This video is not sponsored for more info on how we work: nbtsmedia.com/about-us/ relevant video: Klipsch forte iv: th-cam.com/video/zFSqroEBsOc/w-d-xo.html Klipsch Cornwall IV: amzn.to/2MD9eEg Klipsch Cornwall III: amzn.to/2Mz55l0 other Klipsch heritage series: Klipsch Heresey III: amzn.to/2NR50d7 Klipsch forte III: amzn.to/2MFL4Je Klipsch La Scala: amzn.to/2Ys1Q1u Klipsch klipschorn: amzn.to/3oyXe3Y
Steve a few reviewers have come to the conclusion that KEF LS50 Meta compare to the old version is rather a side step then that huge leap forward described in our undertake which is a bit puzzling
If it's the last speaker you buy it's not that bad plus they don't require megapower to drive them or a separate sub. I get you, though, it's somewhat pricey.
Based on this review and Steve Guttenberg’s glowing reviews I purchased the Cornwall 4s from Paducah Home theater in KY and had shipped. I’ve built my own speaker and have also owned about 6 different speakers and attended Rocky Mountain audio fest yearly for last 10 years. When I walked into the Klipsch room a few years ago I heard something different I liked. Finally pulled the trigger and really loving these so far!
Great review! I am a native Arkansan where the Heritage Klipsch are made and I never considered any speakers but Klipsch until 3 years ago. I have all the Heritage except Laa Scala. Curiously I purchased Focal, Sonus Faber, B&W, & Polk; all great speakers (especially Sonus Faber and Polk LSIM703s). However, my Khorns in my opinion are just a wonderful testament to the genius of PAUL Klipsch-75 years of continuous production! Sound Amazing!
I don't think it's that these "move more air" for a given SPL, but that the bass wavefront energy is directed more forward toward the listener rather than escaping to the sides and rear. That is a characteristic of the large diameter woofers and wide baffles, not due to some magic driver technology. It's something that was lost with the advent (pun) in the '60s of sealed bookshelf speakers that could reproduce low bass thanks to a heavy, highly compliant woofer, but couldn't "slam". We're only now coming back around to rediscovering what was lost back then, and giving ourselves permission to favor it.
I have them with heavy toe-in for 2 reasons. 1) you get wider seeetspot so more than one person can enjoy them at the same time. 2) less side wall reflections. Makes wall treatment almost obsolete. And yes, you get a 3D like soundstage. Scary good speakers if life-like performance is what you’re looking for.
Frat brother had a pair, 1980 . He played our parties, with a Maranz Receiver hooked up to a Reel to Reel tape player and turntable. Simply amazing for the time.
Well done! I own the Cornwall IV's and they are indeed amazing. I also currently own Magnepan .7's, Triangle Treos's, Rogers LS3/5A's and a pair of CSS Triton 2DT's. Alll are for sale except the Cornwalls and Rogers. I have owned the likes of Thiel, Dahlquist, Vandersteen, Magnepan 3.6's, NHT 3.3's, Spendor SP100's, Wharfedale Linton 85th, Zu Omen's and many many more. None of these have come close in providing pure musical enjoyment like the CW's. Your review is, in my opinion, spot on and of the reviews out there, on the CW's, yours provides the closest description to my experience. No, they are not the most transparent and the Maggies do present a more open soundstage but, the dynamics, emotion, impact and more are the very best I have ever heard in my home. Thanks for an awesome and, to my ears, accurate review.
It was really cool to hear him talk about the holographic/surround sound capabilities of the Cornwall IVs. I have had mine for four months now and run them with a Yamaha RX-A2060 AVR with dual Outlaw 2200 monoblocks amps. I have had to check numerous times to make sure the AVR did not get switched to 9-channel stereo or one of the DSP nightclub/concert modes instead of stereo output. These Cornwalls will make you think you are listening in surround sound with many tracks. They truly are a very exciting speaker in which to immerse oneself. They are my forever speakers and I can't recommend them highly enough!
Nice work. I find it amazing that you have just only taken on audio as an interest a few years ago and already you hit descriptions, feelings, sound etc. on the head. It has been fun watching/listening to your audio journey. Good on ya mate! Keep up the good "detailed, insightful" info flowing.. Now...why the hell didn't you play several different examples?? LOL Interest peaked..
Thanks for doing these speakers justice! I love my Forte III's in my living room (if I ever get a bigger space I'd certainly consider Cornwall's or LaScala's!). I respect a lot of other speakers do other aspects better, and love to listen to other setups too. I mean if I had infinite money I'd have a room with horns, a room with more standard box speakers, a room with planar/ribbons, and a room with open baffle. All the flavors of ice cream ;)
To me they look far better with a cover over the front. They remind me a lot of the type of speaker one might find in an old dance hall. They have a lot of charm.
My Cornwall IVs are beautiful,majestic and sound near-real life spectacular. I have them side by side by my Focals Sopra 2 and listen to them almost exclusively between vocals, instrumentals.
I grew up during the golden age of HI-FI. In the early 60's my roommate had a Marantz tube system with a set of home made speakers and turntable. At the time I didn't know anything about stereo. All I know is the sound from his system was glorious. The speakers he owned looked a lot like the Cornwalls, but not as nice looking with their unfinished barewood cabinets.
