In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers. Wharfedale Heritage Centre is a Center Channel speaker whereas the La Scala AL5 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Heritage Centre and Klipsch La Scala AL5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Heritage Centre | Klipsch La Scala AL5 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" horn-loaded |
|---|
| Midrange | 2" | 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6-1/2" | 15" fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
|---|
| Frequency response | 54-20k Hz | 51-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 105 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.03kg / 30.9lbs | 91.36kg / 201lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-7/8" x 21-11/16" x 12-7/16"
251.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm | 40" x 24-1/4" x 25-5/16"
1016.0 x 616.0 x 643.0mm |
|---|
Heritage Centre and La Scala AL5 are members of Klipsch's Heritage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale Heritage Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Heritage Centre and La Scala AL5 are 3-way speakers.
Wharfedale Heritage CentreKlipsch 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 |
Wharfedale Heritage Centre |
Klipsch La Scala AL5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2-inch |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-1/2-inch
|
1 x 15-inch
|
Heritage Centre features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 2 x 6-1/2" Woofer. 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
Heritage Centre has a frequency range of 54-20k Hz whereas La Scala AL5 has a frequency range of 51-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the La Scala AL5 can go slightly deeper then the Heritage Centre's min frequency of 54Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
Heritage Centre is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the La Scala AL5 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Heritage Centre sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the La Scala AL5's is rated at 105 dB. This 15 dB difference makes the Klipsch La Scala AL5 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Heritage Centre, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
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.
Wharfedale Heritage Centre
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
La Scala AL5 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Heritage Centre has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/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 Wharfedale Heritage Centre's and Klipsch La Scala AL5's external dimensions. Wharfedale Heritage Centre has external dimensions of 251.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm (9-7/8inch x 21-11/16inch x 12-7/16inch) 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 clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 65mm wider, 765mm taller and 327mm deeper than Wharfedale Heritage Centre.
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 AL5 needs about 127% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch La Scala AL5 is 327mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch La Scala AL5 is 765mm 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 Wharfedale Heritage Centre is approximately 1741.2cm2 / 269.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch La Scala AL5 is approximately 3960.9cm2 / 613.9inch2. The Heritage Centre requires 56% less surface area than the La Scala AL5 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Heritage Centre?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Heritage Centre:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive feet
- Pair of white gloves
- User's Manual
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