The Klipsch LaScala AL5 Review. They Speak to the Heart.
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2021
- #LaScala #Klipsch #HiFi
FULL WRITTEN REVIEW: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2021/0...
My Instagram: / stevehuffofficial
In this one...
Today I share my review of the Klipsch LaScala AL5 speakers. You can see my full written review at my website below:
WRITTEN REVIEW WITH SOUND NOTES: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2021/0...
The LaScala AL5 are the latest incarnation of Klipsch's big classic speaker. This time the speaker sees crossover upgrades, midrange upgrades and cabinet upgrades. The sound is HUGE and does indeed have the ability to bring a concert to your living room. The sound is breathtaking and the most realistic I have experienced in my 35 years of HiFi.
They do have a weakness though, and for me...it doesn't matter. ; ) The video outlines why these have been a dream speaker for me as well as how I ended up with a pair in my listening room!
Enjoy.
Where I bought my LaScala's:
Paducah Home Theater: paducahhometheater.com
My Photo Gear 2021:
My Studio Video Camera: bhpho.to/30I3Wew
My Main Video Lens: bhpho.to/30XMMcV
My Fave Digital Camera Body Ever: bhpho.to/3jCthxy
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A Perfect CZcams Camera: amzn.to/3dc7xsJ
A Gorgeous 50mm Manual APO Lens: amzn.to/3rQfHLu
My Audio Gear 2021:
An AMAZING Tube Amp for LESS: amzn.to/31lRAZK
This ALL IN ONE is Stunning: amzn.to/3bvPXzg
The Speakers I will Die With: amzn.to/3nBHZXs
The Best Klipsch Heritage Speaker Hack: amzn.to/2MXXTz7
The BEST Bang for the Buck Streamer: amzn.to/39oHATg
These are still my fave Bookshelf Speakers: amzn.to/3i5hgl9
A NO BRAINER Budget Integrated that packs a HUGE punch: amzn.to/3tQXWN6
Media Contact/Review Contact: stevehuff1@icloud.com - Jak na to + styl
This is an endgame speaker. There is pride of ownership with having these in your home.
Pulled the trigger on my La Scala's last year. Best decision I ever made. My wife to is very understanding.
Awesome!
Where did you get yours and what color? Going to retire mine. They are from 1976, still going strong but building a new home
@@tuckerjeffrey I bought a pair from HiFi Heaven. I also bought some Heresy VI for my son. Great folk.
@@tuckerjeffrey
I've got a pair of 1974 La Scalas. I modded them, bi-amping them with Jubilee tweeters to replace the stock squawker and tweeter. Super sound! Later, I found a great deal on a pair of 2007 La Scala IIs and used them to replace the 1974s, and popped the Jubilee tweeters on the new speakers. It was simple. I had Heresy IIs as Surround speakers and was happy with them, but the older Scalas were here, they were paid for... Now the older La Scalas are my Surround speakers! The Heresy IIs are making someone else very happy now. The message is that the LS2s do sound quite a bit better, so I'd be looking for newer La Scalas, especially La Scala IIs, to complete your new home. The Klipsch engineers work steadily to improve every generation of Heritage Series speakers, so they get better all the time.
Wish my wife was this accommodating. Great work Debbi
Beautiful and passionate review!
I recently bought a pair of used 1977 La Scalas with Crites crossovers and CT120 tweeters.
It is powered by a Willsenton R8 that I purchased based on your positive review. I have added Sylvania NOS 6SL7s and 6SN7s that really elevate the sound quality of the R8.
Man, I love it. I spend a little time every evening after work listening to music. A new habit thanks in no small part to the R8 and La Scalas.
I heard the AL5s as well- they are definitely better and more refined but the old girls with the Crites updates are mesmerizing too. I would hazard that they are 80-85% asgood as the Al5s with the upgrades
I thought I would bring this up for folks like me that can’t afford a new La Scala but want something close for for a lot less $$$$$
Thank you for your reviews. I enjoy watching and learning from them.👍
I've got a pair of '78's with the same X-Overs setup but includes the additional A-55G mid drivers as well as the CT120 tweeters. Resealed the bass bin and they sound amazing on 8 watts.
I have a pair of LaScala. And am very pleased with them. You can feel the music hit you 🏖
I just love your reviews. Thanks as always.
I am so glad to see there are people out there whom are so passionate about Hi-Fi. I haven't heard the La Scala, but I sure do love my Forte IV. Thank you for such great content!
