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Enjoyed the video...as usual. I have gone down the Klipsch path starting with the Heresey and landing on the LaScala and Belle speakers. Yea, I have two systems, the Belles with a McIntosh MA 352 hybrid amp and the LaScalas with a Schiit Freya+ and Emotiva monoblocks (HC1) that I am picking up tomorrow. People complain that Klipsch Heritage speakers don't have enough bass...Subwoofers people! I have two 12" Klipsch subs in the LaScala system and one 12" Klipsch sub with the Belles. CAM and Klipsch are a winning combo.
It is SO helpful how you describe what you hear and give specific references to songs. Your reviews are not vague at all…kind of like how these Cornwalls sound! Thank you!
My slightly beat up, partially rebuilt 1978 Cornwall's still sound great. My basement listening room is 20 x 45 so they have room to breathe. They don't do as well in confined spaces. I don't use them too much anymore, but when I do drive them with a rebuilt Carver C-19 Vacuum Tube Preamp and a Carver TFM-25 Amp, or an Emotive RMC-1 and Monoprice 7X amp. Fun stuff. Thanks for the great review Randy. I'd love to compare the old and new versions.
One of your best reviews…EVER! Why? Because you just revealed what Klipsch lovers have known all along! That these fine speakers put out exactly what you put into them. You hit the precise nail on the head, in your description of the way they perform, taking the room and amps into consideration. It will be hard to beat this review, everything came together for you, and shows that you DO have a good set of ears, after all! 😂
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Could not have said it better. I did have an opportunity to buy a Carver amp back in the early 80's. It sounded like BOTTLED ECSTASY! It costed more than my car at the time. $$$ I just stuck with my Yamaha pre & amp.
Yep, amplifier choice was critical with my Forte IVs. They went from being impressive but kind of shouty and unforgiving on some recordings to absolutely sublime and perfect in every way with the right amplifier. These speakers need solid state to achieve bass weight and tubes for the mids and highs. Class A will be a huge benefit as well. Anyone not liking the sound of heritage speaker should hear it with hybrid integrated class A such as the Vincent SVK mkii. The difference between this and the Decware SET and Yamaha SS amps I tried was night and day. Class A will tame those horns like you won't believe. No more a bit shouty, nasally or harsh at all...just rich sublime smooth mids and highs from the horns and powerful perfect bass that's not shy in the least.
@@davidwald2938 I agree with you that Klipsch Heritage speakers are able to discriminate between amps. I had a similar experience with Heresy's. Settled on tubes but tried everything. Once settled on which tube amp to use I began tube rolling to achieve an even better sound to my ears. Not sure which other speakers are as revealing. Enjoy!
@@jefffeith4201 My first speakers were Heresy HBR's with a Sansui AU-92 (must have been a special model only in Europe), Yamaha HP-1's headphones, crappy tape deck.
After auditioning speakers of many makes and many designs every weekend for pretty much a year my last stop was the only Klipsch dealer in our city . After all those auditions Dalquist DQ10 KEF 105.2 ESS HEIL Magnepan Koss Quad so many more I listened to the Klipsch heritage line and that day changed everything for me in how I thought music reproduction could sound . I went back the next day and ordered a pair of Klipschorns , that was 43 years ago and I still have them . I do appreciate and own other designs BUT for me nothing reproduces a musical preformance that sounds like your right there like the Heritage line designed by Paul Klipsch .
I have Cornwall IIs and a pair of K'horns with Crites crossovers. They are fantastic. I also have Warfedale Lintons, Original JBL 100s and HPM 100s. All great speakers, but the Klipsh are my favorite hands down.
I bought mine in 1978, don't know what series they are, don't care. All I can tell you is that they have taken everything I could put throw at them with a set of Phase Liner 400's and they still sound fantastic all these years later. I also have a set of '80's La Scala's I bought for a couple hundred bucks from a friend that owned a bar that went belly up, they are in my garage being pushed by an old Sherwood S-9910 I had because IMHO the Cornwall's sound better. From Vinyl to reel to reel to digital the Cornwall's just rock. My kids are fighting about who gets them in my will, they do agree the looser gets the La Scala's.
As a Car Audio guy who is diving into Home audio ….. I just found your channel and I love it !! Subbed man, All notifications ….. I’m going to grab a coffee and start going through your video playlist 👌
Forte IVs are also great in smaller rooms. Would also suggest a more powerful Tube Amp. I run mine with a Melody MDA2 which gives 13 Watts via 2A3 Tubes.
I have the IV’s with a highly powered tube amp. Based on the show that I went to last summer, I would have to spend 3-4 times as much to get vastly better sound.
Great review. I know Klipsch speakers are not everyones favorite, but I do like them. I have had my set of LaScalas since 1990 and never get tired of listening to them. A little weak in the bass department, so like others, I supplement with subs. Keep the down to earth reviews coming.
Great review and I agree. However, as an owner of these same speakers and having them alongside the klipsch chorus II’s, you would be impressed with those as well. I have both of these in my room, and I can’t bring myself to sell either set because of how amazing this speakers are.
That room definitely needs treatment. I can hear his voice echoing so much. Rings like a church bell. I can only imagine what a set of Klipsch speakers sound like in that room. Must be so harsh. As a former Cornwall owner, I can definitely say they need tubes and treatment to sound listenable.
I've had my Forte 2's since I bought them new in 1989, did a refresh about 7 years ago and they still sound better then ever. All other speakers I've heard over that timeframe sound like they have a dishrag stuck over the mid-highs. I chose the Forte 2's over the Cornwall's back then because the Cornwall's seemed to have a looser bass when compared back to back.
First I want to say I have a pair of those sith audio, uh, glasses. However, I bought them at Harbor Freight years ago. They help me when working on computers, cell phones, game systems, or one of my Pontiac models! I paid considerably less than $17..lol Secondly, I understand your review. I fell in love with Klipsch speakers in my youth as my brother in law has had many different Klipsch speakers (Forte's, Cornwall, LaScala). I don't own a pair currently but I'm constantly looking for a reasonably priced pair of Cornwalls or chorus series. Great review!
Although I’ll never be able to afford these speakers due to silly thinks like food or gas! I enjoy your presentations and your channel! I must admit that at 77years old I don’t know what you’re talking about half of the time your style of communication enables me to believe I know what you’re talking about! I’ve use Bose speakers most of my life with Polk and infinity thrown in for variety and despite what most audiophiles think of my speakers they have served me well the youngest being twenty years old! But most are somewhere around fifty years old and like me starting to fade! Plan to upgrade soon but with the current poor quality of Bose I’m not to sure where to go! Hopefully watching your channel will paved the way to speaker successes!
Carver amps are a whole rabbit hole unto themselves, but I can say that your Carver's imaging will likely have so much character all its own, that it might throw off your impressions of a speaker. No pun intended.