The Cornwall IV almost was my last speaker, then a Google alert came up, for a pair of industrial La Scalas, it was not even a moment's thought. I love the Cornwall, even though I prefer the Chorus II, they both have a smaller throat than the K-horn/La Scala, the corn wall has a beautiful baseline, but it has nowhere near the throat of the La Scala or the K-horn. I have actual industrial LA scala's with the k43 woofers. They're in they're finished in Sand Pebble black. Honestly, they're not 100% domesticated, the Cornwall is.
Still one of my favorite speaker's was my 1981 natural Birch Cornwall's with full Crites updates. Still one of the better orchestra reproducing speakers that I've owned. Nice to see you jump back to these Heritage speakers after covering the powered stand mounts Jay! Now if your demo units are half off...well...*hands up* Lol.
I would love to hear your Klipsch Cornwallis. I have Chorus ii's with full Bob Crites (may he R.I.P.) appointments and they are nothing short of amazing.
Also the klipschhorn was very well evaluated in 'stereoplay' , big surface is needed for realistic reproduction of big instruments , look at the size of a kichdrum.big toms , huge symphonic orchestra...you can feel the trembling of bassnotes and so get the emotions...with small units it keeps 'mental'
Hej How would you describe the difference between Klipch in genetral and Tekton in general when it comes to their sound characteristics. I don’t think you mentioned how big your room is. Would be interesting to know.
@@staffanolofsson8342 I think they’re very overwhelmed with orders. The first time I spoke to the owner he sounded frenetic and extremely stressed out. I own a sort of similar business where at times I thought I was going to lose my mind so I wrote him and suggested he try meditation which is what helps me. The second time I called was when I thought that maybe I was doing something wrong since they didn’t live up to my expectations and I even offered to buy something more expensive but he became combative and rushed me off the phone. The guy is headed towards a nervous breakdown if you ask me and I know a little about them. Anyway, I believe they may be defective so I contested them on my credit card.
i loved the Cornwall III - first time i heard a system that truely gave me the live sound. if they were such overpriced in Australia i think i would have purchased them
Cornwall's are what music really sounds like, there is no mistaking that. So called more detailed or greater imaging speakers are what Hi Fi gear sounds like.
I listened to them all, for some reason the cornwall ii just sounded the best to me, the separation of the instruments was just so much better, and more detailed, but somehow everything blended together perfectly, the music felt like it was flowing out on a wave, hard to explain, that's what I bought and kept
That matched my experience. If one wants to hear what the recording studio is hearing one needs another speaker set. If one wishes to be in the same room as the performers these will do it.
Hi Jay, I have built speakers and yes the Quality of crossover components do make a difference but it’s very expensive. As someone who’s worked in high-end audio And professional audio recording studios and big PA systems high-efficiency speakers have a certain magic to them, many people call it jump, I think it is dynamic range which many home speakers lack. The guy from GR research does some nice work at scenes although I haven’t heard them, but I like his thought process. One of the things when I was building loudspeakers was to put the crossover outside the box and close to the amplifier and then I would very high quality cable to each driver, The difference was not small as each cable only had to deal with one set of frequencies connected directly to one driver. This is not practical for most home set ups or is it financially doable for manufacturers. Right now I’m messing around with open baffle designs and a transmission line subwoofer system using some of Nelson Pass pipe design . Enjoy . Regards from Montreal , Andrew
Very true, but in years past audio company's could get away with cheap parts because there was no TH-cam with people taking their products apart showing the cost cutting in the components. All these products sound good until you do what you do and realize for $100 -$200 in better parts that same speaker could sound much better. That's called the next model up for $3000 more!🤔🤔🙄🤫🤫🤫🤭🤭😇
Revisiting this video years later... There are some crossovers done aftermarket that help these speakers in a none significant way... These really are a lifetime speaker imho... Especially if paired with some massive Klipsch subs ( for movies ).
Hey I have to say that if you want to crack concrete shatter glass the corn will Forza for you in order to move foundations you'll need to add subwoofers to make the job complete
I heard them in Roseville CA and they sounded amazing. I could have sat there for hours. These things make Music effortless. I liked them better than my Pendragons as there was something there that weren't in the Tektons. (The Pens are awesome too though)
I enjoy this review many times.. you are an honest man. I know you didn’t want to like them. That’s a class A audio review IMO. Sorry about the Toronto show :(. Love your channel
Toeing in refers to a RADIOLOGY TERM aiming the Central Ray. X-ray techs take advantage of the central for the purest wave. Aiming speakers in different directions changes the sound.
Very thoughtful and informative review. It’d be nice when you refer to your room size to take 5 seconds and mention the dimensions. Big, small without context is useless. Thanks
5/2023: Most enjoyable. Would have been nice to hear them. You have really nice "toys". What do you think about the Heresy IV compared to these speakers? Yes, a little bit smaller, lighter and a 12" speaker. I have always preferred 15" speakers though. However, at such a price difference, do you think that is really valid that these speakers cost so much more for 3 inches of speaker and more weight? Personally, I like the size of both models of speaker cabinets and don't really think that they are all that "Large". I do like the LaScala AL5 also (so much for size). Thanks and Best Regards.
You have a good ear and communicate it well. I have Cornwall IIs since 1987. Updated last year with MacIntosh and Denafrips and VPI. Wow. But I used for a long time with a 1976 Harmon Kardon 430 25 W. I’d only add that what also makes them special is the efficiency as it speeds the response time. And the low power used helps to keep distortion low. Accuracy and efficiency are related and are huge factors for me.
