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ALK Cornscala with K401 or Trachorn


jwc

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Well, this project was long thought out.

Before I get into depth, I want to thank:

Dean Wescott
Bob Crites
Al Klappenberger

I am a BIG Klipsh fan. I have enjoyed the Klipsch forum for the last 6 months. The only reason I wasn't a member earlier, is because my life has been so preoccupied by my career. At this point, I have seemed to relax and given many thoughts to the things I loved when growing up.

I used to walk through Ideal Acoustics in Starkville MS when I was a kid. I loved the Klipsch line of speakers. It was my dream for me to make enough money one day just so I could purchase some Klipsch speakers.

When in College at Mississippi State, there was a guy who had a pair of Klipsch La Scalas from Ideal Acoustics. This was in a FRAT house. They were bought in 1989. I was sssoo into these.

Time went on. For awhile, I lived with two guys who loved to Party. This opened my wallet for two things. A beer KEGULATOR and a pair of Klipsch 5.2's. We always had kegs on tap and did nothing but study and drink. 5.2's run by Carver M1.0t. The sound was heaven.

I later I bought a pair of 84' La Scalas from Ebay. Showed-off these for 3-4 years. Bought a pair of HSU TN 1220 subs to fill in the low end. Then read all these posts about upgrading crossovers for the La Scalas. My wife actually didn't like the sound of the scalas because they had no bass and were a little harsh.

I bought a bunch of McIntosh equipment and the harshness was still there. Our plan was to buy a pair of B & W Nautilus 801's. They were $11000. Wonderful sound.

Being the long loved Klipsch fan, I made the plea with my wife to upgrade the crossovers on my scalas. She agreed and I got some ALK type universal "A's" from AL. This was a MAJOR improvement. The sound was amazing. 2 channel was the HSU subs the Scalas. I was pleased and so was my wife.

However, my wife was ALL ABOUT the "look" of the B & W 801's. We took some of our favorite CD's to the 'dealer" and auditioned the B&W's. SERIOUSLY, we didn't see any benefit. My wife really wanted to lay down $11,000 but realized the scalas and HSU Subs were just as good

Well, this got me thinkin'. These network upgrades for the Heritage line is the way to go.

Bought a pair of 84' Cornwalls. Had Bob Crites upgrade the caps on the B-3 networks and replace the tweeter diaphragms. I was in love with the bass. Now I had a new love. Great "full" speakers. I DJ'ed a party with these. Once listening to these, I was thinking that it was somewhat of a waste that the the Scalas didn’t have more bass.

So this is where this project of mine began. Cornwall Bass and Scala mid. Evenmore, why not top the mid....Al's Trachorn 400? The Trachorn wasn't really made to be w/in a sealed cabinet. So I thought a Cornwall Bass Bin with a high frequency (HF) section like the La Scala would work. You have probably seen Bob’s “test Box”. Well this is a similar idea but the dimensions are different. Bob or somebody from the thread came up with this name “Cornscala”. I think it’s a good name.



http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/storage/4/1117459/woodorderallgrill.pdf

http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/storage/4/1071530/cs4.pdf

These pdf files will layout instructions on building this thing. This is my first cabinet build. If you don’t like what I did or just have suggestion, just say so. If people have good ideas on how to make it better, I will include it on the website.

This is a Cornscala with an ALK type "B" network made by DeanG. All drivers supplied by Bob Crites. So now I have an ALK Cornscala to compare to an ALK La Scala. I wanted to see if the midrange of my Cornscala would match the La Scala.

The midrange/woof is crossed at 600Hz just like the Cornwall. I know I’m gonna get questions…“why”? Hopefully the experts will give their opinions of what they would do.

I now have a sound to die for. I no longer play my subwoofers when in 2 channel stereo. The midrange and sound stage is on par with the La Scala and the Bass is in another league. I don't think there is ANY advantage (my ears) of the La Scala or the Cornwall over this CORNSCALA.

jc


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JW,

Thanks for the post. You have done a great job on the Cornscala and have refined the design nicely. Also thanks for the considerable work to document your project. I've had a chance to hear Bob Crites' Cornscalas in his shop and they are fabulous sounding speakers.