One of my tests is Six Blade Knife by Dire Straits. The snare sounds slightly different with just about every strike. So evident on my Forte I speakers.
I have heard people say they like the Cornwall III even better than the current version. I’d love to hear your take on this If you get a chance to hear the IV’s. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Cornwall III.
I’m glad to hear you liked them. I love my Cornwall iv’s! Looking around for a class AB amp to pair with the. See how different from my PS Audio m1200’s it would be. LaScalas on the radar though 😁 Great review. Thank you!!
I've owned every speaker in the Klipsch Heritage line except the K-Horns and that's only because I've never had a room that had the physical corners and wall that they demand. Just too many stupid doors, windows and fireplaces. The Cornwalls were one of my favorites but I sold them because while their bass is excellent they come nowhere close to the La Scalas everywhere else. La Scalas with a good sub? Nearly perfect... but you REALLY better love your house looking like an audio retail store. Currently I've gone the Tannoy route. Not cheap but ohhhhhhh man - they are awesome.
I appreciate your endorsement of Klipsch... Paul, would appalled you..! The conversion of electronic power to acoustic power, was his forte..!. He owns the patient for that most efficient conversion. His 'folded horn' design has stood for decades, and probably will for centuries, unless the laws of physics change. You should hear, his enclosures, Time aligned....
I have the Heresy IV’s and friggin love em. These are next . Keeping both These speakers are giant midrange machines that definitely need a bad to the bone sub to complete the magic
Klipsch are in my opinion some of the Best Speakers in the World . The Heritage Series are unbelievable. I’ve ran a pair of K- horns and Belles beautiful walnut and pushed them 30 years with a Marantz 2325 . At alittle past quarter volume it produces live Entertainment ! They are so easy to keep up and just keep on rocking. I have my system and love it ! Stevie Ray rocks like he is playing for me live ! Can’ t go wrong with Klipsch !
Thanks for the vid - Is there a minimum room size you would recommend for these speakers? Sure using speakers without room correction you have to be even more ultra careful about positioning of the speaker, the equipment and the listening position. Most of us have few choices in reality - well unless we dedicate a room to just listening. In my case my mains atre 100" appart and main listening position is 140" away from the front of the mains (my Secondary listening position is another 100" further back and rear wall a further 40" line with books etc.. -- YES I understand this breaks the 60 degree rule (well it is 70) - but it is what it is. The front of my mains is 46" from the inside of a manly glass bay/wall - 24" brick wall base with large windows. I have thick base traps in the corners and found significan toe (to align to the primary listening position) in works best. I have tried many other positions and use heavy curtains to reduce the reflection of high frequency. My understanding is that you can push the Cornwalls hard against the far wall and right into the corners. Does this impact the standing wave (presumably raises the frequency dip that hits your listening position). Trial and error and some room treatment are essential.
Not too come across as an audiophile snob or gatekeeper, but hey! You're finally discovering true, high end audiophile gear. There are levels, and then there are levels, and this is truly above the curve of diminishing returns. Seriously, though, you should get in touch with Paul McGowan at PS Audio, they should have their FR-10's coming out soon.
My all time favorite speakers are La Scala's but most of the Klipsch heritage speakers are damn similar. Even the heresy speaker's have great midrange and only lack in the bass IMHO but a well placed sub fixes that.
Agree, I have the Heresy IV'S and an SVS SB3000, makes a great combination. When moving stuff around, the sub got unplugged, was listening and didn't notice the sub off until it hit a deep passage that didn't sound right. So was surprised the bass in the Heresy's isn't as bad as I assumed.
Started with the Heresy II , then Chorus I , CW3 and quickly moved to the CW4. Now i own the La Scala AL5 and the CW4 and to be honest , i still cant make up my mind witch one is the better one. Both have there strength and weakness. The CW4 is the more easy speaker to place and more easy for your audio system. But when everything is working the La Scala can indeed be an amazing speaker
Well, dad nab it, I've finally found a reason to sell the house! Don't know where I'd put these expensive beasts once I did, but what the hell, life is short, right?
Great review Randy!!! I totally LOVE my Forte II speakers, they have a lot of the same characteristics. The level of "Realism" the Heritage line project in the room is SPOOKY!!! :) A low watt tube amp and a Heritage line speaker is a very stunning combo.. Most people will say, NO WAY can you run that large of a speaker off that low of watts.. I run my Forte and my 96db sensitive Open Baffles that have an 18" bass driver, 15" coaxial driver, and a compression horn tweeter of of a 2.5 watt Tube amp and were basically flat from 30hz to 20K... hahah CRAZY to think.. Cheers Buddy!! :)
When the Cornwall 4’s first came out I bought a brand new pair of Cornwall 3’s that were being closed out for $2699 shipped for the pair. Mine are A-stock in Black Ash and when I connected them to my Reisong A50 it was a match made in heaven! Love them!
That little Reisong is a fantastic amp, especially tube rolled. I had one, and it really pulled me into the world of single ended tube amps. I would imagine it would sing with those big, easy to drive, speakers. I used mine with Zingali towers. Also, buying the previous model when a new one comes out is a sound tactic, as is buying ex dem units. Sometimes I think older models can actually be better as companies may cheap out on, or be unable to source, as good parts in newer models. Especially with current shortages.
@cheapaudioman would you pretty pretty please do a video around the 25th anniversary of the Decware Zen amp your friend had? There's not a lot of content out there about the amp, and I would love to hear what you and your friend both think of it. I have a pair of Forte IVs and was wondering if it would be a good match. Another fun video! Thanks for doing these.
Brilliant assessment. Really clear analysis of these speakers and their response to amps. Sounds like they can be paired with a number of different systems with that design though not tubes? Flawless. Wow.
There's tube amps that have alot more to offer for those kinds of speakers. Ultra-linear amps like Mcintosh or a Dynaco ST-70 would really bring those things alive.
I have the Cornwall IVs and always wondered what your take would be. I also love the instrument separation and clear midrange. The percussion is so realistic I was looking for John Bonham’s ghost hiding inside them.
I had Klipsch La Scalas when we got married. My wife pointed out their flaws and pretty soon I heard their issues as well. No more Klipsch for us. Plus, they cost way too much now and require a big room to really work. I am referring to the Cornwalls and up here.
@@dieseldust27 poor guy, in order to make his new wife happy", heard" their shortcomings as well...talk to him in ten years... he'll trade her for a set of LaScalas, if she hasn't divorced him and taken half his sh*t by then...
@@stephenstevens6573 That was 46 years ago. I was a professional musician and got sick of the beaming they had, plus while their percussive bass was excellent, the deep base was not really there. I suggest you watch your tongue in replying to posts.
@@richardtomasekIf you've been married for 46 years, you're doing something right in both speaker choices and relationship management. What speakers do you and your wife enjoy now?
