chuckears

Thanks for the help and offers, guys... right now it is all just in the "thinking it through" stage, as I do not currently own the LaScala mains. I constantly have an upgrade path in my mind, and seem to always be thinking about how to improve what I've got. It's a sickness that I'm afraid only abject poverty will cure...

Has anyone tried a DIY, crazy-a@@ center channel by placing the top section (midrange and tweeter) of the K-Horn or LaScala between a couple of homemade woofer boxes? I have this picture in my head, but I do not possess the necessary skills to execute the idea...

I have been happily running a Forte-Academy front soundstage for a couple of years now; I have had the fully-horn loaded bug for some time now, and have a look--out for a used pair of LaScalas. My concern is their compatibility with the rest of my HT system... the Academy is close enough to the voicing and materials of my Fortes to be a terrific match, but I'm not so sure about how the LaScala-Academy match would be, given the big midrange horn of the LaScala. Anyone with experience and opinions about this combination?

If you move that decimal point to the right by one digit, it would be a fair representation on what your new Forte II's are probably worth; and you would be hard pressed to find anything that sounds as good on the new market for under $2,000. Congratulations! Keep them, and enjoy!

And from another perspective... I bought it on the strength of reviews and an appreciation of the actors involved in the project; I watched it once, and regret the purchase. There did not seem to be much of a core to the film, too much of the violence did not derive from enough purpose (except for in cases of self-defense), and there was no suitable or satisfying denouemont to the story. I have no desire to see it again (even the nifty love scenes with Maria Bello), and much prefer an Eastwood film, at least for insights into humanity and appropriate outlets for violence. This film just left me cold.

And all of us in the middle are pretty much S.O.L... I think its a case of the grass is always greener... There are probably folks in CA lamenting about all the good stuff on the East Coast as well. -Bryan

Excellent! Jacksonbart is Ricky Gervais! I love your work on the Office and Extras...

I've seen the big openers: MI3, Da Vinci, X3... Of them all, United93 is the best film this year, no contest. I do, however, have very high hopes for Superman Returns. (I'm being cautious about Pirates of the Caribbean 2; the first one took a few viewings to grow on me, but I think it might all get tiresome, especially by the third film, which has already been shot).

It's Ricky Gervais, creator of the original BBC series "The Office". There is a Klipsch forum member who uses that photo as an avatar, but I'll let the pertinent party chime in...

I've had my eye on the Apollo for a few months now... my old Sony 5-disc changer is beginning to show its age, but I am still happy with its sonic delivery. I tried an highly-rated Adcom a few years ago (I think it had the newest Burr-Brown DAC's), but I ended up selling it and hanging on to the Sony - the Adcom was way too bright and harsh-sounding. Recently, my Sony has had trouble reading discs when I load them up... I'm leaning towards either the Apollo, or just sitting tight and spending the money on HD-DVD. (Mmmm, 1081i...)

If they were the two F16's referred to in the film, then they weren't armed; the unfortunate option was for them to ram into whatever commercial jet they were trying to stop from reaching its target.

This is the best film I've seen this year. There are no Hollywood over-the-top, gung-ho heroics; the passengers, wearing their fears where we can see them and recognize them as completely human, become heroes with their actions to try to take over the plane that very likely would have removed the Capitol Building from the nation's treasures. United93 is thankfully and properly devoid of political manipulation and posturing; it simply lays out the events, in a painfully suspenseful manner. The final 20 minutes are the most intense cinema I have ever experienced. I would buy it. I would watch it again. But not very often; like Saving Private Ryan, it is one of those film experiences that help to serve as a reminder of what events have transpired in our past, and how sometimes normal human beings can rise to the occasion and serve as an example to the rest of us.

While I do not have a wide experience with different subs, my gut tells me that there has to be a "timbre" to subs, just as there is with full-range speakers; I agree that the differences are going to be difficult to discern, but the rest of my experience with fine-tuning audio tells me that the differences are there. Not only that, but there is also the question of dynamics, headroom, and a sub's basic ability to "keep up" with sensitive and dynamic Klipsch speakers. In this case, I can vouch for the Hsu name, although SVS (and, of course, Klipsch) would be a perfectly acceptable alternative.

Heh... "Stairway to Heaven" was the first to pop into my head when I read the thread title. I am similarly exhausted with the Pink Floyd catalogue... I swear that if I have to hear "Money" one more time, I'll spend all of mine on earplugs. Another one that makes me grit my teeth is "In the Air" by Phil Collins... it and Su-Su-Sussudio make me wish the 80's had never happened.

I've had a Hsu TN1220 cylinder with my Forte-Academy-RS3 HT setup for several years... it blends seamlessly with the Klipsch sound, to my ears. About a year ago, I added a Hsu VTF3-MKII to balance out the bass, and have been very pleased. I came very close to going with SVS before I got the VTF3, and there was a lot of back-and-forth before I made my decision; what led me to the the Hsu was not only to match up better sonically with the TN1220, but the pricing, including shipping was a little better, and the Rosewood unit I had my eye on was available for immediate delivery. (If I'd waited a month, I could have had a Rosewood SVS PB12 plus, which digs down deeper, and is a heck of a sexy sub, but when you just have to have something RFN...) I find the Hsu subs to be very musical, and can recommend them heartily.