May you hear some lascalas, own mine since 79. Epic speakers. Back then dealer net was about 1500 canadian a pair
Well done Sir, you answered a lot of my questions. Cornwall IV one of these days will buy a pair, need room, have 8 sets of speakers.
Thank you, My Klipsch La Scala AL3's are all I feel I ever need.
Awesome review, could listen for hours, a good chat about speaker and music. A little bit of a good envy too...
That brief demo sounded incredible!
Great review man! Enjoy
Once when I was younger they opened a new theater near me....state of the art at the time. Before a movie they'd often play popular music over the theater sound system. I've been chasing that sound for years afterward. The music wasn't loud but it was louder without sounding loud, if that makes sense. The music sounded effortless, damped and full with solid bass despite being barely over a talking level. I know most theaters use JBL professional cabinets with big mid horns and sound reinforcement style woofers. I'd love to hear a set of LaScala's to see if I get that feeling again. Been chasing that high for 20 years.
Depending how way back could of been altec .. ya know voice of the theater. They were horns as well
Great review! The La Scala’s are special speakers. They’re cult following speaks to that.
My “minimalist” system is:
-La Scala II
-Reisong SET amp
-SMSL SU-9 DAC and preamp
-Raspberry pi with Allo Digione Signature streaming Tidal direct with Volumio
-Dual SVS SB-3000
5,000 cubic foot room. Spaced out about 13 feet apart with moderate toe in. The sound is truly fantastic…so lifelike and effortless. Not at all bright. Everyone that hears them is blown away and I’m so pleased with the entire setup!
Thanks for giving these speakers the attention they deserve.
Sounds like you have an AMAZING setup! Thanks for watching!
Nice touch with the sb 3000’s!
And what frequency do you cross over to the SVS?
@@ajitmoses 53 Hz at 24db slope. Sounds best to my ear.
My dream speaker along with the Klipschorn!
Hello! This was my first time visiting your channel. I’m considering the La scalas, and I’m doing research. Really I’ve already made up my mind on buying them but want to continue supporting my bias 😁. Anyway, I thought I should let you know that you should highly consider having a ductless mini split (or heat pump as some people call them) for your room. They are whisper quiet (to me they don’t make any noticeable sound), highly energy efficient, and do both cooling and heating. It will only help your listening experience and keep you in comfort when your amps heat the room! Thanks for the review!
I had a pair and upgraded crossover. Very wonderful sound!
I really enjoyed how you expressed the passion these gave you for music.
Thank you.
I've wanted the LaScala since the 70s. Someday.... I'm glad to see the update.
Though I have a pair of KG4s that I bought in 1985? Then and now my main speakers.
Me for Klipsh horns. No compromise.
Just bought a pair of La Scala’s and powered by McIntosh amps and agree with all that is said in this review!!
Congrats!
I have some semi-rough 1977 la scalas that i bought for $1000. Went to Crites for bass drivers, crossovers, and tweeters. New wire from GR Research. Dynamated the tweeters and horns
Freya+ preamp and a dynaco ST-120
Great project speakers!
I bought new Cornwalls when I was 16 in 1980 and never had the upgrade itch. Best $2K ever spent. Took them to a 9' x 12' dorm room and they sounded great.
Just got a pair - Love em
Congrats!!! Enjoy them.
Funny you mention sweating as a sacrifice to the music experience. My room has a split unit AC/heater that is turned off when listening. The room seems to go up a degree every five minutes, but that’s way it’s gonna be!
Excellent review, thank you for posting, I was wondering if the glass top came with the speakers or?
These are my favorite looking speakers. Classy, iconic and beautiful plus sound amazing!
Great review! These are high on my audition list. I recently updated my front end to Macintosh C8 tube preamp paired with MC830 monoblocks. I have the room for them and hope they will pair well with La Scala’s.
I got to listen to a pair of La Scala’s at a shop in Dallas a couple days ago. Wow is all I can say. I will be buying a pair. Like he says the low end it does produce is spot on but I will be supplementing with a sub. Springsteen sounds wonderful through the La Scala’s.
Did you get the AL5's and, if yes, what subs did you choose?
My first system: Fisher speakers, Dual turntable and a Yamaha Receiver.
Really nice review, especially liked the back story. The lighting, audio, and production of your videos comes through so well.
The Klipschorn has been on my wish list for a while. When you auditioned the LaScala, did you by chance listen to the Klipschorn as well, if so how did they compare?