The excellent gentleman that has these high-quality speakers and highly refined amplifiers would only be listening to Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. Great review
I bought a new pair of Klipsch Cornwall II's on Dec 11, 1986 from Read Brothers Wholesale Dept. in Charleston, S.C. via mail order. They cost $1184 a pair and the riser bases were an additional $32. Shipping was free. (to Pennsylvania). They are still in use today and still sound great. When first purchased, I powered them with a Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver. (270 watts / ch). It only took a couple watts to fill the room with sound since they are so sensitive. I still have the original receipt and manuals. They never needed service and the cabinets are almost mint (after 3 moves). The only other speaker that came close was the Cerwin Vega 316R which had almost identical sensitivity. I used those as rear speakers (in A/B Stereo mode)
Oh man, I miss the nuance of a good set of speakers. I try to convince myself that my headphones are just as good and in many cases they are but still...Those layers you talk about just don't exist properly in a headphone space. I lost a significant part of my upper-end hearing from chemotherapy, so cymbals/highhats and the such, I just don't hear at all unless I have headphones on. But even then, those sounds are muted. Funny how your mind fills in those parts when you know they exist. It's like your mind's eye fills it in for you but it's still not the same. But realistically, the days of me spending 4400 dollars on speakers has long past. I enjoy your videos regardless, man,
You can’t un-hear it now. Once the Klipsch bug bites you, It doesn’t matter what the haters say. You know Klipsch Heritage speakers are Awesome. There‘s just something special about those high efficiency compression drivers that brings the music to life. Great stuff. Thanks for another fun video Randy. Keep up the good work. Peace out✌️
Some great deals can be had on older models of the Klipsch Heritage series of speakers. I just recently picked up a pair of Forte l’s, which have a 12” passive radiator instead of the 15” in the ll, lll, and lV’s. The 12” seems to give a bit tighter low end. They’re a super fun pair of speakers to listen to. They pop, are lively, and work in my room excellently. Also grabbed a Carver amp with the speakers for a super low price for the both. I’ve got new crossover parts ordered and on the way for the Fortes. .
I'm glad you like them, because I've never heard a Klipsch that I could live with. I've heard quite a few over the years, with various amps, in well treated rooms, and they just don't so that much for me. I guess, for a short time, they are fun to listen to. But the things that make them fun at first, are the same things that don't age too well for me. Maybe I am just overly sensitive to some of their attributes, but they always seem to sort of overlay everything with a bit of the sound of a PA system. It is especially noticeable, if you switch to another speaker.
Totally agree. The mid is especially bothersome. All the vocalistists sound like they have head colds. Very pinched and nasal. Guess everybody hears differently.
Your comments about SS vs this Decware amp make sense, since the later is known to output as much as 3% to 4% of 2nd order harmonic distortion. It can be very pleasant to the ear, but definitely less precise.
I run a pair of Forte IV’s with a pair of Benchmark AHB2’s in monoblock mode and totally love it. I think your assessment of tube vs higher power solid state on their heritage line in general lines up with what I’ve experienced, too (I also have a pair of Heresy III’s)
Just replace cataracts with close up lenses and get better lighting and not hear your glasses,lots cheaper and expand your music references ,like luke mumbly, deadmou5, tièsto . Jazz, etc
This would be my budget Klipsch - Cornwall II or III’s I am highly intrigued by the Crites upgrades and especially his CornScala - Cornwall bottoms and LaScala tops…. With a big budget, I’m goin’ straight for the Jubilees - because 11 is better idnt it?
I used Crites parts 6-7 years ago to repair/rebuild my circa 1978 Cornwall's. New Tweeter horns and new caps, new speaker grill material. Bob Crites was a fountain of good Klipsch info, now his son is running the business and has added products. Great guys! I'd love to hear their home grown speakers.
Anything in the Heritage line is way underrated. I absolutely love my Fortes. I go to the shows and listen to the $35,000 speakers and I'm serious when I say the Heritage line is what I'd rather have in my house.
Horn speakers keep the dynamics intact but usually have an elevated upper midrange, the so-called "horn shout." We can thank chief engineer Roy Delgado for tackling the issue head on.
@@Beathoven007 🤔They are really low frequency for waveguides, champ! Should probably be thought of as audio frequency distribution facilitators lol 🤣 AFDF’s 😉
Does it work for any horn speakers? I have a pair of really cheap old Jensen speakers that have the same style horn tweeter and midrange and they sound just like what he's describing I listened to jimmy buffets juicyfruit and the highs and mids are so clear and separated but no harsh on the high end
@@Durkhead I believe so; it’s something they did in the old days quite frequently, and I guess nowadays it’s the kind of thing where speakers can be good that have horns and speakers can be good that don’t. It just depends on what your preference is really, as there is a bit of a difference sonically.
No surprise here. I agree. I have Cornwall II’s powered by a Mac MC275 V6 when positioned out and toed, incredibly soundstage. My favorite combo for jazz and quality recordings.
If I had to guess, this speaker faithfully represents a more “free” design approach from a bygone era where hifi was all the rage and living room aesthetics were more accepting of a full-size tower speaker. A large format woofer can play well into the lower midrange because it needs very little excursion to fill in the low end, and does so with efficiency that smaller drivers simply cannot match. This is a real testament to the laws of physics which, even after all these years, cannot be bent nor broken. Interior designers be damned… let there be sound!
It's not Interior designers you need to worry about, it's partners and spouses. Go on, tell them to be damned, I dare you ! 😉 I agree with the spirit of your comment, though, just unsure about the practicality.
@@jimfarrell4635 oh, I agree 1000%! My wife wouldn’t let me put my Energy RC-Minis in the living room, and they are like little 7” tall wooden jewelry! They are now part of my PC/Music system in the basement, so at least I still get to enjoy them!
@@naturalverities and the lower you go, the more area you need. Of all the crazy crap I did in my younger car audio days, the best bass I ever had came from using a 15” Cerwin Vega Stroker; a sub with a pro-audio style cone and suspension, mixed with dual spiders and a MASSIVE motor. In a sealed enclosure (it was designed for vented applications) it was the fastest, punchiest sub I’d ever heard. The amount of energy it could ACCURATELY transform into sound was something I had to demonstrate; it defied description. No one believed me until they heard it for themselves. Horn loading is also something the pro audio sector figured out a long time ago; a way to better couple a driver to the air mass in front of it. Lo and behold, look at this Klipsh - horn loaded! Some say there’s nothing new under the sun. 😁
Got a pair of these new for 2300 when they were doing close out sales. Liked them so much that I bought a b stock pair of the fourth generation for around 3800 bucks(before all the hyper inflation nonsense). The fourth gen isn’t exactly better in most facets. It just different. The fourth doesn’t chuff as much and it disperses the mid range marginally better. I do prefer the third generation for its tonality. My ears could just be tuned to them now, but I prefer my third generation over all. The fourth generation speakers have been relegated to our beach house, kind of a hard pill to swallow price wise. A new set will put you about 6-7k in the hole. B stock will still set you back almost 5. In my honest opinion I don’t think anyone should pay that much for any of the Cornwalls. I’ll probably sell these while the used market is still so hot on them. Also worth saying that there was a slight mid generation tweak. There was a change in the crossover for the last few years of the third generation.
