[Lets see YOUR Home Theater:]

Not near as polished or nice as most of these amazing setups in here, but it's a work in progress. Belle center and another Crites CS-2 (Heresy 1 clone) away from a pretty nice 5.1 setup. Maybe another Rythmik FV18 for a 5.2 at some point as well.

 

[Speaker setup with Khorns]

Not sure if you have made a decision, but I had a similar question a few months back regarding a center speaker between my 2 La Scalas. As others have said a La Scala or Belle would be ideal (there is a single La Scala and a pair of Belle's in great condition on Ebay at the moment), but a Heresy will be adequate. I ended up going with a Crites CS-2 which is a Heresy 1 with upgraded components. It has been an absolute game changer for me in HT. I will eventually probably grab a Belle (the pair on Ebay is just a tad further than I am willing to travel to pick up) and grab another Crites CS-2 to side mount as surrounds to complete my 5.1 setup. I have had no issues whatsoever with the CS-2 (Heresy 1 clone).

[Heritage 3.1 Setup]

On 6/21/2023 at 6:40 PM, sixspeed said:

OP, no personal experience between any Crites stuff but between 2 La Scala's any of the smaller Heritage models, especially the Cornwall or Heresy would make a phenomenal center channel. The Forte is less ideal for this because of the rear passive radiator and less so the new Hersey with the rear port. The aforementioned classic Belle would be great as well if your LS' are vintage (20+ yrs old) since the Belle is lower profile depth wise and easier to integrate as a center channel.

 

That said, the Hersey II/III or Cornwall III would be a really good match and both were the only purpose built center channel heritage speakers when they first came out between 2 KHorns. The new Hersey has the port and new drivers and the new Cornwall mumps horn so tonally Belle or previous Hersey, Cornwall or Pro Models would be your best bet.

 

The Hersey has a similar bass extension to the La Scala (mid-high 50's Hz) so it would actually be a really good match in your case. The II or III especially since they're sealed and have tight, zippy bass.

 

I have used a Hersey III 70th center between 2 70th KHorns for the better part of 4 years, vertically and now just recently horizontally and it's a fantastic tonal match with 57hz xover to the sub for movies and 55hz to the mains for music. My processor let's me change the bass management depending on movie or music listening automatically depending on incoming signal and DSP/listening mode.

 

I briefly tried an RC-64 III which was absolutely terrible sounding compared to the Hersey III, muddy and veiled, lifeless by comparison and stuck out like a sore thumb between KHorn AK5.5s. I guess I've been spoiled by the air and dynamics of the KHorns that stand out, but it's clear they were voiced for the RF-7. Also didn't help that the RC-64 I had custom built by the Klipsch factory they didn't do a good job with the veneer which was a shame since the Aussie walnut custom Forte IV's they made for me were absolutely incredible and look just like my other 70th speakers. I guess singles are tough, but they looked nothing like the pair you can find on google they made a few years back that were done perfect.

 

The La Scala, particularly the recent LSII and AL5 despite having the same top section as the KHorn AK5/AK5.5 and AK6 actually has a different tone to the midrange and low end. It's not just the lower bass extension that's different. The Paducah guys would agree. In fact an RC-64 III would match a lot better to a La Scala (II or AL5) then it would a recent KHorn and a handful of guys I've seen around here and elsewhere seem to do that. Classic LS's might be different though as Klipsch has made a lot of driver, horn and crossover changes over the last 50 years to the heritage line. The older LS's still had a lot more of their original PA application "grit" and the speaker has been tamed a lot since the early days.

 

A 3rd La Scala center is really hard to do for most people, especially between toe'd in KHorns because of the depth on the La Scala makes it non-option for many people since it would stick out. But those that can make it work do seem to like it a lot, as do lucky owners of Belle centers between LS's or KHorns. In dedicated home theaters 3 LS' across the front for LCR where there are no furniture or room furnishing issues is a bit of a different story. From what I've heard with the Hersey though and the Cornwall being it's bigger brother, I would personally prefer a Cornwall between my KHorns if I had to pick, but each to their own.

 

There is also something nice about supplementing the 2 horn bass units with one directly radiating bass unit that retains much of the same tonal character and "zip" to the sound. It actually compliments the bass horns really well when placement, crossover, amp/gear and subwoofer settings are dialed in based on my own experiences. But everyone has their own preferences.

 

Belle, Heresy or Cornwall you can't go wrong with any of them. I personally think a Hersey II/III would do amazing in your setup due to a similar frequency response to the LS.

 

Just my overall thoughts.

 

Good luck!!

Wow good stuff. So this makes me rethink the La Scala center I have been arduously in search for between my original post and now. Mainly because I spoke to Michael Crites and he suggested as does everyone, you guessed it another La Scala is best. He said absolutely not to go with his CSC-1. He said it will not blend well. However, he did say his CS2 speaker is a Heresy 1 with all upgraded and better componentes. Upgraded in every way but maintaining that sound signature and that it would be very good as a Center in his opinion. So this may be a way to go. I am leaning towards this after seeing your post. Mainly because there is very little risk and it is much easier to make this work under my TV. If it doesn’t work as a center I can utilize it as a standalone mono channel in my at home office and add another at a later date making them my surrounds and still be in the same boat of another La Scala for center and be none the worse off. In fact, closer to a kick *** 5.1 set up.

