billybob Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 20 minutes ago, Tom05 said: I think this is great advice. Properly working Lascala’s shouldn’t sound bloated or veiled, just the opposite actually. Maybe something isn’t working right , or possibly they have been tampered with . I’ve never been a fan of modifying PWK or Roy Delgado’s speaker designs , it’s very difficult for a layman to improve on their work . My advice is to make sure that everything is stock and in good working order , and use this as a benchmark for any attempt at modifying. Properly working Klipsch Lascala’s are phenomenal speakers and in a class of their own 🤓 And I agree with you. Like to listen awhile before deciding what to do. Took me years before asking *Dean for a cap rebuild kit for Chorus. My 84 LS with original ALs were good. Cool...☕ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom05 Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 10 minutes ago, billybob said: And I agree with you. Like to listen awhile before deciding what to do. Took me years before asking *Dean for a cap rebuild kit for Chorus. My 84 LS with original ALs were good. Cool...☕ Hey billybob , I guess we think alike . I’ve got a set of AK2 Khorns that I’ve been studying for at least 5 years, contemplating a conversation to AK3 , got all the parts I need, It’s just they sound darn good as is 🤷 .have a great day🤓 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geezin' Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 I think many seek something they cannot identify until they get lucky and stumble upon it. That is we're not sure but seeing what others like we assume we will as well. I advised my customers to ride their motorcycles for 6 months before changing anything other than adjustments for comfort or safety. It's tough to take my own advice but I've gotten there. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 Everything is reversible. It's a great speaker to play around with. You don't have to go nuts with them to get decent results. @Curious_Georgeis right about the horn. If you like to jack on the volume they will drill a hole through your head. Low to modest levels, I think they sound good. I experimented with some different horns early on, but when I went to low volume listening as a course of habit, I went back to the K-400. Great dynamics and resolving power at those levels. Your K-55's could probably use a new set of diaphragms, and lot cheaper than new drivers. With that said, the A-55-G is a dual phase plug design, and would be an improvement over your stock drivers. The 6.8uF mod is hit or miss. I've had some complain that the mids become too recessed. It really relates to how loud you listen. The louder you listen, the higher the likelihood that you're going to like it. Since you are new to these, I recommend getting the kit from JEM. This will give you the correct baseline to start from. If you love it, great, if not -- then go to a quality film and foil like the PPT Theta or Jantzen Z-cap. Deang 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelegalize Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 6 hours ago, Peter P. said: I think the reason they sound different than your first experience with them in the "warehouse" environment is just that; your home and the "warehouse" are entirely different acoustic environments, including room volume and liveness. I doubt you can reproduce the volume aspect of that first listen, but maybe you can simulate the acoustic qualities of that warehouse, whether live or dead or somewhere in between and you'll find that sound you first heard. I'm not a fan of all that tweaking jazz. I think the LaScalas are best at filling large environments and I'll bet if you played them outside they would absolutely rip the drivers out of any other speaker! I think you're right. Often I listened to that warehouse pair at loud volumes, and damn do they sound good. They still need a bit help with a sub, but even without, I was amazed. That'll be my puzzle to solve, making our pair give a similar experience. I'm still having a good time as is. Relistening to music I know very well, while also enjoying music I don't often listen to. These things are keepers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelegalize Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 hour ago, billybob said: And I agree with you. Like to listen awhile before deciding what to do. Took me years before asking *Dean for a cap rebuild kit for Chorus. My 84 LS with original ALs were good. Cool...☕ I definitely plan on living with them as is for a good while, at least until I finish sewing the hole in my pocket. I like to scheme ahead, or daydream if you will, it keeps my mind busy and can be a good distraction (at times) from my daily work. That's why I wanted to ask the good people here for advice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelegalize Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Tom05 said: Hey billybob , I guess we think alike . I’ve got a set of AK2 Khorns that I’ve been studying for at least 5 years, contemplating a conversation to AK3 , got all the parts I need, It’s just they sound darn good as is 🤷 .have a great day🤓 I was fortunate enough to listen to Khorns with AK3s for one song (I played Charles Mingus' Goodbye, Porkpie Hat). It was a trip. Crazy imaging. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 minute ago, estelegalize said: I definitely plan on living with them as is for a good while, at least until I finish sewing the hole in my pocket. I like to scheme ahead, or daydream if you will, it keeps my mind busy and can be a good distraction (at times) from my daily work. That's why I wanted to ask the good people here for advice. Cool, think you are going to rediscover the sound, or close enough from your past. Member's here can help it become real. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelegalize Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 57 minutes ago, geezin' said: I think many seek something they cannot identify until they get lucky and stumble upon it. That is we're not sure but seeing what others like we assume we will as well. I advised my customers to ride their motorcycles for 6 months before changing anything other than adjustments for comfort or safety. It's tough to take my own advice but I've gotten there. I seek for truth. No really, how do I get the close to live sound in my living room? When I was in school, we often participated in "critiques" where we'd share our thoughts around particular work. You'd hear a myraid of opinions and insights that at times would be in direct opposition to each other, or would back each other's thoughts on the subject. These crits were helpful to me as I would listen, offer my opinion, and would try to keep an open mind in case someone would help me see outside of my perspective. I'm not asking anyone to change my mind. I personally feel it's helpful to hear peoples opinions, insights, suggestions, and approaches to help me think if any of it applies to my interests and intentions. Thanks again everyone for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 the K55X and k-400-k-401 hons are used on new AL5 and AK6 , the A-55G was tested by klipsch and they are still using the better driver - The initial tests by Crites were flawed , they used 40 year old K-55V drivers with worn out diaphragms instead of klipsch testing with new diaphragms in both drivers which obviously showed quite different results . The k-77 with original crossovers , or horns , or tweeters , or aftermarket diaphragms work great . The klipsch capacitors sold by JEM , are in fact balancing since they do not require any other changes to the speaker's components , while aftermarkets by altering the sound force changes to the drivers , or horns and even to the crossovers . