pcbiz Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 (edited) I call these 'slow motion mods' because I put the speakers back together after each mod for an audio inspection. For a fact, each mod made a sonic improvement to my liking. They're running with a Musical Paradise MP-301MK3 and KT-150 power tubes. I was very inspired by the Heresy III and Forte III, and wondered what I could do to get a little more of the new Klipsch sonic flavor, so here it is. Swapped K77 Alnico tweeters for Dave A's SMAHL V2™ Drop In Replacements with B&C DE120 - sold the K77s Covered mid horn with Kilmat insulation, which is a much better deal than Dyna Mat - Better bass, better dispersion in the highs, richer mids Swapped caps for the Type E crossover with Sonic Caps from Crites - very nice Swapped Type E crossover for ALK Universal Crossover - Much much nicer. The speakers just came to life. Swapped wiring out for 10 gauge twisted copper - Everyone should do this. You get a nice little boost in presence, volume, tone and balance. The electrons are just happier. Here are photo links from my Google drive. They are huge. If you have a better way to upload them, that would be appreciated. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PtKyKWUfofVBxGC0zn95xLnyPrW8zSsW/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8li5PhbLl86gGmqnC4XEp0_HHPd_YJc/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v9zjKeHoH0rxsetg_TKeeTke5O2LA6vy/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wV2YoFpXdyUPIvmojpl48BXykJL-7lzi/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y4yWbXu9A9wtRs7D-_7jEn0pZ8BIqsAR/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zcdP0b_XFgElpJUUvVVm5fffBJ0fhy68/view?usp=sharing Edited July 10, 2021 by pcbiz 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbiz Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 (edited) The 10 gauge wire sounds sooo much better. Edited July 10, 2021 by pcbiz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyErnie Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 One mod at a time, one side at a time, is a great way to find out what difference something makes. Nice work! Definitely looking into bigger wire for the next round. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 My MWM cabinets use 18ga from the terminals to the K-43 woofers. They are quite happy that way. 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer X Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Been walking down this economical upgrade route with my Heresy 1.5: Add 3/4" plywood back panel glued to existing 5/8" inset panel. Secure with more than the 8 wood screws used. I used 36 #8 x 1 1/4" wood screws. Gasket material on back 5/8" inset panel. I used duct tape on both surfaces. Add rubber tipped 3/4" wooden dowels, one vertical, two horizontal, to further stiffen, dampen cabinet. Upgrade the original 18 ga stranded wiring. My wiring choice is of course different. Dynamat the midrange horn. Add 4 missing woofer screws. Add spikes (I used wood screws again). Cut out grille for the horns. I believe the additional plywood on the back (I actually used two 3/4" plys because I had the extra wood left over) made the biggest difference, tamed the mid bass / midrange boxiness greatly. Totally different speaker. Also any wire will be better than the stock 18 ga stranded. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbiz Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 I'm going to sell these to make room for some big ol' Chorus II speakers. Do you think $700 is fair for these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer X Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Yes, especially considering expense of tweeter and crossover upgrade. I think the key is patiently finding interested local buyer maybe via the CL to avoid considerable shipping expense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 On 7/27/2021 at 4:29 AM, Racer X said: Been walking down this economical upgrade route with my Heresy 1.5: Add 3/4" plywood back panel glued to existing 5/8" inset panel. Secure with more than the 8 wood screws used. I used 36 #8 x 1 1/4" wood screws. Gasket material on back 5/8" inset panel. I used duct tape on both surfaces. Add rubber tipped 3/4" wooden dowels, one vertical, two horizontal, to further stiffen, dampen cabinet. Upgrade the original 18 ga stranded wiring. My wiring choice is of course different. Dynamat the midrange horn. Add 4 missing woofer screws. Add spikes (I used wood screws again). Cut out grille for the horns. I believe the additional plywood on the back (I actually used two 3/4" plys because I had the extra wood left over) made the biggest difference, tamed the mid bass / midrange boxiness greatly. Totally different speaker. Also any wire will be better than the stock 18 ga stranded. Do you have cool pictures of these improvements ,we're drooling here I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer X Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 (edited) Images attached.... Edited July 29, 2021 by Racer X