BTW, the PWK pie slice logo looks very sharp on the back. Is that something you scanned and printed? What kind of material did you use.

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Actually, It is a printer label. I just got a large one that was a full page in length. I then reveresed the image so that the background was black. Then added the icons and "cornscala" name. I will put this label on the server for others to use.

Right now my server is slowing down some. There must be people on it viewing the documentation.

jc

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JC

Great post and great work on the Cornscalas. There are at least 6 sets of these Cornscalas in existance or in various stages of production. Hopefully we will hear from more of the builders as time goes by. That is where we can see ways to tweak this design and improve it. You may want to try crossing over to the squawker at 400 hz to see how you like that. Lots of neat things can be tried.

Bob Crites

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That's a nice job and an excellent concept. I think you owe it to yourself to try a better squawker horn sometime though. As I understand it, the top baffle board can be removed to make that an easy job. Try and Altec 511b or my Trachorn. You will not regret it! You can esily back down if you don't like it too.

Al K.

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Thanks again Bob.

The above picture of the Bass bin had 3 panels with Sonic Barrier 3/4 inch dampening. I left dampening out of the other bin. Did a "blind" study. As of now, the dampened box is a little more "Lower" with the same speed.

Does it take time for the drivers to "break in"?

jc

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Al, you know what I will do Man. The cutout is made for the Trachorn. Exchange would take no time at all. Your right....removable HF motorboard.

My wife is pushing me to buy your horns....isn't she funny. She knows if I'm not constantly fiddlin with something...I get grumpy.

I will order them eventually.

jc

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JC: I have known the Shepards of Ideal Acoustics for well over 35 years. I graduated from MS State in 1971. I was back over there about 4 years ago and Dr. Shepard has retired, but still has the store. After retirement, they sold everything and went on the road in a motor home for several months. Then they bought another home in Starkville and put down roots again.

Anyway, nice to know another patron of Ideal Acoustics.

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----------------

On 5/15/2005 1:16:42 PM jwcullison wrote:

Thanks again Bob.

The above picture of the Bass bin had 3 panels with Sonic Barrier 3/4 inch dampening. I left dampening out of the other bin. Did a "blind" study. As of now, the dampened box is a little more "Lower" with the same speed.

Does it take time for the drivers to "break in"?

jc

----------------

JC

I don't think there is any break-in for the drivers or crossover componets. If there is a break-in on the drivers, I think it would happen sometime during the first song you play at moderate volume.

Bob Crites

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Can you comment what in the McIntosh (equipment wise) made the biggest improvement? For instance was it the pre amp or the amp? I too have longed for this equipment off and on my whole life, and will eventually do something more serious in the downstairs HT too.

I would like the 7.1 setup dolby digital ex and DTS es too..etc etc.. Mac's seem to be a little late to the plate format wise, but also usually nail it when they do. (my opinion) The new 7 channel amp, for instance, is a major home run.

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Well

I hope I answer your question.

The preamp is a MX119. Yes it has all the bells and whistles for Home threater. I use it 99% of the time for two channel.

This particular preamp is great for stereo. Many have bragged bout its phono stage. It also has several features for stereo. You should read the manual online.

I can't tell you if the amp or the Preamp made the big difference. I think the preamp played a big role however. I will say this. My fronts are run by the massive MC252 (100lbs). If I run the fronts off the MC206 (HT amp), not quite as good.

Also spend a bunch on cables...tributaries. Not so much difference there. No big surprise.

jc

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BS you also have roots at Mississippi State? I was glad to hear that from you and JWCullison. I was born in Starkeville, my Dad was teaching at State at the time. That was back when God was young, my folks were campus backdoor neighbors to Darrel Royal who was head football coach at the time. My mother was a "W" woman, too. I've been a transplanted Arkansas since I was too young to remember. One thing you guys might appreciate, growing up as a fan of the Razorbacks, too, one time I asked my folks what they did at State to "call the hogs" for the Bulldogs. They said, well, at State, nobody calls the hogs. I asked what do they say, then? The response: "Go to hell Ole Miss!!!"9.gif

Any one else have Mississippi State connections?

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