Klipsch La Scala with Adcom, harsh highs

[markw]

Wow - this is starting to read like a Bose discussion.

I think fmw's statement is dead-on. My Klipsch speakers sound more accurate to me than any others I have heard (e.g. a recording of a car door closing sounds like a car door closing). They are also brighter sounding than most. A tube amp or preamp will counteract the brightness, and it looks like friva345 has found something that enhances it.

There's a big difference between your Klipsch speakers and a La Scala (or any of the large heritage Klipsch speakers).

...a very big difference.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I was kindof going to suggest the same thing, only a tube preamp instead. With a tube preamp you still have what tubes can offer with the power and ease of solid state. preamp tubes are much cheaper than power tubes so you can roll them and see which ones you like best for much less coin. I have owned a bottlehead foreplay 2 in the past which was quite good after adding on additional modifications to the original circuitry (this is a DIY preamp in kit form) But from what I understand the current version (3) is much better than the second. Just something to consider. I honestly have my doubts you'll notice much difference with the Adcom preamp you have coming over the one you have now.

A tube preamp with an SS amp would only alter the highs if it was already so designed into it and it would have to match the FR band that he is concerned with. A tube amp with high output impedance will follow the speaker's FR.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... (e.g. a recording of a car door closing sounds like a car door closing)...

Which car door?

 

[mr-ben]

There's a big difference between your Klipsch speakers and a La Scala (or any of the large heritage Klipsch speakers).

...a very big difference.

Really? I've never had the opportunity to listen to the Heritage line, but I always figured my mains would have a similar sound. Have you had the opportunity to compare them? There's quite a difference between my Klipsch and the B&W (the B&W sit on top of the Klipsch and I switch between them), but that's to be expected.

 

[markw]

Really? I've never had the opportunity to listen to the Heritage line, but I always figured my mains would have a similar sound. Have you had the opportunity to compare them?

Not side-to-side in an A/B situation but, yes, I've heard 'em both. And, yes, there is a BIG difference in their design intent.

Mercedes makes small cars and they also make trucks, but they each serve different markets.

 

[gus6464]

Klipsch Heritage are in a completely different league than regular Klipsch speakers.

 

[Pyrrho]

I have owned klipsch for 20 years and are happy with them. i'm just switching pre amps and are not very happy with it. When i had rotel power and pre it seemed much better. Treble is all the way down. Turning on the sub helps but at times it's just too much (sub is a Klipsch KPT-684 with 2 18" powered by two adcom gfa 555ii at 600watts rms each). Thanks for the feedback.

If you were happy with the sound before, why not just reconnect your old gear and listen that way? Why did you replace your old equipment?

 

[friva345]

I sold my amps a while back when i switche to a/v. now i have 2 separate systems, a/v and stereo. So my cd player is connected to both my preamp and my a/v so that i can use the subs for cd playback. I need a bigger house.

 

[wire]

I sold my amps a while back when i switche to a/v. now i have 2 separate systems, a/v and stereo. So my cd player is connected to both my preamp and my a/v so that i can use the subs for cd playback. I need a bigger house.

Ive have heard your speakers before , they have a damn Big sound . Maybe try another Amp / Preamp combo with them , Adcom mightbe a bad match .
You can even try Intergrated amps .

 

[mtrycrafts]

... I need a bigger house.

Or, just one system that will play music and movies well.

 

[fmw]

Ive have heard your speakers before , they have a damn Big sound . Maybe try another Amp / Preamp combo with them , Adcom mightbe a bad match .
You can even try Intergrated amps .

No such thing as a "match." His amp, like most, is powerful, clean and distortion free. Changing for another powerful, clean and distortion free amp won't change a thing. The amp isn't the issue. The issue is probably the room acoustics. They usually are the issue.

 

[Video1]

I'm an owner of Klipsch Forte I's. I also have experience with the LaScala's although this was was not in a controlled listening environment. I'm also familiar with Adcom amplifiers. The Adcom is a quality amp, but I suspect it's not a good match with the LaScala's. I would instead, look to something like a lower powered integrated tube amplifier. One of the best I've ever heard is the Manley Stingray - very sweet with a detailed and open airy top end. You can find them used for a decent price, but it's not "cheap".

The one problem I do see with your setup though is the fact that the LaScala's are so large. These speakers are designed for large rooms. Try corner loading them as suggested here. Also pay attention to the room treatments.

Hope this helps!

 

[wire]

No such thing as a "match." His amp, like most, is powerful, clean and distortion free. Changing for another powerful, clean and distortion free amp won't change a thing. The amp isn't the issue. The issue is probably the room acoustics. They usually are the issue.

Like F1 Nut says " With any system there is synergy . Some pieces work well with others , some don't " .
Garbage in , garbage out . Until you get the right combo .

 

[fmw]

Like F1 Nut says " With any system there is synergy . Some pieces work well with others , some don't " .
Garbage in , garbage out . Until you get the right combo .

Nonsense. Same with F1 Nut. How would you measure "synergy" by the way?

 

[TLS Guy]

Nonsense. Same with F1 Nut. How would you measure "synergy" by the way?

Yes, the manure has been getting deep around here on various threads lately.

Pretty soon we will need a whole forum just devoted to the debunking of audio myths and superstitions!

I don't remember a time since I have been involved, where there has been more pure nonsense on various threads at the same time.

 

[highfihoney]

Ive owned most of the Klipsch Heratige line at one point or another,the 2 biggest things to running them sucessfully in a home enviroment are to have them in a large room & to corner them,these are not audiophile speakers that neeed to be pulled 3 ft away from the wall,without cornering them your bass response will suffer badly.

With that being said there are things you can do to get them to sound a bit less bright,the easiest & most sucessfull method ive used is to dampen the horn throats & im not talking about using anything expensive either.

Remove the horn's & place them on a peice of cardboard or newspaper,get a tube of 100% silicone caulking & a caulk gun,paint the entire horn throat with thick layer of silicone & allow it to dry for 24 hours then replace the horns,you will hear a difference in tweeter & midrange response after this alteration of the horns,if you do not like the new sound simply wait a few days & pull the silicone off the horns with your fingers,silicone lasts forever but it does not adhere very well to most surfaces,dried silicone is very easy to remove unless the surface was primed with a special primer beforehand so dont worry about creating a situation that is permanent.

 

[cornelius]

Try a tube integrated - if you can borrow one, or can afford to try one. The only way you'll know is to try it...

 

[fmw]

Try a tube integrated - if you can borrow one, or can afford to try one. The only way you'll know is to try it...

There you go. That will allow the OP to add some distortion to what he describes as "harshness."

 

[Joe Schmoe]

these are not audiophile speakers.

Well put.
Seriously, though. When you have to modify speakers (or use equalization) to make them sound decent, you need different speakers.

 

[bandphan]

Well put.
Seriously, though. When you have to modify speakers (or use equalization) to make them sound decent, you need different speakers.

way to hack that up joe The comment was not "these are not audiophile speakers". And the rest of your contribution...... If one needs dsp, one DOES NOT need different speakers.