A Hidden "Feature" of the Cornwall IV

Back in the 1978-1982 time frame I worked at some high end audio dealers in the DC area, all who were Klipsch dealers.  I never owned them, but really enjoyed listening to them, being in one of the "high end" listening rooms, driven by the best amps of the day, to me the high frequencies were never a problem.  I sold a LOT of Heresy's and Cornwall's, and probably a pair of Klipschorn's a month, fewer LaScala's.  Not a single customer who bought them asked about returning them, or trading them in on something different.

When "Mr. Covid" allows, my son-in-law and I are planning a pilgrimage to our "local" audio store (2-3 hours away) and I hope to audition the Forte IV, never heard that speaker, sounds enticing.

Dave_b

I would love to hear what you think of the Cornwall IV once you get them setup and broken in. Coming from or still owing the 802 D3 would be an interesting contrast. 

I have owned B&W in the past but have only heard a song or two on the Cornwall IV. I need to give them a real demo sometime soon. 

I, too, would love to hear the Forte IV.  I sold my Forte IIIs and they were wonderful.  I would have kept them forever but I need the money and space for the Cornwall IVs. 

I've been into high end audio for over 30 years.  I have 2 large systems in my home with Harbeth M40.1s, Sterling LS3/6 speakers.  Last week after watching and reading several reviews including Steve Guttenberg's review, I purchased the Cornwall IV.  I've never been a fan of Klipsch speakers and to be honest the last time I seriously listened to one was back in the late 80's.  When I listened to them back then, I thought they were great rock speakers but bright and piercing.  It could have been the components that they were paired with or the set up but that was my opinion back then.

Fast forward to last week, I received the Cornwall IV and replaced my Sterling LS 3/6 BBC stand mounted speakers in my basement system.  The rest of the components in the system include a Rega P10 turntable with Apheta 3 MC cartridge, Luxman EQ-500 vacuum tube phono stage, Etherregen with OCXO clock and LPS, Aurender N100H streamer/server, Innous Phoenix USB reclocker, Bryston BDA-3 DAC soon to be replaced by a Holo May KTE, Van Alstine FET Valve CF vacuum tube preamp and 600R hybrid power amp.

The Cornwall IV are nothing like what my previous perception of Klipsch speakers has been over the past 30 years.   My Cornwalls only have about 125 hours on them but I already love their sound.  These speakers are very sensitive to toe in and I think I have them dialed in to my preferences.  The highs are not bright at all, and the midrange is smooth and natural.  Piano, woodwinds, guitar all have a natural, like like sound quality.  Voices are excellent and so is imaging.  I have a REL S5 subwoofer that is currently turned off while I'm breaking in the Cornwalls. I don't feel the need to turn on the sub but I'll try it after my speakers are broken in.  Of course, dynamics and bass impact are startlingly impressive.  These speakers are not just great rock speakers that play loud, they are excellent with any genre.  In fact, like someone else mentioned, they sound great at low volume levels.   

My question to Cornwall IV owners is how many hours of break in do you feel it took to get them to sound their best?

I thought they really came into their own after the 200 hour mark. And I agree with your perception of these great speakers. They are not only loud, brash rock speakers, but can do well with any genre of music. People that turn up their noses at the Cornwall IV don’t have a clue.

Oz