I've had Cornwall III's for 5 years now. In my system and room, placed very wide and toed in so that I just see the outer sides of the box, these to me are not hi-fi. They are music. Natural size, natural tone, dynamics, staging. Not pin-point images - as Jay rightly points out - but fleshed-out 3D images, like the real thing. I cannot imagine how the IV's can improve on these in any significant way.
Honestly the 3 was my least favorite, still great, but too colorful. Having heard them all. My 2 favorites are the 84 gen 1 (cw2 drivers in the imo better box of the 1) and the 4
@@notanaudiophile6763 I have only heard my own III's but - having read practically ALL reviews available online, and there's quite a few - there seems to be a consensus that the III's were the first to get rid of the typically shouty, horn-coloured Klipsch sound. To my ears they are only as "coloured" as they need to be to inject life into the performance.
@@gaborozorai3714 the early 1s with the metal horns were shouty. After that they werent so bad but they definitely had a tendency to let you know if your source material was badly mixed
I’ve owned the brands you mentioned which should have more detail but in actuality, the C4’s are tremendously detailed, while maintaining a fully fleshed out and more realistic sound stage! Presence is a key attribute…they deliver the energy of a performance without the unrealistic constriction of dynamics and hyper detail the Uber brands supply.
Nicely done and spot on. Excellent description of the sound of the Heritage speaker line up. Love the Cornwall and La Scala's and wish I could afford them! Maybe I'll just sell my car.....not!
I bought my Heresy III’s from a guy who just bought a pair of Cornwall IV’s. The first thing that he said is that they were large, perhaps too large. Jay had them well in the background. If Jay stood beside them, you would realize he could fit inside them. If the size is a factor, you may want to listen to the Heresy’s. Same sound qualities in a form factor that works surprisingly well in many smaller rooms.
Good review and here is an honest question. Do you enjoy the Cornwall IV as much as say Wilson Audio Sabrina’s, or Sonus Faber Olympicas, etc. not are they better but do you enjoy them as much or better?
@@rndm4642 my local shop has a pair coming. I hope to hear them soon. I gave the forte iii and the la scala a try and did not care for either. I own Thiel 2.4 and though they were all around better.
@@rndm4642 the la scala was just out of the box a few hours before I heard it. It was in a proper room with McIntosh MA8900 integrated I believe. They were very thin with no body at all. If you take a pair of Grado headphones, take the pads off, and put the drivers right on your ears that is how they sounded. Not kidding. I Ike grados with problem pads... I will try them again once broken in. I am much more interesting in hearing the Cornwall IV. I feel like the la scala at $12,000 is a bad buy. They need duel subs without question. So $12,000 plus another $4k-$5k for good subs. There are a lot of better speakers in that price range.
@@rndm4642 I heard the Cornwall IV today also just out of the box in the same room/spot as the la scala. The Cornwall iv is a much better speaker. Sounded more natural and had much better bass. I will listen to them again once they are broken in. They might lack detail and refinement of higher end speakers ($10,000+) but at $6k they have potential.
I am going to say no. The speakers are placed too far between and and won't appear as one sound source. Of course you could but I would give them a couple of meters.
Well I stacked my Klipsch years ago and I'm never ever going to un-stack them. My old RFs 7 are 8 inches from my rooms ceiling and sounds very live, just as it should be. I've always loved Klipsch sound, it sounds truly real to my ears. I had K Horns in the 70s also and we would setup in the naborhod park and play ball and party. You could hear the music four blocks more away. Yes them were the days and we had some very awsome partys in the summer's. From the early 70s to today the digital crap, 8 track and CDs have destroyed the sound quality. Even the soround system gear sounded like junk over the year's. Yes, it's been crazy and you can definitely tell the difference, it's truly been that bad. Today my ears are getting old and I don't chase the fidelity as I did back in the day, but I can sill hear the difference from bad recordings or sound gear. It's truly amazing that people by the junk that's been on the sound system market over the year's. Enjoyed your sharing and your in put on speaker 🔊. Have fun, thanks again.
Agree with you about Klipsch's ability to connect you to the music emotionally. Not sure why that is, though. But hey, why question it. Nice review, and excellent production!
They’re well worth the money, in my opinion. Have owned my second-hand Cornwall 1’s since 1989. My kids will have to decide who gets them or the Heresy 2’s we bought in 1986.
Totally accurate review and descriptions. Here is how you get $6000 a pair speakers for under $2000...... wait..... be patient..... buy used like I did. Klipsch Cornwall 1 from 1977 all original, no damage. Looks like opening a time capsule when I removed the back!! To think I almost bought Tekton’s for almost the same price. Nothing can compare to 15inch woofer and horns. Absolutely stunning and lifelike sound even at low volumes.
Well done! Your multi-faceted aural views based on speaker placement are so engaing to my senses! Perhaps running @ 7 1/2 ips ( if only for perception ) would be appropriate for these historic giants! You've gained another sub - thanks!
Use a 140-160 Watt RMS, ~500 Watt Peak good quality multimedia receiver with a center channel speaker in a larger room. Detail will markedly improve as as will the sound stage imaging. Add some "surround sound" from behind the listeners and it can make the room seem larger than it is.
Wondering how the Cornwalls compare to Zu Omen Def speakers.....the one's with the dual 10" drivers. They are both around the same price and high sensitivity. I currently have 15" Tannoys that I really love, but I've had them for 20 years, and my ears are wanting to wander.
