Interesting
thread, I stumbled across while looking for information and thoughts on LaSacala
II's as I am thinking about buying a pair. Previously I owned a pair of Heresy II's,
one of the few I bought new. At the time I was running all ss gear, Classe’ DR5
& Perreaux 3150. They suffered from the fatal 'fatigue factor'. I suffered
for some time with them and thinking it was the speakers fault I eventually
sold them off and replaced them with QC-10's which remained my main speakers
for years.
Since that time and many upgrades later I ended up with tube/ss set up (ARC
LS27 & ML333). Gone were the DQ-10's replaced by Shahinian Hawks on the
main system and Obelisk on second system tube/ss ARCLS17se & ML 23.5).
I recently dug out of storage a pair of KG4's and as I was contemplating new
speakers. I thought I would plug them into the main system to see if they were
still as fatiguing as I recalled. As I listen to multiple genres depending on a
given mood at the time I was quite surprised by the sound (as I was initially
with the Hersey II). So, I thought I should run a few extended listening sessions,
which I did.
Base was
there, improved by keeping the subs from the Hawks with them, mid and highs
were clear and spot on, a very nice surprise. Wondering if they can be improved
I went with the Crites crossovers and new tweeter. Unfortunately, I upgraded
both on the pair and I was somewhat disappointed with the result...something
was missing that was previously there. In retrospect I wish I had done either
the crossover or tweeter and then listened before completing it.
However, after another several listening sessions, either I forgot what I had initially
thought was missing, or perhaps I was just wrong. I am still not sure why I had
such an initial bad impression of the upgrades.
This reintroduction to horn speakers has taught me that you need to be careful with
all the associated gear and that perhaps I should take another listen to their
current line. I have zeroed in on either the LaSacala II or perhaps the Khorns
if I think the room can support them (12x21).
So, the only thing I can say in favor of horns is yes, they are not for
everyone and depending on source material may not play well with all types of
music. However, I have liked from the first time I had heard them and with the proper
matching of supporting components they tend to be very musical. Much like
the Obelisk's in my experience is that having tubes/ss in the loop seems
to tame them and makes them much more listenable. Might I get tired of them
again, perhaps but that is why I want to live with the KG4’s for awhile and
fire up the Hawks when I am in the mood for some classical music. But for now….
I am loving the KG’s.
My $0.02