JohnW

Odd. No diodes on these. And just hooked them up, ran room correction, did a bit of tweaking...these things are super sensitive to toe-in. Going to have to fiddle about a bit. This change from the richness of the Cornwalls' bass to the tighter LS bass will take a bit of time. The soundstage seems to have receded a bit as well. Perhaps updating the caps/switching to AL3 configuration might help? I haven't given up hope yet. I've only just begun.

I’m ok with unfinished, but the wife says it won’t match the rest of the room, and as usual, she’s right.

Danish oil? Tung Oil? Stain? Shellac? Just bought an unfinished pair of ‘85s, and I’m looking for all the info and ideas I can find. (I only get one shot at this) How did you finish yours? Pics, please.

If I understand correctly, all I have to do is remove just one of the zener diode leads?

svberger, thanks for this thread—I too am about to make the transition from Cornwalls (1985, recapped with SoniCaps) to La Scalas (also ‘85, AL crossovers). La Scalas are in the garage, unfinished, waiting for me to learn, practice, and experiment with different finishes…only get one shot ;), but they are connected to a late model H/K receiver out there, no room treatment or correction, and now that I’ve replaced the blown tweeter diaphragms, sound sublime. Can’t wait to hear them with my good gear, in my corrected family room. Anyway, lovely thread, and good luck with the Klipschorns.

Would you mind posting pics of them with the Danish Oil finish? Trying to figure out what finish to put on my mine (just got them yesterday). Amazing work, btw. Gorgeous. Bet they sound amazing, too.

That’s Velcro from the previous owner. Removed with a heat gun last night.

I bought a pair of ‘85 La Scalas yesterday, and the finish is pristine raw birch. I mean, like brand new. As in, they look like they’re literally made of plywood (because they are). I’ve always seen them with a thirty-year old patina, or stain. It’s cool, but it’s not going to fly in the family room (WAF). So this is a refnishing question: what can I put on that will accentuate the grain, add a finish (satin—even glossy, if it improves the depth) and depth but not really color the wood? And preferably something that won’t yellow over time (like boiled linseed oil). Note: I am NOT experienced at wood finishing. I use Watco Rejeuvenating Oil on my oiled walnut 85 Cornwalls, but it works because they’re dark and all I have to do is rub it on. From what I’ve read, the preparation steps are: light sanding with >220 grit sandpaper, followed by a mineral spirits wipedown, followed by a prefinishing conditioner (obviously with time in between for drying/evaporating). I guess the $64 quesion is: what to apply after that? I only get one shot, I want to get it right the first time. I’ve got a real opportunity here. Thanks in advance.

Tweeters have consecutive serial #s, couldn't see them on the K-55Ms.

I have one tag on one speaker. This is getting interesting. Would we confirm it by deducing it, or is it confirmable from Klipsch? And if so, can they issue new labels?

Is it possible to determine the exact serial # of the speaker that way?

When did Klipsch stop stamping the serial numbers into the top edges on the backs of La Scalas? I'm looking at a pair of '85s, and only one has a partial label. Doesn't seem to be any stamped serial #s. So no serial numbers aside from the paper labels on '85s?

When did Klipsch stop stamping the serial numbers into the top edges on the backs of La Scalas? I'm looking at a pair of '85s, and only one has a partial label. Doesn't seem to be any stamped serial #s.

Was googling this and was amazed at how little was out there on this. Has this question simply never been asked? I love my ‘85 Cornwalls—the imaging, the smoothness, the depth of the bass…but I’d sure like to hear a detailed description of the specific differences from those who’ve heard both. And given the ubiquity of Cornwalls of all stripe, there’s likely several of you. So how different do they sound? And how?

Prices for La Scalas seem to keep going up.

The Gold Lion 12ax7s are fine, and I'm sure it depends on the amp, but all the NOS 12AX7s I've tried best the GLs. Trouble is, you have to buy a bunch just to find the ones you like, then sell the ones you don't. But hey, that's TubeLife.

You guys are where I was at a couple of years ago after I bought my Cornwall Is. I decided to skip dipping my toe in tubes and just went for it with a Jolida Fusion 3502P...which is a great amp, albeit push-pull. That Tubecube7 has me thinking about SET again. Here's what I've learned: When it comes to 12ax7/ECC83 tubes, NOS is king. SOOOO much better than anything being made today. I hate to say it, bmoran, but those Electro Harmonix just scratch the surface. It's both been an adventure and a curse searching for the best sound. When it comes to power tubes, I've found the best sounding current issue tubes are all made by Gold Lion. I've tried everything else, except NOS, which are prohibitively expensive and have a minimal impact on sound compared to your 12AX7s. What's worked for me, in MY system, with MY preamp, and MY amp, and MY Cornwalls, in MY room, with MY ears (because all of those come into play when it comes to sound quality), is a set of Gold Lion KT88s with either Tungsram or Matsushita 12AX7s...and I'm still testing to find the best set of 12AT7s in that combo. It's wonderful, it's exhausting, it's obsessive, it's rewarding, it's cool, it's amazing, it's a gigantic time suck...but welcome to the world of tube rolling.

Looking for transport of a couple of La Scalas from Charleston, SC to San Diego, CA

That's a great price.

Holy shit. Wish I lived closer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/klipsch-lascala-speakers-/255273044888?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Weren't they going for about that price?

Hold it—they dropped the price $3500 just to move them?

Almost enough to make a man pull out his plastic. Almost.

Welcome to the forum...I'm up in Escondido.