Cornwalls are great and the LaScalas are too but the later need subwoofers. My experience has shown toeing in horn loudspeakers to where the stereo triangle crosses right in front of the listening position greatly enhances the imaging, overall soundstage width and height.
Been running Carver M1.0t into Heresy IIs since the 80s. Hard combination to beat. Loved the Cornwalls and Forte's but had no room at the time for speakers that large. Would love to see a review of all the various versions of the Heresys.
Mr.Klipsch was a musical genius!! He made speaker that reproduce exactly what you put in to them ... if you put bad in they were bad if you put good in you got magic and life like as you are sitting at a live performance.
Could you tell us a little more about the listening room, like the approximate dimensions and room treatments? I'm wondering what size room you need to have to make the investment in Cornwalls? It looks like a beautiful old Craftsman style home by the way!
Love your “pedestrian “ take on these speakers Randy! The heritage line takes the musical experience to another level especially paired with the a good amplifier. Like most things there is a cost to pay but it’s worth it. I enjoyed a pair of Forte’s for many years until I audition and upgraded to KEF 107.
I’ve had my Cornwalls for over 20 years now. Every time I think about possibly moving to something else I just cave. I’ve upgraded the tweeters and crossovers plus did the ol’ rope caulk mod. These along with my Denafrips Pontus II DAC and PrimaLuna EVO300 integrated produce what just sounds right to me.
Could not have described the Cornwall "effect" better. I picked up the IVs last March... They still amaze. Every track I have is a new experience. And - Pro-tip - get REW and a good DSP engine to correct the room.... Its next level!
Oh my... I hate to say this, but these WERE good sounding speakers with few rivals, but that was back in the 1970's. Yes, they have upgraded the mid and tweeters, but the basic design is akin to turbocharging a minivan and trying to win the Indy 500. There are SO MANY better speakers. 15" Woofers are great for producing the original sound of the band, but NOT reproducing that sound. They are sloppy and slow. Want better? Try something on like a Bowers and Wilkins. You will never go back....
I would suggest you take your Advance Paris A10 to your friends and hook up the Cornwall III's.Ut will really blow your mind.Bass Punch and Air(sounds like the highs are coming from the ceiling)I have the Cornwall Iv's and the Advance Paris A12 hooked up to the Eversolo dmp-A8 and a Florence RT-85N.The system is amazing.
I have a pair of Cornwall II which I have updated with Crites sonocaps and new Italian horn tweeters which go up to 30 khz, OMG there's not much in this world that can raise the hairs on my arms!
The room sounded a bit too live. If you thought they sounded focused and layered... a properly treated room would have blown your mind. The close your eyes in the dark forget about everything type of experience.
I wanted to get a pair of these but bought a pair of Legacy Focus SE.Really nice full range.I have nerve damage to my ears and some electrostatic speakers annoy and fatigue me.I often wondered if the Cornwall's and their horns would bother me as I have the tunes on all the time to drowned out my tinnitus. Thx,great video.
These speakers were made and calibrated to be placed in the Corner. The Speakers are good enough to sound good when not placed optimally. All you have to do is stand to the side of one of the speakers in the middle of the Room to see why. Mr. Paul was all about Corner Loading that's how he earned his Name. The Klipsch Trade Mark is a corner speaker LOL! The bass to the side of many Vented Cabinets made many builders use unnecessary Bracing (while some is good for strength) because they thought that the sides of the cabinet was Vibrating LOL! In many cases the Bass from the side of the cabinet is louder or heavier than what's coming out of the Front. So you move speakers out of the Corners to detune or mute them a little. This happens with ported speakers as well but not to the extreme like well Vented Speaker Cabinets. As one guy told me 55 years ago, the corner is a Horn's Bell! I'm an old Tuba player.
I had a set. The mid-bass hump and cabinet resonance obscured the detail of the mids and. It was unbearable. I have Forte I and Forte II that I much prefer.
I've tried out a lot of gear over the years. My Cornwall 3's are the only items in my setup that have never changed. At least for my preferences in tonality, they really are that good.
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Enjoyed the video...as usual. I have gone down the Klipsch path starting with the Heresey and landing on the LaScala and Belle speakers. Yea, I have two systems, the Belles with a McIntosh MA 352 hybrid amp and the LaScalas with a Schiit Freya+ and Emotiva monoblocks (HC1) that I am picking up tomorrow.
People complain that Klipsch Heritage speakers don't have enough bass...Subwoofers people! I have two 12" Klipsch subs in the LaScala system and one 12" Klipsch sub with the Belles.
CAM and Klipsch are a winning combo.
It is SO helpful how you describe what you hear and give specific references to songs. Your reviews are not vague at all…kind of like how these Cornwalls sound! Thank you!
Happy you think so. Watching this back I missed so many things I should
Have said
@cheapaudioman make another video about what you feel you missed. Klipsch is a love or hate speaker, one loves them or hates them.
My slightly beat up, partially rebuilt 1978 Cornwall's still sound great. My basement listening room is 20 x 45 so they have room to breathe. They don't do as well in confined spaces. I don't use them too much anymore, but when I do drive them with a rebuilt Carver C-19 Vacuum Tube Preamp and a Carver TFM-25 Amp, or an Emotive RMC-1 and Monoprice 7X amp. Fun stuff. Thanks for the great review Randy. I'd love to compare the old and new versions.
I have Cornwall Its from about the same year. Love them.
One of your best reviews…EVER! Why? Because you just revealed what Klipsch lovers have known all along! That these fine speakers put out exactly what you put into them. You hit the precise nail on the head, in your description of the way they perform, taking the room and amps into consideration. It will be hard to beat this review, everything came together for you, and shows that you DO have a good set of ears, after all! 😂
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Could not have said it better. I did have an opportunity to buy a Carver amp back in the early 80's. It sounded like BOTTLED ECSTASY! It costed more than my car at the time. $$$ I just stuck with my Yamaha pre & amp.
Yep, amplifier choice was critical with my Forte IVs. They went from being impressive but kind of shouty and unforgiving on some recordings to absolutely sublime and perfect in every way with the right amplifier. These speakers need solid state to achieve bass weight and tubes for the mids and highs. Class A will be a huge benefit as well. Anyone not liking the sound of heritage speaker should hear it with hybrid integrated class A such as the Vincent SVK mkii. The difference between this and the Decware SET and Yamaha SS amps I tried was night and day. Class A will tame those horns like you won't believe. No more a bit shouty, nasally or harsh at all...just rich sublime smooth mids and highs from the horns and powerful perfect bass that's not shy in the least.
