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LaScalla "horn" sound compared to "maggie" sound

I am quite satisfied with the sound I have with my current system, but am looking for a little spice and variety in my life.  There is a set of circa 1977  LaScalas available in my part of the country and I wonder how the sound might be as compared to my current Magnepan 1.7 set up?  I know it is apples and oranges, but I like both.  Chocolate is my favorite ice cream, but I also like strawberry sometimes.

My general understanding, or perhaps misunderstanding, is that the Lascala/horn type of speaker has the wonderful life-like midrange, are quite dynamic, won't go real low in the bass region, and may be sweet or ragged on the top end depending on who you talk to, set up, and what you feed them.

I could go listen to these, but the sources are inferior and the room would be different from mine.  I really can't get a good grip on a different sound until I can sit back in the Hefty-Boy and assimilate it slowly.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

My current system is:

TT- VPI Classic 1 with Soundsmith Zephyr cart.
Phono stage- Herron Audio VTPH2
Digital/CD- Simaudio Moon Supernova
Preamp- Herron Audio VTSP3A
Power Amp- Bryston 4BSST2
Subs- Rel T5's
abnerjack
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
hard to beat a line source...
whart's avatar
whart
3,037 posts
 
I went from planars to horns back in 2006, sort of the reverse process--though it was Quads, not Maggies, and Avantgarde Duos, not Klipsch. So, I can't speak to the specific speakers you are talking about (though I played with Maggies many times back in the day), I can tell you about my experience in general. The horn speaker, for me, was more persnickety about everything upchain--and the SQ varied dramatically based on the rest of the system. Midrange was comparable to a good stat, but with a far more "in the room" quality and that so-called "jump" factor.  Same issues of bass lightness or discontinuity as stats when it came to mating woofers- of course, the original big K-horn solved that by corner loading. Size of image- Maggies present huge. It's fun, great for large scale music, my recollection was that they didn't have the pinpoint imaging that stats did- though more modern Maggies with ribbon tweeters and judicious set up may improve that. Horns- you don't even care about image, as such, because the of the "in the room" quality. --'Tis fun to have both. I just got my old Quad '57s restored. My horns are in storage awaiting a new room. 
j_stereo
130 posts
 
I have owned MG 1.6 (powered by Bryston 3B) and LaScalla (powered by Audio Research VSi55). I liked both speakers, but as someone mentioned, they are very different animals. I don't think you will be satisfied with the large Bryston powering the LaScallas. My guess is they will be forward and bright and harsh. You are better with a small tube amp or even an old Marantz receiver (I also used a 2215b and it sounded good although not the final word in resolution). The Magnepans provide a transparent sound that makes instruments sound "real" and the LaScalla will definitely impart its own characteristics on the sound (not transparent) and instruments will not sound as real. Don't get me wrong, I do admire the Klipsch heritage speakers and presently own a pair of K-Horns and Belle's. I enjoy listening to them with jazz music because the horn reproduces a horn instrument (Trumpet, Sax) very nicely and the sound is very dynamic. However if you want an acoustic guitar to sound like it is in the room with you, the Magnepans will do that but the Klipsch won't. Again totally dependent on personal taste. Good luck with your decision.  
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I powered once LaScalla with Pioneer SX626 solid state receiver and it seemed to be a very sound match
fin1bxn
140 posts
 

I have owned, Magnapan MMG, MG3.6 with Mye stands, Klispsh Lascalla and Cornwalls over the past 10 years.


First off you dont need a lot of power with the vintage klipsh SET to 30 push pull is fine. Lascalls are more punchy while Cornwall's more balanced and smaller. They both can image well if properly placed and bass punch is outstanding if the high end bothers you, their are plenty of cheap fixes, parts for the x-over (easy install) dampening the horns (again easy).


I would say if you can get the klipsh for under 750 its worth a try then find a dynaco st70 for under 500.

If you really want to experement wait for Cornwalls with a 2a3 or 300b tube SET amp Its magic


Magnepans are great, but they do not have the impact of the klipsch. As someone said apples and oranges/


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