High Efficiency Speaker Asylum

Need speakers that can rock with just one watt? You found da place.

Return to High Efficiency Speaker Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification

184.70.169.107
Posted on December 12, 2014 at 10:10:23
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 After exhausting everyone's opinions on which high efficiency speakers to buy, I ended up bringing a pair of 1981 vintage La Scalas into my listening room. Giving them a frequency sweep showed up some cabinet buzz which appears in the 50/60Hz range on one speaker. Putting weight on top of the speaker eliminates the buzz entirely, and if I google "klipsch la scala buzz", it brings up a lot of different circumstantial experiences with this phenomenon.

I intend to give the speakers a maintenance/overhaul to address this and any other issues which may pop up, and to get them in shape for another 30 years of service.

Here is my plan, and I would like to know if anyone has any comments.

1. Disassemble all components from enclosure.

2. Drill pilot holes, and use 2" wood screws to reinforce where folded horn is attached from both bottom and top. One screw approximately every six inches I will need to get a right angle drill and a stubby screwdriver to do the top part, from inside the mid enclosure.

3. Use thinned wood glue and a paint brush to re-seal all points where panels are joined together inside horn

4. Replace gasket where bottom attaches

5. Fabricate a thin rubber or cork gasket for front of mid, and tweeter.

6. Replace wiring from drivers to crossover (if necessary? it looks pretty low cost)

7. Fill a small bag with lead shot, or sand, and place on top of mid horn (I didn't hear any ringing, but it could be a good idea)

8. The cavity the mid and tweeter are in will naturally have a resonance - I don't know if this affects the sound, but it seems to me some sort of damping in here could be beneficial.

9. Crossovers already are rebuilt by Bob Crites. Thinking towards putting some rubber or cork spacers under the crossover too to eliminate any chance of vibration.

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 12, 2014 at 11:11:13
geezerrocket
 You have a great speaker in the Lascala.
I had a pair of them from 1987 to around 93 or 94.

There are several upgrades besides the ones you listed.
Without a doubt the first thing I would do is address the mid horn, commonly referred to as the "squaker". You may find it perfectly acceptable - or not.
I found it fatiguing (as do many others) and actually piercing after an hour of listening.

The reason for this is that while the Atlas K-55 is a very good compression driver, the stock K-400 mid horn is not - it's a headache maker!

There's a fella on the Klipsch forum that goes by "Got Hover" named Dave Harris who is the proprietor of Daves Fast Lane Audio. Dave makes a wonderful wood horn that is a drop in replacement for the K-400. This horn is much smoother and just plain better than the stock horn. Even a Altec 511b is a far better horn.

The K-33 woofer (stock) is a great woofer, and the K-77 tweeter is fine.

Give Dave a call.



 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 12, 2014 at 11:23:22
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 I have to say, I am on an earlier point of the curve than some of you guys here. To me the midrange of the La Scala was a strong selling point I definitely love the way the K400 horns project such an effortless and natural midrange, far from inducing headaches I would say it is what sold me on the speakers! The fact that things can only get better from here is awesome... right now I want to get them working "as new" before I proceed with any upgrade path.

I actually just signed up at the Klipsch forum too, it looks like a very active place with a ton of very dedicated enthusiasts!

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 12, 2014 at 11:44:37
geezerrocket
 Whatever you decide to do as far as upgrades go, the first thing I would do is live with them for awhile.

You may find them perfect the way they are.

You right about the Klipsch forum, it is a very active and dedicated group.




 

RE: 5&9, posted on December 12, 2014 at 12:57:03
amioutaline?
 Shower pan liner sold off a 5' roll at Depot/Lowes is great gasket material.

EAR SD-40 sold by Michael Percy Is the best for damping anything.

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 12, 2014 at 15:11:21
drlowmu
Manufacturer

Posts: 9730
Location: East of Kansas City
Joined: January 10, 2005
 Number (6) is TOTALLY necessary, I will send you private mail, this weekend or next week.

I ended up putting a 3/4 inch diameter threaded rod through my La Scalas.

Jeff Medwin

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 13, 2014 at 16:06:14
Coytee
Audiophile

Posts: 95
Location: Knoxville, TN
Joined: May 19, 2010
 First, you need to 'do as you may' as it also seems you have at least one upgrade in hand.