Wow; I am stunned. I was a little bored with Sense and Sensibility; saw it once years ago, then only again just recently, with not much of an inkling to dip my toe in that particular cinematic pool again. Keira's Pride and Prejudice (and it is Miss Knightley's film, make no mistake) became one of my favorites of last year. The supporting cast was superb, the sets and costumes realistic and down-to-earth, and the pacing was just right for a feature-length. I loved the music as well, and have had the soundtrack in the changer off and on for most of this year. This is from a Star Wars\LOTR\comic-book movie lover, as well as an off-beat film lover (Memento, Intolerable Cruelty, Raising Arizona, and Sling Blade, to name a few). It may not have had the intricacies of its source, but having read long passages of it, I have to admit that a more modern translation is probably necessary for a two hour film for the general public. I'm sorry it didn't appeal to you, Amy... I thought I had you pegged from some of your other favorites, but I suppose we all have different perceptions and tastes. Heck, I even almost liked Elektra; if it hadn't been for the ridiculous villians, the rest of the story wasn't too bad (it did have the lovely Ms. Garner, who saved 13 Going on 30 from being poor-chick's Big).

I'm not much of a pray-er, but all my best wishes are with B.C., with a hope of a quick return to good health and enjoyment of life...

So is there a center channel in your future (or are you already in possession of one?)?... the KLF-C7 is quite a performer, and can be had on the used market for $300 - $350, if you look around for a while. I had one for about a year with my Fortes; the sound was terrific, but it just wasn't the match for them, so I worked at it until I scored an Academy. I could just as easily imagine owning Legend -series speakers; I think they are voiced very naturally, a little more "in your face" than the Chorus-Forte-Quartet series, which my aging ears might eventually require. Congratulations on your acquisition, and enjoy!

I don't remember this from the theater (I think I saw it on a smaller, older screen); the bass from the live music on the Walk the Line DVD was tremendous, from the opening bassline at Folsom Prison, through the other "live venue" performances. My only complaint was that the volume at which I had it set based on the opening was not sufficient to allow some of the quieter, whispered dialogue later on to be discernible. I was like a kid in the candy store when I saw the DTS option in the menu... I wish all DVD's were so endowed, but unfortunately the industry doesn't care enough about the audiophile demographic... a pity, since I was looking forward to a DTS Pride and Prejudice, having seen it in a DTS auditorium, and being impressed by the clear and life-like ambience. No such option on that disc. These are two discs that are definitely worth picking up this week... I spent more at one time on DVDs than I have since Holiday shopping; picked up NewsRadio Season 3 at the same time...

Now is y'all's chance to catch this film up close and personal at home, and see why Ms. Knightley received a nomination... I'm not hopefull for this winning in any of the four categories it's been nominated (should have been up for Cinematography and Picture, IMO), but it deserves a look. It and Walk The Line (which should have also had a Best Picture nod) are coming home with me for a nice family evening's viewing tomorrow.

All, I have a Forte-Academy front soundstage, with RS3 surrounds... Let's say a pair of Chorus' that match my Fortes really well (oiled oak) became a possibility, and with the notion of moving the Fortes to surround duty, replacing them with the Chorus (and keeping the Academy, as well). There is just barely sufficient space for the Fortes in the surround spot (althought one of them would be very close to a couple of seating positions, 3 feet or so). Here's another factor in the equation I'm trying to balance... I fell in love with the K-Horn\Belle\LaScala fully horn-loaded sound (especially that sexy fat midrange horn) a while back, and have been patiently waiting for a possible deal (probably on a pair of LaScalas), but am slightly concerned about the LaScala\Academy (mis?)-match. Any purchase of a new big pair of speakers is going to take some serious selling to the S\O.... if it all came in under a grand, it would make it easier. So... try for the Chorus-Academy-Forte deal, or keep on waiting for a more horny alternative? Discuss amongst yourselves; I'll be back after the movie....

I don't care for most country music, but I've always liked Johnny Cash... I had bought the first two American Recordings albums; the third installment didn't seem to have any selections that I was interested in. Then I saw the video for Hurt. Probably the most incredible and moving video I had ever seen (or ever will). This album was in my changer for most of a year; "Hurt" and "I Hung My Head" being my two favorites. IMO, there will never be another man of his stature, or another singer with such gravitas.

Locally made chocolates; enormous truffles and dark English toffee, chased by a cup of Starbuck's House Blend... Can you say "Cornholio"? (Heh-heh... Heh-heh)

I owned a Carver M200t power amp and C1 preamp with my Fortes for years; it was a perfectly decent amp, fairly quiet, and I the only problems I had was when the volume knob on the preamp began to go out. I upgraded to a McCormack amp, and it was like I had never heard the Fortes at all; much more bass and realism than with the Carver. I would characterize the Carver amp as neutral to laid-back, and an improvement over a basic receiver, but Klipsch speakers really shine with a higher-end amplifier.

I agree that Keira Knightley should win over Reese; I saw both films, and Keira's performance was transcendent. If you saw her Elizabeth Bennett, you should know what I mean... Gotta disagree on Good Night and Good Luck... it never became the film I expected it to be. On the other hand, since Pride and Prejudice was not nominated for Best Picture, I don't really care one way or another; I just hope Brokeback Mountain doesn't win... not because I have anything against the film (haven't seen it), but because I'm sick and tired of hearing conservative prudes whine.