a true statement based on listing to one for a couple of hours in a very not ideal environment. Dual 15 in horn loaded woofers Thread on the 820 http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?13503-Altec-820A-Corner-horn

Poe Fly Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEv6NotxuC4 Skylark, my instant sound system check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzNmG_lpNw8 Pretty Reckless, You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfNtrTJuZ8M

It would be fun to do a bake off between the performance of the Belles and the LaScalas. Are the Belles just a more attractive LaScala? I passed on them when I purchased the LaScalas because of their width, I don't recall a big difference in sound, the K-Horns had a little better base. Like many things 35-40 years ago, I'm a wee bit fuzzy on the exact details.

Both of these are live unpolished recordings, no auto tune, no dub overs either. 9AM Radio Promo Tour on the road. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2Bs09twUmg&list=PLgugWBANrQyU39SWyIM6sCIJWo-A3GBlD&index=6 Radio promo tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgpwMvoKAGs&list=PLgugWBANrQyU39SWyIM6sCIJWo-A3GBlD&index=8 On Stage, DVD is worth every penny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXBpZjgHlpU

Agree, for a technical comparison, you would need an Anechoic Chamber and everything controlled. Most of us don't have one down the basement, perhaps wish we did. IMHO even with everything controlled, testing one freq at a time is not the same thing as music. Perhaps there is a way to pump multiple rotating freqs through the systems simultaneously, the device must exist. So we the users are left with our ears, knowledge and experience. Minimize reflection, maximize absorption, drivers at ear level for the mids (why I didn't buy the K-horns), electronics that don't intentionally color the sound or just suck. And finally the content. Psycho-acoustics, Quantization Error and Loudness Wars are the three big quality killers, besides the Artist and or Music sucking. This is why I always ask about the content and gear for these types of discussions. If the tester loves Death Metal played at the lowest MP3 bit rate through the DAC and headphone jack on their I-Phone (or similar device), then I don't invest a lot of energy in reading the rest of the posts. As to the quality wine tasting like comparisons, it's all in good fun as is tweaking the set-up for the taste test. There are some great acapella recordings as there are many great female vocal either with piano or orchestra; either the playback moves you or it doesn't. Moving you is the "certain something" "Je ne sais quoi" that separates the sound systems and recordings. This is a frame capture from a recording session, yes she was dolled up since they were recording the session on video. A fine specimen of Belgian Womanhood, yes there is more to Belgium than chocolate and lambic beer. http://french.about.com/od/frenchenglish/fl/Whats-That-Jena-Se-Qua-Learn-The-French-Expression-Je-ne-Sais-Quoi.htm

Sounds like you are open on the question of Solid State, and tube or hybrids. Then there is the is the question of Class A, AB, B, D, or T Are you planning on running a Turn Table or Digital or Both?? What is the budget you have for the amp? The Heresys are reasonably efficient 99db so you don't need hundreds of watts. If you are seriously considering a way back Tube Amp, be sure you get one from a master re-builder, it won't be cheap. If you want the best of the ancient Tube Amps IMHO, get two McIntosh MC-30s, I think they go for around $1600.00 ea. I'll wait for your responses.....

Stock H III. I had thought they would be fuller as well, but it wasn't the case. Truth be told, I gave them the warmer amp in the test. What may be thought of as warmth was the cabinet "singing" along with the music - especially voices and acoustic guitar. It certainly does not sound bad, and actually adds a pleasant quality. However, the cabinet is clearly heard when switching between the two speakers. You ran the speakers using different amps for your A B comparison? I have my Heresy''s mounted on top of two end tables, IKEA has some for $10 each that are the right height to put the mid range horn at ear level when sitting. You will have to take them off of the slant risers or put a couple of paper backs in the rear as shims for the test, hopefully it won't make them front heavy risking tipping. What song or song are you using for your AB?? In your photo, floor bounce and

In what way does the design or components of the Hitachi differ from the MX-1000??? I think Hitachi is a trading company like so many others, so who designed and made the amp may not be known.

Yamaha made great equipment, lots of it so the price is relatively low. MX 600, 630, 800, 830 are equal or better than almost anything for little money. Are you running vinyl or digital or both??

Links??

I would suggest going with crossovers designed/engineered just for these speakers. You could certainly build Klipsch Type A or Type AA crossovers though. Agree, I would keep the speakers stock with new parts as needed. They are already a 9 or a 10 when in spec.

PS It's unlikely you can remove the paper labels on the rear, if that is your question. I would leave them on, and work around them. IMHO removed, it reduces the value of the speakers substantially.

Use masking tape to label every part and which speaker. All of the internal wiring may be dry rotted. Take lots of pics every step of the way for reference later. If the screws are rotted, match them up with new stainless at the hardware store. Crites sells all of the crossover parts and does repairs, and sells replacement crossovers that are equal or better than the factory. You will need all new gaskets for the mid range drivers, crites sells these too. http://www.critesspeakers.com/ Take Ohm readings for each driver and write them down in a log book and on the masking tape. The battery test doesn't hurt. If you are going to be making a lot of dust, you may want to carefully remove the 15 in woofers and store them in a clean and safe place. The cabinets should be birch plywood, I would look at the bottoms of the speakers to see what you have and maybe take a pic and post it. Chemical strippers give me pause with plywood, I am always worried about de-lamination and making a project grow dramatically. Someone who has refinished them before might be able to suggest a good sequence of sanding paper and grits to minimize the damage. Some of the posters have done brilliant jobs of putting veneer on old speakers after they are cleaned up and patched. Some people keep the inside of the bass bin all black, some part black and part veneer, and a few all veneer. You can also add grill cloth, just over the top two speakers, or over the entire front of the unit. Crites sells the cloths, frames & HW I'm not sure about. You can do google image searches for "LaScala Veneer" and see every look. I put together a tread with links to lots of LaScala threads that may give you some ideas. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/159419-lascala-update-upgrade/?hl=%2Blascala+%2Bupdate Keep posting pics as you go!