I love my 800 Diamonds. I also own Cornwall III's. The CW III's are amazing to me. Damn near brought a tear to my eye the first day home. As of late, I've been tempted to sell them and get some IV's because of all the rave reviews. Before I do, I'm going to try some tube amps. Currently, they're running biamped with dual Sony TA-N77es' which is overkill for such sensitive speakers.
I've been using buying keeping and listening to Klipsch heritage series speakers since 1975 and I've never worried about how they look or how large or small they are just as long as they give me the equivalent sound that I would hear in a large arena with 20,000 people sitting in it and then as well giving me the decibel levels in which would contain that same sound. The thing is is it the cornrows are not made for rooms any smaller than about 16 x 16 ft square with 10 ft ceilings any rooms smaller than that and you'll be drowned out by a lot of which cannot be avoided in rooms smaller than 16 * 16 * 12 ft high ceilings but once you get past this the sound from these things are concert quality decibel piercing wonderment of ...
I have had the Cornwall, I guess 1, for 40 years. I Play them regularly. My original cost was $400 each. I was introduced to the Klipschorns in 1974 and loved their sound. Unfortunately, I could not afford them. I started out with the Heresy's and then moved to the Cornwalls Their sound was closer to the Klipschorn than the Lascala.
I believe the best pattern is a triangle; ears, left speaker, right speaker. I learned this many years ago when I had a summer job at Miami Designed Electronics. A company that specialized in Church Sounds Systems.
I have never heard these speakers. I have the Heresy III, and I have heard people say that they are harsh sounding. I think that only happens if you boost the treble. I play music flat and only boost the treble when needed. As for bass, the Heresy III requires a subwoofer PERIOD. I hope to someday have enough space for Cornwalls.
How do you rank them against a pair of JBL L300 vintage speakers which you used to own. I never had a chance listening to latest CW but preferred L300 against previous CW for same emotional impact but finer and more coherent sound out of JBL.
Apologies for posting here - would love to see you review some Line Magnetic amps that would seem to be good competitors to the Willsenton and other integrated tube amps that you've spent a bunch of time on.
I think they are beautiful. The port profile reduces chuffing. It is too bad that they were not able to come up with a sealed woofer design but I suppose it might have required twin 15s to get the sensitivity.
This video is not sponsored
for more info on how we work:
nbtsmedia.com/about-us/
relevant video:
Klipsch forte iv: th-cam.com/video/zFSqroEBsOc/w-d-xo.html
Klipsch Cornwall IV: amzn.to/2MD9eEg
Klipsch Cornwall III: amzn.to/2Mz55l0
other Klipsch heritage series:
Klipsch Heresey III: amzn.to/2NR50d7
Klipsch forte III: amzn.to/2MFL4Je
Klipsch La Scala: amzn.to/2Ys1Q1u
Klipsch klipschorn: amzn.to/3oyXe3Y
Steve a few reviewers have come to the conclusion that KEF LS50 Meta compare to the old version is rather a side step then that huge leap forward described in our undertake which is a bit puzzling
Need to get a Yamaha amp
Perfect than
I knew someone who bought a pair in the '80s for $1,000 USD each.
The construction of these speakers is so cheap you can only be another internet Shill I wont be listening to
Nice!
Steve i just watched your Cornwall 4 follow up review today. I'm glad you made that! I think I'm ordering them tomorrow. 😎🎸
@ralphonsnowflakes8665 Did you?
Dayum. Your videos are looking DAPPER these days! Well done!
Simp
@@edwardbalboa5528 asshat
Dude, your videos are looking and feeling amazing these days. Your hard work is showing every time. Well done!
Klipsch is getting a lot of TH-cam love these days.
Bad new for my saving account.
Frederick Hardman I wonder how they do with some tubes
If it's the last speaker you buy it's not that bad plus they don't require megapower to drive them or a separate sub. I get you, though, it's somewhat pricey.
@@kohnfutner9637 one word OHM Acoustics.
@@dilbyjones what do you like better about ohm than klipsch? Anything you like better about klipsch?
@@kohnfutner9637 . .honestly... I just like that Ohm is underrated
Based on this review and Steve Guttenberg’s glowing reviews I purchased the Cornwall 4s from Paducah Home theater in KY and had shipped. I’ve built my own speaker and have also owned about 6 different speakers and attended Rocky Mountain audio fest yearly for last 10 years. When I walked into the Klipsch room a few years ago I heard something different I liked. Finally pulled the trigger and really loving these so far!
Great review! I am a native Arkansan where the Heritage Klipsch are made and I never considered any speakers but Klipsch until 3 years ago. I have all the Heritage except Laa Scala. Curiously I purchased Focal, Sonus Faber, B&W, & Polk; all great speakers (especially Sonus Faber and Polk LSIM703s). However, my Khorns in my opinion are just a wonderful testament to the genius of PAUL Klipsch-75 years of continuous production! Sound Amazing!
This might be your best review, clearly my favorite. good job.
I don't think it's that these "move more air" for a given SPL, but that the bass wavefront energy is directed more forward toward the listener rather than escaping to the sides and rear. That is a characteristic of the large diameter woofers and wide baffles, not due to some magic driver technology. It's something that was lost with the advent (pun) in the '60s of sealed bookshelf speakers that could reproduce low bass thanks to a heavy, highly compliant woofer, but couldn't "slam". We're only now coming back around to rediscovering what was lost back then, and giving ourselves permission to favor it.
