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Need Some Answers Building My First Home Audio System, and using Cornwalls

I have a few questions for you audiophiles out there. I am new to this forum, and I am a music hound and vinyl collector, but as yet not exactly an audiophile, and I definitely lack much knowledge.


I just moved into my first/new home and, in a stroke of luck way beyond my wildest dreams, my new neighbor - in order to "empty out his garage" - gave me two very old, 60's looking 100-watt Klipsch Cornwalls (floor speakers) from their Heritage line (see pic). These are the ones that are 35.75" H x 25.25" w (15.5" deep) and have a titanium tweeter, 1.75" titanium squawker, a woofer and a front-ported cabinet.


My living room’s dimensions are very large, as we blended our kitchen and dining room into it, and took down all non-structural partitions - about 60 feet in length by 35 feet at its widest point.


First I wanted to check on a few things, such as whether these speakers work at all, and I can do that only once I get a receiver (right?). I also need new, less dated grill cloth - I did locate a guy/make a call about that, but I am holding off until I know whether/how I can remove the frame from the front of the speakers. The frames appear nailed in at the front, but the back looks screwed in.

*My turntable (technics 1200-MK2) will be going through this pre-amp (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007DB5IDS/ref=ya_st_dp_summary)

*It’s important you know a.) I don't yet want a tube amp and b.) what besides the speakers will need to be powered through the receiver:

-4K TV

-1 Turntable/Pre-Amp (mentioned above)

-4K Ultra HD bluray

-cable box

-iPhone lightning cable and 3.5 mm adaptor for phone/other sources

-2 Klipsch Cornwall speakers


Questions:


A.) I don't need tons of power. All floors are hardwood, with some rugs here and there but can anyone recommend something around 100 W? (I called Klipsch to ask their tech specialist about my speaker details, and the guy said staying at the speaker wattage will be smart, so as not to blow them out) and he said they are 100w. Would like to stay between $200-$500 and get something like a Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha... I suppose it could be used...I obviously want to optimize sound quality. Perhaps your suggestions are contingent on my remaining questions:


B.) Recommendations on a particular Bluetooth-enabled AVR? As much as I love hifi sound from a record on the turntable, there are times when I want to walk In the room and play a recent track from my phone. Also, this is not my private set up - it’s for the whole family, so needs to allow for a range of things, as well as efficiency/convenience. However, I don't use Spotify, Airplay, Sirius, XM, Pandora, DLNA, TuneIn, Tidal, etc. I would only play from actual files on my phone or laptop. (as noted, I will also have a jack coming out of one of the AVR inputs to for my phone to hardwire it sometimes also (in fact, 75% of the time, unless I'm not home for long between work/errands. If you have recommendations on those cables, please let me know.


C) My wife and I got an Alexa for Xmas. Any AVR's work with them? I've read about Smart Home automation and will eventually do the whole thing, but for now it's just music and movies.


D.) i - How do I remove the frame from the front of the speaker in order to replace the cloth? The guy I called about the speaker cloth (Bob Crites, got his name from the Klipsch forum) could tell from the pics that somebody custom made them.


ii- Does anyone recommend removing the cloth altogether and not replacing?


E.) i- Are XLR jacks better connections than just regular wire, or did I misread this?


ii- If so, would the difference in sound be negligible to average ears, or substantial? FYI, I did buy 16awg copper flat wire from Monoprice (pictured) and I imagine that can be connected to XLR's by myself, yes?


iii- speaking of which, how do I actually connect the wires to the Cornwalls? It's a very basic question, but I've never had proper speakers like this, and I don't want to screw it up. Is there a particular technique or nuance?


F.) We may eventually buy a whole-home bluetooth and/or wifi speaker system to bring to our master bedroom and two other bedrooms, so it will have to allow for that.


I think that's all. Sorry if I've overwhelmed anyone.

Thanks in advance and happy new year.


128x128djniteline
62 responses Add your response
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
Date of manufacture - 1973

Still not sure about the grill, but drivers are mounted from rear. Front mounted were introduced in 1986 with Cornwall II, so not much reason for an easily removable grill. IMHO, if they are in decent shape, I would leave them alone. Older Klipsch can be collectable, and being original is better. But if you must, sometimes a putty knife can help.

I wouldn't be concerned with having Bluetooth built-in the amp. You can always use a Bluetooth receiver like the ones here.

https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-bluetooth-receivers

There's a broad range of price and quality. The Yamaha might be a good compromise choice. Also, there are many more available besides these. This also allows for future amp upgrade without the concern of Bluetooth.

The NAD C326BEE is a good recommendation and should work well with the Cornwall.

djniteline's avatar
djniteline OP
21 posts
 
Thanks, everyone. 

@tls49 serial is 3L716

@mesch I think a 2-channel system is fine. As long as I can somewhat augment my TV/solid state video/cable. I'm a bit of a cinephile also, but I don't need crazy 7.2 or anything, just quality audio. And I agree that 50 wpc does sound adequate as, again, I can't blow the roof off my living room. There's lots of glass and hard surfaces everywhere. 

I would like the C326BEE but I need Bluetooth. Does something like this exist for the same price point? 

I would build in the future, when I have more time to learn, but for now I need a decent quality system.

mesch
3,484 posts
 
I should add that the NAD326BEE has the inputs you will need. Five line level (one with 3.5 mm) and a tape monitor loop.
mesch
3,484 posts
 
First you must decide if you want to build a 2 channel system or want a multichannel one. Often this decision is based on usage, music vs. movie. I have found that a 2 channel system works fine to augment audio for video. I stay focused toward the music side.

