Cornwall IV vs. Volti Rival, Razz; Razz v. 1, 2, 3 -- what changed?

Hilde45,

your remarks on the Cornwall match my opinions. I demoed them 3 times at different dealers on McIntosh solid state and their 275 tube amp. I find them a bit harsh and wore my ears out but they were cranked (by choice) in all fairness. I also find the soundstage changed width with frequency. After demoing the Klispch line I bought the JBL 4367. 
 

I have never heard Volti. The JBL 4367 keeps the good part of the Cornwalls but betters everything with better drivers and parts. Look up Google images of the drivers from both speakers… They have a very smooth response that never tires and highs and upper highs are adjustable. They have measurements to back them up too. There is a pair on here for $7500 right now. 

@hilde45 

How efficient do you require for the power you're running?  I contacted Greg who confirmed I could run 2 watt flea amps on my Volti Rival 100dB.  The Cornwall IV is 102dB

@roxy54 Dynamics are the aspect of audio which are unexplored. Pretty sure they’re not more important if decent tonality is sacrificed. Hoping to hear some Avant Gard horns in town at some point -- the babies, not the super expensive ones. They would be in reach for my wallet.

Comments like the one in this review of the JBL 4367 do give me pause to think about my priorities, however:

The late and sorely missed Art Dudley used Altec Valencias (and later the nearly identical Flamencos) as his reference speakers, but it's no secret that some of his readers, and even fellow contributors, considered his choice quixotic. When I began writing reviews for this magazine, the editor, Jim Austin, emailed to politely ask whether I was planning to evaluate new, perfectionist audio equipment using 55-year-old speakers that you connect to speaker cables with tiny, slotted-head screws.

I wrote back explaining that while a lot of factors went into the complex phenomenon of musical engagement, what mattered most to me about the sound of a hi-fi was dynamics. Anyone who's stood next to a drum kit when someone begins playing it knows how startling live instruments can sound. To me, the ability of a hi-fi to startle is the main source of drama in reproduced sound.

Pretty persuasive prose!

@james633 Thanks for the JBL 4367 reference. Will look for them.

@kennyc I don’t need super efficient speakers; what I’d like is to try speakers that are much more efficient than my current ones, which are around 90/91 but with a great impedance curve

I’ve heard the Cornwalls a few different times & own the Volti Rivals. I prioritize dynamics that imo only highly sensitive speakers can offer effortlessly making it easier on both the amp & speakers & offer a “live music” sound. 

The Rivals are on another level compared to the Cornwalls in terms of driver & crossover quality, detail, imaging, bass extension & much less fatigue. They should be as they cost 3 times the price! The Razz( which I’ve heard)  gets you a good part of the way there for a lot less $ & size & the brand new Lucera probably splits the difference ( have not heard). 

If you value a more “live” sounding system over really nice “hifi”, then the Rivals & all the Volti’s are worth serious consideration. 

I can say owning a pair of horns has changed what I feel is important about hifi. The highly dynamic speakers just sound more real, as in less reproduced. I struggle to enjoy my other speakers now. 
 

I think the thing to understand with horns is the difference vs standard speakers is the controlled directivity, not so much the efficiency. Efficiency comes with the controlled directivity as less energy is spilled into the room and directed at the listener. The dispersion differences greatly affects the sound stage and it will be important if you enjoy it. 
 

other types of speakers can achieve similar results in dynamics/controlled directivity without a horn (line source etc). I know for me I will probably never let the JBLs go (lol…I know…I know). I might add a wider dispersion speakers sometime to rotate in and out.