This was the best Cornwall review. Compliments !
Happy with my Cornwalls from 1981. The new horn style on the IV's are phenomenal.
I'd say with my Cornwall IVs I not just hear the music but also feel the music.
Great honest review! Just got a pair of these a couple weeks ago and love them.
These are what you call the 'Last Straw" speakers, the ones that push your spouse to finally leave you.
Good
Oy vey!
@@josexavierjr.5633...😂
Win Win !
Ouch.
I have them with heavy toe-in for 2 reasons. 1) you get wider seeetspot so more than one person can enjoy them at the same time. 2) less side wall reflections. Makes wall treatment almost obsolete. And yes, you get a 3D like soundstage. Scary good speakers if life-like performance is what you’re looking for.
Frat brother had a pair, 1980 . He played our parties, with a Maranz Receiver hooked up to a Reel to Reel tape player and turntable. Simply amazing for the time.
Well done! I own the Cornwall IV's and they are indeed amazing. I also currently own Magnepan .7's, Triangle Treos's, Rogers LS3/5A's and a pair of CSS Triton 2DT's. Alll are for sale except the Cornwalls and Rogers. I have owned the likes of Thiel, Dahlquist, Vandersteen, Magnepan 3.6's, NHT 3.3's, Spendor SP100's, Wharfedale Linton 85th, Zu Omen's and many many more. None of these have come close in providing pure musical enjoyment like the CW's. Your review is, in my opinion, spot on and of the reviews out there, on the CW's, yours provides the closest description to my experience. No, they are not the most transparent and the Maggies do present a more open soundstage but, the dynamics, emotion, impact and more are the very best I have ever heard in my home. Thanks for an awesome and, to my ears, accurate review.
It was really cool to hear him talk about the holographic/surround sound capabilities of the Cornwall IVs. I have had mine for four months now and run them with a Yamaha RX-A2060 AVR with dual Outlaw 2200 monoblocks amps. I have had to check numerous times to make sure the AVR did not get switched to 9-channel stereo or one of the DSP nightclub/concert modes instead of stereo output. These Cornwalls will make you think you are listening in surround sound with many tracks. They truly are a very exciting speaker in which to immerse oneself. They are my forever speakers and I can't recommend them highly enough!
I've had them bounce off my back wall knowing I didn't have speakers back there. Amazing sound.
Nice work. I find it amazing that you have just only taken on audio as an interest a few years ago and already you hit descriptions, feelings, sound etc. on the head. It has been fun watching/listening to your audio journey. Good on ya mate! Keep up the good "detailed, insightful" info flowing.. Now...why the hell didn't you play several different examples?? LOL Interest peaked..
Very impressive review of such valued speakers from the heritage of the most important USA manufacturer. Thanks!
I think that they are beautiful - elegant design with superlative cabinetry. Good video, nice style of presentation and nice production values.
Thanks for doing these speakers justice! I love my Forte III's in my living room (if I ever get a bigger space I'd certainly consider Cornwall's or LaScala's!). I respect a lot of other speakers do other aspects better, and love to listen to other setups too.
I mean if I had infinite money I'd have a room with horns, a room with more standard box speakers, a room with planar/ribbons, and a room with open baffle. All the flavors of ice cream ;)
The same.
Ditto! You're a man aftr my own heart🍻🍸
To me they look far better with a cover over the front. They remind me a lot of the type of speaker one might find in an old dance hall. They have a lot of charm.
My Cornwall IVs are beautiful,majestic and sound near-real life spectacular. I have them side by side by my Focals Sopra 2 and listen to them almost exclusively between vocals, instrumentals.
I grew up during the golden age of HI-FI. In the early 60's my roommate had a Marantz tube system with a set of home made speakers and turntable. At the time I didn't know anything about stereo. All I know is the sound from his system was glorious. The speakers he owned looked a lot like the Cornwalls, but not as nice looking with their unfinished barewood cabinets.
How about a comparison video to the new Forte IV
The Cornwall IV almost was my last speaker, then a Google alert came up, for a pair of industrial La Scalas, it was not even a moment's thought.
I love the Cornwall, even though I prefer the Chorus II, they both have a smaller throat than the K-horn/La Scala, the corn wall has a beautiful baseline, but it has nowhere near the throat of the La Scala or the K-horn.
I have actual industrial LA scala's with the k43 woofers. They're in they're finished in Sand Pebble black. Honestly, they're not 100% domesticated, the Cornwall is.
Really enjoyed your review. Was that the Leak Audio 130 or 230, you tested them with?
Still one of my favorite speaker's was my 1981 natural Birch Cornwall's with full Crites updates. Still one of the better orchestra reproducing speakers that I've owned. Nice to see you jump back to these Heritage speakers after covering the powered stand mounts Jay! Now if your demo units are half off...well...*hands up* Lol.
I would love to hear your Klipsch Cornwallis. I have Chorus ii's with full Bob Crites (may he R.I.P.) appointments
and they are nothing short of amazing.
Nice video. I've had my pair since July of last year and I agree with everything you've said. Well done!
My dream speaker along with the Tekton Double Impact, but the wallet is skinny. Your videos keep getting better in quality. Thanks.
Love your reviews! You are a role model for unbiased expert hifi reviews. I plan on getting those Cornwalls someday!
