shaking my head in disbelief

[Rontech1]

I was on the Klipsch websight yesterday and saw they have a LaScala 2 model out. I wanted to see/hear one so I went to the dealer locator. Found one fairly close to me here in Central IL and gave them a call. A guy ( sounded quite young) got on the phone and I asked him if they stocked the Heritage line of Klipsch speakers as the locator said they did at Klipsch. He had no idea what the Heritage line was. He told me he had to " get to the computer to check because he normally works in the car stereo dept"
He finally found a picture of the LaScala/LaScala2 and said " No we don't have those. Dude, those look speakers for people that listen to music! The ones we have are in the wall for home theater. I guess you could use those for home theater though."
I thanked him for his time, hung up and stared into space shaking my head. :rolleyes:
Maybe I am getting old.

[silversport]

aren't we all...it is sad though...Simply Stereo in Hoffman Estates (but that is Northern Illinois) has Heritage in stock...I haven't found anyone else...most stock just the Reference...
Good luck,
Bill

[Celt]

Nothing surprises me anymore. :sigh:

[Whatever1]

Join the club... I ran into the same problem. While in Virginia I checked the website and found manu "stocking" dealers. When I called I was told they are to big to stock we can order them.

[rcarlton]

No Heritage speakers in Dallas, Texas even. I had to go to the factory in Hope to hear the Heritage line.

[pmsummer]

Klipsch has (for whatever reasons) lost their "heritage" dealer base. I realize many have gone belly-up since the glory days, but I can't help but think Klipsch's foray into mass market merchandise made in China has damaged their credibility on the high end.

But then, that's also why they are still in business.

[SPEAKERNUTT]

I was lucky enough to find a dealer with a pair of Lascala II's. It was Georgia Home Theater is Atlanta. The pair was being driven by a pair of Mcintosh tube amps.
Even though the Lascalas sounded great as ever they really sounded almost identical to regular Lascalas (of which I owned priar to buying Khorns). The biggest change were much nicer looking cabinets.

[Grey.Coupe]

Your point is right on, though. In an effort to appeal to a wider audience and build revenues, Klipsch has spread itself 'way too thin--both in product lines and in distribution network. Not that managing either is easy.

Dealing with the auto-audio segment is worthwhile, but those dealers shouldn't get anywhere representing heritage or high end high fidelity. Different crowd [in most cases], different demo entirely.

I hope Klipsch will decide what they want to be when they grow up, and stick with that. $89 computer satellite speakers to new generations of Cornwalls and K-Horns is a wider straddle than any company can credibly achieve.

[pmsummer]

I hope Klipsch will decide what they want to be when they grow up, and stick with that. $89 computer satellite speakers to new generations of Cornwalls and K-Horns is a wider straddle than any company can credibly achieve.

IMHO Klipsch should "spin off" the Heritage Line, closely identify it with Hope, use the old logos exclusively with the Heritage Line, and develop a separate dealer/distributor network.

The 60th Anniversary K-Horns showed they still have what it takes, but it can't help sales to have plastic "Klipsch" speakers being sold at Best Buy and Costco.

[silversport]

Why is that??? Won't SOME people see these speakers and possibly "graduate" up to the larger when they want more??? Perhaps they will find places like here and the Klipschforum and purchase more...I bought my kg2s new in 1989...then I found Klipschforum and here and was thoroughly infected with the Heritage (mostly) bug...
a pair of Heresys, another pair of Heresys...KSF-S5s for rear surrounds in the HT...a stillborn KLF-C7 then an Academy...Klipschorns completely rebuilt with the new AK-4 networks and drivers (all new)...Quartets and then RB-5s...even 2 sets of those plastic fantastic ProMedia Ultra 2.0s from Bet Buy no less...;)
Bill

[pmsummer]

Bill,

My suggestion would be for a "consumer" (Best Buy) line, and Elite Line (RF etc.), and the Heritage Line. Consumer and Elite could have overlap, and Elite and Heritage could share showrooms...but not with Consumer. And they need a Heritage/High Elite DEDICATED sales force.

If they can't get get dealers to handle the product, they aren't going to move enough of it to warrant it.

From what I heard, the Heritage line would have gone away if it wasn't for the European (and Asian less so) market.

[silversport]

very true...I must have misunderstood your earlier post...'cuz I totally agree...didn't know about the Heritage line and the Europeans and Asian markets being so strong...thanks,
Bill

[pmsummer]

Bill,

Think of it as a "Scion, Toyota, Lexus" relationship/model.

[silversport]

Got it and good analogy...they can all coexist but should have separate sales cheerleaders...then maybe we would see some Heritage dealers with visible stock! (there are some but I wish I could view full range as we did in the '80s and before...was nice to be able to travel to many shops and see ALL the Heritage models and all you had to do was decide on your price and the wood composition. :) )
Bill

[SPL db]

Who needs to spend all that money on LaScala II's when all you need is a pair of $50 Best Buy Insignia's? :D

Scott ---> Runs and ducks for cover! :para:

[MitsuMan]

I was on the Klipsch websight yesterday and saw they have a LaScala 2 model out. I wanted to see/hear one so I went to the dealer locator. Found one fairly close to me here in Central IL and gave them a call. A guy ( sounded quite young) got on the phone and I asked him if they stocked the Heritage line of Klipsch speakers as the locator said they did at Klipsch. He had no idea what the Heritage line was. He told me he had to " get to the computer to check because he normally works in the car stereo dept"
He finally found a picture of the LaScala/LaScala2 and said " No we don't have those. Dude, those look speakers for people that listen to music! The ones we have are in the wall for home theater. I guess you could use those for home theater though."
I thanked him for his time, hung up and stared into space shaking my head. :rolleyes:
Maybe I am getting old.

