In this review, we will be comparing Klipschorn 80th and La Scala AL5, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary and Klipsch La Scala AL5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary | Klipsch La Scala AL5 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | Compression Horn | 1" horn-loaded |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 15" Paper | 15" fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
|---|
| Frequency response | 34-20k Hz | 51-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 103 dB | 105 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 100-400 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 65.70kg / 144.5lbs | 91.36kg / 201lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 51-15/16" x 31-1/2" x 24"
1320.0 x 800.0 x 610.0mm | 40" x 24-1/4" x 25-5/16"
1016.0 x 616.0 x 643.0mm |
|---|
Klipschorn 80th and La Scala AL5 are members of Klipsch's Heritage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Heritage Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Klipschorn 80th is a 2-way design whereas the La Scala AL5 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th AnniversaryKlipsch La Scala AL5
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary |
Klipsch La Scala AL5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 15-inch
|
1 x 15-inch
|
Klipschorn 80th features a " K-692 with K-5-K aluminium horn Compression Horn Tweeter and 1 x 15" Paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350Hz. On the other hand, the La Scala AL5 features a 1" polyimide diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 1 x 15" fiber-composite cone with folded horn Woofer.
Frequency Response
Klipschorn 80th has a frequency range of 34-20k Hz whereas La Scala AL5 has a frequency range of 51-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 34Hz, the Klipschorn 80th can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the La Scala AL5's min frequency of 51Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Klipschorn 80th and La Scala AL5 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Klipschorn 80th sensitivity is rated at 103 dB and the La Scala AL5's is at 105 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch La Scala AL5 a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Klipschorn 80th can handle a max power of 400 watts RMS, whereas La Scala AL5 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 300 watts less than the Klipschorn 80th.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Klipschorn 80th and La Scala AL5 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary's and Klipsch La Scala AL5's external dimensions. Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary has external dimensions of 1320.0 x 800.0 x 610.0mm (51-15/16 x 31-1/2 x 24inch) whereas Klipsch La Scala AL5 has external dimensions of 1016.0 x 616.0 x 643.0mm (40 x 24-1/4 x 25-5/16inch).
Klipsch La Scala AL5 is 184mm narrower and 304mm shorter than Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary but it is also 33mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary needs about 23% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch La Scala AL5 is 33mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary is 304mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary is approximately 4880.0cm2 / 756.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch La Scala AL5 is approximately 3960.9cm2 / 613.9inch2. The Klipschorn 80th requires 23% more surface area than the La Scala AL5 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary weighs 65.70kg / 144.5lbs and the Klipsch La Scala AL5 weighs 91.36kg / 201lbs. This makes the La Scala AL5 39% heavier than the Klipschorn 80th.
Here is a comparison of how Klipschorn 80th and La Scala AL5's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary
What's in the Box of Klipsch La Scala AL5?
Here are the items that come with the La Scala AL5:
- 2 Loudspeaker cabinets
- 2 Subwoofer cabinets
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
 Max Input Power |
400 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
34 Hz
vs
51 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
105 dB
vs
103 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
1016mm
vs
1320mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
3960cm2
vs
4880cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
12998USD
vs
20000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary |
Klipsch Heritage La Scala AL5 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
100-400 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
103 dB |
105 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
34-20k Hz |
51-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Compression Horn |
horn-loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
2" |
| Crossover Frequency |
350Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1320.0mm (52") |
1016.0mm (40") |
| Width |
800.0mm (31.5") |
616.0mm (24.3") |
| Depth |
610.0mm (24") |
643.0mm (25.3") |
| Weight |
65.70kg (144.5lbs) |
91.36kg (201lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Horn Loaded |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
19 mm MDF with real wood veneer |
MDF/Woof veneer |
| Available Colors |
Tigerwood |
American Walnut, Black Ash, Natural Cherry |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
Siblings in Klipsch's Heritage series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary digs deeper - 34Hz against 51Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch La Scala AL5 is more sensitive (105dB vs 103dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary takes more power (400W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch La Scala AL5 is easier to place; Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | depends | Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary: bi-amping; Klipsch La Scala AL5: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Klipsch La Scala AL5 is cheaper - $12,998 against $20,000, about 35% less. |
A Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary B Klipsch La Scala AL5
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 54% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Klipsch La Scala AL5 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 51Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Klipsch La Scala AL5 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch Heritage Klipschorn 80th Anniversary has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch La Scala AL5 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.