I have these fantastic speakers with McIntosh MA252. Outstanding
How you enjoying the MA252? Having an issue finding a vendor for one
@@thomasedward2231 MA252 sounds warm and dynamic
@@ivanmaltoni8760 sorry to pester what vendor did you use? Pain fo find one new
I had a pair yrs ago. Phenomenal. Now considering a new pair for my studio.
Also the klipschhorn was very well evaluated in 'stereoplay' , big surface is needed for realistic reproduction of big instruments , look at the size of a kichdrum.big toms , huge symphonic orchestra...you can feel the trembling of bassnotes and so get the emotions...with small units it keeps 'mental'
Absolutely. There's "really big sound---for a small speaker" and then there's really big sound---period, full stop.
I just got a pair of the cornwall 1 I think. Thew were my grandfather's. He got them in the late 70s.
One of the few speakers that look like a million with the grilles on, and also sounds better IMHO.
Hej
How would you describe the difference between Klipch in genetral and Tekton in general when it comes to their sound characteristics.
I don’t think you mentioned how big your room is. Would be interesting to know.
Don’t get the Tektons, I’m sending back my Double Impacts after being grossly disappointed.
@@philbarone4603 No, I wont. They don't even bother to replay. Tried twise.
Thanks for your answer.
@@staffanolofsson8342 I think they’re very overwhelmed with orders. The first time I spoke to the owner he sounded frenetic and extremely stressed out. I own a sort of similar business where at times I thought I was going to lose my mind so I wrote him and suggested he try meditation which is what helps me. The second time I called was when I thought that maybe I was doing something wrong since they didn’t live up to my expectations and I even offered to buy something more expensive but he became combative and rushed me off the phone. The guy is headed towards a nervous breakdown if you ask me and I know a little about them. Anyway, I believe they may be defective so I contested them on my credit card.
Excellent review. Qualitative and informative analysis. Thanks
i loved the Cornwall III - first time i heard a system that truely gave me the live sound. if they were such overpriced in Australia i think i would have purchased them
Cornwall's are what music really sounds like, there is no mistaking that. So called more detailed or greater imaging speakers are what Hi Fi gear sounds like.
@@jamiemcneil9462 no not every speaker. Klipsh is just one if the worst. English speakers ain't too bad
The Cornwall speakers are actually very nice looking speakers. Everyone that comes over loves their looks.
I listened to them all, for some reason the cornwall ii just sounded the best to me, the separation of the instruments was just so much better, and more detailed, but somehow everything blended together perfectly, the music felt like it was flowing out on a wave, hard to explain, that's what I bought and kept
That matched my experience. If one wants to hear what the recording studio is hearing one needs another speaker set. If one wishes to be in the same room as the performers these will do it.
Big is beautiful baby!! I nearly killed my back moving my CW3, but it’s so worth it!
Great channel btw!
Hi Jay, I have built speakers and yes the Quality of crossover components do make a difference but it’s very expensive. As someone who’s worked in high-end audio And professional audio recording studios and big PA systems high-efficiency speakers have a certain magic to them, many people call it jump, I think it is dynamic range which many home speakers lack. The guy from GR research does some nice work at scenes although I haven’t heard them, but I like his thought process. One of the things when I was building loudspeakers was to put the crossover outside the box and close to the amplifier and then I would very high quality cable to each driver, The difference was not small as each cable only had to deal with one set of frequencies connected directly to one driver. This is not practical for most home set ups or is it financially doable for manufacturers. Right now I’m messing around with open baffle designs and a transmission line subwoofer system using some of Nelson Pass pipe design . Enjoy . Regards from Montreal , Andrew
Very true, but in years past audio company's could get away with cheap parts because there was no TH-cam with people taking their products apart showing the cost cutting in the components. All these products sound good until you do what you do and realize for $100 -$200 in better parts that same speaker could sound much better. That's called the next model up for $3000 more!🤔🤔🙄🤫🤫🤫🤭🤭😇
I have owned Klipsch Khorns, and Cornwalls for > 43 years. They still sound great and are priced reasonably. Jay, tour the Klipsch factory.
One of the best lookins speaker around.
looking
Revisiting this video years later... There are some crossovers done aftermarket that help these speakers in a none significant way... These really are a lifetime speaker imho... Especially if paired with some massive Klipsch subs ( for movies ).
I think they are beautiful! Not ugly at all
Hey I have to say that if you want to crack concrete shatter glass the corn will Forza for you in order to move foundations you'll need to add subwoofers to make the job complete
Very good and clear review, thanks Jay
Hey, I think refrigerators look good. You should see my wife, she is a real beauty.
Lol, that's great.
😂😂😂😂😂
hahahhaahah, yes!
LOL
@@Teachering - Cool looking Tele's you have there. They have been my favorite for longer than I am willing to say.
I have been looking for a review exactly like this for the speaker. Great review! 감사합니다.
My heresy H 100 are 48 years old, bought them new, excellent sound for me
I heard them in Roseville CA and they sounded amazing. I could have sat there for hours. These things make Music effortless. I liked them better than my Pendragons as there was something there that weren't in the Tektons. (The Pens are awesome too though)
But at 3x the cost
Since sound is carried by air, it makes sense to me, a speaker moving the most air is a good thing.
I enjoy this review many times.. you are an honest man. I know you didn’t want to like them. That’s a class A audio review IMO. Sorry about the Toronto show :(. Love your channel
Very detailed honest review. Well done.
