Yes, I am very open to used gear. Stretching the budget for less than perfect looking speakers to get the sound where I want it is great!
Lets replace my Klipsch La Scala Speakers
So after 2 years of trying to make them work, they just aren't the speaker for me. Here is some detail so you can help me decide what to move to next.
My room is untreated and 12X13X12
Sources: Vinyl and Dac both tube driven
Preamp and amps are all Tube Driven
Amps are: SET 7 watt and 2 different push pulls 20 watts from one and 60ish from the other
Music : Blues,Classic Rock, Indie, Some modern, some heavier rock ,and just discovering how good Jazz can be
I have tried:
solid state amps,crites crossovers, ALK corn-scal-wall crossovers, svs subs added,horn loaded subs added, Schiit Loki in line, toed in toed out. Corner loaded, pushed together, I even moved my room 90 degres to try and get a better sound out of them. Trust me I have tried it all.
Here is what I liked:
Huge soundstage
You are there live at times when listening
Love being able to hear the detail they offer
Love the bass when present
Here is what I disliked:
They can get shrill quick
They are so revealing music can sound just bad (I realize that should be a positive, but it isn't)
Very bass shy
They aren't "warm" at all. There is no real thickness to the mids. Detail, but not thick.
We are going to sell this house eventually so I do not want to invest a bunch on treatments for the room. I have 2 other speakers that can be run. Some older Polk Monitor 7A that are actually pretty impressive, and could have the crossovers updated and a few other things to really make them shine if I wanted to. I realize they aren't a Hi-Fi speaker but they are balanced and warm/musical. The other option is the Decware DM947 speaker system. It's good and fairly new to me so I haven't decided to keep or move them down the road. So far they are laid back with some nice sparkle. They image really well and are very forgiving of the room and the recording I am listening to.
So let's hear it! What did you replace your Klipsch speakers with, or what are you using that matches what I am after.
My room is untreated and 12X13X12
Sources: Vinyl and Dac both tube driven
Preamp and amps are all Tube Driven
Amps are: SET 7 watt and 2 different push pulls 20 watts from one and 60ish from the other
Music : Blues,Classic Rock, Indie, Some modern, some heavier rock ,and just discovering how good Jazz can be
I have tried:
solid state amps,crites crossovers, ALK corn-scal-wall crossovers, svs subs added,horn loaded subs added, Schiit Loki in line, toed in toed out. Corner loaded, pushed together, I even moved my room 90 degres to try and get a better sound out of them. Trust me I have tried it all.
Here is what I liked:
Huge soundstage
You are there live at times when listening
Love being able to hear the detail they offer
Love the bass when present
Here is what I disliked:
They can get shrill quick
They are so revealing music can sound just bad (I realize that should be a positive, but it isn't)
Very bass shy
They aren't "warm" at all. There is no real thickness to the mids. Detail, but not thick.
We are going to sell this house eventually so I do not want to invest a bunch on treatments for the room. I have 2 other speakers that can be run. Some older Polk Monitor 7A that are actually pretty impressive, and could have the crossovers updated and a few other things to really make them shine if I wanted to. I realize they aren't a Hi-Fi speaker but they are balanced and warm/musical. The other option is the Decware DM947 speaker system. It's good and fairly new to me so I haven't decided to keep or move them down the road. So far they are laid back with some nice sparkle. They image really well and are very forgiving of the room and the recording I am listening to.
So let's hear it! What did you replace your Klipsch speakers with, or what are you using that matches what I am after.
Showing 15 responses by pioneerhip
Its been mentioned a few times. Yes the La Scalas are too big for the room. That is part of the reason they sound so bad and must go. There are some really good speakers that have been suggested. I have a friend down the road with some Heresy II that I am going to try with a sub and see. I do like the Klipsch sound but it needs to be scaled down to the room. I am also going to compile a list and start listing / looking at reviews of speakers. Thanks to everyone so far for the suggestions! |
@dmdalton Decware DM944 are currently on music duty since I moved the La Scalas out. I like the ribbon tweeter and they image really well. I should have some of the Heresy II this weekend and give them a go with a sub I have. I really don't want a sub in the room. mainly due to lack of floor space. Ultimately I want a floor standing full range speaker that is either sealed or front ported so they can go closer to the wall. I am leaning toward the Tannoy speakers. I am not sure the line yet. I love vintage but the idea of buying new and having a trial is appealing as well. In the newer range of Tannoys I was looking at the XT8F. Has anyone compared these to the older line of Tannoys? Would there be a benefit to going vintage vs. new? @kink56 I had Forte 1 and wish I still had them so I could compare in the room configuration now. Did you like the mid horn better on the Forte II vs the Cornwall, or what was your deciding factor to go Forte II vs. Cornwall? Thanks for all the help so far everyone! |
So here is what happened over the weekend: A friend let me bring his Heresy 2 home. Hooked them up and dialed them in and Talk about awesome for my room. They are better and worse than the La Scalas but ultimately they are a better fit for the room. They are warm and detailed vs shrill and in your face. They need the crossovers updated but I am really happy with the sound and glad they might stick around. I like the Klipsch sound. I also came across an amazing deal on a set of Focal 926 that should do well in my room until I can make a decision on what I want to do long term. They should be here in a week. Focals seem like they are going to be a good fit. With both of these speakers in the stable, I can relax a little and be patient looking for the perfect speaker for my space, or who knows maybe one of these will be it. Thanks for the suggestions and insight so far everyone. |
So after some listening to the Heresy II, I have decided to keep them. They are a better fit for the room, and are fantastic in my setup! I Love that I can keep the klipsch heritage sound in my music room. They are fun speakers for sure and will need a few things to make them even better. caps in the crossovers, some basic room treatments etc, but for now they are awesome and aren't going anywhere. I also jumped on a pair of Focal Aria 926 speakers that I just got last night. So where have these speakers been all of my life! I was skeptical when I ordered them but they fit the room, and with only have 2 hours of play time on them so far I just can't imagine them getting better after the 20-100 hour break in. It is to early to give complete impressions but they do everything I wanted a speaker to do in my room so far.... |