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelegalize Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 23 minutes ago, Crankysoldermeister said: Everything is reversible. It's a great speaker to play around with. You don't have to go nuts with them to get decent results. @Curious_Georgeis right about the horn. If you like to jack on the volume they will drill a hole through your head. Low to modest levels, I think they sound good. I experimented with some different horns early on, but when I went to low volume listening as a course of habit, I went back to the K-400. Great dynamics and resolving power at those levels. Your K-55's could probably use a new set of diaphragms, and lot cheaper than new drivers. With that said, the A-55-G is a dual phase plug design, and would be an improvement over your stock drivers. The 6.8uF mod is hit or miss. I've had some complain that the mids become too recessed. It really relates to how loud you listen. The louder you listen, the higher the likelihood that you're going to like it. Since you are new to these, I recommend getting the kit from JEM. This will give you the correct baseline to start from. If you love it, great, if not -- then go to a quality film and foil like the PPT Theta or Jantzen Z-cap. Deang Thanks Deang. Listening volumes vary to time of day and mood. If I'm listening closely, I'd say I'm listening at a bit above moderate levels, and that's mostly because I grew up going to live shows, I like to be IN the music. I know, its terrible for my ears. I like to think I'm listening below ear damaging levels, but who knows, maybe I should get a decibel meter. I also enjoy the intimacy of late night low volume listening, so that might be an issue with the 6.8uf cap. To think of it, I'll mostly have them playing with the volume up so I think it's worth a try. Thanks for the cap and driver advice. I think the "up to spec" approach is a good start too. - Speaking of reversible, has anyone tried rubber spray paint as a damper for the horn? It's easy to strip off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelegalize Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 4 minutes ago, 001 said: the K55X and k-400-k-401 hons are used on new AL5 and AK6 , the A-55G was tested by klipsch and they are still using the better driver , you see , the initial tests by Crites were flawed , they used 40 year old K-55V drivers with worn out diaphragms instead of testing like klipsch with new diaphragms in both drivers which obviously showed quite different results . there is nothing wrong with the k-77 nor with original crossovers , or horns , or tweeters , or aftermarket diaphragms . The klipsch capacitors sold by JEM , are in fact balancing since they do not require any other changes to the speaker's components , while aftermarkets by altering the sound effectively break the balance , which forces changes to the drivers , or horns and even to the crossovers until a suitable equilibrium is reached . That's interesting. Would you recommend Crites' replacement diaphragms for the K-55V? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudeJ1 Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 15 hours ago, jimjimbo said: SMAHL DE120 from Dave A are an outstanding combination. No lie. I'm surprised it too you this long to say this! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff. Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 41 minutes ago, estelegalize said: Speaking of reversible, has anyone tried rubber spray paint as a damper for the horn? It's easy to strip off. I think this is why Jimbo suggested painters tape BEFORE applying the damping material. And welcome to an awesome forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 56 minutes ago, 001 said: The initial tests by Crites were flawed , they used 40 year old K-55V drivers with worn out diaphragms. Frequency response plots on the Crites website for the Allen driver were done using new-ish PD5’s - and those were done by Bob and Michael. The distortion tests were done by Al with a driver of unknown condition. John Warren also did distortion tests using a K-55-M. The Allen driver came in slightly better, but not as exaggerated as Al’s. My understanding was Roy just didn’t need the extended response of the driver since he was cutting everything at 4.5kHz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 hour ago, estelegalize said: That's interesting. Would you recommend Crites' replacement diaphragms for the K-55V? yes , spares are handy , but , you can shop around . I always keep a set of spares of either new drivers or diaphragms . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 hour ago, ClaudeJ1 said: I'm surprised it too you this long to say this! I have said it many many times before… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estelegalize Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Crankysoldermeister said: Frequency response plots on the Crites website for the Allen driver were done using new-ish PD5’s - and those were done by Bob and Michael. The distortion tests were done by Al with a driver of unknown condition. John Warren also did distortion tests using a K-55-M. The Allen driver came in slightly better, but not as exaggerated as Al’s. My understanding was Roy just didn’t need the extended response of the driver since he was cutting everything at 4.5kHz. Would you still recommend the JEM caps if I'm considering Dave A's tweeter/driver combo? I've read somewhere that Crites' caps returned them to spec, as in restoring the speakers. I'm guessing that's not agreed upon since Klipsch has their own approved caps, also guessing that the sonicaps give you a bit flavor the JEM caps don't, and vice versa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 hour ago, estelegalize said: Would you still recommend the JEM caps if I'm considering Dave A's tweeter/driver combo? No 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWOReilly Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 1 hour ago, estelegalize said: Would you still recommend the JEM caps if I'm considering Dave A's tweeter/driver combo? I've read somewhere that Crites' caps returned them to spec, as in restoring the speakers. I'm guessing that's not agreed upon since Klipsch has their own approved caps, also guessing that the sonicaps give you a bit flavor the JEM caps don't, and vice versa. I have the SMAHL in both my 79 CW and 75 LS. Crites in CW, JEM in LS. The SMAHL was a drastic improvement to my ears. Installed many months after crossover replacement and rebuild. I can’t recommend them enough. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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