Toeing in refers to a RADIOLOGY TERM aiming the Central Ray. X-ray techs take advantage of the central for the purest wave. Aiming speakers in different directions changes the sound.
Very thoughtful and informative review. It’d be nice when you refer to your room size to take 5 seconds and mention the dimensions. Big, small without context is useless. Thanks
It's beautiful wit the grill on
I bet those would also work well with the Zen Triode.
5/2023: Most enjoyable. Would have been nice to hear them. You have really nice "toys". What do you think about the Heresy IV compared to these speakers? Yes, a little bit smaller, lighter and a 12" speaker. I have always preferred 15" speakers though. However, at such a price difference, do you think that is really valid that these speakers cost so much more for 3 inches of speaker and more weight? Personally, I like the size of both models of speaker cabinets and don't really think that they are all that "Large". I do like the LaScala AL5 also (so much for size). Thanks and Best Regards.
You have a good ear and communicate it well. I have Cornwall IIs since 1987. Updated last year with MacIntosh and Denafrips and VPI. Wow. But I used for a long time with a 1976 Harmon Kardon 430 25 W. I’d only add that what also makes them special is the efficiency as it speeds the response time. And the low power used helps to keep distortion low. Accuracy and efficiency are related and are huge factors for me.
I've had Cornwall III's for 5 years now. In my system and room, placed very wide and toed in so that I just see the outer sides of the box, these to me are not hi-fi. They are music. Natural size, natural tone, dynamics, staging. Not pin-point images - as Jay rightly points out - but fleshed-out 3D images, like the real thing. I cannot imagine how the IV's can improve on these in any significant way.
Honestly the 3 was my least favorite, still great, but too colorful. Having heard them all. My 2 favorites are the 84 gen 1 (cw2 drivers in the imo better box of the 1) and the 4
@@notanaudiophile6763 I have only heard my own III's but - having read practically ALL reviews available online, and there's quite a few - there seems to be a consensus that the III's were the first to get rid of the typically shouty, horn-coloured Klipsch sound. To my ears they are only as "coloured" as they need to be to inject life into the performance.
@@gaborozorai3714 the early 1s with the metal horns were shouty. After that they werent so bad but they definitely had a tendency to let you know if your source material was badly mixed
i like the 1984 originals the best. i jabent hears the 4. i uave a pair of la scallas also.
Cornwall IV must be one heck of a speaker since I like my IIIs a LOT with a simple single ended integrated tube amp.
I’ve owned the brands you mentioned which should have more detail but in actuality, the C4’s are tremendously detailed, while maintaining a fully fleshed out and more realistic sound stage! Presence is a key attribute…they deliver the energy of a performance without the unrealistic constriction of dynamics and hyper detail the Uber brands supply.
I'd be curious to hear how these compare to the Tekton speakers you've reviewed.
My thoughts exactly!
Nicely done and spot on. Excellent description of the sound of the Heritage speaker line up. Love the Cornwall and La Scala's and wish I could afford them! Maybe I'll just sell my car.....not!
They're not ugly.
I bought my Heresy III’s from a guy who just bought a pair of Cornwall IV’s. The first thing that he said is that they were large, perhaps too large. Jay had them well in the background. If Jay stood beside them, you would realize he could fit inside them. If the size is a factor, you may want to listen to the Heresy’s. Same sound qualities in a form factor that works surprisingly well in many smaller rooms.
Good review and here is an honest question. Do you enjoy the Cornwall IV as much as say Wilson Audio Sabrina’s, or Sonus Faber Olympicas, etc. not are they better but do you enjoy them as much or better?
Totally valid question. I’m leaning towards Cornwall IV’s over a more “audiophile” sounding speaker for the next move.
@@rndm4642 my local shop has a pair coming. I hope to hear them soon. I gave the forte iii and the la scala a try and did not care for either. I own Thiel 2.4 and though they were all around better.
@@JamesWilliams-gf8gm I’d be interested in your impressions. Did you test out the latest La Scala?
@@rndm4642 the la scala was just out of the box a few hours before I heard it. It was in a proper room with McIntosh MA8900 integrated I believe. They were very thin with no body at all. If you take a pair of Grado headphones, take the pads off, and put the drivers right on your ears that is how they sounded. Not kidding. I Ike grados with problem pads...
I will try them again once broken in. I am much more interesting in hearing the Cornwall IV. I feel like the la scala at $12,000 is a bad buy. They need duel subs without question. So $12,000 plus another $4k-$5k for good subs. There are a lot of better speakers in that price range.
@@rndm4642 I heard the Cornwall IV today also just out of the box in the same room/spot as the la scala. The Cornwall iv is a much better speaker. Sounded more natural and had much better bass. I will listen to them again once they are broken in. They might lack detail and refinement of higher end speakers ($10,000+) but at $6k they have potential.
would these work desktop nearfield? :P
You'd need a big desktop.
For Shrek only
I am going to say no. The speakers are placed too far between and and won't appear as one sound source. Of course you could but I would give them a couple of meters.
Absolutely! They can also work as a desk.
If you want big speakers to work near field go for Tannoys with their single point source design
Veri good speakers. Love Klipsch.👍
you call that huge boxes? you should see my 330 l boxes for my altec lansing drivers ......
Hey Jay - what recording were you listening to when you were talking about the Cornwall's "elastic" sound? Thanks!
