LaScalla's
Cayuga
Posts: 480
I need your thoughts on a pair of LaScalla's, they are 1978 or so vintage with type AA crossovers and K55v's. They were used in a bar for 10 plus years and then at the owners house. They look from the picture to be in fair condition (painted black) and they're working. I can get them for $450-$500, I see them going for over a $1000 in my area, do you think given this limited info they're worth my time?
Post edited by Cayuga on
Comments
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Used in a bar, I'm guessing they were abused pretty good... God only knows what was driving them, and to what volume. If it were me, I'd pass, but it does seem like a good price for LaScalla's.Ludicrous gibs!
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The bar use is a big question
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Def a good price, my buddy bought a similar set which were also used in a bar for over a grand. They were in decent shape but like Nadams said, you never know what could have happened in that bar...
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Yes, but they're so efficient that they could play very loud without being overdriven. You should definately give them a listen.
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And the reason for buying 1978 speakers is?Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
The reason for buying 1978 speakers is, I like old gear. Just because something is old doesn't make it bad, I have a pair of 1958 Tannoys that I'm sure will sound as good as most 2011 speakers at any price.
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I consider this when buying equipment I may not keep .
Is the electonics all working ?
Can I resell them and not loose $$ ?
Are they to ugley to resell ?
I would check out how big of a amp is driving them, I would carefully listen to them and check ALL the drivers . with hardwood (as they are) I have had good luck lightely sanding them to bring out the grain the paint will stain them regardless but it may still look good .
So if they are not beat up and the drivers are good you probebly have no risk . -
I would proceed with caution. Being used in a bar isn't usually a good thing as most bars have a smokey atmosphere, have a tendency to overdrive gear and usually get painted or worse to match the decor.
If they are in good working order they are worth a look and probably the asking price but you will have to do some rehab to make them worth the norm.
Making sure the horns aren't buzzy at higher volume would be my first worry. Followed by the woofer and cabs. -
And the reason for buying 1978 speakers is?
The same reason most here buy 1980-1992 vintage polks?? -
For 450, I would not expect much. I would check into how much it will cost to get the crossovers rebuilt. The tweeter diaphragms will also need to be replaced. Both of those operations set me back 160 with my Forte IIs. This does not even touch getting them in shape cosmetically or if there are any drivers/horns that need replacing.
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And the reason for buying 1978 speakers is?
huh? Exactly what aspect of buying an old speaker do you find perplexing?2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
falconcry72 wrote: »huh? Exactly what aspect of buying an old speaker do you find perplexing?
Huh? I was asking a question. Why do you find a question to be perplexing? That makes no sense.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
LaScalas are a little... how should I put this?.... aggressive.
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mhardy6647 wrote: »LaScalas are a little... how should I put this?.... aggressive.
That's putting it mildly.
Honest description of LaScalla's.
Thin on bass but there are mods people do that can help that. Don't suggest as it can kill resale although these are already painted.
Heavy on Midrange and even heavier on high's.
Overall very focused with good imaging but like mhardy said Aggressive!!!!! -
I am a very diplomatic fellow.
Tom Brennan of AK and AA fame likens their "sonic signature" (a term that Tom would never be likely to use) as akin to that of a Sawzall. Tom is a pretty perceptive chap.
If the OP wants to taste the Klipsch sound (which, at its best, is lively and dynamic, and at its worst, may be used to remove paint), my hardly humble suggestion would be a pair of Cornwalls. While not fully horn loaded (the woofers are bass reflex loaded; the enclosure is large with a shelf port or "vent"), they go much deeper than the Lascalas and are consequently rather better balanced. We're speaking in relative terms, here...
FWIW: herewith, the guts of one of my erstwhile Cornies (these of 1974 vintage with CTS woofer, Atlas midrange driver and EV T35 tweeter). The MR horn has been generously damped with rope caulk in an attempt to tame its resonances.
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Someone has some drafty windows in there house now.. That is a lot of rope caulk.
would vote Heresy to the uniformed, then Cornwall and then Klipschorn's if money and space allow. I would skip LaScalla's entirely unless modded..
I have heard them modded but I do not know what it entails. -
Rope caulk is cheap; I still have some left over from that project, well over a decade ago :-)
The problem with Heresys is essentially no LF. The K-horn will be the "best" of Klipsch, but they're large, 'spensive, and they have to be in corners (all of the Heritage Klipsch will benefit from being in corners).
The modifications practiced on the Klipsch speakers (and I am NOT being facetious) often extend to replacing essentially everything but the woofer and the box. Check AK or the Klipsch forums for the Bob Crites products and modifications. Whether they're still Klipsch loudspeakers afterwards is a matter for reflection and debate. -
Considering the price I would go give them a listen. If you have a tube amp bring it. I bought and sold an ugly pair a few years ago. I wish I hadn't now but one needed a woofer anyways and I needed the space.Make it Funky!
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... or a "T amp"...Considering the price I would go give them a listen. If you have a tube amp bring it....
