What's in the box!?!?!?! - Klipsch LaScala AL5 Disassembly

Buy the LaScala here: paducahhometheater.com/collec...
When you guys talk, we listen! We had a ton of positive feedback from adding in the disassembly component to all of the Reference Premiere line gear so....we thought we would bring back some old favorites and take those apart as well!! With the "What's in the box" short series, we are going to bring back the heritage line, pull out the drivers, and show you what each of these looks like inside. We are going to take a look at how they are put together and constructed as well as compare the components of the models side by side.
Last week we took apart the Cornwall IV. Before that, the Forte IV and... before that, the Heresy. To round out and temporarily end the "What's in the Box" series, we're going to go big with the LaScala.
Thanks for watching and, Enjoy!!
-------
/ klipschmuseum​
www.klipschmuseum.org/​
/ paducahhometheater
www.paducahhometheater.com/

[@edonsmith8616]

Love seeing these all side by side. Great job !!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks so much! Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@mikebrookshire3464]

I'm so glad to see what makes these speakers work.

[@DannerPlace]

Loved seeing all this. Thank you. I have Cornwall III's for about 15 years, and absolutely love, love, love them.

[@craigenputtock]

Thanks for making this video! It was fun to see how it's made. The La Scala looks like a great speaker.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@edbrumbaugh9202]

Awesome, appreciate the look at the build of the Heritage line of Klipsch.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed. -Jason

[@Mr.XYZ6775]

Back in 1980-81 my oldest brother had a rock band he was using 2 LaScalas and 4 Heresy as monitors. So sometimes they would downsize the band to a 3 piece and he temporarily stored one LaScala in my living room. I had a fairly nice stereo system. I hooked up the LaScala speaker to my pioneer amp, turned on the system and WOW! The sound was fantastic and loud clear tweeter, mid and the vibration form the base manoman I was dancing playing the air guitar 🎤🎸🎵🕺💃 etc etc. I was so sad when he took the LaScala.😢 On thing about the LaScala it was made of one piece cabinet in othwords the tweeter and midrange were not separated.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! Did you ever end up getting another set? -jason

[@daveycrockett5738]

Awesome video love em. Can’t wait to see the rf7iii vs heritage line. Very much anticipated!!!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! Hopefully coming very soon. :) -Jason

[@CobraChamp]

Excellent Video!!!! Thanks for going to all that work and I known that is a ton of work to do that, so thanks!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

thanks man

[@petrolhead7814]

My endgame speaker. Saving for this one😍

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

call us when you're ready. 270-556-8427

[@OscarSanchez-tk3hx]

Thanks for sharing this video well done my dream speaker reminds me of my Sp ones P A speaker from the 80's.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! I can see why it would remind you of that. Check out the LS history video we made a while back. It'll tell you a bit more about its roots/where it started out. -Jason

[@filipog4]

Incredible video! Thank you for this video, I was looking for like that. I am sure that many people are curious to see what it looks like inside, and even if someone buys such speakers, they cannot always disassemble them by themselves, for example in order not to void the warranty. These drivers look good inside, thank you again for showing this. I love such movies. Greetings from Poland!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching! -Jason

[@mikejames-drummerreginacan1386]

Great video....thanks !

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@RBS22]

The way the speakers are mounted is very interesting, excellent construction.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

For sure! Love these guys. One of my favorites in the line. -Jason

[@killifish13]

Great video thank you.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for watching! -Jason

[@jeffreymcconnell2727]

Outstanding. Can't wait for Khorn next...at some point 😀

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! Hopefully sooner rather than later! Will do my best to get one in studio but, it may have to wait for my next visit to Paducah. :) -Jason

[@richsherman3673]

I love your video, it is very informative.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

thanks man

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

very cool

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! I was excited to work on this one again and share it with you guys. :) -Jason

[@buddyjenkins7188]

I am so glad I pulled the trigger on the La Scala. I would love the Khorn, but I don't have the corners.

