Identifying my speakers, and other n00b questions

[Dokter]

I purchased a pair of La Scala's a couple of years ago, and have done little by way of investigating their origins, qualities, etc., until i got tired of the way my DVD system sounded and started asking "thems that knows" why. It appears that I have a very mismatched system (inexpensive sub, JBL center speaker, ridiculous little rear speakers etc.), which, ultimately prevented me from enjoying any aspect of my sound system. Thus I have some questions.

The speakers are model LSBB and the serial numbers are 211878 and 254839. Can anyone tell me how old these speakers are and whether they're good examples of the La Scala line? If these are "old" speakers are there ways to upgrade them or improve their sound? What are they worth? They're flat black finish. Is there are way to change this finish to something more elegant?

If I'm going to upgrade the rest of my system to fit these front speakers can someone makes suggestions as to the other speakers that would allow for a balanced system? Please keep in mind that money is tight. I have a Harmon/Kardon AVR 55 amp with an onboard digital decoder for playing DVD's. All suggestions welcome.

Many thanks.

Doug

[JohnA]

There's something wrong with the serial numbers you listed. They don't seem to match the normal patterns. Look at the third character and see if it is not really a letter. The letter indicates build year. The LSBB means La Scala, Birch, Black. They should be black lacquer and not flat black. Thare is one meaningful parts change that would be an upgrade. You can change the crossover network to the Type AL-3, or substitute Al Klappenberger's high quality networks. The drivers have had a few changes over the years and while some of us prefer one driver or an other over the rest, there are no startling improvements between them.

http://www.alkeng.com/klipsch.html

Other changes should address audible defects you can hear. For instance I could hear (and feel) a ringing in the throat of the aluminum sqiawker horn and damped it out with Dynamat. Several of us have tweaked our La Scalas various ways, if you need specific advice.

[Dokter]

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On 10/11/2002 8:07:22 PM John Albright wrote:

There's something wrong with the serial numbers you listed. They don't seem to match the normal patterns. Look at the third character and see if it is not really a letter. The letter indicates build year. The LSBB means La Scala, Birch, Black. They should be black lacquer and not flat black. ----------------

How about 21T878 and 25U839? Would that make more sense?

Doug

[HDBRbuilder]

The one with the "T" in the serial number was made in 1979, the one with the "U" in the serial number was made in 1980....probably in late December/early January of those two years, if they were originally sold as a pair. Although black laquer was used on the LSBB model at the plant, it was not a high-gloss laquer, neither was it flat laquer...more of a semi-gloss laquer...in other words, it isn't shiny, but does have a bit of sheen to it.

Those are good years for the LaScala. You should have type AA networks in them, K77M tweeters, K55V mid-range driver, and K33E woofers. That time frame still had some of the "old hands" building them...things began to change before 1982, after most of the old hands in the cabinet shop and sanding room started to get frustrated over low quarterly bonuses, low hourly wages, the "battle" between Bob Moers, et.al. and PWK over control of the company, growing pains and production numbers vs. quality control issues, etc.... and began to leave for other opportunities...or just retire(if they could afford to do so). It just began to get to a point where many of the old hands just didn't care if they showed-up for work anymore...so much crap was going on!!...Know what I mean?

[Dokter]

Thanks for the reply. I think I sent you a private message, but I'm not sure if it was successfully sent, thus I'm reposting it here. I'm open to suggestions from others in regards to the questions posted below, although I cringe at exposing my inadequate sytem to the scrutiny of the rest of you elite sound dudes.

YOUR RESPONSE:

The one with the "T" in the serial number was made in 1979, the one with the "U" in the serial number was made in 1980....probably in late December/early January of those two years, if they were originally sold as a pair. Although black laquer was used on the LSBB model at the plant, it was not a high-gloss laquer, neither was it flat laquer...more of a semi-gloss laquer...in other words, it isn't shiny, but does have a bit of sheen to it.

Those are good years for the LaScala. You should have type AA networks in them, K77M tweeters, K55V mid-range driver, and K33E woofers. That time frame still had some of the "old hands" building them...things began to change before 1982, after most of the old hands in the cabinet shop and sanding room started to get frustrated over low quarterly bonuses, low hourly wages, the "battle" between Bob Moers, et.al. and PWK over control of the company, growing pains and production numbers vs. quality control issues, etc.... and began to leave for other opportunities...or just retire(if they could afford to do so). It just began to get to a point where many of the old hands just didn't care if they showed-up for work anymore...so much crap was going on!!...Know what I mean?

I may be stupid, but I can lift heavy things! (And when building LaScalas pretty much with little or no help, you gets lots of chances to lift heavy things!!)

MY QUESTIONS:

Thank you very much for answering my question about the La Scala's. You're right...they're a low gloss black, and really in impeccable shape. I have a youthful fondness for these speakers (I think I first heard Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies on a set of La Scala's in a Victoria, BC show room while in a state of altered conciousness, and have yearned for a set ever since) and would like to base my system around them...but with certain caveats and concerns.

By the way,I purchased these for $700 (Can), which is about $450 (US). Was this a good price?

