Klipsch’s Heritage speakers, side by side. Here is the La Scala AL6 alongside the Cornwall IV and La Scala AL6, showing where it sits in the range.

The La Scala AL5 is the most uncompromising, physically commanding single-cabinet speaker in Klipsch’s Heritage series. Originally designed in 1963 as a public address speaker for a gubernatorial candidate, it has spent the last six decades proving that nothing sounds quite like a fully horn-loaded loudspeaker. Unlike the Cornwall or Forte, which use direct-radiating woofers, every single driver in the La Scala—including the massive 15-inch woofer—is mated to a horn. The result is a speaker with an astonishing 105dB sensitivity, capable of delivering the visceral, uncompressed dynamic impact of a live concert into your living room.

Brief product overview

A three-way, fully horn-loaded floorstander featuring a 1-inch K-771 neodymium tweeter and a 2-inch K-55-X polyimide diaphragm midrange, both mated to high-efficiency Tractrix and exponential horns. Low frequencies are handled by a heavy-duty 15-inch K-33-E fiber-composite cone woofer, completely hidden inside a folded-horn bass enclosure. Because the entire frequency range is horn-loaded, sensitivity is a staggering 105dB with an 8-ohm nominal impedance. Bass response extends to 51Hz, and power handling is 100 watts continuous, 400 watts peak. The cabinet is split into two sections—the high-frequency top enclosure and the folded-horn bass bin—and is handcrafted in Hope, Arkansas, featuring book-matched wood veneers and premium bi-wire/bi-amp binding posts. It is an immense piece of furniture, measuring 97.8 x 61.6 x 64.1 cm and weighing 91 kg.

How it sounds

Stunningly fast, dynamic, and live. The La Scala AL5 is the closest you can get to having a live band in your listening room. Because the 15-inch woofer is horn-loaded rather than direct-radiating, bass transients have a start-stop precision that is unmatched by conventional ported designs. While its 51Hz roll-off means it does not reproduce subterranean rumble, the mid-bass punch is incredibly tactile, hitting your chest with the physical force of a live drum kit. At 105dB sensitivity, the speaker responds instantly to micro-dynamics, requiring only a fraction of a watt to reach concert levels. The music never feels sluggish or restrained; it simply explodes into the room with breathtaking transparency and effortless scale.

What we’d partner it with

With 105dB sensitivity, the La Scala demands the finest, quietest amplification possible, as it will brutally reveal the noise floor of lesser electronics. The McIntosh MA2375 is a breathtaking partner: a pure, all-analog vacuum tube integrated amplifier delivering 75 watts per channel from four KT88 output tubes. While 75 watts is practically infinite power for the La Scala, the MA2375’s Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformers and tube warmth impart a lush, full-bodied richness that perfectly balances the hyper-revealing nature of the fully horn-loaded Klipsch.

For the digital source, the McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC completes the system both acoustically and aesthetically. Its quad-balanced, 32-bit DAC architecture delivers an ultra-low noise floor and pristine resolution into the MA2375’s analog inputs, while effortlessly handling all major streaming protocols.

For analogue playback, the mass-loaded Pro-Ject Signature 10 turntable offers an exceptional mechanical foundation. Paired with the Hana Umami Blue MC (Moving Coil) cartridge, it extracts exquisite detail and warmth from the groove, plugging straight into the MA2375’s built-in, highly capable MC phono stage.

Who shouldn’t buy it

If you listen exclusively to bass-heavy electronic music or home cinema and demand deep sub-bass frequencies below 40Hz, the La Scala’s folded horn will leave you wanting; the Cornwall IV or a dedicated high-end subwoofer would serve you better. Its sheer physical size is also a serious commitment—each speaker takes up the floor space of a washing machine and weighs 91 kg. Finally, its ultra-high 105dB sensitivity is a double-edged sword: if you feed it poor-quality recordings or connect it to a noisy amplifier, the La Scala will mercilessly amplify every flaw in the signal chain.

The La Scala AL6 is fully horn-loaded, meaning there are no rear ports to worry about; however, due to its physical footprint and wide dispersion, you should still pull it slightly away from corners and toe it in aggressively so the midrange horns fire directly at your listening position. The McIntosh MA2375 relies on vacuum tubes and generates significant heat—do not enclose it in a media cabinet; give it plenty of open air above the chassis and allow roughly 20 minutes for the tubes to warm up before critical listening. Connect the McIntosh DS200 to the MA2375 using high-quality balanced XLR cables to maintain the lowest possible noise floor. For vinyl playback, connect the Pro-Ject Signature 10 directly into the MA2375’s dedicated MC (Moving Coil) input, ensuring the internal settings match the low output of the Hana Umami Blue cartridge.