[@allanellis5827]

Good for you! They must be on helluva speaker!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Congrats on the purchase! The LS will certainly not disappoint! -Jason

[@freightdawg6762]

Excellent!,,

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@ericharrelson2045]

This was cool series. Don't leave us hanging on the KHorns.👍

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! I will do my best to get one in studio but, it may have to wait for my next visit to Paducah. :) -Jason

[@davidmagen415]

I have a pair of LaScalas. Love to listen to them and yes they pack a bass punch. No no no I would never take them apart though🏖

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

We take them apart so you can see inside without ever having to do it yourself! -Jason

[@philipketchum1407]

Interesting that the 15” woofer drives thru a small slot. Shows that tuning is everything.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Was interesting to see. For sure masters of tuning. :) -Jason

[@RobertSB701]

I almost wish I didn't see what's "behind the curtain". Klipsch sells that woofer for $170. The other two drivers cost a few bucks. Cost of crossover? Then the reality of $10,000 worth of MDF for a pair is kinda hard to get over. . I understand this is a reality with practically all speakers. Sure R&D costs are huge, but still??!!? I would have rather been sold on the amazing sound quality and listening experience without knowing the actual recipe.

[@aldo162]

Agreed, there is about $500 in parts and materials there, assuming a labor cost of about $700 to assemble, total of $1200, that leaves a markup of approx. $9000. No thank you

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

While there is reality in this statement, this is true of anything you purchase. Money is in R&D and the tech is what keeps the company afloat. The cost includes R&D, assembly, paying all of the workers in the line, warranty (which is huge in this new gen guaranteed at 10 years) service after purchase, etc. If all of these factors aren't considered, a company won't survive and there would be no speakers in the end to purchase, even at minimal cost. -Jason

[@flynow5614]

@@PaducahHomeTheaterTV That's how business works. Starbucks chargers 2.35 for a cup of coffee. Beans 5 cents. health insurance for employee 25 cents per cup

[@pnichols6500]

@@aldo162 Many people that have heard $50,000 speakers and say they can't compare to the La Scala's for sounding like the musicians are in the room with you, think the La Scalas are a steal. If you are happy with paying your same ratio markup on EVERYTHING you own, why hassle people on another level?

[@KeithHeinrich]

There's R@D and manufacturing costs, people and tooling to build them and so forth and all the other business overheads. Its likely profitable, but not the sort of margin folks imagine.

[@klepp19]

Hi Jason, So all Heritage speaker input cups use T20 screws into nuts?

[@Ladco77]

Why are some fasteners wood screws and others bolts? Fascinating to see the internal construction, especially that folded LF horn on the LaScala. I can't wait to see a K-horn disassembly, and hopefully a Jubilee as well. I'm seriously looking forward to the RF-7 vs Heritage (Cornwall?). I have some Gen 1 RF-7's and will be upgrading to either RF-7 III or Heritage at some point and I'm seriously wanting to scratch the Heritage itch.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

The difference between using the wood screws vs the nuts and bolts is likely due to different needs for different components. Nuts and bolts for heavier/upright components. smaller components that aren't heavy and won't have a great deal of movement, wood screws will suffice and save money and time on the line. -Jason

[@lydiapawlak8564]

Well, as much as you pay for a pair, you would expect foil inductors, Auracaps, Mills resistors... It would smooth the sound out better, and have better midrange for sure. The old La Scala's I believe had metal squakers, and if this is metal, then put asphalt or some kind of heavy rubber material to damp that horn...

[@n3d.studio]

Cool, I have an old set of K400's and drivers. Really want to build a set of these.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! Would recommend buying whole as opposed to trying to build. Lots of things can go wrong along the way and Klipsch doesnt typically sell the components unless you have an existing speaker with an issue. -Jason

[@n3d.studio]

@@PaducahHomeTheaterTV really the components aren't high quality it's mostly the build and finish. the tweeters are easy to get and 15's.

