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Klipsch has been making world-class speakers for over 100 years. This guide covers 10 of the best vintage models still available today, with insight on sound profiles, what they're actually good for, and which are worth the investment:
- La Scala / La Scala II: The reference standard — 96 dB sensitivity, iconic horn-loaded sound
- Cornwall: Rich bass and midrange with a warm wooden tone
- Heresy: Perfect for home theater with horn tweeter and 15" woofer
- Forte: Vintage design with horn-loaded tweeter, 5-year warranty
- KG Series (4.5, 3.5, 1.5): Affordable options with surprisingly good performance
- KLF Series (20, 30): High-power handling, three-way floorstanding speakers
The Klipsch brand has been around for more than 100 years, and its speakers have been used by thousands of musicians and audiophiles. As an audio engineer, I've worked with many Klipsch models in studio and home settings. Here's my honest take on the best vintage models still available today.
Why Vintage Klipsch?
Klipsch speakers from the 70s, 80s, and 90s are sought after for a few specific reasons:
- High sensitivity — Klipsch horn-loaded designs can produce high SPL with very little amplifier power. Most vintage models are 90-96 dB sensitivity, meaning a 10-watt amp can drive them to party levels.
- Build quality — These were built in an era before cost-cutting. Real wood veneers, heavy MDF, and robust crossovers.
- Horn-loaded sound — Klipsch's horn tweeters produce a lively, present sound that many find more engaging than soft-dome tweeters.
- Value — Vintage Klipsch can often be found for less than what a comparable new speaker would cost.
A Note for DJs
If you're a DJ reading this looking for studio monitors or PA speakers: vintage Klipsch is not what you want for DJ work. These are home listening and home theater speakers. They lack the power handling, built-in amplification, and ruggedness of proper PA speakers.
What they're good for: Your home listening room, your living room setup, or your studio's reference speakers if you're producing music rather than DJing live.
Quick Comparison
| # | Speaker | Type | Woofer | Sensitivity | Frequency Response | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Klipsch La Scala | 3-way | 12" + 15" passive | 96 dB | 28 Hz - 20 kHz | Audiophile reference |
| 2 | La Scala II | 3-way powered | 12" | — | 50 Hz - 20 kHz | Built-in amp convenience |
| 3 | Klipsch Cornwall | 3-5 way | Horn + woofer | High | Rich bass/mid | Warm, musical listening |
| 4 | Klipsch Heresy | 2-way | 15" | High | 30 Hz - 20 kHz | Home theater |
| 5 | Klipsch Forte | Horn-loaded | — | 92 dB | 40 Hz - 20 kHz | Vintage design + quality |
| 6 | KG 4.5 | Mid-size | 4.5" | High | — | Affordable entry point |
| 7 | KG 3.5 | Bookshelf | — | 92 dB | 60 Hz - 20 kHz | Small room listening |
| 8 | KG 1.5 | Small | — | 90 dB | 50 Hz - 20 kHz | Budget starter |
| 9 | KLF 20 | Single-driver | — | 90 dB | 60 Hz - 20 kHz | High power handling |
| 10 | KLF 30 | 3-way floorstanding | 2x 6" + 1" tweeter | — | — | Floorstanding performance |
1. Klipsch La Scala
The La Scala is widely considered a reference standard. With 96 dB sensitivity, a 10-watt tube amp can drive these to concert-level volumes. The horn-loaded midrange and tweeter produce a presence and immediacy that few speakers match.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | 3-way with passive radiator |
| Woofer | 12" |
| Passive radiator | 15" |
| Frequency response | 28 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB |
| MSRP | $1,799 |
Sound profile: Forward and present. The midrange is incredibly detailed — vocals and acoustic instruments sound lifelike. The bass is punchy but not deep (it's a horn-loaded design, so don't expect subwoofer-level lows).
Best for: Audiophile listening, critical listening sessions, home theater front channels with a subwoofer.
The La Scala earned countless awards, including being named a "Best Audiophile Speaker" by Stereophile. It's built like a tank with a solid cabinet that can withstand professional use. However, placement is critical — the La Scala needs room to breathe and can sound boxy in small rooms.
2. Klipsch La Scala II
The La Scala II is the updated version with modern conveniences. The built-in 100W amplifier means you don't need a separate amp, and the all-wooden enclosure improves bass response over the original.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enclosure | All-wooden |
| Woofer | 12" |
| Horn tweeter | 6" tall x 3" wide |
| Frequency response | 50 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Built-in amplifier | 100 watts |
| Inputs | RCA and auxiliary |
Sound profile: Similar to the original La Scala but with slightly warmer bass due to the wooden enclosure. The built-in amp simplifies setup.
Best for: Those who want La Scala performance without buying a separate amplifier.
The La Scala II's built-in 100W amplifier means it's ready to go out of the box. Just plug in a source and you're listening. This makes it easier to move between rooms compared to the original which requires a separate amp.
