Absolutely love the Klipsch Heritage series, especially the Khorns and LaScala's, the latter of which I've had much more experience with. Have not heard the newer versions of the Heritage speakers, but certainly improved wiring is a plus. I think the AA crossover and metal horns are excellent though and see no reason to change either. They have spoiled me to the sound of diaphragm speakers, which now just sound like amplified music to my ears and in my systems. Klipsch horn speakers, combined well with tube amplification create a sound that is far more lifelike and atmospheric to my ears than any diaphragm speaker I've heard. To almost anyone who comes into my studio the effect is quite striking as it sounds very lifelike and musical. Just don't pair them off with SS amplification (IMO). Some electrostatics have been as engaging in a different way, but no diaphragm speakers have grabbed me that way. That said, I've not listened to many high-end diaphragms costing more than $4000 so keep that in mind when weighing my opinion. It therefore does not really address your question fully and I'd defer to those who've done more direct comparisons of more sophisticated diaphragm speakers (read: more expensive) to give you a more thorough answer there. I do agree with many here that the sound is quite satisfying and Paul Klipsch was most certainly a genius to think that speakers he designed over fifty years ago can still hold up against far more modern designs and are still being produced and sold today.
I just recently made a huge consession to my wife. I moved my SET/LaScala system that is listed as my home system here on A'gon over to my studio (where I actually listen more often, and is a much better listening space than the small room I use at home). I brought my more modest tube system home (Push/Pull KT88 Mini-Mites with Heresy's [same mid and tweet as the Khorn/LaScala]). The sound at home now was immediately compromised by the room, but remained quite engaging in spite of that. The older vintage Klipsch look was part of what my wife objected too, so I happily obliged by taking advantage of a sale that Underwood was having on the well-reviewed Soliloquy 5.3 floor standers. Gorgeous little speakers by the way. Installed them at home and have put around 200 hours on them of break-in time. They say they really need 400-500 to really open up. I can tell you that, after listening to horns and tubes for many years now, these speakers are still leaving me cold and unengaged combined with my system in my small room. Could be the break-in, the synergy, and or the room, but I can tell you they don't even hold a candle to the SET + Scala combination at my work system. They are even bested by the little Heresy's in the same system and room. Any suggestions would be most welcome to improve the sound, but off topic to this thread I guess. Once I really break these in I'll start another thread.
Marco
