Klipsch Cornwall IV

I have new CW4 and my experience is much like dbarger’s. Mine have around 75 hours of playing time on them and they have changed dramatically from day one. The bass, which was initially anemic, has filled in; the highs, strident at first, have smoothed out. Despite these initial sonic issues they were always expressive and dynamic; now they are becoming remarkably coherent and musically satisfying.

I’ve run the CW4 with a range of high-quality amps: 3.5w 2A3 SET, 18w PP 6l6GC, 36w PP EL84; 120w class A solid state. They sound very good--and very different--with all of them. They image and soundstage and do the audiophile stuff surprisingly well. But their quality of dynamic presence and musicality, like a live performance, is what really hooks me. My wife, too, despite their girth.

I bought them fully expecting to return them--even got a freight shipping quote in advance. My main system is mature and finely tuned--a hard lineup to break into. One week in, I do not think they’ll go back. I even cleared out my stereo closet so I can tuck them away when I want to listen to my other speakers, which might never happen. Little pads for furniture make it easy to slide them on hardwood flooring.

As for a comparison with Spatials, I can add that I bought X5 last month and returned them after 2 weeks. To me there’s no comparison in coherence and lifelike musicality. Clayton’s speakers are intelligently thought-out and well-designed, likely an endgame choice for many. But the CW4 make me want to keep listening whereas the X5, not so much.

I think that I'm in the same boat as many.  The CW4s are huge and require a different level of commitment if they don't work out for you.  I'm running some Rethm's right now, along with a Rel 212SE.  Great sound, but not the large ballsy, wall-of-sound I'm looking for.  The fact that these can do the usual audiophile tricks but also really rock is what's caught my attention.  I was also considering some OBs, either Pure Audio Project or Spatials, but don't think they'd energize the room the way I want.

I agree with @wrm57 about the Spatials. Very good speakers and do a lot of things right. But at the end of the day, they don't engage the listener like the CW IV does. At least not this listener.

it is nice that speakers like these exist, and are (relatively) affordable

each special in its own way, spectacular in how it pushes the right buttons of certain listeners

in an enthusiast undertaking and community, excellence is the key, mediocrity and commoditization are the enemy... excellence creates interest, passion, and most importantly, brings more people in and captivates them

spatials orangutans and c4’s all rather diametrically opposed in how they radiate sound, fill up a space with music, and thus appeal to different peoples sense of what music should sound like based on their own frames of reference and past experiences

@jjss49, well said.