If you wish to start out with a 2 channel system then I agree that an integrated amplifier is the way to go. The NAD recommendation is good, I own the NAD 326BEE. and would recommend it over the 3020D for your purposes.  It is 50wpc, however as mentioned above provides more usable power than most budget 100wpc AVRs. The NAD doesn't have a phonostage so you would use your ProJect into it.

NAD is not the only integrated amplifier line that can be recommended. Yamaha and Rotel are 2 popular brands that come to mind. Buying used can extend one's budget. As another thought, one can build  a multi channel system around a 2 channel one consisting of an integrated amp provided that amp has a home theater bypass feature. 
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

djniteline, look on the back of your speakers to see if you can find serial numbers. If so, I can give you more info about them. I have a document with lots of detailed information about the Heritage Series from beginning to 2008. Depending on their age, front grills may not be removable.

The Pro-ject is a phono preamp only. If the receiver or amp you choose has phono input, you will not need this, however if no phono input, then you will need it.

You absolutely do not need 100 watts. Trying to put a number on the minimum is tough. Because of the high sensitivity, a low wattage high quality, high current amp will drive them with no problem. A cheap low quality higher wattage amp will drive them, but just sound horrible.




djniteline's avatar
djniteline OP
21 posts
 
I don't know the minimum power but when calling Klipsch, he recommended a 100 watt receiver.

Any other resource for finding the precise min wattage needed? Here's the spec sheet for the Cornwall 3 - http://assets.klipsch.com/product-specsheets/70th-Anniversary-Cornwall-III-Spec-Sheet-v01.pdf

Also, my speakers are 8 ohms per speaker?

@lowrider57 In any case, you mind putting up the link for the 50 watt amp? This is also a pre-amp, correct? So theoretically I could replace my aforementioned Pro-ject pre-amp with this one, or no?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Yes, I was looking at that NAD D 3020. There is also a 50 watt version, but that's not much of an increase in power.
I found these 1963 Cornwall's with 98.5dB Sensitivity:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-Cornwall-1963-Vintage-HI-Fi-Speakers-RARE-Hard-Rock-Maple-Vertical-C...

I don't know if 30 wpc is enough to drive them. On paper the specs look good, but we don't know the impedance curve across the entire frequency spectrum. (the curve shows the speaker's demand for power). Vintage speakers are less efficient than modern designs; it may be hard to push the 15" woofer satisfactorily.

I first found the Cornwall III, which would probably be more efficient;
102 sensitivity. That's why I mentioned the NAD 30 watt amp.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_714CWALLCH/Klipsch-Cornwall-III-Heritage-Cherry.html

Possibly there is somebody out there who would know the minimum power required for your speakers.

djniteline's avatar
djniteline OP
21 posts
 
@lowrider57 sorry:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_745D3020/NAD-D-3020.html
djniteline's avatar
djniteline OP
21 posts
 
Thanks, all. 

So, I would be getting a dedicated integrated amp and THEN a receiver later on?

@lowrider57 is this one you mentioned?

how many other devices can I hook up to this?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 

-4K TV

-1 Turntable/Pre-Amp (mentioned above)

-4K Ultra HD bluray

-cable box

If you ultimately plan on expanding into a home theater setup, then an AVR would be the way to go. You can use 4 speakers (or more), and accept the digital from the bluray and cable, while inputting analogue from a TT.
But there would be a compromise in the quality of 2 channel listening. A dedicated amp would be best.

Since playing itunes via Bluetooth is important to you, NAD makes a Bluetooth integrated amp, rated at 30 wpc into 8 ohms, (your speakers are 8 ohms). Otherwise, in your price range, there are many AVRs.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
I agree with getting an integrated amp. Modern receivers (AVRs) in your price range are are of lower build quality, use cheap electronics, and small power supplies; meaning they do not provide quality power.
And yes, there would be a noticeable improvement in sound between an NAD integrated and an AVR.

speaking of which, how do I actually connect the wires to the Cornwalls? It’s a very basic question, but I’ve never had proper speakers like this, and I don’t want to screw it up. Is there a particular technique or nuance?
You do not connect the speaker wire to XLR jacks. You simply connect the wires from the speaker’s Positive (red) and Negative (black) binding posts and run the wire to the matching posts on the back of the amp or receiver. Making sure not to criss-cross the wires; red to red, black to black.
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=11935
Monoprice does not label the wires as pos or neg, so it’s your choice.

How do I remove the frame from the front of the speaker in order to replace the cloth?
Try using a very small flathead screwdriver and gently pry the cover off the speaker. Look for a gap between the wood cabinet anf the speaker grill.
mb1audio02
188 posts
 
" First I wanted to check on a few things, such as whether these speakers work at all, and I can do that only once I get a receiver (right?)."

The speakers are very efficient, so yes, a receiver will work. That said, I wouldn't get one. Something like an NAD integrated amp would be a better choice. Efficient speakers don't need that much power, but they do need clean power. That's why the NAD would be a better choice. Also, a $500 NAD will have just as much, if not more, power than a typical $500 receiver. 

" E.) i- Are XLR jacks better connections than just regular wire, or did I misread this?"

Don't open that can of worms right now. It won't be a relevant factor in the system you're currently building.

"  speaking of which, how do I actually connect the wires to the Cornwalls? It's a very basic question, but I've never had proper speakers like this, and I don't want to screw it up. Is there a particular technique or nuance?"

Use regular speaker cables like you would for any speaker. They don't have to be expensive. Get a spool of Monster or Audioquest. You can get both of those in Best Buy.
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