I'm going slightly nuts because my system is so mismatched. My subwoofer is a piece of **** Cerwin Vega, and my centre speaker is a small JBL that is apparently so insignificant as to not even warrant a model number. As a result, when watching a DVD I strain to hear the dialogue, and when listening to music the bass is frustratingly muddy...no matter how I attempt to adjust the sub's volume or crossover frequency. Although the windows rattle my eardrum remains apparently unmoved (or unimpressed) by the results. I have also boosted the centre speaker output as high as it will go. Just as a test, I hooked up an old pair of PSB's and the centre speaker volume problem resolved as the front and centre speaker efficiencie's matched, but who wants to listen to PSB's?

I thus have a few questions that I hope you will have time to answer:

1. Are the La Scala's worth keeping, or should I start from scratch with a whole new set up? I'm not really in a position to spend a lot of $ so would like to keep what I already have.

2. Can you suggest a reasonable subwoofer and centre speaker to go with the La Scala's, so that I don't have to strain to hear the dialogue on my DVD's, and don't cringe when listening to music? I would like for these components to be of reasonable quality and able to match other front speakers should I decide to not use La Scala's.

3. I'm currently using a Harmon/Kardon AVR 55 to drive the system. Is this adequate to the task? If not could you suggest an upgrade that won't break the bank? I have a Carver 1200 watt power amp I'm going to scavenge from my live keyboard setup, and use to drive the front speakers when I find the time to do so. Would this improve the front end sound when listening to CD's? And would I need, then, to get outboard amps to also drive the centre and rear speakers when watching DVD's?

And, and, and....damn I asked you a lot of questions!

Thanks again for the info in your initial response, and for your help with the above questions, if you have time.

Doug

[DizRotus]

I'll give you $800 Canadian, but you'd be foolish to take it. You got an excellent deal.

From what you describe, the La Scalas might not be the best for your purposes. These efficeint speakers are at their best when driven by good tube equipment. Lots of power is not necessary and megawatts of solid state power will not let the speakers perform at their best.

You would get more responses to this post in the 2 channel section. Not necessarily consistent opinions, but plenty of them.

[Dokter]

I'll contact you by e-mail if you're serious.

My e-mail address is dr-doug@shaw.ca

Doug

[DizRotus]

Doug,

You should have mail.

Neil

[JohnA]

You can succesfully build a home theater with La Scalas. I use 4. My center is a Klipsch KLF-C7. A somewhat similar center now is the RC-7. I use 2 VMPS Larger Subs driven with about 400 watts each. http://www.vmpsaudio.com/sub1.htm The newest Larger Sub is pictured on the right.

You will need all of the subwoofer you can afford to keep pace with La Scalas and maintain low distortion. The Klipsch RSW-15 can do it, others can, too. Look at SVS subs on the web.

C$700 is a GREAT price.

John

[Q-Man]

Listen to John, and keep the LaScalas and build around them. Make your first purchase a good center channel. The center is the most important

speaker for home theater. KLF-C7 is the minimum amount of speaker to use with the LaScala. You can find them on ebay from $300.00 to $400.00, new they were about $525.00. Next save up your money for a good sub. This will will cost you. A good sub on the used market will start at about $1,200.00 and up to $3,000.00. I think a used Sunfire Signature or SVS Ultra will be the cheapest way to go. Once you get to this point you will find yourself enjoying movies and music. Then when they money permits go for the rear speakers or receiver.

Keep asking questions and you will keep getting opinions here.

[mr.bob]

doug - if your receiver will do it, you might want to consider turning off the center speaker ("phantom" mode - splits the center equally between the front left and right) and subwoofer (set fronts to "large"). at least until you can get quality replacements. this will eliminate some of your present weak links, and allow you to listen more carefully to the lascalas to make sure you like them before you build an entire system around them.

mr.bob

[Dokter]

Thanks all for the useful comments. However, there is now a new dynamic in play.

My wife, henceforth referred to as the "living room space editor" has made me an offer I cannot refuse. She who controls the budget, and from whom all good things flow, has allowed me a virtually unlimited amount to spend on a home theatre/stereo system...PROVIDED THAT IT'S SMALL. Bye bye La Scala's...I am thus in a position to sell said speakers. I am willing to part with them for $800 ©, provided the buyer transports them. Pictures available upon demand, and I will post these for sale in the Two Speaker forum as well. They're in great shape BTW.

Again, thanks for all the help.

Doug

[ChuckElliot]

Further evidence that Bose is engaging in a gender based kickback scheme! LOL!

Im sorry to hear that they have to go. I fully understand. At my house, my Cornwalls are referred to as the Woodstock Speakers.

[dougdrake]

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On 10/16/2002 10:36:19 AM Dokter wrote:

Thanks all for the useful comments. However, there is now a new dynamic in play.

She who controls the budget, and from whom all good things flow, has allowed me a virtually unlimited amount to spend on a home theatre/stereo system...PROVIDED THAT IT'S SMALL.

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Never understood why the bread winners don't control the budget , but maybe she is the BW also...

At any rate, small can still mean Klipsch. They make terrific bookshelf speakers (RB3/RB5) that can make a killer HT setup when paired with a good sub. Just don't sell out to the HT-in-a-box size stuff. You'll regret it every day.

DD