In this review, we will be comparing kO-R2 and La Scala AL6, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 and Klipsch La Scala AL6 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 | Klipsch La Scala AL6 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | Compression Horn | 1" horn-loaded |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 3" |
|---|
| Woofer | 15" Paper | 12" fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
|---|
| Frequency response | 39-20k Hz | 40-19k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 97 dB | 103 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 300 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 54.65kg / 120.2lbs | 93.18kg / 205lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 45-1/2" x 25-3/8" x 22-1/4"
1156.0 x 645.0 x 565.0mm | 39.1" x 24.5" x 25.5"
994 x 622 x 647mm |
|---|
kO-R2 and La Scala AL6 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 kO-R2 is a 2-way design whereas the La Scala AL6 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 OJAS kO-R2Klipsch La Scala AL6
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 OJAS kO-R2 |
Klipsch La Scala AL6 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 15-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
kO-R2 features a " K-706 driver Compression Horn Tweeter and 1 x 15" Paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 760Hz. On the other hand, the 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.
Frequency Response
kO-R2 has a frequency range of 39-20k Hz whereas La Scala AL6 has a frequency range of 40-19k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the kO-R2 can go slightly deeper then the La Scala AL6's min frequency of 40Hz.
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
kO-R2 and La Scala AL6 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. kO-R2 sensitivity is rated at 97 dB and the La Scala AL6's is at 103 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch La Scala AL6 a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch OJAS kO-R2, 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.
kO-R2 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas La Scala AL6 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 200 watts less than the kO-R2.
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
La Scala AL6 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. kO-R2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/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 OJAS kO-R2's and Klipsch La Scala AL6's external dimensions. Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 has external dimensions of 1156.0 x 645.0 x 565.0mm (45-1/2 x 25-3/8 x 22-1/4inch) whereas Klipsch La Scala AL6 has external dimensions of 994 x 622 x 647mm (39/1 x 24.5 x 25.5inch).
Klipsch La Scala AL6 is 23mm narrower and 162mm shorter than Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 but it is also 82mm 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 La Scala AL6 needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch La Scala AL6 is 82mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 is 162mm 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 OJAS kO-R2 is approximately 3644.3cm2 / 564.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch La Scala AL6 is approximately 4024.3cm2 / 623.8inch2. The kO-R2 requires 9% less surface area than the La Scala AL6 which gives it a small advantage 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 OJAS kO-R2 weighs 54.65kg / 120.2lbs and the Klipsch La Scala AL6 weighs 93.18kg / 205lbs. This makes the La Scala AL6 71% heavier than the kO-R2.
Here is a comparison of how kO-R2 and La Scala AL6'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 come with the La Scala AL6:
- 2 Loudspeaker cabinets
- 2 Subwoofer cabinets
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.2 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
39 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
20k Hz
vs
19k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
3644cm2
vs
4024cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
8498USD
vs
14998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
103 dB
vs
97 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
994mm
vs
1156mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 |
Klipsch Heritage La Scala AL6 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 300 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
97 dB |
103 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
39-20k Hz |
40-19k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
12" |
| 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 |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
760Hz |
425Hz - 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1156.0mm (45.5") |
994.0mm (39.1") |
| Width |
645.0mm (25.4") |
622.0mm (24.5") |
| Depth |
565.0mm (22.2") |
647.0mm (25.5") |
| Weight |
54.65kg (120.2lbs) |
93.18kg (205lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Horn Loaded |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
13-ply Baltic birch plywood |
MDF/Woof veneer |
| Available Colors |
Red Oak, Hammertone |
American Auburn, Black Ash, American Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (39Hz vs 40Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch La Scala AL6 is more sensitive (103dB vs 97dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 takes more power (300W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | Klipsch La Scala AL6: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 is cheaper - $8,498 against $14,998, about 43% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 B Klipsch La Scala AL6
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 La Scala AL6 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 76% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Klipsch La Scala AL6 appeals to you. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch La Scala AL6 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $6,500 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.