[@ibshortie]

I have a pair from back in the '80s. The cabinets don't separate and there is no cover on the back. I went through a lot of tweeters back in the day. Fortunately, they were covered by warranty.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Yeah, we've worked on some of the earlier gens as well and they are different beasts for sure when it comes to replacements. Hopefully all of your tweeter replacements are behind you. :) -Jason

[@dtr2058]

I noticed a lot if not all of the internal wires are doubled up to a single terminal clip on the drivers, etc. Is this just a way of making the wiring equal a lower gauge? Is that for performance enhancements? I haven't noticed that on any of the other models you disassembled. Great video by the way.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

In the earlier versions in this generation of speakers/on the units that used audioquest internal wiring, you will see this. The audioquest wires are doubled/bi-wired. I believe this was the case in three of the 4 heritage disassembles so far. The Heresy, Cornwall, and this video. I think the Forte we took apart was a later version with standard wiring. Does this improve performance? I'll stick to a somewhat politically correct response of: you have some that swear by it, but I personally do not subscribe to that train of thought. Gotta stick to that PC answer because, if I go off on another tangent about it, I may never stop ;). Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@thanoskills7178]

Nice video .. could you please make a teardown/ disassembly video for Dolby Atmos speakers and compare it with normal bookshelf/ full range speakers... Thanks.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! I'm not sure we will have time to get into the teardown of anything else in this season but will keep this in mind as an option for next season! -Jason

[@martindavila2232]

Do you have a video for the Epic CF-3 ? Any upgrades for these? How can I get the most of the speakers?

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Unfortunately no. With a few exceptions, we are mostly tied to the current product line. Getting hands on older generations isn't always easy and sometimes not possible. If you have faulty drive components, there are several external sources where you can buy replacements. Some aftermarket and some original. I recommend trying to stick as close to the original as possible. -Jason

[@bblix]

High frequency and low frequency *inputs* on your crossover network ?? Interesting that the midrange driver is the same Atlas PD-5VH I use in my Leslie organ speaker :-)

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! Did I misspeak? Talking fast to provide as much info as possible so, sometimes it makes it past the brain, lips, and through the editing without catching. -Jason

[@HomeTheatre101]

Really appreciate the amount of detail that goes into building them!! Love the design!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

They are pretty aweseome...inside and out! -Jason

[@DrBroncanuus]

great video...thanks for the look inside ....Klipsch Jubilee V JBL Everest who would win ?

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Having never heard (and probably never will hear) the JBL, I'm going to say the Jub. I may be a bit bias though lol. They are truly amazing and I can't imagine anything else taking the win in a battle. That said, if nothing else, the bang for buck ratio is huge. While cost is pretty large on both...for the cost of one of the JBL, you can get a pair of Jubs and some decent power behind em. -Jason

[@ishok1534]

I have an old pair of Heresys in great condition. How would I go about getting them fitted with the latest components?

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Depending on which gen you have and what you're trying to upgrade, Klipsch at one point had upgrade kits available. You'll want to contact Klipsch customer service direct to see if its an option for you. -Jason

[@alelys66]

Fascinating how small the la scalas's tweeter is compared to the others 😅 but it is probably because it is 3-way, and are working at a higher hz 🤔

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Agreed! super interesting. That said, Different midrange, different crossover points. Different all around. :) -Jason

[@UltraReefReseller]

LaScala = Beast Mode!!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

100% :) -Jason

[@joyojoyo8]

disassembling the components like this.. will it void the warranty?

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Nope! In many cases if there is a warranty claim on a particular component, Klipsch will actually send the part as opposed to the whole speaker to avoid potential shipping mishaps. Now, if you accidentally shove a screwdriver through the driver---likely not going to be covered but...in most cases, not going to be an issue. :) -Jason

[@troysalter9625]

curious as to why such a small high frequency driver in comparison to the ither ones?

