la scala Please help me get rid of distortion

[Klipchmitch]

Hi everyone.

 

Today, I bought a vintage La scala and I listening all day. Then I found out that at certain frequency, it creates distortions. Other times, it sounds good. I was playing “Time” from Pink Floyd.  After the clock sounds and where guitar start to play, that’s when I start hearing distortions. Please help me fix the problem. 

[gigantic]

first place to start is with the washers between the mid horn and the driver, provided your LS have the K-400 and K55 combo. The washers get hard and create distortion. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell you where they have them in stock. 

[CWOReilly]

4 hours ago, Klipchmitch said:

Hi everyone.

 

Today, I bought a vintage La scala and I listening all day. Then I found out that at certain frequency, it creates distortions. Other times, it sounds good. I was playing “Time” from Pink Floyd.  After the clock sounds and where guitar start to play, that’s when I start hearing distortions. Please help me fix the problem. 

Welcome to the forum! Loosen and retighten every connection screw on the crossover as well as checking the gasket @gigantic mentioned. Others may chime in as well, but those 2 things are easiest and best place to start. Let us know how it goes!

[wuzzzer]

39 minutes ago, CWOReilly said:

Welcome to the forum! Loosen and retighten every connection screw on the crossover as well as checking the gasket @gigantic mentioned. Others may chime in as well, but those 2 things are easiest and best place to start. Let us know how it goes!

Agreed.  I do this with every older pair of speakers I buy.  If they’re not soldered, disconnect and reconnect the connectors on each driver also.  It’ll remove years of oxidation and help give a better signal path through everything.

[Klipchmitch]

7 hours ago, gigantic said:

first place to start is with the washers between the mid horn and the driver, provided your LS have the K-400 and K55 combo. The washers get hard and create distortion. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell you where they have them in stock. 

Can you advise me where I can the gaskets? And maybe other upgrade parts? Thanks.

 

 

[Trey Cannon Ex-employee]

...another thing it could be is magnet bits in the mid range driver voice coil gap. Take the driver apart and clean the gap with the sticky side of masking tape or the like.  Could be a no cost fix.    As for the network parts. 99% of the time the parts are fine. IF a cap is leaking fluid or has leaked, then replace  them. Past that, like said before, clean all the screw connections. 

[Trey Cannon Ex-employee]

...The mid gasket from klipsch is part number 157041.  They may send it free...

 

[Schu]

Bad Cap's can cause this (depending on type of distortion) because of leakage and out of spec issues...

[mikebse2a3]

Another thing to check is if they use the K55M midrange driver the back cover can buzz if glue is failing. Just press against the cover when you hear the distortion and see if it goes away.

 

Check this thread

 

miketn 

 

[Klipchmitch]

1 hour ago, mikebse2a3 said:

Another thing to check is if they use the K55M midrange driver the back cover can buzz if glue is failing. Just press against the cover when you hear the distortion and see if it goes away.

 

Check this thread

 

miketn 

 

Thanks for your reply!

[Klipchmitch]

3 hours ago, Schu said:

Bad Cap's can cause this (depending on type of distortion) because of leakage and out of spec issues...

Thanks. Let me check that!

 

Just now, Klipchmitch said:

Thanks for your reply!

I will try that!

[Klipchmitch]

10 hours ago, Trey Cannon said:

...another thing it could be is magnet bits in the mid range driver voice coil gap. Take the driver apart and clean the gap with the sticky side of masking tape or the like.  Could be a no cost fix.    As for the network parts. 99% of the time the parts are fine. IF a cap is leaking fluid or has leaked, then replace  them. Past that, like said before, clean all the screw connections. 

Thanks!  What kind of solution do you use?

[mark1101]

Can you post pics of the drivers and crossover so forum members can get a sense of the condition of the speaker components?

[Klipchmitch]

These are pics of my driver and mid unit.  

[Toz]

Ok, that mid driver is the K55m made by Electro Voice.  The back cap needs to be reglued, they are notorious for getting loose and buzzing at certain frequencies.  Mine did and I carefully pulled up the edges and reglued with Permatex Indian Head gasket shellac, it seamed to be closely related to whatever the factory used. Worked great, that was several years ago no buzzing distortion since.

[pawantanwar]

To fix distortion on your La Scala speakers, check connections, amplifier compatibility, crossover health, and speaker drivers. Room acoustics and professional help might also be needed.
thanks and regards
pawantanwar
https://www.multispanindia.com

Edited December 9, 2024 by pawantanwar