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Lets replace my Klipsch La Scala Speakers

So after 2 years of trying to make them work, they just aren't the speaker for me. Here is some detail so you can help me decide what to move to next.

My room is untreated and 12X13X12
Sources: Vinyl and Dac both tube driven
Preamp and amps are all Tube Driven
Amps are: SET 7 watt and 2 different push pulls 20 watts from one and 60ish from the other
Music : Blues,Classic Rock, Indie, Some modern, some heavier rock ,and just discovering how good Jazz can be

I have tried:
solid state amps,crites crossovers, ALK corn-scal-wall crossovers, svs subs added,horn loaded subs added, Schiit Loki in line, toed in toed out. Corner loaded, pushed together, I even moved my room 90 degres to try and get a better sound out of them. Trust me I have tried it all.

Here is what I liked:
Huge soundstage 
You are there live at times when listening
Love being able to hear the detail they offer
Love the bass when present

Here is what I disliked:
They can get shrill quick 
They are so revealing music can sound just bad (I realize that should be a positive, but it isn't)
Very bass shy
They aren't "warm" at all. There is no real thickness to the mids. Detail, but not thick.

We are going to sell this house eventually so I do not want to invest a bunch on treatments for the room. I have 2 other speakers that can be run. Some older Polk Monitor 7A that are actually pretty impressive, and could have the crossovers updated and a few other things to really make them shine if I wanted to. I realize they aren't a Hi-Fi speaker but they are balanced and warm/musical. The other option is the Decware DM947 speaker system. It's good and fairly new to me so I haven't decided to keep or move them down the road. So far they are laid back with some nice sparkle. They image really well and are very forgiving of the room and the recording I am listening to. 

So let's hear it! What did you replace your Klipsch speakers with, or what are you using that matches what I am after. 


128x128pioneerhip
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,690 posts
 

+ Omega, + Living Voice

A good friend of mine has La scalas and I totally understand what you are talking about. I had the opportunity to try a set of Omega SAM’s in my system and was quite surprised at what they do. some of the best imaging and musicality I have ever heard. The SAM’s may be a little bass shy I would look at the High Output versions with dual drivers.

I own a set of Living Voice speakers form the UK and they also are a very musical, detailed (but not in your face sort of way) and a large involving sound stage (should be able to fide a used set in your price range if that interests you).

some also mentioned Proac’s and I would also give a + + to anything they make (I’ve not heard a set I didn’t like).

cd318
2,636 posts
 
@schubert 

"Tannoy is a Symphony , Klipsch is a rock band ."

Which is why some of us are curious about the legend of Klipsch.

Berkeley's are simply wonderful, and if the bigger Arden's are even better..

Sure there are some reports of a slightly raucous treble, but it can be very easily treated.

Some high resolution loudspeakers can all too easily let you hear what's wrong with them (along with all that's right).

Almost all of the Tannoys I have heard have sounded beautifully balanced, but for sure there will be better, more kick-ass loudspeakers out there for Rock.


schubert
7,386 posts
 
glen, That’s why my main speaker at present is a pr of Omega SAM’s .
If you put them on a heavy solid maple stand about 4-5 inches above the floor with a Mapleshade triple brass as a slight tilt
they will put out near perfect bass .
s2000cr
34 posts
 
" 12X13X12 "
Your room is tiny for those speakers. For my Klipschorns I needed a minimum of 30x40x35. Wilsons had the "hole in the middle" issue. Horns are auditorium speakers (not to be mistaken with home theatre). Yes, home auditorium.

Unless you have a room that size or preferably larger. You are wasting your time.

Get something that is more suited for smaller rooms like Wilsons. With Wilsons one is listening to the drivers. They are all like giant "headphones."

"Voicing" is one of the most difficult challenges. It is the reason why I have Klipschorns in one room, Martin Logans in another, and I am in the market for Wilson Alexandrias in my home office.

Best of luck. 
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
269 posts
 
Tannoy prestige or legacy - everything you mention in your wish list is there.
also you can get sound boards / scatter and bass traps on moveable stands and as pictures which you can take to new house. I had some made up with images I took when filming in Rwanda that is nicer than plain ...
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