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Completely different mix when you get up to the LS. Different midrange, different crossover points. Different beast. :) -Jason

[@murraycoombes1134]

Hi what cables do you recommend for these speakers

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

We like the SVS Soundpath cables. That said, you're not going to notice a difference in sound or performance from the cables alone unless you are coming from something really poor in quality. I like/recommend these due to to the hardy nature of them. The lower price point helps too. Very no-nonsense kinda cable. -Jason

[@Tuberhead1000]

The Atlas PD 5VH mid is a PA application driver. The specs are not impressive. I wonder how much the Lascala could be improved by a suitable midrange?....Thanks for the detail disassembly!

[@thepragmatic6383]

In the late 70s and early 80s, my friends and I used to frequent a bar in Old Montreal, which played mostly rock music. The bar was equipped with McIntosch amplifier and preamp, connected to Klipsch La Scala suspended from the ceiling with chains. I remember the sound of these loudspeakers, when the DJ was playing Pink Floyd Money, School by Supertramp or Cocaine by Eric Clapton. Low frequencies seemed to pass through our entire body. But the best pieces of music to experience the sound of La Scala were certainly (Florentine Pogen or Andy by Frank Zappa). Zappa had a rather controversial musical style, which not everyone liked, but his label had a recording quality that few artists could afford.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching and for the story! It's difficult to comprehend for some but...these speakers don't just sound amazing...they trigger emotion and bring you back to live events and past memories. Love it. :) -Jason

[@stevieg2755]

Yeah I remember a bar with a small dancefloor her in FL and man they had a set of Altec 19 and I was amazed at them always wanted a set,

[@aubreymbewe]

Wow…

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@joesmith6524]

Klipsch in small rooms less power large large rooms lots of power!

[@glennjones6574]

hmmm. stamped steel instead of cast.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Hardly a revealing detail when we are dealing with a horn loaded bass bin where the woofer is barely being tickled, especially in a home speaker that isn't going to get banged around on the road in a pro audio environment which could potentially break a stamped frame, and especially in a design where the crossover point is 450 hz which is below the point where ringing of a stamped frame could potentially be an issue. Theoretically that happens above 500 hz and in reality it's more like over 1 khz. But yeah they look fancy for sure. -- Cory

[@1mctous]

Jeers to Klipsch for the iron core inductors and sand cast resistors (also inductors). At $13K/pr we should get ginormous air core inductors for the bass crossover and milled power resistors for everything else.

[@davevolz6138]

Well definitely not Wilsonsbut more like soeakers for the young or deaf.Like fine wine it’s an acquired thing

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Thanks for watching and for the input! -Jason

[@stevieg2755]

You guys sold Lascalas to Huff,he seems to cycle through gear like really quick

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Yeah but realistically speaking, that's what reviewers do, they don't hoard the stuff usually. :)

[@nicholasreeves5025]

So why has the foam been added to the woofer cavity compared to older La Scala’s?

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

The foam dampens higher frequencies and minimize cabinet vibration. -Jason

[@portal1214]

@@PaducahHomeTheaterTV Do you know what kind of foam this is or where I might be able to get some?

[@fahrradbang69]

That horn looks like the eiffel tower😫

[@davevolz6138]

So does the mid driver. As in “we we”.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

It's giant! haha -Jason

[@davevolz6138]

@@PaducahHomeTheaterTV Yeah, go look at a 2445.

[@deliman9710]

My dream is to own a pair of Hersey 4's but to broke lol.

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

You'll get em. Hang in there. :). Open box or B-stock is an option like Taco says. Keep in mind though, this changes the warranty terms but you can find some awesome deals. Hit Cory up and see if there are currently any B-Stocks at PHT. -Jason

[@deliman9710]

@@PaducahHomeTheaterTV I'm up in Canada and these are forever out of price range. $5grand all day.

[@nomorokay]

@@deliman9710 Sure, a pair of Heresy IVs are expensive, but consider Heresy IIs or IIIs. They’re much more affordable, plus Heritage Series speakers last for generations. Start checking out Canuck Audio Mart. I picked up two pairs of Heresy IIs from there. In one case, the guy needed the money to help pay for the La Scalas he had just bought, so I got a great deal.