Thank you, and I did not listen to the Klipschorns that day but have heard them in the past. Way way too large for my space but they seem to have a more forward mid and treble with that lower bass performance that is missed in the LS. A different sound character.
Here's my take on the subject. It's been a long long time since I heard the LaScalas but I listen to my homemade Khorns every day for hours. I think that our ears gets accustomed to the sound of our speakers. I noticed this when I used the YPao eq built into my Yamaha amp. At first I thought the highs were way too pronounced. It equed the top end of the EV35 tweeters 4db at 16khz and down 4db at 8khz. Well, I got used to it. Sounds fine now and I hear detail I haven't heard before. As far as the LaScala being more "full" sounding probably has a lot to do with the 125 hz bump most horn loaded speakers have. I'm not sure how Klipsch is dealing with that on these but I understand in the latest khorn they have a notch filter built into the crossover. It's still hard to get rid of the resonance in this freq. The cornwall and forte probably have a dip in that freq. response because of room reflections. That's probably the major reason for the difference in sound. Do an eq on both and see what happens.
Thank you for the excellent review. Can you recommend a subwoofer that can keep up with the La Scalas? I looked for horn subs, but mostly pro stuff, so I was even thinking adding another set of La Scala's sans top piece as a subwoofer.
The comments are consistent; the emotional response, scalability, and highly efficient. Would have liked to hear them
My favorite speakers I owned and I have always had good fairly high end speakers were CF30 klipsch , they were better than my Legacy Focus or Altec Lansing horn speakers, But I'm going to get Klipsch again when I move out of my Apt
Have you tried subwoofers with the AL5s and, if so, how did you hook them up given the LaScalas incredibly high sensitivity? Thanks!
You mentioned switching between speakers. Can you recommend a device that allows you to switch between amps into the La Scala's? For example, can you use the McIntosh solid state amp for a while and then switch to the MC275 for tubes, each going into the La Scala's?
Just found this post, just wait until you get Matt's amp in the system. There is just something majical he does with his amps and how they work with tubes. Work well with others, but the Klipsch's....can hardly wait to hear your impressions
Yep, I have the itch. Ready to add La SCALA’s AL6’s to my HERESY 3’s and a MAC 7200 Receiver.
About to have my own AL5s delivered! I'm curious if you have any recommendations for subwoofers that would pair well with these? I see a lot of people recommending horn loaded or open baffle subs, but I'm not sure I'm interested in doing anything DIY at the moment. Do you have a subwoofer that you've enjoyed using with your La Scala and you thought did them justice?
What is your opinion on the Vintage La Scala 6586 speakers ? Are they worth picking up for a cheap price? One speaker may need some repairs. Thank you.
Congratulations!!! Great speakers! What about dynaudio now?
Still have them, in fact I had two sets. I have three systems in my home at this time and have loads of stuff on the way for review.
. There's a pair of passive 18" folded horn bass cabinets available for $4K now from a
"Red Surround" U.S. loudspeaker manufacturer. They would pair "wicked awesome" with the LaScalas.
Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
Can the AL5's be used with a surround sound receiver like the Marantz SR8015? For surround sound specifically.
I sure hope you are right. I just ordered a whole new system featuring the La Scalla speakers. Gotta wait for all the parts to arrive.
What amp did you get?
@@dwaynesbadchemicals Rouge Cronus Magnum III & Rega Planar 8 turntable. They have arrived & sound great.
@@flamingroove Just great?
been rocking La Scala since 79 - put them up against any out there , nothing like what i call the listenening level.
8:54 my little rp600s just chill on the floor lol
In the 1980s, as I remember, its price was about $5000 in my country. Her sound is 100 watts Hi db, its size is large, and it needs a large hall. But in an ordinary house, it will take up a lot of space. I much prefer listening to music ,with infinity RS III her quality is better than from klipsch , this is my opinion
May I ask what speaker cable are you using in this demo . Thanks Paul.
I have the Heresy IV’s and the LaScalas are my dream endgame speaker. The Heresys stay forever though:)
Ditto. We are buying a new house when we retire in 4 years and it will have a room for lascalas in it. Best analogy for me was they fill the room but you cant tell its coming from the speakers. Also thank you for the forte comparison now I know the heresy was the correct choice for me. Rock on!
@@brandtagone8487 yeah man, if you don’t run a sub with yours I highly recommend it. Amazing and best I’ve had, and I’ve had a lot of the usual suspects.
@@dougg1075 agreed. Im using my old Boston acoustic sub from the 90s which sounds great. I was going to upgrade that too but it sounds great.
