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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
andy8400
58 posts
 
TNK1998, I would agree with an earlier responder in that you might try an equalizer. It is more to correct the room than the speaker. You don't want to lose that "live sound" quality but want to temper the shrill. Use it judiciously. Try a 31 band model if you are concerned about the broad brushes of wider bandwidth (fewer bands) models.

I have done this with a room that is much smaller - 12x9x7 - (although not with horn speakers) and with a few subtle adjustments the balance improvement is night and day. And... way less than $2,500! It really depends on how much you love and want to keep your Klipsch speakers. Good luck!

dmdalton
4 posts
 
I had a similar problem with the Cornscalas I built. I couldn’t really enjoy them until I moved a few years ago and now have a 14’x22’ listening room. What worked well in my previous small 12’x12’ listening room was Decware ERRx’s. They are a radial full range speaker with a nice ribbon tweeter and no crossover other than a resistor to tame the tweeter. They sound best to me out in the room a little and have enough bass that I don’t wish for a subwoofer. 
boneman73
36 posts
 
Simply answered:  I think a Tannoy DC speaker would be great for your smallish room - you are essentially sitting 'near field' and Tannoy Gold Monitor drivers or HPD's (as previously suggested: Arden? Berkley? even the Prestige line (NOT GRF or Westies!!) would fit nicely - remember, the Dual Concentrics were offered as drivers for use in many applications, often studio monitoring. For those who say they don't rock? I don't understand: Abbey Road used them for many years, as did many studios. I digress. I'm really suggesting the Tannoy DC's, or any coax speaker (read: KEF?) as the coherence of drivers and time alignment at close distances may be what your are missing with your current setup.  KEF has some nice options, and potentially more in your price range. If you go for a used Tannoy - remember the crossovers with the Gold and HPD drivers will be 40 years old:  upgrade the caps or the whole crossover as I did with my Gold's (I'm a fan of Reference Fidelity Components - the best for Tannoy xovers, IMHO) All of that said: I'm throwing another vote with 'your room is pretty small' for the La Scala's.  I don't quite follow your logic for buying speakers for a house/room which you'll be selling in a years time...but that's not your question, and none of my business :)
kink56's avatar
kink56
91 posts
 
I find Klipsch speakers have a THEY are HERE, rather than YOU are THERE experience.  Two suggestions in the Klipsch realm: Cornwall or Forte. My first choice would be Forte II from the 1990s. (I have or have had Belle, Cornwall, Cornwall III, Heresy II, Heresy III, Forte I, Forte II and Forte III.  I could not tolerate Belles due to cabinet resonance around 120-150Hz.  The Cornwall has bass extension the La Scala does not, and is warmer in the mids. But for mids and decent bass, I say Forte II. And Crites Ti tweeters and his crossover makes them even better.  You are well under $2500 going that way, probably under $1500. 
pioneerhip's avatar
pioneerhip OP
44 posts
 
@dmdalton Decware DM944 are currently on music duty since I moved the La Scalas out. I like the ribbon tweeter and they image really well. 

I should have some of the Heresy II this weekend and give them a go with a sub I have. I really don't want a sub in the room. mainly due to lack of floor space. Ultimately I want a floor standing full range speaker that is either sealed or front ported so they can go closer to the wall. 

I am leaning toward the Tannoy speakers. I am not sure the line yet. I love vintage but the idea of buying new and having a trial is appealing as well. In the newer range of Tannoys I was looking at the XT8F. Has anyone compared these to the older line of Tannoys? Would there be a benefit to going vintage vs. new?

@kink56 I had Forte 1 and wish I still had them so I could compare in the room configuration now. Did you like the mid horn better on the Forte II vs the Cornwall, or what was your deciding factor to go Forte II vs. Cornwall?

Thanks for all the help so far everyone!
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