Klipsch Cornwall IV

I have a pair of 1977 decorators that have been modded with the Crites crossover and tweeter. I also put a brace across the motor board, side walls are braced to each other as well as the front/rear baffles and corners. Also added braces between the top/bottom of the port. Mid horn was damped with spray and wrapped with felt - no ringing.

I love them. Capable of such delicate, subtle tone and yet can really get "obnoxious" when cranked. Driving them with a 30watt push pull EL34 amp. 

Room is not large 11X18, and I have them set up as per the Cardas speaker configuration. If the IV's are better than this, I would happily get a pair (however, budget does not allow for that)

The CW's and ESL-57's are my main speakers. Very different, which I like, and both are satisfying in their own way.

They certainly occupy some "real estate" in the room, but well worth it :)

Screw klipsch,  buy some Tannoys.

I tried listening to the 2nd from the TOTL Tannoy's 30K-ish (GR??) powered by a VERY expensive VIVA 845 Tube Amp.  Put on some Zeppelin and was looking for a pillow to sleep on...as Lame as it gets.  Cornwall's are built for Rock...Tannoy's arent....If your into female vocals, Kenny G and other lightweight fluff the Tannoys are wonderful.

I have been listening to the CW IV since December in my room.  They are staying put. 

To me, they sound like a live production.  The create a large, seamless soundstage--once I dialed in the positioning, which was surprisingly harder to do than I thought. 

One caveat--  they are super revealing of source and amplification.  Amplification, in particular, has been a fun journey for me.  

Personally, as someone who plays music, they sound like real music.  There are wide dynamic peaks and troughs.  Classical--one of my least favorite genres (only because I get lost in it so quickly) is so much more dynamic and thrilling.  

I'm now that guy pushing 50, using all tubes (pre amp, amp, sources (phono and DAC) and running horn speakers.  I couldn't be happier.  

I have a large-to-me room.  It's about 22' long, 15.5' wide, with 10 foot ceilings.  I do run a REL T9i sub, BUT it's set so low on the crossover and volume setting so as to just fill in that extra octave.  

Someone above thought the bass was lethargic or less than impressive. In my experience, these are not bass heavy speakers yet they do go down into the 30s.  Everything effects the output with these, so just trying a different amp or source or tube or cable can change things more drastically (but not drastically) than I was historically used to.  

If you can spend a touch more, I'd look at Volti's offerings.  I think his stuff gets real pricey when you start looking at nicer finishes.  

I've tried the Cornwall IVs with 4 different amps and my go to right now is a Bob Carver Crimson 275--favored even over my 300B.  The pairing in my room sounds "delicious"--I apologize for using the word but it's the best that I can find to describe it.    While I'd be open to trying any amp with them because it's so captivating to hear the immediate differences, I would think cool and analytical amps would sound a touch thin and boring with them.  Nonetheless, there could be a Class D amp that would work.  My takeaway--I don't think you have to spend a fortune to get them to sing and synergy is important, yet I would be sure to try driving them with wide bandwidth amps, particularly of the vacuum tube variety.  

I think the only downside with trying them out is return shipping.  They have to be shipped by freight given their weight and size. 

Listening to any speakers in a showroom sharing the space with other speakers, you will always hear bass problems ( all the woofers are playing, via spl ). It is basic acoustics. I know there are a lot of Klipschers out there, besides myself, but imo, if you listen loud ( I do, and with Heritage, you can and it is easy ), further damping on the horns, woofer frames, cabinets, crossovers ( and yes, the new model IVs as well ), will significantly improve what you are hearing. Not a single client of mine has ever said to me " I do not hear a difference of improvement ". Tubes vs SS. Whatever you like, as I prefer ss, through horns. MOSFET Class A, for me, anytime. Just what I like. Enjoy !