@@davidwald2938 I agree with you that Klipsch Heritage speakers are able to discriminate between amps. I had a similar experience with Heresy's. Settled on tubes but tried everything. Once settled on which tube amp to use I began tube rolling to achieve an even better sound to my ears. Not sure which other speakers are as revealing. Enjoy!
I recently bought a Harman Kardon 730 and a 430 for my Cornwall IVs. Great match with solid bass and smooth mids.
@@jefffeith4201 My first speakers were Heresy HBR's with a Sansui AU-92 (must have been a special model only in Europe), Yamaha HP-1's headphones, crappy tape deck.
After auditioning speakers of many makes and many designs every weekend for pretty much a year my last stop was the only Klipsch dealer in our city . After all those auditions Dalquist DQ10 KEF 105.2 ESS HEIL Magnepan Koss Quad so many more I listened to the Klipsch heritage line and that day changed everything for me in how I thought music reproduction could sound . I went back the next day and ordered a pair of Klipschorns , that was 43 years ago and I still have them . I do appreciate and own other designs BUT for me nothing reproduces a musical preformance that sounds like your right there like the Heritage line designed by Paul Klipsch .
15” High efficiency bass is addictive. It’s deep, but less likely to overwhelm a room. Once I heard some heritage speakers I was hooked.
my 15" Tannoy Ardens are the same...size DOES matter!!!
I have Cornwall IIs and a pair of K'horns with Crites crossovers. They are fantastic. I also have Warfedale Lintons, Original JBL 100s and HPM 100s. All great speakers, but the Klipsh are my favorite hands down.
I bought mine in 1978, don't know what series they are, don't care. All I can tell you is that they have taken everything I could put throw at them with a set of Phase Liner 400's and they still sound fantastic all these years later. I also have a set of '80's La Scala's I bought for a couple hundred bucks from a friend that owned a bar that went belly up, they are in my garage being pushed by an old Sherwood S-9910 I had because IMHO the Cornwall's sound better. From Vinyl to reel to reel to digital the Cornwall's just rock. My kids are fighting about who gets them in my will, they do agree the looser gets the La Scala's.
As a Car Audio guy who is diving into Home audio ….. I just found your channel and I love it !! Subbed man, All notifications ….. I’m going to grab a coffee and start going through your video playlist 👌
Forte IVs are also great in smaller rooms. Would also suggest a more powerful Tube Amp. I run mine with a Melody MDA2 which gives 13 Watts via 2A3 Tubes.
i had that amp also for a year with my CW4, its a great amp and a nice match with these speakers
My mantra is still Tubes on the line stage and Transistors for amplification.
I have the IV’s with a highly powered tube amp. Based on the show that I went to last summer, I would have to spend 3-4 times as much to get vastly better sound.
Great review. I know Klipsch speakers are not everyones favorite, but I do like them. I have had my set of LaScalas since 1990 and never get tired of listening to them. A little weak in the bass department, so like others, I supplement with subs. Keep the down to earth reviews coming.
Great review and I agree. However, as an owner of these same speakers and having them alongside the klipsch chorus II’s, you would be impressed with those as well. I have both of these in my room, and I can’t bring myself to sell either set because of how amazing this speakers are.
That room definitely needs treatment. I can hear his voice echoing so much. Rings like a church bell. I can only imagine what a set of Klipsch speakers sound like in that room. Must be so harsh. As a former Cornwall owner, I can definitely say they need tubes and treatment to sound listenable.
I've had my Forte 2's since I bought them new in 1989, did a refresh about 7 years ago and they still sound better then ever. All other speakers I've heard over that timeframe sound like they have a dishrag stuck over the mid-highs. I chose the Forte 2's over the Cornwall's back then because the Cornwall's seemed to have a looser bass when compared back to back.
Dear Cheap, If you are ever in the Pittsburgh PA area and would like to listen to the Cornwall IV's feel free to stop by and hang out.
First I want to say I have a pair of those sith audio, uh, glasses. However, I bought them at Harbor Freight years ago. They help me when working on computers, cell phones, game systems, or one of my Pontiac models! I paid considerably less than $17..lol
Secondly, I understand your review. I fell in love with Klipsch speakers in my youth as my brother in law has had many different Klipsch speakers (Forte's, Cornwall, LaScala). I don't own a pair currently but I'm constantly looking for a reasonably priced pair of Cornwalls or chorus series.
Great review!
Although I’ll never be able to afford these speakers due to silly thinks like food or gas! I enjoy your presentations and your channel! I must admit that at 77years old I don’t know what you’re talking about half of the time your style of communication enables me to believe I know what you’re talking about! I’ve use Bose speakers most of my life with Polk and infinity thrown in for variety and despite what most audiophiles think of my speakers they have served me well the youngest being twenty years old! But most are somewhere around fifty years old and like me starting to fade! Plan to upgrade soon but with the current poor quality of Bose I’m not to sure where to go! Hopefully watching your channel will paved the way to speaker successes!
So back in the day, I powered two La Scalas with a Phase Linear 700B. Lots of headroom there.
Carver amps are a whole rabbit hole unto themselves, but I can say that your Carver's imaging will likely have so much character all its own, that it might throw off your impressions of a speaker. No pun intended.
The cheap audio man finally got his head screwed on straight...more klipsch and more tubes!
One of my tests is Six Blade Knife by Dire Straits. The snare sounds slightly different with just about every strike. So evident on my Forte I speakers.
I have heard people say they like the Cornwall III even better than the current version. I’d love to hear your take on this If you get a chance to hear the IV’s.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Cornwall III.
I’m glad to hear you liked them. I love my Cornwall iv’s! Looking around for a class AB amp to pair with the. See how different from my PS Audio m1200’s it would be.
LaScalas on the radar though 😁
Great review. Thank you!!
I've owned every speaker in the Klipsch Heritage line except the K-Horns and that's only because I've never had a room that had the physical corners and wall that they demand. Just too many stupid doors, windows and fireplaces. The Cornwalls were one of my favorites but I sold them because while their bass is excellent they come nowhere close to the La Scalas everywhere else. La Scalas with a good sub? Nearly perfect... but you REALLY better love your house looking like an audio retail store. Currently I've gone the Tannoy route. Not cheap but ohhhhhhh man - they are awesome.
I appreciate your endorsement of Klipsch... Paul, would appalled you..!
The conversion of electronic power to acoustic power, was his forte..!. He owns the patient for that most efficient conversion. His 'folded horn' design has stood for decades, and probably will for centuries, unless the laws of physics change. You should hear, his enclosures, Time aligned....
I have the Heresy IV’s and friggin love em. These are next . Keeping both
These speakers are giant midrange machines that definitely need a bad to the bone sub to complete the magic
Adele!?! Not Metallica? What have you done with the REAL Randy?