Add Images Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer X Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 Grille cutout inspired by LaScala look. Best of both worlds, grille on and off. Razor blade the grille and fold flaps back, use contact cement to glue to back side of grille. I was inspired to add additional 3/4" round dowels (not shown, screws...) to stiffen the cabinet. I used rubber to simplify the interference fit and installation and dampen. Another poster on this forum suggested adding rear panel and I ran with that. Used duct tape to try to level the inset 5/8" panel to the edge. Sanded the edge smooth of any lacquer imperfections. Please check OP picture of interior wiring: the inset back panel is not really a structural contributor to enclosure stiffness, especially considering dearth of screws. So the original cabinet is essentially backless. Once again, this simple addition of a piece of plywood and a bunch of screws will totally transform the sound of the Heresy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlson3 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 great mods - has anyone tried "aperiodic" venting of H1 to hear if that can have a positive effect? A substitute back and REW/LIMP would allow one to flatten the Z peak as much as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 5 minutes ago, karlson3 said: great mods - has anyone tried "aperiodic" venting of H1 to hear if that can have a positive effect? A substitute back and REW/LIMP would allow one to flatten the Z peak as much as possible. Thinking you are talking about other than a port. Interesting? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlson3 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 yeah - drilling an array of small^ diameter holes ( * hole diameter less than panel thickness) and damping those holes on the inside of the new back panel with foam until the normal sealed box impedance peak is "flattened" (technique goes at least back to Ted Jordan and later such damped vents were sold as "Variovent" - Dynaco used it with their SEAS driver A25, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlson3 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 For one reference on the "aperiodic" approach, here's Ted Jordan's 1956 Wireless World article http://p10hifi.net/planet10/TLS/downloads/TedJordanAperiodic.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbiz Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 Update: I splurged for the $8 replacement washers for the K-55-V diaphragm in my Heresy I pair, and this tiny upgrade gave me more details and presence in the mids. Very much worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudeJ1 Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 46 minutes ago, pcbiz said: Update: I splurged for the $8 replacement washers for the K-55-V diaphragm in my Heresy I pair, and this tiny upgrade gave me more details and presence in the mids. Very much worth it. 46 minutes ago, pcbiz said: Update: I splurged for the $8 replacement washers for the K-55-V diaphragm in my Heresy I pair, and this tiny upgrade gave me more details and presence in the mids. Very much worth it. You should finish off with my Super Heresy Mod (Woofer and Port Mod). Then you be talkin BASS. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbiz Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 16 minutes ago, ClaudeJ1 said: You should finish off with my Super Heresy Mod (Woofer and Port Mod). Then you be talkin BASS. I finally got some big ol' Chorus II speakers. I did install the Crites Chorus II crossovers, but as of right now, my Chorus pair is nowhere near as refined as my modded Heresy I pair. I really wish I could get another ALK crossover for my Chorus II, but Al isn't interested in supporting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Synergy Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 5 minutes ago, pcbiz said: I finally got some big ol' Chorus II speakers. I did install the Crites Chorus II crossovers, but as of right now, my Chorus pair is nowhere near as refined as my modded Heresy I pair. I really wish I could get another ALK crossover for my Chorus II, but Al isn't interested in supporting them. Super heresy it is then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbiz Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 On 8/8/2021 at 9:53 PM, Westcoastdrums said: Super heresy it is then I'll probably replicate my Heresy mod success into a vintage La Scala pair, as soon as I can find a pair in my area. That has been my goal. This journey sure has been educational. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer X Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 Not to dissuade you from your vintage LaScala dream, but as someone who moved from LaScala to Cornwall to Heresy, the LaScala is the most deficient in bass. No low bass to speak of and a huge bump in bass horn response around 100 to 200 hz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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