3 Way Eliptrac Horn Klipsch La Scalas

[Full Range]

Thought it was about time I posted a thread about my recent speaker acquisition

Speakers - Klipsch La Scala - Highly Modified

3 way Horn

Originally built by fellow SNA member Sootshe and purchased by me Jan 2014

These speaker cabinets are built to Klipsch blueprint plans with added bracing and double wall back and sides for extra strength and dampening

Built in plywood and wood veneer with added Timber Eliptrac 400 Mid Horn

And a bass bin under

For my part in this build - I have continued to tweak and modify on the fringes to get the best sound possible for my listening room and after many tweaks and lots of listening and 3 months later I believe I have achieved Nirvana

More on the tweaks in following posts

Here is a cutaway view drawing of the speaker and bass bin construction

Edited April 13, 2014 by Full Range

[Full Range]

I suppose you are all wondering what do these Klipsch La Scalas look like all set up

Well I will post some photos for you to look at while I continue to post specs of the build also drivers and components used in this construction

[Full Range]

Although the construction is to Klipsch spec it has been modified to enhance its performance and flexibility

First mod was to add extra bracing by way of using a double layer of ply on the sides and back and braces to the bass horn side walls

Second mod was to separate the single cabinet construction to a double separate cabinet configuration

Drivers used as as follows

Woofers - Crites - CW1526C 15 inch cast alloy

Mid Range - Great Plains Audio - GPA 399 Compression driver ( These are made by Altec Lansing )

Fitted to a pair of Eliptrac 400 timber mid range horns

Tweeters - JBL 2404H “Baby Cheeks†tweeters.

Crossovers used are

ALK Universal crossovers with tweeter attenuators

Edited April 13, 2014 by Full Range

[Full Range]

These are the specs and measurements for the Eliptrac 400 horn ( sourced from the maker )

A truly versatile and wonderfully sounding horn - ( a new larger model has recently been developed the Eliptrac 240 )

http://mysite.verizon.net/res12il11/id107.html

[Full Range]

My tweaks were experiments in

Hook up wire, insulation, sound-wave optimisation in the dog box section ( bass ) , separating & coupling of the two cabinet sections

The two cabinet sections of the base and mid range were originally placed on top of each other (timber to timber )

I elected to separate and couple them with some Made in Germany - Alto Extremo feet - 3 per Mid range unit

[Full Range]

I went through a few but simple dog box ( bass ) tweaks

And after many many hours of listening and getting second opinions I settled for this

Normally unnecessary but due to the addition of the bass box section I felt it prudent to help the sound waves as much as I can

First I sourced from Spotlight (a craft type shop) some styrofoam cones of a suitable size to fit inside the cavity and attached them to the back of the driver magnet ( think aerodynamics )

At first I wasn't sure if this tweak would work but listening tests confirmed that it made a difference in a wholesome way to the sound and especially tighter bass

[Full Range]

I then proceeded to rework the insulation inside the bass bin section

The previous owner had it fully lined with fabric covered fibreglass insulation

This was carefully removed and vacuumed cleaned to give me a blank canvas to work with

Sound testing without insulation was first tried to get a ball park idea of what was required and it displayed some reverberations in bass output

I used my go to motor room insulation that I have had success with on my other speaker builds

The only sections that were insulated was the - sides, back and top ceiling area with the bottom and front left bare

Also a couple of insulation strips at the port pipe entrance and finally added recently some 400mm X 200mm plastic air balloons 3 per tube

The difference this mod has done to bass delivery and definition is nothing short of amazing

First photo is the before tweak

Edited April 13, 2014 by Full Range

[Full Range]

I have recently purchased from another SNA member a set of ALK Design AP12-600 + AP15-6000 Crossovers http://www.alkeng.com to give me some flexibility in tweaking the mid range driver and tweeter with separate hard wired selectable attenuators

And of course ( knowing me ) I had to tweak these as well - but only a small one for now

The tweak was an upgrade from standard resistors to a set of hand made Duelund Cast graphite silver resistors http://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/duelund_cast_resistors.html

Photos of before and after

[Full Range]

For my next tweak I need to enlist help from a local Brisbane SNAer that has electronics experience to be paid in superb award winning coffee and conversation

Help is required to rebuild the the ALK design universal crossovers to ALK AP12-500 & AP12-6000 configurations

I have all the parts and schematics - all the parts from capacitors to hand wound coils are of superior quality and will finish off the speakers to the highest standard

PM me if you are up to the challenge

[unclemack]

Impressive stuff mate,

 

Always liked the Klipsch and am fascinated with the changes you've made to the original design. If I ever get to Qld, I'll be coming for a listen.

 

Cheers

 

M

[Full Range]

Now I am ready to field all your questions

But before that here are a few photos of the components that drive these speakers just for good measure

Edited April 13, 2014 by Full Range

[Full Range]

Impressive stuff mate,

 

Always liked the Klipsch and am fascinated with the changes you've made to the original design. If I ever get to Qld, I'll be coming for a listen.

 

Cheers

 

M

I also like you're builds - and give me a shout if you visit the Sunshine State

[Guest atilsley]

Way cool project...everything I love about horns.

 

The eliptrac horns are one of the very best...the ALK xovers also top notch.

 

Well done.

[Full Range]

Way cool project...everything I love about horns.

The eliptrac horns are one of the very best...the ALK xovers also top notch.

Well done.