[Heritage 3.1 Setup]

49 minutes ago, Tom05 said:

It can be tough to fit in  a Lascala center . But it’s worth the trouble . Front projection with a transparent screen is a good solution , as is a Lascala mounted above the TV upside down and tilted towards the listeners .This is a great  looking setup .🤓

Oh wow I would have never thought of a La Scala mounted upside down lol. Unless that was a joke haha. That is insane. Insanely cool.

[Heritage 3.1 Setup]

57 minutes ago, CWOReilly said:

If you have the space a third La Scala would be great. 

 

23 minutes ago, Tom05 said:

Anything but Lascala would be a downgrade, as the center is arguably the most important and prominent front stage speaker. Good luck.

 

1 minute ago, Zen Traveler said:

I agree a third LsScala would be best but it seems very few people can accommodate it's size without massive rearranging or aesthetics. That said, it's interesting to read about center channels diyed for this purpose...

 

I was scared this would be the answer, but I can't say it wasn't expected. Space in my current space wouldn't necessarily be an issue in my current open living room. Probably not quite as able to spread them out as much as they should, but doable. That is lots of money for sure, but like I said it is really just a matter of saving over time if this is where I want to go with my setup. If I were to decide to go this route; with these being original 70s era La Scalas, should I be looking for a single from that era to match? Would an updated modern La Scala (B stock, new, or used) clash with my current ones? I am unfamiliar with how different, if at all, new, updated La Scalas are from my originals in sound as I have only ever heard mine.

[Heritage 3.1 Setup]

Hi all! Years ago I posted here when I got my La Scala speakers from my father. Currently, I am in 2.1 with the La Scalas and a RP-1200sw. It is amazing for my listening levels and living room. If I were to add a center speaker to make it 3.1 (eventually 3.2) what would be best to have everything blend well? My first thought was bite the bullet and find a single B Stock or even used Cornwall for the center speaker, but then I saw Bob Crites has his own center speaker. Has anyone used this? Any other suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Budget is a factor, but only as far as timeframe goes. If the answer is an investment above $1,500 that's fine; it just means I will have to save specifically for a bit to get there. I don't want to rush out and just buy something to get to 3.1, but Bob Crites Type CSC-1 Center Channel Speaker intrigued me at $1,015 and I know his business is respected among the Klipsch crew here. He rebuilt my crossovers on the Scalas. Anyway, thoughts on that particular center speaker or other options?

[Inherited a set of La Scalas]

UPDATE - Well last update guys, until I decide to take the plunge into tubes or something  At this rate it won’t be long. 

 

I took back that Yamaha reciever (within the grace period) and got a much better Denon X3300W for slightly more off accessories4less. Discrete amps for each channel. Lots of room for surround sound expansion if I choose to and most importantly pre-outs. Then sent the crossovers to Bob to be rebuilt and replaced the squawker gaskets and my goodness what a difference those updates made. The clarity and tightness? It is hard to explain what I am hearing that is different as I am no audiophile, but it just sounds cleaner. And those old gaskets were toast in that driver. Anyway the advice was great. Now I plan to enjoy them and go from there. Stevie Ray Vaughan never sounded so good.

[Inherited a set of La Scalas]

UPDATE: Got them all set up and wow is all I can say. Best sound I have ever heard from a speaker (granted I am not an audiophile). It is amazing. The sound stage is just incredible and you FEEL it. Next step is to send the crossovers on over to Bob at some point for a rebuild. Thanks for the help everyone and I guess I am officially part of the Klipsch family now.

[Inherited a set of La Scalas]

The crossover is type AA.

 

EDIT: I can’t get it to post a picture so I’ll figure it out when I’m not on mobile.

[Inherited a set of La Scalas]

Thank you to everyone who replied. Really great information and advice. I will get some details on the type. Unfortunately I am in Springdale, AR and the speakers are in Little Rock, AR at my sister’s house for safe keeping till I get them up here. I will update with pictures from my sister and definitely update this thread as I go along. Thanks!

[Inherited a set of La Scalas]

Now what?

 

So yeah, these speakers were my father’s late 70s/early 80s ( not 100% sure on the year) La Scalas. Right now I have a very basic home theater surround sound set-up. I am not experienced in this high end of audiophile-ness. I want to use them obviously but I want to know basically would it be better to ditch the surround sound and go with a 2.1 set-up for the tv and music? Or keep my surround intact (cheap compared to these, Polk setup + sub) and use the La Scalas as the Front L and R? Will those other speakers be so bad in comparison that it would be better to stay two channel with the La Scalas? Also, my AV receiver is a Yamaha RX-V385. Will there be problems there? Again forgive my ignorance and hopefully I don’t get too much of a hard time for asking these basic questions. Below is some info.

 

The room is a small/moderate room with high ceiling. Like I said, will be used as TV speakers + music. Yamaha RX-V385 receiver. I don’t mind “investing” in a proper set-up for a home system, however, I certainly would never acquire La Scalas other than inheriting them like I did if that makes sense. Basically I would never have paid for these speakers new as $2-4K/speaker would be an insane amount for me personally to pay for anything. However, I am willing to sink $500-$1000 in order to upgrade where I can and after that slowly upgrade from there when I can. Thanks in advance.