Well I stacked my Klipsch years ago and I'm never ever going to un-stack them. My old RFs 7 are 8 inches from my rooms ceiling and sounds very live, just as it should be. I've always loved Klipsch sound, it sounds truly real to my ears.
I had K Horns in the 70s also and we would setup in the naborhod park and play ball and party. You could hear the music four blocks more away. Yes them were the days and we had some very awsome partys in the summer's.
From the early 70s to today the digital crap, 8 track and CDs have destroyed the sound quality. Even the soround system gear sounded like junk over the year's. Yes, it's been crazy and you can definitely tell the difference, it's truly been that bad. Today my ears are getting old and I don't chase the fidelity as I did back in the day, but I can sill hear the difference from bad recordings or sound gear. It's truly amazing that people by the junk that's been on the sound system market over the year's.
Enjoyed your sharing and your in put on speaker 🔊. Have fun, thanks again.
parties, plural. summers, plural. No apostrophe.
Agree with you about Klipsch's ability to connect you to the music emotionally. Not sure why that is, though. But hey, why question it. Nice review, and excellent production!
They’re well worth the money, in my opinion. Have owned my second-hand Cornwall 1’s since 1989. My kids will have to decide who gets them or the Heresy 2’s we bought in 1986.
Totally accurate review and descriptions. Here is how you get $6000 a pair speakers for under $2000...... wait..... be patient..... buy used like I did.
Klipsch Cornwall 1 from 1977 all original, no damage. Looks like opening a time capsule when I removed the back!! To think I almost bought Tekton’s for almost the same price. Nothing can compare to 15inch woofer and horns. Absolutely stunning and lifelike sound even at low volumes.
Well done! Your multi-faceted aural views based on speaker placement are so engaing to my senses! Perhaps running @ 7 1/2 ips ( if only for perception ) would be appropriate for these historic giants! You've gained another sub - thanks!
My last set of loudspeakers are Realistic that I bought in 1980. They sound great and cost my 79 bucks brand new at Radio Shack.
Use a 140-160 Watt RMS, ~500 Watt Peak good quality multimedia receiver
with a center channel speaker in a larger room. Detail will markedly
improve as as will the sound stage imaging. Add some "surround sound"
from behind the listeners and it can make the room seem larger than it is.
Wondering how the Cornwalls compare to Zu Omen Def speakers.....the one's with the dual 10" drivers. They are both around the same price and high sensitivity. I currently have 15" Tannoys that I really love, but I've had them for 20 years, and my ears are wanting to wander.
I love my 800 Diamonds. I also own Cornwall III's. The CW III's are amazing to me. Damn near brought a tear to my eye the first day home. As of late, I've been tempted to sell them and get some IV's because of all the rave reviews. Before I do, I'm going to try some tube amps. Currently, they're running biamped with dual Sony TA-N77es' which is overkill for such sensitive speakers.
I think they look sweet. That wood finish it’s beautiful and they look great in your room 👌
I prefer speakers that create a wall of sound, that seems to get me more involved with the music.
comments vs the Alta Alec or the Gershman Grand Avant Garde??
I hope you're able to audition horn loaded speakers from other manufactures and maybe even some dipole horn loaded options as well.
I've been using buying keeping and listening to Klipsch heritage series speakers since 1975 and I've never worried about how they look or how large or small they are just as long as they give me the equivalent sound that I would hear in a large arena with 20,000 people sitting in it and then as well giving me the decibel levels in which would contain that same sound.
The thing is is it the cornrows are not made for rooms any smaller than about 16 x 16 ft square with 10 ft ceilings any rooms smaller than that and you'll be drowned out by a lot of which cannot be avoided in rooms smaller than 16 * 16 * 12 ft high ceilings but once you get past this the sound from these things are concert quality decibel piercing wonderment of
...
I have had the Cornwall, I guess 1, for 40 years. I Play them regularly. My original cost was $400 each. I was introduced to the Klipschorns in 1974 and loved their sound. Unfortunately, I could not afford them. I started out with the Heresy's and then moved to the Cornwalls Their sound was closer to the Klipschorn than the Lascala.
I believe the best pattern is a triangle; ears, left speaker, right speaker. I learned this many years ago when I had a summer job at Miami Designed Electronics. A company that specialized in Church Sounds Systems.
I have never heard these speakers. I have the Heresy III, and I have heard people say that they are harsh sounding. I think that only happens if you boost the treble. I play music flat and only boost the treble when needed. As for bass, the Heresy III requires a subwoofer PERIOD. I hope to someday have enough space for Cornwalls.
Spot on ! Great review and Informative
How do you rank them against a pair of JBL L300 vintage speakers which you used to own. I never had a chance listening to latest CW but preferred L300 against previous CW for same emotional impact but finer and more coherent sound out of JBL.
Maybe not such a great idea to have your Tape spool so close to that big 15" magnet, or are the Cornwall's shielded?
Volti Audio makes another very good horn speaker - I listen to the Rivals.
Good video I love my cerwin-vega sl-15 they are the best speakers that I have ever owned
So are the Cornwall IV the last thing that it is socially acceptable to call ugly? Big wide speakers have feelings too, you know?
Apologies for posting here - would love to see you review some Line Magnetic amps that would seem to be good competitors to the Willsenton and other integrated tube amps that you've spent a bunch of time on.
I think they are beautiful. The port profile reduces chuffing. It is too bad that they were not able to come up with a sealed woofer design but I suppose it might have required twin 15s to get the sensitivity.
is it better than the Alta Alec?