Klipsch are in my opinion some of the Best Speakers in the World . The Heritage Series are unbelievable. I’ve ran a pair of K- horns and Belles beautiful walnut and pushed them 30 years with a Marantz 2325 . At alittle past quarter volume it produces live Entertainment ! They are so easy to keep up and just keep on rocking. I have my system and love it ! Stevie Ray rocks like he is playing for me live ! Can’ t go wrong with Klipsch !
Thanks!
Great video, Randy. Please do yourself a favor sometime and listen to the La Scalas. You won’t regret it.
I just need a pair of heresy........Great vlog !!!!.
Thanks for the vid - Is there a minimum room size you would recommend for these speakers? Sure using speakers without room correction you have to be even more ultra careful about positioning of the speaker, the equipment and the listening position. Most of us have few choices in reality - well unless we dedicate a room to just listening. In my case my mains atre 100" appart and main listening position is 140" away from the front of the mains (my Secondary listening position is another 100" further back and rear wall a further 40" line with books etc.. -- YES I understand this breaks the 60 degree rule (well it is 70) - but it is what it is. The front of my mains is 46" from the inside of a manly glass bay/wall - 24" brick wall base with large windows. I have thick base traps in the corners and found significan toe (to align to the primary listening position) in works best.
I have tried many other positions and use heavy curtains to reduce the reflection of high frequency.
My understanding is that you can push the Cornwalls hard against the far wall and right into the corners. Does this impact the standing wave (presumably raises the frequency dip that hits your listening position). Trial and error and some room treatment are essential.
Sounds like a more powerful TUBE amp-25 watts or so -might be the best of both worlds.
Not too come across as an audiophile snob or gatekeeper, but hey! You're finally discovering true, high end audiophile gear.
There are levels, and then there are levels, and this is truly above the curve of diminishing returns.
Seriously, though, you should get in touch with Paul McGowan at PS Audio, they should have their FR-10's coming out soon.
@10:40. Thanks 👍
Oh my eyes! You could have at least put the grills on them. We can’t all afford Sith Audio blindfolds.
My all time favorite speakers are La Scala's but most of the Klipsch heritage speakers are damn similar.
Even the heresy speaker's have great midrange and only lack in the bass IMHO but a well placed sub fixes that.
Agree, I have the Heresy IV'S and an SVS SB3000, makes a great combination. When moving stuff around, the sub got unplugged, was listening and didn't notice the sub off until it hit a deep passage that didn't sound right.
So was surprised the bass in the Heresy's isn't as bad as I assumed.
Started with the Heresy II , then Chorus I , CW3 and quickly moved to the CW4.
Now i own the La Scala AL5 and the CW4 and to be honest , i still cant make up my mind witch one is the better one. Both have there strength and weakness.
The CW4 is the more easy speaker to place and more easy for your audio system.
But when everything is working the La Scala can indeed be an amazing speaker
😂😂😂I’ll need those goggles shortly
Well, dad nab it, I've finally found a reason to sell the house! Don't know where I'd put these expensive beasts once I did, but what the hell, life is short, right?
I love me some Hall and Oates!
Forte 4 top selling klipsch
Great review Randy!!! I totally LOVE my Forte II speakers, they have a lot of the same characteristics. The level of "Realism" the Heritage line project in the room is SPOOKY!!! :) A low watt tube amp and a Heritage line speaker is a very stunning combo.. Most people will say, NO WAY can you run that large of a speaker off that low of watts.. I run my Forte and my 96db sensitive Open Baffles that have an 18" bass driver, 15" coaxial driver, and a compression horn tweeter of of a 2.5 watt Tube amp and were basically flat from 30hz to 20K... hahah CRAZY to think.. Cheers Buddy!! :)
@@kentwood2914 I have the stock risers on mine, but that’s only about 3-4”
Many thanks to your friend for letting you experience those speakers so you could share your thoughts with us! Oh, and thanks, Sith Audio!
When the Cornwall 4’s first came out I bought a brand new pair of Cornwall 3’s that were being closed out for $2699 shipped for the pair. Mine are A-stock in Black Ash and when I connected them to my Reisong A50 it was a match made in heaven! Love them!
That little Reisong is a fantastic amp, especially tube rolled. I had one, and it really pulled me into the world of single ended tube amps. I would imagine it would sing with those big, easy to drive, speakers. I used mine with Zingali towers.
Also, buying the previous model when a new one comes out is a sound tactic, as is buying ex dem units.
Sometimes I think older models can actually be better as companies may cheap out on, or be unable to source, as good parts in newer models. Especially with current shortages.
Wow. That’s an amazing deal. Congrats.
Sith Audio absorbent audiophile undergarments… To catch the the leaks from the musical realism excitement and deep bass reverberations.
This is getting old so fast...give it a rest..
A great speaker review by a great reviewer. Klipsch is THE endgame speaker
Klipsch is just plain awesome. I love how they make great stuff at any budget. They sell a lot of products because they work hard to make great audio.
did everybody forgot about Cerwin-Vega or JBL´s, i did for the next year
@cheapaudioman would you pretty pretty please do a video around the 25th anniversary of the Decware Zen amp your friend had? There's not a lot of content out there about the amp, and I would love to hear what you and your friend both think of it. I have a pair of Forte IVs and was wondering if it would be a good match. Another fun video! Thanks for doing these.
Brilliant assessment. Really clear analysis of these speakers and their response to amps. Sounds like they can be paired with a number of different systems with that design though not tubes? Flawless. Wow.
There's tube amps that have alot more to offer for those kinds of speakers. Ultra-linear amps like Mcintosh or a Dynaco ST-70 would really bring those things alive.
Cornwalls on an st-70 and pat-4.... nothing like it, ran a pas-2(modified) as well but preferred the ss pre.
Damping factor, the forgotten amp spec.
I have the Cornwall IVs and always wondered what your take would be. I also love the instrument separation and clear midrange. The percussion is so realistic I was looking for John Bonham’s ghost hiding inside them.
I had Klipsch La Scalas when we got married. My wife pointed out their flaws and pretty soon I heard their issues as well.
No more Klipsch for us. Plus, they cost way too much now and require a big room to really work. I am referring to the Cornwalls and up here.
I thought the Las Scalas were end game speakers
@@dieseldust27they are for me
@@dieseldust27 poor guy, in order to make his new wife happy", heard" their shortcomings as well...talk to him in ten years... he'll trade her for a set of LaScalas, if she hasn't divorced him and taken half his sh*t by then...
@@stephenstevens6573
That was 46 years ago. I was a professional musician and got sick of the beaming they had, plus while their percussive bass was excellent, the deep base was not really there.
I suggest you watch your tongue in replying to posts.
@@richardtomasekIf you've been married for 46 years, you're doing something right in both speaker choices and relationship management. What speakers do you and your wife enjoy now?
Great review, Randy! After going through Heresy’s and now Forte’s, I’m sure my audiophile journey will lead me to the Cornwalls next.