[@gianromanigroup]

I will never understand why speakers builder use those crappy yellow caps and thin cables of industrial general purpose. Are they the best parts on the market? I don't think so. If I spend 5 grands for speakers I want serious capacitors and serious wires. I can tolerate those components inside my "cheap" JBL pro speakers, for 900 euros those components could be ok. But for higher level hifi speakers the producer should invest on better quality parts

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

So, you'd like the parts to be more expensive for the sake of being more expensive? If they sound great, last forever with extensive warranty backing, and do the job...Why would you need to go a different route? -Jason

[@nickthevoice]

Anybody know a good low budget replacement for the K-33 15 inch woofer ?

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Have you tried calling Klipsch? They may have a replacement in stock. If not, they will be able to suggest alternate options. -Jason

[@dab9742]

6:09 I don't understand the point of having doubled all the positive cables in the enclosure, it's perfectly the same voltage, the same intensity, the same signal, which transits in the + or in the -... Another snake oil job? Nice video, bravo and thank you!

[@PrinceWesterburg]

You can bet that the two cables are different types, one a finer litz, the other heavier or it could be that the cable they wanted wasn't available in the capacity they need and this reduced cable capacitance which would be noticable with a very high sensitivity horn system like this. Snake Oil - thats usually an explaination for a lack of education. There's a lot of stuff thats mystical unless you open a book and when you go to top end brands there's a reason they are top end. Beware the company that markets on one thing, like freq. res., dynamics, stereo image etc. If it can't do it all then don't buy!

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

Would have to speak with the engineer on the product to answer this in depth. Wiring is an interesting discussion. Moreover biwiring digs deeper into this rabbit-hole. In earlier models in this gen, Klipsch was working with all AudioQuest internal wiring. I believe there was a running change in this somewhere in the line though. -Jason

[@christophermaley6822]

Look VERY overpriced for the selected components ?? Big empty box and a pressed steel CHEAP looking 15" bass unit with small magnet ..... should be cast steel and much larger magnet and all CLIPPED on internal wiring that could easily come loose ? Def not worth the money ?? Looks like cheap Disco/Pa speaker. Come on Klipsch !!! UK

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

I don't think you're really understanding what that "big empty box" is actually doing here. Are you familiar with the concept of the folded horn LF? Have you even heard the LS? There is more to designing a speaker than having massive components.. -Jason

[@christophermaley6822]

@@PaducahHomeTheaterTV Jason , yes I know about folded horns from my DJ days where they use massive 15" and 18" bass units for power and efficiency and they often use expensive cast chassis and solidly made birch ply boxes too, all at reasonable prices ? HiFi speakers have been massively overpriced for many years now. For the price I would expect the K LS to use a CAST unit which is much better and a huge magnet ? Never heard any K's I must admit though there is pair on UK Ebay for £5K app. ? Chris UK

[@PaducahHomeTheaterTV]

@@christophermaley6822 So you're bashing an item that is intended to (and does) make great sound, based on pre-conceived notions that it *should* have more expensive and bigger components...when you've never heard them? Perhaps the units you're familiar with utilized these bigger and more expensive components to compensate, where better engineering could have gotten the same result with what you claim to be lesser materials. -Jason

[@christophermaley6822]

@@PaducahHomeTheaterTV Jason .....For that money ($13K, very expensive) they could (SHOULD) be using superior VOLT or PRECISION DEVICES die-cast basket 15" bass units in line with it's price point to make an even BETTER SOUND as many reviews refer to their lack of bass and need subs? Once again, I am aware that all High End speakers are massively overpriced and often use average, CHEAP components. That's not to criticise it's sound Jason, just that it could be MUCH better given the $13 K ( it's £13K in UK rrp) price point. Cannot believe they use a pressed steel (cheapo), flimsy 15" bass unit that you might find in a pair of cheap Disco speakers. Chris

[@KeithHeinrich]

@@christophermaley6822 for home use things only need to be good enough. For professional use where these things are getting flogged for hours at a time then sure industrial strength components are necessary. But I doubt very much anyone is going to be putting hundreds of watts through a pair of these in their living room for hours at a time.