@@dougg1075 I bought a set. They need a sub .
@@johnwallace7694How far do you sit from the La Scala?
I have Belle Klipsch with an electronic crossover. Running the bass cab and top end with separate matched amps. I can of course control the crossover point and levels of each cabinet. Fantastic way to avoid needing a sub. I stole this idea from the Jubilees.
Bass horn limit is 45 hz, so def. Not a sub. It's a mistake to try to force it to be a sub.
I have always loved the looks of The Klipsch LaScalas ,so last year i went to High End Audio Store to see and hear the LaScalas and sadly I found my JBL system much more my liking maybe it was their choice of music no bass to speak of and even the size of the orchestra seemed small !
Please let us know what you think of the La Scalas powered by so called "flea watt" amps. I'm interested in Decware amps.
What happend to the vinnie rossi l2i amp?
I thought it was the last amp you will have
I've owned since mid 80's with 80's Luxman. Excellent review sir, love them also.
Would a good sub woofer be advisable with the La Scala in order to fill out the bass lines??
If you are in a huge room, sure. I do not need one in this space.
How do you like them vs your torrified wood apeaker?
sorry, what are the big boxes for again?
Very nice Brother ... 😎
Complete explanation.
If the recording goes down to 20hz, but you can’t hear it, what’s the point?
Thanks, I wanted to ask but you may have already may have answered this. If someone has the space and budget, considering the AL5 LaScala’s down the heritage line to the Heresy IV, what would you choose for your 2 speakers? You’ve about have me convinced into the Pass Labs Amp but would appreciate a recommendation as to what Preamp you’d pair it with? Do you have a preferred vendor where they can do a package deal or is it all at MAP PRICES
Try PV speakers yes I use sp3s .
I did not need all the high price speakers and over price applications.
Cornwall IVs are the sweet spot!
They have remained a solid favorite in the lineup, considering that Paul klipsch when originally designing them never intented them to be a hi fi speaker..
Thats some very serious kit your packing there, your very very lucky, i guess the sound you get also very much depends on the type of music you listen to, some speakers just dont suit certain types of music
These have done phenomenal with everything Ive thrown at it. I listen to everything besides rap and hip hop. If my main interest was in that genre I would not own these speakers.
I'm gonna get that Icon Audio phono stage though!
It's a good one.
I believe you can upgrade the cross-over with after market service.
Mind if I borrow your glass top idea for mine? great idea by the way for looks and saving the tops. Oh and Yes to an SET and LaScala's, potentially think about the 45 tube types they are a better sounding tube then the 300b just only 2wpc, but that's plenty, IMO of course.
Those glass tops were on them at Paducah HT. I asked Cory where I could get a set and he said "just take those". Works out great and allows you to set things on them without worry of damage. Thanks for the tip on the 45!
Yes, the glass (or Plexi) tops are a great idea, especially since the La Scala tops present a lot of real estate, inviting the clueless to put drinks or potted plants on them. A number of La Scala owners have glass tops to keep their speakers looking beautiful.
Have you had an occasion to play some classical music through them? If so, what and what did you think ?
My only issue with the La Scalas is bass. I can't see spending that kind of coin and still need subs. This is why I chose the Cornwall 4s. IMO better overall performance at 1/2 the price.
Awesome review, thank you. I’m considering setting up some new speakers in a few rooms with small dimensions similar to yours. How far apart from each other did you place each La Scala speaker?
"best you've ever heard"... Did you compare to the K-Horn???? If so, what were your thoughts on the two?
Hey can anyone tell which song is being played at 6:20 minutes? I want to get that album.
Hans Theessink--"Feel Like Going Home." Album "Journey On."
Well, this is something for me then, just please tell me how would you compare them to Avantgarde? Nice review and thank you
I have owned the Avantgarde Uno's long ago. I drove to see Kevin Deal back in 2000-2001 and bought his UNO (originals) demo model. I remember paying him either $5900 or $6900 cash for them back then. They were gorgeous to look at and I ran them with a set of Wavelength Audio 300B Amps (mono). I never heard the kind of sound I am getting from the LaScala with those UNO's. They had, even with the sub, a weak bass and a much more colored midrange. I enjoyed them at the time and they looked sharp in the living space but what I hear with the LaScala is much nicer, more extended, cleaner bass, and well, better everything. That's going by memory though from a long time ago : )
The Avantgarde speakers have round horns, but we don't live in round rooms. The rectangular horns of the Klipsches make more sense as the leading edge of the sound bubble moves into our rectangular rooms. Mine are rectangular, and I bet yours are, too.
yes im still loven my system ALSO......