The excellent gentleman that has these high-quality speakers and highly refined amplifiers would only be listening to Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. Great review
If you get the chills from the music, you’ve nailed what you set out to do. My system still gives me goosebumps.
Yes. Exactly! 👍
Interesting to get to listen to some old school speakers, I'm sure!
I would love to hear these speakers (v3 or v4) at some point.
I bought a new pair of Klipsch Cornwall II's on Dec 11, 1986 from Read Brothers Wholesale Dept. in Charleston, S.C. via mail order. They cost $1184 a pair and the riser bases were an additional $32. Shipping was free. (to Pennsylvania). They are still in use today and still sound great. When first purchased, I powered them with a Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver. (270 watts / ch). It only took a couple watts to fill the room with sound since they are so sensitive. I still have the original receipt and manuals. They never needed service and the cabinets are almost mint (after 3 moves). The only other speaker that came close was the Cerwin Vega 316R which had almost identical sensitivity. I used those as rear speakers (in A/B Stereo mode)
Oh man, I miss the nuance of a good set of speakers. I try to convince myself that my headphones are just as good and in many cases they are but still...Those layers you talk about just don't exist properly in a headphone space. I lost a significant part of my upper-end hearing from chemotherapy, so cymbals/highhats and the such, I just don't hear at all unless I have headphones on. But even then, those sounds are muted. Funny how your mind fills in those parts when you know they exist. It's like your mind's eye fills it in for you but it's still not the same.
But realistically, the days of me spending 4400 dollars on speakers has long past. I enjoy your videos regardless, man,
Have you finally found time to hear the lV yet?
You can’t un-hear it now. Once the Klipsch bug bites you, It doesn’t matter what the haters say. You know Klipsch Heritage speakers are Awesome. There‘s just something special about those high efficiency compression drivers that brings the music to life. Great stuff. Thanks for another fun video Randy. Keep up the good work. Peace out✌️
As a Klipsch fan and owner I'm glad you enjoyed the Cornwalls.
If you heard the K-horns, you would poop yourself.
At $13,000 a pair, you should.
Now they are $16,498. a pair. Better wear your Depends.
I'm a Klipsch fan boy. Some people hate Klipsch and that is fine. More Klipsch for me!
Some great deals can be had on older models of the Klipsch Heritage series of speakers. I just recently picked up a pair of Forte l’s, which have a 12” passive radiator instead of the 15” in the ll, lll, and lV’s. The 12” seems to give a bit tighter low end. They’re a super fun pair of speakers to listen to. They pop, are lively, and work in my room excellently. Also grabbed a Carver amp with the speakers for a super low price for the both. I’ve got new crossover parts ordered and on the way for the Fortes. .
I much prefer the Forte I over any iteration of Cornwall, Heresy or Khorn I have ever heard. Forte II is not bad either.
I'm glad you like them, because I've never heard a Klipsch that I could live with.
I've heard quite a few over the years, with various amps, in well treated rooms, and they just don't so that much for me. I guess, for a short time, they are fun to listen to. But the things that make them fun at first, are the same things that don't age too well for me.
Maybe I am just overly sensitive to some of their attributes, but they always seem to sort of overlay everything with a bit of the sound of a PA system. It is especially noticeable, if you switch to another speaker.
Totally agree. The mid is especially bothersome.
All the vocalistists sound like they have head colds. Very pinched and nasal.
Guess everybody hears differently.
Your comments about SS vs this Decware amp make sense, since the later is known to output as much as 3% to 4% of 2nd order harmonic distortion. It can be very pleasant to the ear, but definitely less precise.
I run a pair of Forte IV’s with a pair of Benchmark AHB2’s in monoblock mode and totally love it. I think your assessment of tube vs higher power solid state on their heritage line in general lines up with what I’ve experienced, too (I also have a pair of Heresy III’s)
Sith Audio Audiophile Stereo Glasses...$179999, you only need to sell one a year.
Why sell one when you could sell two at twice the price?
Just replace cataracts with close up lenses and get better lighting and not hear your glasses,lots cheaper and expand your music references ,like luke mumbly, deadmou5, tièsto . Jazz, etc
This would be my budget Klipsch - Cornwall II or III’s
I am highly intrigued by the Crites upgrades and especially his CornScala - Cornwall bottoms and LaScala tops….
With a big budget, I’m goin’ straight for the Jubilees - because 11 is better idnt it?
I used Crites parts 6-7 years ago to repair/rebuild my circa 1978 Cornwall's. New Tweeter horns and new caps, new speaker grill material. Bob Crites was a fountain of good Klipsch info, now his son is running the business and has added products. Great guys! I'd love to hear their home grown speakers.
Anything in the Heritage line is way underrated. I absolutely love my Fortes. I go to the shows and listen to the $35,000 speakers and I'm serious when I say the Heritage line is what I'd rather have in my house.
Shows are not a good place to assess 35k speakers...
@@yantrussart6584 then I think you'll agree it is a level playing field at a show.
Great review! I have a pair of matching 77' cornwalls. When I play those babies, everyone's jaw drops. Best 700 bucks I ever spent. 🔊
Horn speakers keep the dynamics intact but usually have an elevated upper midrange, the so-called "horn shout." We can thank chief engineer Roy Delgado for tackling the issue head on.
Technically they are waveguides.
@@Beathoven007 🤔They are really low frequency for waveguides, champ! Should probably be thought of as audio frequency distribution facilitators lol 🤣
AFDF’s 😉
Does it work for any horn speakers? I have a pair of really cheap old Jensen speakers that have the same style horn tweeter and midrange and they sound just like what he's describing I listened to jimmy buffets juicyfruit and the highs and mids are so clear and separated but no harsh on the high end
@@Durkhead I believe so; it’s something they did in the old days quite frequently, and I guess nowadays it’s the kind of thing where speakers can be good that have horns and speakers can be good that don’t. It just depends on what your preference is really, as there is a bit of a difference sonically.
Do you prefer the Cornwall or the source point? Is that apples to apples?
I was curious if this as well. Did we ever get a full review on the source points from Randy? Did I somehow miss it, I will have to look
No surprise here. I agree. I have Cornwall II’s powered by a Mac MC275 V6 when positioned out and toed, incredibly soundstage. My favorite combo for jazz and quality recordings.
If I had to guess, this speaker faithfully represents a more “free” design approach from a bygone era where hifi was all the rage and living room aesthetics were more accepting of a full-size tower speaker. A large format woofer can play well into the lower midrange because it needs very little excursion to fill in the low end, and does so with efficiency that smaller drivers simply cannot match.
This is a real testament to the laws of physics which, even after all these years, cannot be bent nor broken. Interior designers be damned… let there be sound!
It's not Interior designers you need to worry about, it's partners and spouses. Go on, tell them to be damned, I dare you ! 😉
I agree with the spirit of your comment, though, just unsure about the practicality.
