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I've been using for the last 15 years a pair of heavily modded Klipsch LaScalas.
The bass bins are the only "original" parts, and are using the K33E woofers, but they have seen better days, and they are also prone to vibrating at some frequencies, wich I really hate... I long thought about making them stronger (braces, outside layer of plywood) but in the meantime I've been interested in finding a pair of Peavey FH-1 instead.
From what I can see online, the FH-1 is a "better lascala", being bigger, longer, with no parallel sides in the horn, corner reflectors, braces, and a heavier construction less prone to rattle.
I can now buy a pair of very ugly but structurally sound pair of FH-1 here i Belgium (not easy to find!) for the ridiculous amount of 70euro for the pair.
Now what I would like to know is: if I keep everything I have the same and just switch bass horns, will I have much difference in sound? If difference there is, will it be for the better?
I use ALK "Universal" crossover networks, K33E woofers, K55v mids + EV SM120A horns, Beyma CP25 tweeters. it all sounds great but I really feel the poor construction of the bass horn is the weak link here.
I also have a separate, powered Beyma 15inch subwoofer for frequencies under 50Hz.
What do you guys think? Are the FH-1 worth the effort of picking them up, making them look good again (repaint job, at least), or won't it improve anything over the stock LaScala horns?
Follow Ups:
FH1's mouth is very well braced so there's less modulation from wall flex than a stock La Scala - I don't think it goes much lower
have you used stock Klipsch crossover values? - if so, how do you like the ALK network in contrast?
here's one of my FH1 outdoors in ~2pi
Karlson Evangelist
Prior to buying the ALK Universal network, I was using the stock "Type AA" network from Klipsch. At the time I was really useless with a soldering iron (that has changed since, I recapped both my CD player and my preamp), and I never took the time to recap the AA crossovers. So the difference I hear is also due to ALK crossovers being "in specs".
All in all, that was year ago, but I was taken aback by the difference in sound! What a jump in quality! I had to fiddle a bit with the squawker level (I don't use the K400 mid horn, I use EV SM120) but when I found the right spot: what a delight! I don't understand why Mr Klappenberger doesn't offer the "Universal" anymore; to my ears it really is a masterpiece of a network, and workd perfect for what it's intended use is: the Klipsch Heritage line.
Good - -I'll build the Universal for my Klipschorns. FWIW I recapped one of my 1981 K-horn's AA network with polypropylene in oil Obbligato motor run caps and did not like the result. I preferred the old Aerovox caps and ESR measurements of the Aerovox showed them to still be usable.
one thing I haven't tried but started, was to make a simple battery biased charge-coupled network - along with MBGO Russian caps, might sound pretty nice on typical horn systems.
Karlson Evangelist
Keep in mind that the "Universal" ALK sells now seems to be quite different (made with cheaper parts?) than what I bought years ago... How much different it is, I can't tell, but I can see it's not the same stuff anymore. Never heard the new version so I can't comment. You might be able to find an "old" one on the Klipsch forums; the nice thing is, it'll be already broken-in :)
Edits: 07/30/16 07/30/16
you will not have the cabinet rigidity issues that you were having with your old LaScala but past that they will sound much more alike than different. I am sure the FH1 will have the edge overall but bass extension will not be much different you may notice better clarity or articulation within the band. Super good deal go now buy them, the stock woofers are good if they are there. You should rotate the woofers 180 degrees as a matter of course, it is time to prevent suspension sag. Congratulations on your good find.
moray james
I'm very happily surprised by the improvements I hear.At first -for a minute- I was a bit shocked; there seemed to be too much mid frequencies coming trough
further listening shows that low mids - upper bass are more effortless and detailed, it's like it "flows out" more easily. It has the effect of making the whole midrange more fleshed out and "faster". very nice.
I also don't have problems with vibrations of the side walls of the horns anymore, but that was expected. i didn't push the volume super high yet, tho.
As for bass, it may just be my wishful thinking but I have the feeling I get slightly more bass extension, in my room close to corners, than with the LaScala bins. It does make some sense to think that, being wider, they load the room even better than the LaScalas did.
Edits: 07/31/16
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