GlennyC

So, before I throw my AL5s under the bus, I am experimenting with angling the speakers more or less towards the listener/SPL Meter. As the frequencies get higher they become more directional. I want to make sure I am forming a good triangle between the angle of the speakers and the listener's head (or SPL Meter). More more measurements/testing to follow. PS: Thank you Chris A for your help.

So, here are my results of my comparison between the tweeters in the Heresy III and the La Scala AL5 Heresy III La Scala AL5 dB dB Hz 64.8 58.1 4000 66.6 77.5 5000 67.3 79.2 6000 66.3 76.7 7000 77.2 70.5 8000 63.7 66.9 9000 59.9 51.1 10000 51.4 43.0 11000 59.4 47.9 12000 59.1 49.5 13000 61.2 44.7 14000 59.5 53.2 15000 37.4 0 I am getting a significant drop off in SPL on the AL5s above 10000 Hz all things being equal except the speakers.

For what it’s worth, this is my curve for my Heresy IIIs after equalization...

Thank you all for your feedback and help. The purpose of me doing the REW frequency response curve was because I could hear no sine waves out of my La Scala AL5s above 10k Hz. I don’t need calibrated microphones to tell me that. Or, do I have to position my ears 40 inches from the speakers with absorbing material on the floor. To test whether or not something is amiss with my La Scala AL5s in the 4500 plus Hz range I will simply substitute my Heresy IIIs for the La Scala AL5s playing sine waves at 500 Hz intervals above 4500 Hz using my own ears. If I can hear signals with my Heresy IIIs and can’t with my AL5s then I have a problem with my La Scala AL5s. I will do this with a younger (31 year old) person in the room. Again my concerns was the sharp drop off of sound at 4500 Hz (coincidentally this is where the crossover directs frequencies to the tweeter on the AL5). I will run this test tomorrow. The REW screen captures purpose was to show you what I am hearing and not hearing, not to open up a can of worms on the pitfalls of frequency response testing. Again, thanks a million for the feedback. I will update again late tomorrow.

No DEQ2496 But with Heresy IIIs instead of the La Scala AL5s...

No DEQ2496...

OK, I am still running with the DEQ2496 between the preamp and the amp. I had it recapped with high end capacitors so it has been partially modded in the analog section. The speakers do sound better with the DEQ2496 on and equalizing. It is what it is. I A/B tested myself and one other person so far. With the DEQ2496 is the winner. Don't know what to say? Here is the latest ROOM EQ WIZARD graph. I am bumping up the range from 4500 to 18000 Hz by about 6 dB average. Please note I can't hear anything above about 11000 Hz because my hearing is not great there. SPL Meter is picking up the frequencies there and DEQ is showing source frequencies there when the RTA mode is displayed.

So, I have a Behringer DEQ2496 sitting between my preamp and my amplifier. Last night I plugged a mic into it and ran the AUTOEQ function. Then with ROOM EQ WIZARD, I measured the room from my listening position. I got the following graph for frequency response (smoothed 1/3rd octave). I tried to manually change the EQ for 5K Hz and Above to 20K Hz, but it had no effect on the graphs at all. So, what am I seeing? Are the high frequency drivers of my La Scala AL5s letting me down? Thoughts?

New used amplifier. Sounds fantastic! Plus no detectable hiss during silent passages.

Good for you! Well I can’t say I didn’t learn something valuable from this experience. Having the latest greatest is not always so smart. How so? I got the best La Scala that I could. Well with the high efficiency AL5s now my amp is sounding a bit noisy. I want an Accuphase 30 watt Class A amp. There is the A-36 new for $10,500, or the A-36 used for $5,000 or the A-35 used for $3,800 or the A-30 used for $2300. I went for the A-30. Too painful to pop $13,000 for speakers then go $10,500 for an amp. All the madness needs to slow down a bit. Edit: I just checked Music Direct and they are showing out of stock on the AL5s.

I was going to repair my Sunfire True Subwoofer to go back with my Klipsch R-112SW. But I really won’t be happy until I get a matched pair. Maybe two R-115SWs if I can find them for about $500 a piece? Suggestions?

Ok. I’ve been duly warned. Let the games begin! 😂

Ok, is it called “SAD”? Speaker Acquisition Disorder.... that’s what you catch if you join this forum?

I’m probably just a rookie. I also have Lacewood Heresy IIIs, and RP-160Ms too. But room for no more!

No, I totally get it. This is a tight knit community of people united by a common love of Klipsch. Klipsch has been around a long time and has a strong group of followers. There are many experts in the various speaker incarnations over the years and a vibrant interest in tuning, tweaking and/or modifying the products for maximum enjoyment. Also there are retired gents with this love who have plenty of time to devote to this hobby. I think its great!

Thanks for this input. I called the window repair company that made these protectors for me. They said that while they usually make these furniture protectors out of glass they also have made them out of plexiglass for years and have had no reports of these protectors reacting with the furniture they are designed to protect. They offered to provide small discs made of some kind of plastic to put between the speaker wood and the plexiglass. This would require periodic dusting and cleaning as an air space would be created between the two surfaces. I have a large mahogany desk that has custom sheet glass protectors with these disks and it is a pain to clean between the two surfaces so they usually are dusty at the edges. Right now there is a static force keeping these two surfaces well “connected” on my speakers. I am thinking this is best for now as all the moving of the plexiglass protectors to clean beneath them will risk more damage to the speaker tops. Comments?

Well the guys that sell B Stock really try to imply that there is only cosmetic differences between A and B Stock. If there’s more to it, please illuminate. Thanks!

Thin sheet (1/8”) plexiglass to protect these expensive babies!! Remember for B Stock you save $3,000 over A Stock. So not having those scratches is super important!

I am having two 24-3/8 x 25-3/8 x 1/8” plexiglass top protectors made. They should be ready tomorrow. I fear very much dunderheads will place cold drinks on top of my speakers when I’m not around.

If a dealer goes lower than list for A stock he loses that product. Caught twice he loses the whole line.

With universal pricing the only way I could find a better deal was with the level of cosmetic damage I was willing to accept. I wanted none so for A stock, I had to pay.

I have had the entertainment unit for 15 years. I got it at Ethan Allen. They were phasing it out cause it can only accommodate a 50” tv. But that was fine by me. It was $5000 but I got it half off. Even at that it was pricey but I love it. The workmanship is excellent and it is super solid. I have an 8000 series Samsung 4K UHD TV and guests always rave about the picture.

But the Klipschorns need two corners. I don’t have. That’s why I went with the La Scalas.

I just angled them in a bit. I am getting a better stereo sweet spot. The stage space seems better too.

The AL5 midranges are amazing. Acoustic guitar with a soulful vocal!! It is a wonder to experience.