New Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 & La Scala AL6 will be active DSP Crossover

It appears Klipsch is mimicking the same type of bass loading with the new La Scala AL6 that they're using in the actively configured Jubilee version that saw the light a day a few years ago, with the goal to squeeze out some extra extension from a similarly sized package. Meaning, not only the front wave of the slottet, hidden woofer firing backwards but also its ported back wave is horn-loaded. The older La Scala's like all the Khorns are horn-loading a sealed woofer, which is the normal approach of front loaded horns, but with Klipsch's recent take on acoustically amplifying the whole of a ported bass system it's likely to result in a different bass imprinting compared to earlier iterations. Fortunately the horn acts as a low-pass filter, so any port noise should be filtered away. Technically speaking the porting of the woofer inside should minimize cone movement at the local bass tune here, so that's also something to consider. 

@mrdecibel wrote:

horn loading a sealed woofer? I do not understand. My AR 3a pair have a sealed woofer system. My best, MrD.

The 15" woofer in your La Scala’s is placed in a sealed chamber from where the front wave of the woofer cone fires into a slot (i.e.: a compression) and then the wave shoots into the back wall divider section and continues through the expanding horn to either side. That is to say: the front wave of the 15" woofer is the only thing loading the horn, whereas the backside of the cone looks into the sealed chamber and is therefore not exploited. Classic front loaded horn approach. 

The 12" woofer in the AL6 La Scala’s on the other hand sits in a ported chamber, and so not only the front wave of this woofer (which also fires through a slot) is loading the horn, but as well the back wave of the cone that releases its energy through 2 ports. That’s the same trick they’re using on the few years old, domestic version of the Jubilee’s. 

I’ve seen a version of the La Scala’s (likely a DIY variation) that is ported in addition to its horn-loading, but those ports were visible on the front side and so not firing into the horn itself. 

@phusis , yeah, gummies do that to me sometimes, as I know better with these designs, believe me, and which is why I deleted that post. Thank you for the explanation! My best, MrD.

Personally, I haven’t heard anything good coming from these latest designs on the AK7 or the AL6 using DSP. People are oohing and aahing about this new DSP and so far, I haven’t heard anything coming out of it that doesn’t sound sterile, flat, dull and lifeless and I absolutely love the Heritage lines and have a few myself. It’s difficult to get honest reviews these days because enthusiasts are so consumed by marketing hype and the technology involved, talking about the theoretical advantages of an active DSP.  In the end, does it sound any better? I don’t know if this DSP is killing the sound or what, but so far, this new AL6 speaker doesn’t sound better than the previous AL5. I’m not necessarily negating that active crossovers can't have their advantages, but for enthusiasts to just jump on the band wagon is a bit much to swallow.