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So I'm going to be looking at a pair of Klipsch La Scala's from about the '70's. Should I anticipate in general the foam surrounds on the woofer or any other part of the speakers will probably be in need of repair? Or do these speakers just very durable? Speakers saw light to mild usage.
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Thank you all for your inputs. I copied and forwarded your comments to the Pastor, who greatly appreciated the information - who responded "... if we can make what we have even better, I'm all for it". Hopefully this will help them enhance their Audio System in a cost effective fashion, and than allow them to spend their funds on other needs. Again, I greatly appreciate all of you that took the time to provide a constructive input.
The La Scala design is vintage 1963, and the current version is called the La Scala II. Paul W. Klipsch created it as a public address speaker for Winthrop Rockefeller, who was running for governor of Arkansas at the time. The design caught on, it came to be viewed as a comparatively portable and affordable variation of the company's flagship Klipschorn, thanks to how good it sounded. It is a high-sensitivity speaker that is capable of generating 105 dB with a single watt of power, so a little bit of amplification goes a long way..
These speakers are not for price sensitive shoppers. A pair of 70th Anniversary Cornwall will set you back $6,000, while a pair of the limited edition La Scalas retails for $14,000. Both models will be available at authorized retailers and through Klipsch.com as of October 2016.
horrible to think these Heritage types would cost those sums of money. Back in the 1970's I would imagine a PD5 type mid driver, K33 and K77/T35 to have a combined retail value of around $160 -> $200.
Karlson Evangelist
It would be a shame to replace these speakers with something else, IMHO!
So I just listened to the four speakers for the first time, but it was only with the Pastor speaking. Mid's and high frequency accentuated, to the point of annoying. Is this in fact a sign that the 30 year old CO is kaput? I realize there is also the issue of the person running the sound board and condition of amps.
LaScalas are designed to use the wall and floor to reinforce the bass. Hanging in the air like this it's perfectly normal if there's too much treble and mids. It is in no way and indication that there's anything wrong with the speakers!
This is absolutely not normal. I would not suspect crossovers, a bad crossover would more likely result in muffled highs. In this case the chances are good that there's an issue with the electronics, or EQ before proceeding to troubleshoot the speakers. La scalas should have excellent sound.
Hanging in free air like that, it's perfectly normal, believe me.
So I went back to take some pics with my iPhone. Pics came out real crappy, but the cabinet configuration is clear (do I need to go back and try to take pics with a traditional camera due to the distance). Note large handles on sides, which appear to have name Klipsch in white on them. But no metal trim like Pro line. If looking at rear of speaker with tweeter on top, the speaker cable connection would be in upper right corner. Only issue I can see is that they may have drilled into them to hang them by chains, not sure if mounting points are solely on back side. Church Corner Stone say building dedicated 1985. I would assume their serial numbers are sequencial. So what version do you think they are? And what might be a window on value per pair? $500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000. Again, I have no interest in them, just trying to offer the Pastor a constructive word if they move forward with wanting to sell them.
LaScalas used in a church haven't suffered anything! I bought some used in a nightclub and they were still perfectly okay. Speech and chruch music don't put any stress on the drivers. If those are put for sale, they'd be a fantastic deal!!!
When I opened the bottom of my la scalas, it smelled like someone was in the room chain smoking! I imagine they did some time in a bar somewhere!
That vintage generally had the less desirable AL networks.
If all the drivers are OK, I would guess around $800~$1000 a pair.
I would suggest they refurbish them (not replace them).
Warning:
Churches feel they HAVE to blow a certain amount of money, and often do not want to save money.
So Crites makes a AL-3 Cross Over for $375/pair. Is this CO swap out going to greatly improve their performance (certainly over a 29 yr. old cross over), or are these speakers given their vintage just so-so in performance due to the design at that time? They also state they have a better tweeter, at I believe $225/pr.
The AL networks can be overhauled and updated to a better design for less than the cost of a whole new network.
Thank you everyone for the input. I was checking a new church out and the Pastor invited me to view the Sanctuary, where hanging from the ceiling looks to be 4 La Scala's. Told the Pastor the speakers looked great, and to my amazement he said they are going to take them down for something else. I strongly encouraged him not to sell them on the cheap side - they have value. So he's going to connect me with someone this Sunday where I'll learn more. I'm not a buyer and seller, certainly not going to make money off a Church, but if they are going to sell them I would like to help them get a fair value that they can reinvest into the church. Your input that they should not need major work other than in the crossover is a great input. My impression is they were installed new and never moved. Used for maybe 1.5 hrs on Sunday Morning services, Weddings, Funerals, ect...
Do the Pastor a solid, tell him that what he has most likely are better than whatever they intend to replace them with.
but I'm not a professional Audio Engineer, therefore I lack the qualification to make such a statement. And I'm an outsider to the church. If appropriate, I may ask why are they making a change? Maybe there is an issue with failing aged amps or oxidized cabling. Not knowing what they plan on buying, I would wonder if they are going to need a lot more power to drive them - which could be an additional expense. My understanding is that there were several versions of the La Scala. So I'm going to ask if I can take some pics and will post them for inputs. In summary though, I hope to be able to do the Pastor a solid.
Few parishioners in the average church are professional audio engineers either, let alone pastors, a situation that IME church installers take full advantage of. If the electronics are vintage then chances are they could use upgrading, but even today it's hard to beat the LaScala. In highly reverberant spaces a line source would be an improvement, but otherwise probably not. I'd show him this, taking note of the $4k price:
He was out today, but I left behind a pic of the new La Scala II with text on $4K price each, and pic of his more dated unit. His assistant had this great stunned look on her face when she saw the price of $4K each (for new 2016). Included list of avenues to look at to possibly selling them on (i.e., Audiogon, Audioasylum, Klipsch Garage, regional Audio Clubs). Posting some pics, which are real rough.
I wouldn't want something made of trashboard suspended over-head. Most old Klipsch heritage networks could be reconfigured easily to AA or whatever type. If he wants to spend $ and you can get the old LS dirt cheap - then its "God's Will" ;^)
Karlson Evangelist
As far as I know, the 15" woofers Klipsch used in the K-horn, LaScala and Cornwall used pleated cloth surrounds, not foam that may rot over time. If the woofers are original, I doubt they would have foam surrounds and you ought to be fine. Others may want to chime in on this.
Enjoy your music!
George
Klipsch has never used foam in their Heritage line.
The woofers are all cloth surround, and seemingly last forever. I have had several dozen Khorns, LaScalas, Cornwalls, Herey's, Chorus I and II, Forte I and II, and MCM theater speakers.
ALL were cloth, so not worries. Just play them.
And those are the most valuable I have 6 at home.
As long as they have not been flogged, they should last forever.
Early 70's vintage used mylar caps, replace them.
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