Klipsch LaScallas vs Klipsch Cornwalls?

I've owned several pairs of vintage Klipsch Heritage speakers. They offer great bang for the buck, but to really make them sound great they can all use a bit of work in various ways. Of your two choices, LaScalas benefit greatly from a better tweeter (as is a weak link on many of the Klipsch Heritage). Dampening the metal horns with Dynamat or caulk or similar materials (or fork out for a wood horn replacement from one of two or three folks making them - a bit expensive). Internal cabinet bracing on all Klipsch speakers leaves a whole lot to be desired (only an issue for the bass driver really). I found replacing the wiring and crossover also improved things, though the older AA crossovers are pretty damn good on the Scalas. Cornwalls, as has been already mentioned, will reach lower than LaScalas. The latter drop of steeply at around 50hz. Midrange horns are extremely fast and detailed and require careful matching with amplification. A mismatch can potentially yield some pretty harsh sounding results that are a world away from what is possible with these speakers. Both LaScalas and Cornwalls are high--sensitivity speakers. A 14X13 room is on the verge of being a bit small for either, with the bass being a bigger potential problem with the Cornwalls - I've used and enjoyed LaScalas in an even smaller room, but found they were much more enjoyable in a larger space. The older vintage Heritage speakers were made from cabinet-grade plywood and used metal horns and were made entirely in the USA. The Heritage models that are still being sold by Klipsch are made from MDF, have entirely different crossovers and drivers, and are no longer made in the USA (a replacement driver for one of my speakers was made in Mexico). That's not to say they sound bad, just something to be aware of. The older ones are very easy to work on, and plenty of replacement and aftermarket parts are available for them. Go over to the Klipsch forums for more information than you'll ever need. Altec would be a fine choice as well, per JohnK.

I'd heartily second Elevick's recommendation for Coincident as a good alternative. They have been of very few speakers I've heard that offer the speed and sparkle that satisfied the expectations I had from coming off of LaScalas for so many years. Disclaimer: I am selling a pair, which would not likely apply to you as they are larger and being sold locally. Other conventional dynamic driver speakers I might check out are Silverline and Merlin if you require high-sensitivity options. I've owned two pairs of vintage Heresy's, one of which I tweaked out practically as far as I could, to make it sound fuller and reinforce the bass. Ultimately I couldn't get the satisfaction from them, but they are certainly fun speakers and offer big bang for the buck if purchased locally (they are pretty bulky and heavy to ship otherwise). In the Klipsch line, if you were sticking with them, I'd point instead to Forte II's I think someone's already mentioned...although for your particular tastes in music the Scalas or Cornwalls would be better if you had the space. The only reason I think the LaScalas MAY work in your room is that you said you did not listen at loud volumes. I did find they throw a better stage though in a larger space.

I find it hard to imagine that someone who really likes the Spicas will find happiness with any of the Klipsch models. None of the Klipsch will image or soundstage like the Spicas.

I owned TC50's for eight years, from brand new. Probably the longest I've owned any pair of speakers. I've also owned many pairs of Klipsch. I'd have to agree that Spica's are superior in soundstaging, but well-implemented Klipsch are really not that far behind in my experience (typical of a three-way floorstander vs a 2-way monitor...OK, the Spicas really do shine there, but not worlds apart). Klipsch Heritage do have qualities they excel over Spicas in (speed, dynamic prowess, resolution, and in the case of the larger Klipsch, scale. I was delighted going over to the various Klipsch models I owned, but I believe I also initially made the jump from SS to tube amplification and that could have been part of the equation. I held on to the Spicas and went back to them once or twice and always enjoyed the heck out of'em whenever I did. Classics for sure! Eventually I sold them, but bet I'd enjoy them to this day. They did not take anything away from enjoying the Klipsch though. They are different speakers for sure.