Wanna share the name so I don't waste my time attempting to patronize this "dealer."
:D

[Cleve]

Klipsch has real problems with their dealer network. I haven't checked in a couple years, but I believe it's "the impossible dream" to find a dealer anywhere in New York State (other than maybe the Big Apple) where Heritage speakers are on display, and ready for audition.

And yes, as many have pointed out, their product line is too diverse, too spread out, for any reasonably sized retailer to stock. And the cheapening of their product via China doesn't help their image either.

Some companies successfully front "two" lines - John Deere for instance - they have the cheaper, light duty lawn tractors they sell at Lowes, Home Depot, et al. Then they have their "real" heavy duty lawn equipment that's sold only by John Deere dealers.

But Klipsch - they've spread their "Reference" speakers into multiple tiers - and they change model numbers every year or two it seems - even I've lost track of their current product line.

I honestly think that Klipsch needs to trim its product line - substantially - and aggressively manage its dealers to ensure that their entire product line is available for audition in major markets.

[pmsummer]

Amy,

Are you passing this on?

;-)

[Whatever1]

Whicj ones are made in China ???

[pmsummer]

Whicj ones are made in China ???

The plastic ones you get at Best Buy.

[silversport]

The (new) Synergy series and some of the Reference (lower models) as well as the computer speakers...
Bill

[Reel 2 Reel]

what was the last speaker that Paul himself designed and produced?....

[Soundthought]

Last designed but never put into production....Jubilee.

Before that... the RF7 was truely the last he had a hand in designing/producing.

[Reel 2 Reel]

I thought it was sonething that had a name and not a number..... :scratch2:

[Soundthought]

Yeah Gary, it was the Jubilee.
It was his baby, but from I understand, was never put into production because of low demand/high overheard concerns.
He was able to show it off at CES (I think) just shortly before his passing.

They are some pics floating around with him standing next to it, leaning on it, and generally showing it off.
It is a beautiful peice.

Though.....the RF7 was (from what I recall) the last flagship speaker to ever have had his input as far as design goes.
Of course, at that time, he was semi-retired, but they apparently couldn't keep him out of the office.

Such was the case with PWK.
Always working.....

The RF7s are great speakers. IMO
I have mine in my livingroom HT with my '57 Khorns flanking them on either side.
Good stuff. :)
.
Old school vs. new school.
There is almost a 50 year difference between them.
Funny thing is though....they are my 2 favorite sets.
How strange is that?

[BECtoo]

Actually, the Jubilee is being produced as a Pro model. A couple of Klipsch forum members have recently purchased pairs of them.

Bob Crites

[silversport]

go there and see them...it will blow your mind!
Bill

[Coytee]

Howdy Bob/Bill... Been LONG time since I've been here.

Found this thread & thought I'd post these pics up so you can see what they're talking about.

My FAVORITE of them all, is the pic of the Jubilee in the anechoic chamber. Some thought it was a fake picture when I first posted it, but I think they've since realized it's legit.

:D

[BECtoo]

Howdy Bob/Bill... Been LONG time since I've been here.

Found this thread & thought I'd post these pics up so you can see what they're talking about.

My FAVORITE of them all, is the pic of the Jubilee in the anechoic chamber. Some thought it was a fake picture when I first posted it, but I think they've since realized it's legit.

:D

Looking good Coytee. We should now talk about a good passive crossover for those Jubs.

Bob

[silversport]

very nice...thanks for sharing the pics...
Bill

[jt1stcav]

I would still love to see a consumer Jubilee put into production someday, even if limited quanities are the only means possible.

Hey, after being discontinued for 20 some-odd years, the Cornwall IIIs have been resurrected...stranger things have happened, and the consumer Jubilee just might become a reality someday. :yes:

[silversport]

...and it looks gorgeous!
Bill

[whoaru99]

Perhaps it's as simple as less people wanting refrigerator-sized speakers dominating their living room?

[bentpencil]

Perhaps it's as simple as less people wanting refrigerator-sized speakers dominating their living room?
That isn't fair. "Dishwasher" is more accurate! :thmbsp:

[silversport]

...until you listen to them...then they just disappear!
Bill

[gonzp]

Perhaps it's as simple as less people wanting refrigerator-sized speakers dominating their living room?

You mean the Bose (Bloze)crowd?

[whoaru99]

This was not meant as any kind of slam, just an opinion.

And no, I didn't mean just the Bose crowd. I think it's a general statement of fact - not that many people are into huge speakers these days. Blame it on Bose, blame it on sat/sub combos, sly marketing, stupid people, LCD/Plasma tvs, whatever; doesn't change the reality of the situation, IMO.

[pmsummer]

This was not meant as any kind of slam, just an opinion.


I don't think anyone took it as a slam. Those of us who live with "compact" refrigerator sized speakers know the problems.

I've tucked mine into the corners of my room, and placed glass on top so that SWMBO can "accessorize" them to her satisfaction. :thmbsp:

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/441/cornhomego7.jpg

[bentpencil]

Perhaps it's as simple as less people wanting refrigerator-sized speakers dominating their living room?
Even though I made a joke also, I think there is more truth to it than meets the eye. I know for a fact that all of the new homes that are being built in the valley here, that are between 1800 and 2200 sq ft., are 5 bedroom ,3 bath, living room, dining room, family room, office, etc. etc., with all the rooms about the size of a two seater outhouse. I've been in a few, and a 52"CRT TV will take up a full wall and part of a doorway. No room for the big stuff!!!

[Guido Sansui]

...until you listen to them...then they just disappear!
Bill

Hear Hear....... :thmbsp:

[victor_c26]

Well, I don't know about your age ;) but the guy was an idiot.

According to him, all a speaker is good for now-a-days is for home theater use? Logic wasn't on his side.