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Stevenarrow

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    my Belles are loaded with all Crites components

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    5 hours ago, jimjimbo said:

    If you get a chance, and feel like experimenting a bit, try the Eminence Kappa 15C woofer from Parts Express.  Major upgrade in fast, clear bass and tonality.  I use them in all of my La Scalas and previously in a pair of Belles.

     

    I tried them a couple years back. Good sound you are right. But require a little modification to ensure they don’t top out on the motor board. And they can’t handle the same level. 

     

    The idea of this project was to use ‘off the shelf’ Klipsch upgrade parts. 

     

    My conclusion is... go for it. 

    my Belles are loaded with all Crites components

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    I am using Crites AA crossover, stock.

     

    I am very impressed with the Belles and the new components. They are very modern sounding but with more punch and dynamics and anything else Ive heard. Low bass will come later. i am thinking a pair of 12" servo subs. However, being in an older apartment building, the subs may wait...

     

    Currently using a current model Luxman 507uXII 110wpc into 8ohms. I'd love to demo their 30 wpb Class A amp...

    my Belles are loaded with all Crites components

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    Over the past few months I have been slowly swapping out the stock components in my Belles with Crites'. I first added the  the XO, then the cast woofer, then the A-55G squawker, then CT120 tweeter. Some completely non scientific and random observations below.

     

    The woofer was the most difficult to install for obvious reasons. Also because someone decided to add glue to the mounting hardware. The originals were square magnets.

    The woofer was very mechanical sounding at first. It took a couple weeks before sounding like music again. However, the added efficiency of modern driver through the entire balance out of whack. I did not like the sound very much with just this component swapped in.

     

    The squawker was obviously a very easy installation: 4mins total.

    These again increased the efficiency of the Belles. They are louder. They are also more analytical; a hair bit of smoothness is gone. Vocals are very crisp. I feel the crossover point between the woofer and squawker is more filled in. There appears to be no dip at all in frequency response (not measured, just listening).

    Using the modern compression driver with the modern woofer is a great match for my Belles; I funded the added low end smooths out the more forward midrange on the music I am most interested in.

     

    The tweeter on the Belles is pretty easy to get at, as the entire upper half can slide out once you back off 4x screws. Cant imaging the LaScalas are that easy to access.

    The new tweeter is amazing. It is much better than the CT125. It really keeps up with the entire new component compliment. Everything this sharper and more defined. The stereo image is crazy tall and wider than with the stock (K-77 alnico) tweeter. 

     

    Overall, I am very happy with the upgrades. These Belles are kinda beat up on the outside, but with 100% new components they sound modern and fresh. They are insanely snappy and dynamic. They are loud; the only drawback being that I may have to consider getting a lower powered amp as a result... I think the most important piece to remember is, in my option, none of these can happen on their own. I feel they must be done all or nothing. Putting back any of the older components, resulted in a serious lack of keeping up with the newer drivers. 

     

     

    Improving the Belle K500

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    56 minutes ago, Marvel said:

     

    Are you using passive crossovers?

     

    I got a pair of Selenium HM4750 horns from Bob, paired with some K-69/PAudio BM-D750 drives on my LS. Sounds awesome, but the mids are padded down a little.

     

    Bruce

     

    Yes, Passive only. 2 channel, analog.

    Improving the Belle K500

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    44 minutes ago, avguytx said:

     

    Makes sense.  I would imagine I won't be changing mine out in the near future with how they are already built.  They sound darn good just like they are....except for the missing low bass that I'll take care of at some point.  They are very music/genre dependent as to just how they sound but I do enjoy them overall.  But I do love how mine look.  ;)

     

    Yes, I do remember your build of the Belle bass bins and, if I remember correctly, the K-402 on them.  Quite impressive.

     

    YEAH, yours look great. Mine are beat up now... kinda dig the aesthetic for now. The sound is great, Crites woofers in, squawkers on their way, and tweeters soon. My friend with LaSs, and all original drivers said the ALK steppingstones slide XO was a real game changer.

     

    The Belle/402 was just way too disconnected to sound like music in a residential space.

    Improving the Belle K500

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    20 hours ago, avguytx said:

    I've not done anything to my K-500's in my Belle clones, personally. Not sure how much a difference I'd really hear. Only other thing I thought about doing was make them a 2-way using the Faital pro driver and horn. K-510's are just too much for me. I'd spend more on those horns and drivers alone than I did in building them in the first place.  I did do all new drivers...Crites CT120's & A-55's and a new pair of K-33's. But still wonder. 

     

    Ive gone two way and super custom, but I found diminishing returns the further away from the original design. I found the Faital 2" drivers to be very 'PA' or mechanical sounding, and less enjoyable for daily listening. My goal is to make these Belles as close to original as possible while using modern spec components that will last another 30 years.

    Improving the Belle K500

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    Hello,

     

    I've been really enjoying my Belles the past few months. Slowly repair and upgrading them to get the most out of them. Is there any upgrade path on the K500 without chaining the the driving compatibility?

     

    Seen some dampening techniques, but wondering about other modern alternatives...

     

    Something like this would fit with minimal changes to the motherboard: 

    https://www.parts-express.com/goldwood-gt-400pb-1-horn-1-3-8-18-tpi--270-095

    SPECIFICATIONS
    Horn Type: Constant directivity
    Throat Diameter: 1", 25mm
    Dispersion: 100

    GPA Altec 604-8Hiii with the matching N604 8C Crossover.

    in Garage Sale

    Posted

    3 hours ago, juniper said:

    Are you sure you want to trade for cornwalls? ive had two pairs of both types of speakers, the Altec type is so much better its not even fair...Far more accurate....i dont know  what type of music you listen too, the Altecs demand good recordings.... there is a reason why they were the studio standard for decades..... its like owning and driving an F1 car....

     

    The GPAs are the best Altec 604s Ive heard. I'm just getting out fro most of my DIY projects. Cornwalls would be fun to have around for a while.

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