Review: Klipsch La Scala Speaker

If you think your LaScala's sound good now, try switching to tube gear with those wonderful horns. It will bring the sound to a completely different level, and make those big boxes really sing for you! Regarding your EQ; Some folks like the aftermarket crossover made specifically for the LaScala's (and Klipschorns and Belles) by ALK Engineering. With the ALK crossovers you can vary the attenuation of the mid-range squawker in 11 distinct steps ranging from 2.6db up to 15.4db. The Klipsch stock AA crossovers are fixed at around 4.0 db. Many swear by the ALK's that it is a big improvement over stock. I'm trying out a set currently, but the jury's still out for me. They most certainly sound different than the stock crossovers, and impart a new voice to the LaScala's. They are extremely well made with high-end parts, such as Hovland Musicaps, and are very beautiful to look at (if you appreciate that kind of thing). At $500 a pair they are not cheap, but Al lists all the parts and even provides a schematic should you want to build a set yourself and save some money. Again, I'm not sure yet whether I prefer them over my stock AA's but I'm not prepared to comment at this time till I've done more swapping back and forth. The most immediate difference (and there is no doubt about this) is the detail and focus improvement with the ALK over the AA's. Whether those details will make for an overall improved sound/musicality for me is what I have yet to determine. I've tried a few different settings with the ALK's so far and have been hovering with my preferences just a bit more attenuated than Klipsch stock (currently liking about 4.6 db). You can check out the ALK's on his site here:

ALK Engineering Website

Regardless, I love my LaScala's. I'm using them with all-tubes, and only 8 watts of SET power. The sound is heavenly to my ears! They are keepers!

Thanx for your opinion,but at this moment it is hard to be convinced to change from SS amplification to tube cause of $$ like always and non-xpereience with tubes and their ridiculous prices.I understand that wattage is not a factor for these horns but they are as loud as can be now,but hard for me to know if I would like the sound of tubes since I have no way to test one out or (LEASE)jk!!Thanks for your opinion jax2 but I think that the factory x-over should be used cause its original with the enclosure.That is why processors were made for likewise with adjustable and attentuating networks.Thanks for your opinion and responses all these times.

I do have another question,the speaker enclosures have square magnet tweeters on them are those the second generation ones?

The tweeters in mine are K77's I believe. They are original and do have round magnet housings. Regarding the ALK crossover, it does improve some aspects of the sound, and dramatically so, but after two days of experimenting and listening I kept coming back to the stock AA crossover network. For my ears it sounds more natural and musical. The ALK's have a cleaner, pinpoint focus, and seem "tighter" for lack of a better term. Unfortunately, on my system, and to my ears they also seem more analytical, and some instruments did not sound real to me, while on the AA crossovers the music just flows beautifully, albeit not as crystaline as the ALK's. Small price to pay. I'll stick with the AA's and return my friends ALK's to him. If you ever do get a chance to 'borrow' some good tube gear I'd bet you would be astounded at the difference it can make with those speakers. Yep, just my opinion. You are most welcome. Enjoy your Klipsch!

I have Klipschorns, La Scalas, Heriesys, JBL L200 and Altec VOTT speakers. Once you have spent time listening to tubes on any of these speakers you will be hard pressed to listen to Solid State again. After you travel down the tube road you will even begin to prefer certian tubes and types of amps(PP, Single ended etc.) with so much to gain why not give it a try? It took me over twenty years to learn this lesson, what a silly young man I was.