3. Klipsch Cornwall
The Cornwall is my personal favorite of the vintage Klipsch lineup. It has the most balanced sound of the heritage series — not as forward as the La Scala, but with better bass extension.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Design inspiration | Classic American car |
| Available sizes | 3-way to 5-way models |
| Subwoofer option | Yes |
| Price | ~$1,200/pair |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Sound profile: Rich, warm, and musical. The Cornwall has a wooden cabinet that gives it a natural warmth. The large horn tweeter and woofer work together for a cohesive sound that's less fatiguing than the more forward La Scala.
Best for: Long listening sessions, jazz and acoustic music, home theater without a subwoofer.
The Cornwall speakers come with a 5-year warranty. The build quality is exceptional, with wooden cabinets and gold-plated connectors that resist corrosion.
4. Klipsch Heresy
The Heresy is a bookshelf-sized speaker that delivers surprisingly big sound. The 15-inch woofer and horn tweeter make it a favorite for home theater.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | 2-way |
| Woofer | 15" |
| Tweeter | Horn-loaded |
| Frequency response | 30 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Best for | Home theater |
Sound profile: Efficient and dynamic. The Heresy can play loud without distortion, making it excellent for movie dialogue and effects. The horn tweeter delivers clear, articulate highs.
Best for: Home theater systems, small to medium rooms, anyone who wants Klipsch heritage sound in a smaller package.
The Klipsch Heresy is one of the best bookshelf speakers for home theater. Its high sensitivity means a modest receiver can drive them to reference levels, and the horn tweeter delivers dialogue clarity that soft-dome tweeters can't match.
5. Klipsch Forte
The Forte is a vintage speaker with a unique horn-loaded tweeter design. It's a favorite among vintage audio enthusiasts.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | Horn-loaded |
| Frequency response | 40 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Enclosure | MDF |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Sound profile: The Forte has a classic vintage sound — warm, slightly rolled-off in the highs, with a smooth midrange. The low impedance design means it works well with a wide range of amplifiers.
Best for: Vintage audio collectors, secondary listening systems, anyone who loves the "vintage Klipsch sound."
The Klipsch Forte is often overlooked because it doesn't have the name recognition of La Scala or Cornwall. But it delivers 90% of the performance at half the price. Look for these on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
6. Klipsch KG 4.5
The KG 4.5 is a mid-size speaker that delivers high-quality sound at an affordable price. It's a great entry point into vintage Klipsch.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" |
| Bass response | Good for its size |
| Efficiency | High — easy to drive with low-power amps |
Sound profile: Surprising bass for a 4.5-inch woofer. The high efficiency means it plays loud with minimal power.
Best for: Small rooms, budget-conscious buyers, rear channels in a surround sound setup.
7. Klipsch KG 3.5
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Frequency response | 60 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB |
| Power handling | 50 watts |
| Dimensions | 13" H x 6" W x 10" D |
Sound profile: Clean and clear with good detail. The 92 dB sensitivity means they play loud with modest amplification.
Best for: Bookshelf setups, desktop audio, small to medium rooms.
8. Klipsch KG 1.5
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Frequency response | 50 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
Sound profile: Decent sound quality for the size. Not as dynamic as the larger models, but a great entry point.
Best for: Absolute beginners, office audio, secondary rooms.
The KG 1.5 is a great choice if you want to dip your toes into vintage Klipsch without spending a lot. They're common on the used market and often sell for under $200/pair.
9. Klipsch KLF 20
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Frequency response | 60 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB |
| Power handling | 50 watts (200W peak) |
Sound profile: The KLF 20 has a lively, engaging sound. The 200W peak power handling means you can push them hard without worrying about damage.
Best for: Rock music, parties, high-volume listening.
The 200W peak rating means you can run them at full volume for long periods without damage. This is especially useful for parties or large rooms.
10. Klipsch KLF 30
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | 3-way floorstanding |
| Woofers | 2x 6" |
| Tweeter | 1" soft dome |
| Low-frequency driver | 40 Hz tapped from horn |
| Finishes | Cherry, walnut, or black ash |
| Crossover | Built-in network |
Sound profile: The KLF 30 is the most "modern-sounding" of the vintage Klipsch models. The dual 6-inch woofers provide better bass extension than the single-woofer models.
Best for: Full-range music listening without a subwoofer, large rooms, home theater mains.
Conclusion
Vintage Klipsch speakers offer excellent value for home listening, with high sensitivity that makes them easy to drive and a distinctive horn-loaded sound that many audiophiles love.
| For... | Choose... |
|---|---|
| The absolute best sound | Klipsch La Scala |
| Best all-around listening | Klipsch Cornwall |
| Home theater | Klipsch Heresy |
| Vintage design on a budget | Klipsch Forte |
| Budget-friendly entry | KG 4.5 / 3.5 / 1.5 |
| High-volume parties | KLF 20 / KLF 30 |
Final note: If you're a DJ looking for speakers to play gigs with, skip vintage Klipsch and buy modern PA speakers. But if you want a fantastic home listening system that will last for decades and sounds like nothing else, vintage Klipsch is a great choice.