@@jimfarrell4635 oh, I agree 1000%! My wife wouldn’t let me put my Energy RC-Minis in the living room, and they are like little 7” tall wooden jewelry! They are now part of my PC/Music system in the basement, so at least I still get to enjoy them!
Exactly right, trying to get tight punchy bass and midbass from a small driver is like trying to paddle a canoe with a broomstick. Area matters!
@@naturalverities and the lower you go, the more area you need. Of all the crazy crap I did in my younger car audio days, the best bass I ever had came from using a 15” Cerwin Vega Stroker; a sub with a pro-audio style cone and suspension, mixed with dual spiders and a MASSIVE motor.
In a sealed enclosure (it was designed for vented applications) it was the fastest, punchiest sub I’d ever heard. The amount of energy it could ACCURATELY transform into sound was something I had to demonstrate; it defied description. No one believed me until they heard it for themselves.
Horn loading is also something the pro audio sector figured out a long time ago; a way to better couple a driver to the air mass in front of it. Lo and behold, look at this Klipsh - horn loaded! Some say there’s nothing new under the sun. 😁
@@superspeeder tell me about it... my man-loft has Lascala bass bins, love 'em! And 38" wide mid horns, 😁.
Got a pair of these new for 2300 when they were doing close out sales. Liked them so much that I bought a b stock pair of the fourth generation for around 3800 bucks(before all the hyper inflation nonsense).
The fourth gen isn’t exactly better in most facets. It just different. The fourth doesn’t chuff as much and it disperses the mid range marginally better. I do prefer the third generation for its tonality. My ears could just be tuned to them now, but I prefer my third generation over all.
The fourth generation speakers have been relegated to our beach house, kind of a hard pill to swallow price wise. A new set will put you about 6-7k in the hole. B stock will still set you back almost 5. In my honest opinion I don’t think anyone should pay that much for any of the Cornwalls. I’ll probably sell these while the used market is still so hot on them.
Also worth saying that there was a slight mid generation tweak. There was a change in the crossover for the last few years of the third generation.
You selling your IVs?
I have the 4s. Smiling like a mofo.
Cornwalls are great and the LaScalas are too but the later need subwoofers. My experience has shown toeing in horn loudspeakers to where the stereo triangle crosses right in front of the listening position greatly enhances the imaging, overall soundstage width and height.
Love the return of Sith audio! Hilarious. Great vid, Randy.
Been running Carver M1.0t into Heresy IIs since the 80s. Hard combination to beat. Loved the Cornwalls and Forte's but had no room at the time for speakers that large. Would love to see a review of all the various versions of the Heresys.
Mr.Klipsch was a musical genius!! He made speaker that reproduce exactly what you put in to them ... if you put bad in they were bad if you put good in you got magic and life like as you are sitting at a live performance.
Could you tell us a little more about the listening room, like the approximate dimensions and room treatments? I'm wondering what size room you need to have to make the investment in Cornwalls? It looks like a beautiful old Craftsman style home by the way!
Love your “pedestrian “ take on these speakers Randy! The heritage line takes the musical experience to another level especially paired with the a good amplifier. Like most things there is a cost to pay but it’s worth it. I enjoyed a pair of Forte’s for many years until I audition and upgraded to KEF 107.
I’ve had my Cornwalls for over 20 years now. Every time I think about possibly moving to something else I just cave. I’ve upgraded the tweeters and crossovers plus did the ol’ rope caulk mod. These along with my Denafrips Pontus II DAC and PrimaLuna EVO300 integrated produce what just sounds right to me.
I have the same DAC and primaluna but power a pair of Klipsch chorus 2 and I'm in love
Could not have described the Cornwall "effect" better. I picked up the IVs last March... They still amaze. Every track I have is a new experience. And - Pro-tip - get REW and a good DSP engine to correct the room.... Its next level!
Oh my... I hate to say this, but these WERE good sounding speakers with few rivals, but that was back in the 1970's. Yes, they have upgraded the mid and tweeters, but the basic design is akin to turbocharging a minivan and trying to win the Indy 500. There are SO MANY better speakers. 15" Woofers are great for producing the original sound of the band, but NOT reproducing that sound. They are sloppy and slow.
Want better? Try something on like a Bowers and Wilkins. You will never go back....
I would suggest you take your Advance Paris A10 to your friends and hook up the Cornwall III's.Ut will really blow your mind.Bass Punch and Air(sounds like the highs are coming from the ceiling)I have the Cornwall Iv's and the Advance Paris A12 hooked up to the Eversolo dmp-A8 and a Florence RT-85N.The system is amazing.
Cornwalls are one of the best daily drivers. They do background music at low level phenomenally well. Love em
I agree. I like to listen in the morning with coffee at like 50db and I can still hear everything In The music.
I have a pair of Cornwall II which I have updated with Crites sonocaps and new Italian horn tweeters which go up to 30 khz, OMG there's not much in this world that can raise the hairs on my arms!
My big takeaway?
Randy's Kung-fu is good.
He's developed nicely, he's quite adept at what he does.
The room sounded a bit too live. If you thought they sounded focused and layered... a properly treated room would have blown your mind. The close your eyes in the dark forget about everything type of experience.
I wanted to get a pair of these but bought a pair of Legacy Focus SE.Really nice full range.I have nerve damage to my ears and some electrostatic speakers annoy and fatigue me.I often wondered if the Cornwall's and their horns would bother me as I have the tunes on all the time to drowned out my tinnitus.
Thx,great video.
These speakers were made and calibrated to be placed in the Corner. The Speakers are good enough to sound good when not placed optimally. All you have to do is stand to the side of one of the speakers in the middle of the Room to see why. Mr. Paul was all about Corner Loading that's how he earned his Name. The Klipsch Trade Mark is a corner speaker LOL! The bass to the side of many Vented Cabinets made many builders use unnecessary Bracing (while some is good for strength) because they thought that the sides of the cabinet was Vibrating LOL! In many cases the Bass from the side of the cabinet is louder or heavier than what's coming out of the Front.
So you move speakers out of the Corners to detune or mute them a little. This happens with ported speakers as well but not to the extreme like well Vented Speaker Cabinets. As one guy told me 55 years ago, the corner is a Horn's Bell! I'm an old Tuba player.
Good stuff Randy, I’d love to have some big ol’ klipsch speakers and a sweet tube amp one day, I like some junk in the trunk too, thanks!!!
I had a set. The mid-bass hump and cabinet resonance obscured the detail of the mids and. It was unbearable. I have Forte I and Forte II that I much prefer.
I've tried out a lot of gear over the years. My Cornwall 3's are the only items in my setup that have never changed. At least for my preferences in tonality, they really are that good.
I'm using Cornwall 1 cabinets from the 70s as subwoofer boxes and man do they get lower than you might think