There is a new larger Eliptrac Horn now available the 240 and I was thinking how it would suit your horn build

Here is a photo of the two the Eliptrac 400 on top and the 240 below

I have been contemplating on an upgrade - but Dave ( the builder/designer ) said that he wouldn't change a thing about my set up

Edited April 13, 2014 by Full Range

[Full Range]

I hope all can see the rear of the timber horn as it is fitted inside the cabinet

The horn exterior has bituminous paint applied to it for sound deadening

It started its life as cut panels on a CNC machine

Here is a link of the assembly / build process - http://mysite.verizon.net/res12il11/id111.html

Just a few photos for members to use as a visual reference

Edited April 13, 2014 by Full Range

[Guest atilsley]

I have the 340hz azura, which I love. I came close to buying dave's eliptrac earlier.

With the bigger horn, you could even use a small paper driver for a lowish 300hz.

How's the bass with the extended bottom cab?

[Full Range]

I have the 340hz azura, which I love. I came close to buying dave's eliptrac earlier.

With the bigger horn, you could even use a small paper driver for a lowish 300hz.

How's the bass with the extended bottom cab?

The soundstage of the Eliptrac Horn coupled to the other components is brilliant - the speakers are lost and the whole room is enveloped in sound - This horn is a brilliant design

Re Bass cabinet

Although I don't have measuring equipment to give you a definitive number

My ears and senses tell me that it easily gets to below 30 htz ( The Crites bass driver is rated @ 26 htz )

However after the cab tweaks - the bass produced is so crisp & fast, very defined without muddiness

[Guest atilsley]

The soundstage of the Eliptrac Horn coupled to the other components is brilliant - the speakers are lost and the whole room is enveloped in sound - This horn is a brilliant design

Re Bass cabinet

Although I don't have measuring equipment to give you a definitive number

My ears and senses tell me that it easily gets to below 30 htz ( The Crites bass driver is rated @ 26 htz )

However after the cab tweaks - the bass produced is so crisp & fast, very defined without muddiness

Thanks...great to hear.

 

Before I embarked on the large mid bass 'azura', I looked at a few other bass options, including the La Scala.

[Full Range]

I took the grills off and have taken the opportunity to take a few photos of the horn mouth and the bracing

Just to paint a picture for the minds eye of some bass ( dog box due to its shape ) build details

The driver faces towards the back and the sound waves are compressed in a small internal rectangular chamber before exiting past a cut slit at the rear

The sound waves are then directed to the horn chamber via triangular baffles top & bottom to exit towards the front to the listener - I have found a photo of this on the internet to post for visual reference

[Steve M]

Re Bass cabinet

Although I don't have measuring equipment to give you a definitive number

My ears and senses tell me that it easily gets to below 30 htz ( The Crites bass driver is rated @ 26 htz )

However after the cab tweaks - the bass produced is so crisp & fast, very defined without muddiness

 

 

Awesome looking project, Paul! I bet it sounds fab ...

 

Good to see that you have taken a different approach (Bass Reflex loading) with the bass bin, than the original Klipsch La Scala, and that yours produces below 30 Hz. When I had an original pair of Klipsch Belle which is a La Scala in a nicely finished cabinet, the most annoying thing about it was the poor bass that it produced. A sort of one-noted 50-60Hz bass that intruded on the vocal range in an unpleasant boom-y way. I tried room treatments and adding a subwoofer to give it a lower range, but the annoying one noted bass from the horn bass still remained.

 

Is the Eliptrac mid horn basically an elliptical Tractrix Horn? I might be interested in one for my Edgar Horn set-up.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Steve.

[Full Range]

Awesome looking project, Paul! I bet it sounds fab ...

 

Good to see that you have taken a different approach (Bass Reflex loading) with the bass bin, than the original Klipsch La Scala, and that yours produces below 30 Hz. When I had an original pair of Klipsch Belle which is a La Scala in a nicely finished cabinet, the most annoying thing about it was the poor bass that it produced. A sort of one-noted 50-60Hz bass that intruded on the vocal range in an unpleasant boom-y way. I tried room treatments and adding a subwoofer to give it a lower range, but the annoying one noted bass from the horn bass still remained.

 

Is the Eliptrac mid horn basically an elliptical Tractrix Horn? I might be interested in one for my Edgar Horn set-up.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Steve.

Hi Steve the building work on these speakers was performed or commissioned by SNA member @@sootshe

For my part I have tweaked them to suit my components and room

The Eliptrac horn was developed over on the Klipsch forum by a couple of enthusiasts and help from Klipsch

I am not sure how they would compare to the Tractrix Horn but @@sootshe opted for the Eliptrac Horn after trying one or two other types ( see photo )

When I spoke to him he basically said that the Eliptrac surpassed the previous horns

I have them sounding superbly at present

With only the high spec crossover upgrade still to go - This I believe will kick it up a notch even though the sound is superb now, and I can't complain

[Newman]

Very impressive project, thanks for sharing. My initial thought was that this is not a La Scala, nor will it sound like one. Not any more. It should be much better.

[acg]

Yes, thanks for sharing Paul, I too am very impressed.  Would like to hear these one day.

 

Cheers,

 

Anthony

[Steve M]

Thanks Paul, your photo at Post #21 is showing the Tractrix horn that I use in my Edgar Horn set-up. Sounds hopeful that the Eliptrac exceeds that, how much is the 400Hz Eliptrac and where do you get them from?

 

Cheers,

 

Steve.

Edited April 14, 2014 by Steve M

[Full Range]

Thanks Paul, your photo at Post #21 is showing the Tractrix horn that I use in my Edgar Horn set-up. Sounds hopeful that the Eliptrac exceeds that, how much is the 400Hz Eliptrac and where do you get them from?

 

Cheers,

 

Steve.

Have a look at Daves site - http://mysite.verizon.net/res12il11/id144.html

This will give you all the options on the kits available