It's either end of life or 2.0 in the pipeline. TBD.....

Just looked at the spec sheet on the Paladiums. I would run them with your existing gear, your surround decoder should have and EQ built in and possible an attenuation curve you can apply since the surround amps have a way of making things sound shrill. Pioneer Elites have what they call the X Curve, which rolls off the high end as a fix to the Known phenomenon. Until you have exhausted all your options and tweaks with your existing gear, don't buy anything, too many variables. I run my surround receiver as pre out on everything and use 3 TOTL 1990s Yamaha MX 800 amps with the center bi-amped in 5.1, rocks even with the inexpensive Synergy speakers. You can keep the front 3 all the same speaker, and even add 2 more to the rear later if you don't wait too long. See how you like the first 2 Paladiums before shelling our more cash. Used quality SS amps are very inexpensive, you may end up with a rocking 3.2 system. Where ever the Paladium guys post on here, ask if the are using Autoformers to make the Paladiums look like 8 Ohm loads???? Apparently, most amps are optimized for 8 Ohm loads and may not like the greater current draw. Quality 8 Ohms amps are plentiful used.

Paladiums are 4 ohms?? Do you run home theater as Stereo only?? An EQ can fix any bright spots in the speakers, I use them to great effect.

The LaScalas are 104db or 105db @ 1W/1M What are the specs on the palladium and what are all of the specs on the Jolida, which model? Off the top of my head, there isn't much out there that sounds better than the LaScalas, I've been looking for 35 years since I purchased mine. I would try the Marantz for a day or two, then insert the Jolida and listen to the same tracks. Ronstadt Skylark tells me everything I need to know in less than one minute. You can get the CD or vinyl for little money https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzNmG_lpNw8 I just looked at the Marantz, at best it appears to be an OK surround receiver with Audessy which gets panned quite a bit, It also appears to be class D. IMHO the Marantz should be headed for the basement TV room with some OK speakers. At the recent AXPONA show, not a controlled environment, most of the tube amps sounded just OK. Apparently it's easier to make a good sounding Solid State Amp at a reasonable price. I assume this is the Living Room System? Also what are you using for a source Digital what or Vinyl or both??

Pics

Something changed in the 1960s and the recording quality improved noticeably. Then there is the issue of whether the recording was good and if it survived the Mastering and Engineering process. I can go through 100 LPs or CDs to find one with a full accurate sound, then the question of "is the band any good". Every once in a while an entire album is magic, sometimes only one or two songs. Cash's gift to the world at the end, the Republic Recordings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8i5NLyXZdc

Aren't the Lepai's of the world the TI chip set with a varister and a power button?

As far as the system balance being off, try switching the RCA cables on the back of the Emo inputs, then outputs to the amp, if that doesn't fix the problem, try switching the speaker cables to see if that works. Be sure to put everything back after each step. The is the box approach to trouble shooting, it will isolate the digital source, the DAC-preamp, the amp then the speakers one at a time. When you identify the offending component tell us what you find. Speculation is your amp is starting to fade on one channel but it is just a guess.

Pass 30.5 with K-Horns should be more than enough power and I am sure the pass specs out vs other good amps. Since Vinyl and Digital yes you need a pre-amp. I would look at the SN and the performance of the phono section. I like tone controls and loudness and high and low filters etc. I get best result with a stand alone EQ connected as tape in tape out. I use the old school analog EQs to great effect, the newer digital ones the conversion rates are so high that the quantization error should be minimal or inaudible. A lot of people like the DBX unit, but there are lots of choices, ones that EQ the system and rooms are nice then you can tweak the sound to your preference and make your own presets. If the pre amp has no phono section, or a weak one, there are lots and lots of good stand alone phono sections for not much coin. A lot of people are satisfied with EMO. If you are not sure you might post the voltage and impedance numbers for the amp and pre amp RCA line jacks and ask for feedback. The system only sounds as good as the worst component. Price is a factor but not the primary one in sound or quality. As to the room and furniture: hard surfaces bad, soft absorbent surfaces like rugs, curtains, stuffed furniture, books good.

Will you be listening to Vinyl or Digital? Which speakers are you planning to buy, huge impact on the amp decision.

It should be easy to find some videos on Ytube of Japanese Bar stereos, or music Cafes Some great two channel systems with a Turn Table for vinyl are used this way. Usually up on a platform or behind the bar As stated above, a pair of LaScalas will be the best sound most of your customers have ever heard. The LS can fill a movie theater, so I don't think your space will be a problem. Less than $2K used if you shop around for a mint pair or new

My two cents Start Cornwalls Add a Heresy for the center 3.1, and possibly two more Heresy's later for 5.1. If you still think you need a sub, add two of the RW12 front firing Klipsch Subs, I think they can be had for $400 ea. I know everyone has an opinion, but I would try the subs under the TV and move them towards the outside gradually and see how you like it. I usually keep the volume down on them, but the odd cannon shot sounds good.