Klipsch La Scala or Altec 838 speakers

UPDATE!!

So. Brought home the La Scalas last night and the seller in fact was wrong. They were from 1979 with corresponding serial numbers and all original horns and AA crossover networks. Traded him my Heresy I’s  and gave him some cash to complete the deal. They sound incredible. I’m not sure I want to mess with the original internals, but everything i am reading says that new tweeters and new crossovers would be the way to go. Does anyone have any opinion on the aftermarket ALK crossovers as opposed to the Crites?

I have the Crites AB-2 "gold" crossovers in a set of 1980s vintage Klipsch Belles - very similar to the La Scalas. I purchased them from Bob Crites (RIP) before the various copper, silver, and gold levels existed (they have the SonicCaps - equivalent to the highest level) - and, thankfully, didn’t have to pay $775 for them. Many (myself included) consider them to be updates rather than upgrades - and I have no complaints. If Al (ALK) is still making his crossovers, my sense is that these were, to a certain degree, considered superior to the originals. I doubt you’ll go wrong with either, but prepare to open up your wallet. IMHO, the limiting factor of these older Klipsch Heritage speakers isn’t the crossovers . . . . it’s the horn and cabinet resonance. Still, after 40+ years, it’s a sound investment (pardon the terrible pun) to refresh the crossover components. My .02.

I heard Heresy and sometimes La Scala models here and there, and thought they had a salient signature. They have a unique "shoutyness" -- the midrange seems clipped or compressed, or somehow distorted. I can’t put my finger on the technical problem I hear, but something audible is definitely going on. Maybe it’s the try-something-new bug in me, but I’d recommend you give the La Scalas a try.

Hmmm, he should buy the Heresy Lascala abominations just to try something new? Is such a recommendation aimed at providing another sucker a dose of the misery you endured? ’I suffered, hence, you shall too’ type of thing? (That may be just a lil twisted, sister).

Congrats. Personally, I would not change anything at this time, just enjoy them. Get them situated in your listening room relative to your listening seat....dial them in. My 1st thing to do would be to buy Dynamat and tame the ringing of the mid horns. I would also Dynamat the area where the crossovers sit (requires removing/lifting the crossovers). Also, the little bracket holding the rear of the mid horn transfers energy into the horn from the doghouse (bass horn). Wrap the bracket as well, tightly, with some dense material such as rubbery foam from your local hardware store. Do this bracket thing last. After you do these simple mods, continue to enjoy them, as they will be much improved over stock. Believe me, this is the way to go....for now. Enjoy! My best, MrD.

I bought some crusty 1977 La Scalas that were pretty rough looking at a garage sale for cheap and hooked them up to my main system and they sounded amazing so much so that I ended up selling some 25K Kef blade speakers I had at the time because these were just so much more fun to listen to.  I did a new veneer on them and they look great now.  My girlfriend let me put them in her house and I got a new pair of the La Scala AL5 for my main system.  I think the new ones are a little better but the old ones are no slouch.  Amazing sound for 1000 used, I am impressed every time I hear them.  I also have a pair of Altec Santana in my shop system and they are great speakers too but I don't think they can give as much as the La Scala can.