Cornwall Center with Klipsch La Scala mains

[Squishman]

Audio purists might say stick with the same brand across the front. Does it matter that much? Would a guy get used to it if there was some incongruency? And if it is fine to mix these brands, is the SVS Prime center a huge downgrade from the ultra?

 

[shadyJ]

Those are so radically different speakers that I would think it matters. There will be a serious timbral mismatch between the center and left/right speakers. Sometimes I do think exact matching is overblown, as center speakers are rarely a great match with the front left/right even within the same speaker line and it doesn't often seem to bother people, but I would guess not in this case.

 

[Squishman]

Those are so radically different speakers that I would think it matters. There will be a serious timbral mismatch between the center and left/right speakers. Sometimes I do think exact matching is overblown, as center speakers are rarely a great match with the front left/right even within the same speaker line and it doesn't often seem to bother people, but I would guess not in this case.

Can you think of brands that would match better? Not Klipsch. I want to see other options. Plus, I hate the copper cones on all the new ones.

 

[shadyJ]

The only speaker that would really match a La Scala is either another La Scala or a very similar Klipsch Heritage speaker like a Klipschorn. Waaay back in the day, Klipsch made the Heresy to serve specifically as a center for their other larger speakers like the La Scala, Cornwall, and the Klipschorn, but having heard them all back to back (previous generations, not the current ones) I would say that the Heresy sounds very different from the other Klipsch Heritage speakers. The La Scalas are a very singular old-school design. Modern loudspeakers just aren't going to sound like them, unfortunately.

 

[Squishman]

I do have room for a third LS if I went that route. It would not be easy to find just one though. How about Emotiva C1+ or C2+? Would that at least get closer?

 

[Squishman]

There is a beat up Cornwall about 2.5 hours from me at a fair price. I am checking if he's willing to meet 1/2 way.

 

[TLS Guy]

There is a beat up Cornwall about 2.5 hours from me at a fair price. I am checking if he's willing to meet 1/2 way.

How beat up? One of those probably would match your LaScalas fairly well.

 

[shadyJ]

I do have room for a third LS if I went that route. It would not be easy to find just one though. How about Emotiva C1+ or C2+? Would that at least get closer?

The Emotiva speakers wouldn't sound anything like your La Scalas.

 

[Squishman]

I am on my way to buy the Cornwall. He said all drivers work. Great find!

 

[Squishman]

How beat up? One of those probably would match your LaScalas fairly well.

Pretty beat up, but I'll do what I can.

 

[Squishman]

I got it home. So massive. But I do have room. It needs new veneer and grill cloth. I'll take care of that maybe this summer. Otherwise, it is fine. No serial number sticker. Dang. Playing some mono remastered Beatles through it now. All drivers sound perfect. Tons more bass than my LS's. The dust cover was pushed in, but I carefully got that out with a vacuum cleaner. This should work dandy as a center. I got it for a song. $375! Cost me $54 gas and including lunch to go get it.

 

[Squishman]

This speaker does not have a real veneer on it. I am pretty sure it has been added. Seems like Formica counter-top stuff to me. So when I go to remove all of that, I am hoping I find the serial number underneath on the back. It should be located just under the screw terminals.

 

[Trebdp83]

Looks like they covered the “raw” finish.

 

[Kingnoob]

Audio purists might say stick with the same brand across the front. Does it matter that much? Would a guy get used to it if there was some incongruency? And if it is fine to mix these brands, is the SVS Prime center a huge downgrade from the ultra?

I’d expect the Klipch to blow the doors off the svs , if you want a center go phantom or get a third Klipsch ?? those are expensive speakers .

 

[Kingnoob]

I got it home. So massive. But I do have room. It needs new veneer and grill cloth. I'll take care of that maybe this summer. Otherwise, it is fine. No serial number sticker. Dang. Playing some mono remastered Beatles through it now. All drivers sound perfect. Tons more bass than my LS's. The dust cover was pushed in, but I carefully got that out with a vacuum cleaner. This should work dandy as a center. I got it for a song. $375! Cost me $54 gas and including lunch to go get it.

Woah that’s a beast!! New used center ??

 

[Squishman]

Woah that’s a beast!! New used center ??

It sounds like a beast too. Here is a photo of me listening to it:

 

[Squishman]

Looks like they covered the “raw” finish.
View attachment 59915

I have seen this one on google I think. I'm fairly sure that this is the finish underneath. The front, I believe on some other shots of this google speaker is flush. No recess for the grill, whereas with mine it is recessed. So it's probably not the same year. For any Klipsch folks, is there any other way to tell? Photo of the xover help? I'll probably go ahead and see if the sticker is back there today after work.

 

[Trebdp83]

Front looks similar to your speaker with grill recess. Looks as though your speaker had the inner edges sprayed black. Perhaps they were going for the Cornwall IV look. Did they spray the back of the speaker black?

 

[Squishman]

Front looks similar to your speaker with grill recess. Looks as though your speaker had the inner edges sprayed black. Perhaps they were going for the Cornwall IV look. Did they spray the back of the speaker black?
View attachment 59933

Oh, I thought that was the flush one I saw. If I had to guess, this was done long ago, before the IV's came out. The back has the formica too hopefully covering up the sticker. If I see it under there, it's doubtful I can expose it much without destroying it. It's worth a try. I'll cut a rectangle with my dremel first, then use a heat gun.

 

[Squishman]

I found the number stamped under the formica. Like my LS's, Klipsch stamped it in the wood on top on the earlier models. It is a 1979. Glad to have that ironed out. Serial number is 21T528. I'd like to have the sticker, but if it's there, it is likely a goner. I was glad that that was so easy to find.