In this review, we will be comparing La Scala AL6 and La Scala AL5, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch La Scala AL6 and Klipsch La Scala AL5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch La Scala AL6 | Klipsch La Scala AL5 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" horn-loaded | 1" horn-loaded |
|---|
| Midrange | 3" | 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" fiber-composite cone with folded horn | 15" fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40-19k Hz | 51-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 103 dB | 105 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 93.18kg / 205lbs | 91.36kg / 201lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 39.1" x 24.5" x 25.5"
994 x 622 x 647mm | 40" x 24-1/4" x 25-5/16"
1016.0 x 616.0 x 643.0mm |
|---|
La Scala AL6 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.
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Drivers
Both La Scala AL6 and La Scala AL5 are 3-way speakers.
Klipsch La Scala AL6Klipsch 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 La Scala AL6 |
Klipsch La Scala AL5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3-inch |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 15-inch
|
La Scala AL6 features a 1" polyimide diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 1 x 12" fiber-composite cone with folded horn Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 425Hz - 2900Hz. 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
La Scala AL6 has a frequency range of 40-19k Hz whereas La Scala AL5 has a frequency range of 51-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the La Scala AL6 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
La Scala AL6 and La Scala AL5 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. La Scala AL6 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 La Scala AL6, 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.
La Scala AL6 and La Scala AL5 have the same power range of up to 100 watts.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both La Scala AL6 and La Scala AL5 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Klipsch La Scala AL6's Binding post terminals allows 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 La Scala AL6's and Klipsch La Scala AL5's external dimensions. Klipsch La Scala AL6 has external dimensions of 994 x 622 x 647mm (39/1 x 24.5 x 25.5inch) 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 6mm narrower and 4mm less deeper than Klipsch La Scala AL6 but it is also 22mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch La Scala AL6 and Klipsch La Scala AL5 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch La Scala AL6 and Klipsch La Scala AL5 Size and External Dimensions
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 La Scala AL6 is approximately 4024.3cm2 / 623.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch La Scala AL5 is approximately 3960.9cm2 / 613.9inch2. The La Scala AL6 requires 2% 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 La Scala AL6 weighs 93.18kg / 205lbs and the Klipsch La Scala AL5 weighs 91.36kg / 201lbs. This makes the La Scala AL6 2% heavier than the La Scala AL5.
Here is a comparison of how La Scala AL6 and La Scala AL5's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch La Scala AL6?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of La Scala AL6:
- 2 Loudspeaker cabinets
- 2 Subwoofer cabinets
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
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
 Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
51 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
994mm
vs
1016mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
105 dB
vs
103 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
20k Hz
vs
19k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
3960cm2
vs
4024cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
12998USD
vs
14998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage La Scala AL6 |
Klipsch Heritage La Scala AL5 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
103 dB |
105 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
40-19k Hz |
51-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
horn-loaded |
horn-loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3" |
2" |
| Crossover Frequency |
425Hz - 2900Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
994.0mm (39.1") |
1016.0mm (40") |
| Width |
622.0mm (24.5") |
616.0mm (24.3") |
| Depth |
647.0mm (25.5") |
643.0mm (25.3") |
| Weight |
93.18kg (205lbs) |
91.36kg (201lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF/Woof veneer |
MDF/Woof veneer |
| Available Colors |
American Auburn, Black Ash, American Walnut |
American Walnut, Black Ash, Natural Cherry |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 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 La Scala AL6 digs deeper - 40Hz against 51Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch La Scala AL5 is more sensitive (105dB vs 103dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | depends | Klipsch La Scala AL6: bi-amping; Klipsch La Scala AL5: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Klipsch La Scala AL5 is cheaper - $12,998 against $14,998, about 13% less. |
A Klipsch La Scala AL6 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. 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. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch La Scala AL5 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.