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Klipsch cornwall speakers

I have always had a fascination with klipsch speakers from the beginning of my interest in listening to music, starting in the late 60’s. I’m in my 60’s now and am considering adding the cornwall to my system, the khorns & lascala are to big for my room. My desire for horn speakers has driven me to this and this why I’m asking for some critical constructive feedback. Please those who have them or have heard them, your experience would be a great help. I also need to find a place to hear them for myself.

Thanks
Mike


zardozz
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,206 posts
 
I owned a second generation pair that would have been from the early 80's I guess, and I thought that they were wonderful speakers. You don't mention a budget, but the newest version is a lot more expensive, but also according to most owners, a lot better than the older versions. If that's the case it must be pretty great. 
musicmann1
96 posts
 
There’s already a substantial thread here (AUDIOGON) on the Cornwall, specifically the latest 4 version, which is an excellent speaker by the way. With the a complimentary  partnering amp they represent a substantial Bang For The Buck......
Cheers.......
larryi
4,356 posts
 
If you buy a used pair, if they don't work out, you can probably flip them with fairly low financial loss; Cornwalls are always popular.

I like them when they are driven by lower-powered tube amps.  The do give you the dynamics and liveliness of horn-based systems, but they require some care in reducing the tendency to sound rough or shrill (hence the right kinds of tube amplification).  
grinnell
1,138 posts
 
I have a pair of Klipsch Quartets that I run with a 6 watt SEP amp  love the sound and Larryi is right on about a low watt tube amp
tds3371
60 posts
 
I'll second both prior posts.  I run a 1980s pair of Klipsch Belles with a 15wpc SET and rarely take the volume beyond 10 o'clock.  However, I'm still working on "tubing down" a bit of shrillness on some female vocals:  Tracy Chapman and Cassandra Wilson sound sublime; Lucinda Williams and Ricky Lee Jones - meh, not so much.  It's a work in progress.  I  imagine this would only be made harsher using most SS amplification.  
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