The Decware Zen amps got rave reviews from Andrew Robinson powering his La Scalas.
How would these sound with Macintosh tube amp like the MC275?
Haven't heard so can't say. I imagine it would be a great pairing though. Wonderful amp.
...another addition of THIS IS MY LAST SPEAKER
*** PART 5 ***
LMAO !!!
I still own my LAST bookshelf (Dynaudios), these will be my last (and only) large speaker that I will OWN, so yes you are correct. I have several speakers in my collection (4 sets) and several here to review (3 sets) but yes, just as I said before, I have my last set of bookshelf and now large speakers. I have three systems in my home. Already tossed the boxes for all of them as well. I will always have more in here to review though. Just did my 16 month update on my Heresy IV's ; ) I also have three integrated amps here, two preamps, and three amps. Three DAC's, two streamers.
As long as you were in Paducah, did you hear the Klipschorns?? (the big K horns) If so, what did you think??
No I did not. Saw them but we didn't hook them up.
Hi great review thx. What is the song and artist at 6:30 please. Wow!
Did you get a chance to listen to Jubilee's at Corys?
Very nice. I noticed you’re still using the Qutest? I owned it for a minute, but took a chance on the Denafrips Pontus II, after also owning the Ares II. I would be really, REALLY, interested to know what you think of the Pontus dac, since it’s in the ballpark in price of the Qutest. To my ears, a different world. I can’t imagine going back to the Qutest. The Pontus is amazing- i can’t imagine what your system would sound like running, say, the Pontus and the companion Iris DDC re-clocker. Those La Scalas are beauties!!!!
Was the jump from Ares II to Pontus II drastic? What improved?
@@HailKingCeezer Drastic. Bass is markedly better, as is players in the soundstage, just more defined outlines. A subtle, but noticeable, improvement was adding the Iris DDC to the Pontus. The Pontus is so much more refined.
why DACs when you have vinyl and should get a Tandberg TD-20A SE Reel phenomenon.
INT25 will be perfect for these.
It is. In many ways it bests the separates. Both, for me, beat tubes in this room with the AL5's.
Couldn't you add some quality servo subs and get the best of both worlds?
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 Heritage, Hope you are enjoying the 2nd best of all, La Scala
Not everyone has useable corners.
Please research the Altec A5
Are the glass tops something you made or?
No, Cory at Paducah HT had them made and threw them in with the sale. Great guy.
Klipsch has the best grille cloth! Wish I knew where i can get a yard...
Let’s here music, first
Why did you not go with the K horns? For a couple thousand dollars more?
Try Decware Tube amp with the LaScala?? 😁🎬👍
I have not but there is a 7-8 month wait list to order (receive) one it seems. I have tested the Heresy and Cornwalls with really low power SET amps, but not a Decware.
In high-end audio terms, $13,000 ain't bad! I'm lusting for a pair of Fleetwood Deville Speakers. They're stand-mounted speakers and they cost nearly $13,000!!
I agree. Today high end audio can get rather insane, and sometimes those insanely priced products are not worth the cost. I have heard many things I would not want to review because they offer bad value. These though, well, they really are worth the money if you can swing it and have the space and amplification for them to make them sing. Thank you.
Could have gotten them for less than 9K last month before the price increase.
Surely they didn’t retail for $9K within the past year? I’m interested in those too and at that price I would’ve bought some. Start at 15K now without most of the stuff you would want/need to add realistically
Great intro and honest review. Is the Pass better or as good as Vinnie Rossi L2i SE?
What happened to your Rossi integrated?
His Wife made him sell it when he moved.
Where's the demo?
found the upgrade of my Dynaudio S40s
The old ones were only bright when used with poor solid state. The exceptions were the old k horns, lascala, chorus 2. The Cornwall and forte1 were actually warm and rich
I have Cornwall IVs and they are close to perfect in lifelike tonality. You need to spend $60k to get same music.
Is there any sub who can keep up with La Scala's ?
I don't understand how they get any depth to the bass with the woofer all crammed up in that goofy little triangle inner box?
It's a horn loaded woofer. Totally different from a traditional woofer. The bass is tight, quick and with punch. Big huge scale and body to the music.
These or theFleetwoods?
LaScala or Cornwall? This is the question...
Great review and however good the pass labs are , good tube gear will be on another level ... go for it ! :)