That said.... if you want to really elevate your LaScala, do a search on JubeScala. That is taking the Klipsch K510 horn (or the huge K402 if you want total balls to the wall sound) and both of those horns are mated to the Klipsch K69 (2 inch) driver.

Sell the K400 / K77 to recoup some costs and take your LaScala to an actively biamped 2-way speaker that will stomp (did I say stomp?) a stock LaScala.

I say this as an owner of LaScalas since 1979 and having heard the JubeScala several times. Indeed, I now have the parts in hand to make one for my center channel.

The active crossover program that Roy (Delgado at Klipsch) has made for it has a PEQ adjustment somewhere (150 Hz? I forget) and this alone is to help tame the sidewalls from resonating.

My intents with my 'JubeScala' is to go active as above but also wrap the two sides and perhaps the front with another layer of 3/4" plywood to help deaden the sides. The front will then have a single cutout for the K510 and will look more clean than cutting out for the 510 and leaving the holes from the K400/77 there (which I guess I could do)

I don't say that the JubeScala stomps a LaScala lightly....as I own some LaScalas. I say it, because it's true.

Side note, my LaScalas (I have three, only one is being converted to 2-way_) anyways, my LaScalas have Al K's extreme slope crossovers in them and they still get stomped.

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 13, 2014 at 19:44:24
Mr_Steady
Audiophile

Posts: 2042
Location: North Florida
Joined: August 19, 2014



Hi Max,

I only have two little tips for you.

The braces are from Volti Audio. He may could give you some advice on tightning up your bins.

I would add Bob Crites as a possible source of gasket material.

Did you hook up one of your Push Pulls to it yet? :)

Jamie



Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 15, 2014 at 08:56:05
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 I haven't had a ton of free time since getting the new speakers set up... so far I have only used them with my single ended 2A3 amplifier, and it literally can be heard from every corner of my 1350 square foot bungalow, when the speakers are playing in the basement.

I really do want to hook up my 75 Watt amplifier just to have some fun, I better bring some earplugs! I enjoy how when you leave the room it sounds like there is a concert happening in my listening room. I think it could just be that I associate the sound of horn loaded speakers with concert sound systems, but I sure like it.

The bass from drums or from bass guitar literally hits you in the chest, it's something quite unlike what I am used to from speakers. My previous speakers certainly fill the room with sound, but the La Scalas are an entirely different animal.

I have listened enough to notice that the mid horns do have a little bit of ring to them, but it's not always noticeable. I think I will try the bag of sand or lead shot on top at first, before I consider replacing them. I think I will live with the La Scalas more or less stock until my hi-fi budget recovers and I have time for real improvements.

In the mean while I really appreciate the home depot shower liner gasket suggestion - I will be using that product for sure!

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 16, 2014 at 21:58:04
EmailTim
 GeezerRocket,

Have you heard the Volti mid-range horn upgrade and how does it compare to the FastLane mid-range horn upgrade?

TIA

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on December 17, 2014 at 07:13:53
geezerrocket
 Tim;

I haven't heard the Volti Audio horn, though I'm sure its a nice upgrade.

I have heard the Fastlane Audio horn - Nice.

Fastlane Audio has a relationship with Al Klappenburger of ALK Engineering.
Al has done a ton of Klipsch crossover upgrades. I am NOT saying that the standard Klipsch crossover is crap, but it can certainly be improved upon as it like most everything else in consumer audio is made to a certain price point.

I have ALK Engineering extreme slope crossovers in my AL/CORNS and am very pleased.




 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on February 20, 2015 at 06:01:18
horn kid
Audiophile

Posts: 128
Joined: November 2, 2014
 If he'll give advice I'd go first to Volti. I heard his Vittorias at a show and they were absolutely outstanding. One of the best speakers available at any price.

No association with Volti, but great is great and when I hear great sound I spread the word.

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on February 23, 2015 at 04:03:56
knichols005@austin.rr.com
Audiophile

Posts: 10
Location: Austin Tx
Joined: February 13, 2012
 I think the Volti speakers look stunning, would love to hear them. They get great feedback, has a passion for restoration also.

 

RE: Klipsch La Scala Restoration/modification, posted on March 3, 2015 at 07:35:24
horn kid
Audiophile

Posts: 128
Joined: November 2, 2014
 I suspect Volti no longer does restorations, given that he now makes his own product. One man only has so much time in the day......

 

Page processed in 0.032 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]