Klipsch La Scala II Three-Way Horn-Loaded Loudspeaker, Subwoofer, and 2-Inch Composite Cone (Single, Walnut) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have owned a pair of La Scalas for over 30 years, and they are still going strong with no loss of sound quality. This is the only pair of speakers you will want or need in your lifetime.

Amplifiers

McIntosh stack
Yamaha 2020 (30 years old and still outstanding)
Pioneer Elite top of the line 5.1 receiver
New 7.1 Elite I will be hooking up over 2009 Christmas break

Sources

Originally I used Tandberg and Nakamichi tape decks, Revox B77 reel to reel and a Thorens TD MKII top of the line turn table.

With the advent of digitally recorded, digitally remastered CDs and universally good CD-DVD players I have moved exclusively to CDs and Radio for source.

Pros

* Incredibly efficient, minimizing or eliminating amplifier distortion.
* Inaudible distortion at any volume up to and including ears bleeding.
* Unsurpassed tonal quality which is most evident on digitally recorded classical music. A good quality Phillips digitally mastered recording will move you to tears. Every instrument and every note is clear, precise, accurate and easily discernible.
* No need for a sub-woofer with the 15 inch woofers which accurately reproduce the instruments instead of a dull undefined thumping noise.
* Punch, with the right amp and music the punch these can deliver with crisp accuracy is astounding.
* Easy on the ears, with no distortion and accurate reproduction of the source, you can listen to these speakers all day with no ear fatigue.

Cons

* The only con (which isn't one for me) is size. You will need approximately 24 x 24 footprint space in two corners of the room to maximize the quality of the sound. The urge to place something on top of the speakers will in the end prove irresistible. When the speakers are delivered, measure them carefully and purchase two smoked glass tops (tempered if you are worried about the kids breaking the glass), have the glass company round and polish the edges of the glass and mount it with at least 6 felt pads, 2 in the center area, on the bottom that wont stick to the wood.

If you are standing these on a wooden or tile floor, I suggest that you purchase a good quality carpet to fit under them like a good plush door mat, for sound isolation.

If you are placing these down the basement, you can buy black cabinet dollies at you local music store that sells amplified guitars and band supplies. I like the dollies because you can move the speakers easily for cleaning, vacuuming or re-arranging, one person can't lift a speaker.

Do not place these directly on a basement floor which will wick moisture into the speakers and cause rot and rust. Be sure to use a de-humidifier allowing no more than 50% humidity, 40% is optimal. If you don't like the black dolly look, build some wooden platforms with 2 x 10s and 3/4 furniture plywood on the top, sand them and stain them dull flat black. Use screen bead or half round on the edges of the plywood for a more finished look.

If you don't have a high end miter saw, cut the front 2x10 for the full 24-26 inches across the front, have the sides run to the back and place a 22-24 inch piece on the back to hide the seams. A good lumber yard will make all of the cuts for you including using 4x4 plint blocks so you can place all of the screws on the inside.

Plan B, for a professional look, go to your local cabinet maker and pay them a couple of hundred dollars to make the stands for you including staining them black.

* Buying a used pair of La Scalas typically means finding a pair that has outlived their first owner, no one sells these while the can still breath. When you can find a used pair, they are typically 20-30 years old and still in excellent working condition.

Stereo and 5.1 or 7.1 Surround sound

After a lengthy discussion with a Klipsch factory consultant, if you want to use the La Scalas as part of a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker configuration, this is what you will need:

* 2 La Scalas in front $6000
* 2 or 4 Klipsch Heresys for the rear and side $1500 to $3000
* 1 Klipsch Heresy for the center speaker $750

Klipsch Heresy III Three-Way Horn-Loaded Loudspeaker with 12-Inch Subwoofer (Walnut)

Use this set up for a few months, then decide if you really need or want a sub woofer. It will be hard to find a sub woofer with the quality or detail of the La Scalas. This is a better speaker system than you will find in any theater.

Note: Used Heresys I, II, III can be found since a lot more of them were sold than the La Scalas and Corner Horns. As always, buyer beware that the guts of the speakers are in fact Klipsch original parts not cheapo after market replacements for blown speakers.

Your flat panel TVs will come and go, your Klipsch Speakers will be around long after you have left the building.

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Three Way Horn Loaded Loudspeaker, Subwoofer and 2" Composite Cone

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