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Klipsch La Scala or Altec 838 speakers

So I have the opportunity to purchase a pair of Klipsch La Scala vintage 1990s or a 1964 pair of Altec 838’s. I am having a hard time on deciding which pair to pull the trigger on. I have a 2A3 tube amp and I’m looking to run high-efficiency speakers. I know the Lascala has a little more dbs than the Altec but I am wondering if anyone knows the differences between the two and the sound profiles that would I would be hearing from each. Thanks in advance for your help.

fromunda
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,990 posts
 

I broadly prefer vintage Klipsch to Altec, but in the specific instance, I would take the Carmels. The LaScala can sound shouty, not my favorite older Klipsch at all. The Carmels might need some crossover work but should end up being more even tempered, IMHO, and YMMV.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,112 posts
 

I own several vintage Altec speakers. They are much better balanced tonally than Klipsch. Efficiency is high enough to work well with low-power tube amps.

sns
3,122 posts
 

Don't like the K401 horn, believe they used that horn in 1990's. Type A crossover with tractrix horns, now you have a nice speaker.

grislybutter
2,851 posts
 

the Altec is furniture. If a mid-century icon is a great addition to your decoration, it's a no brainer.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,112 posts
 

I have Bolero's, Santana 1's, Segovia's and Stonehenge 1's. I wouldn't trade any of them for Klipsch.

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