Klipsch Cornwall baby!

organ
organ Posts: 4,969
edited November 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
I got them yesterday. Here are some pics.
I can honestly say I'm finished with speakers for a loooooong time:). This is exactly what I've been looking for, and the only upgrade that makes sense for me would be the Klipschorn which needs a room dedicated to them.
The Cornwalls are very big and I couldn't find a spot to take a pic of both at the same time.
This is the best my system have ever sounded. Never thought I'd get this kind of 'live' sound. Dynamics/slam and transients are so effortless, it's spooky. A dedicated mid-range horn gives vocals so much presence.
Soundstage is huge and deeper than my RF-35. I love the way bass drums and even snares hit you in the guts.
I'm now officially at over 100db/w/wm. I believe the Cornwalls are 101.
Post edited by organ on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2006
    Very nice speaker.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2006
    Great snag!!! Enjoy!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited October 2006
    Congrats on your speaks!

    I liked a number of speakers from Klipsch, Frazier, EV, Hartley, and Altec for tube power. Any of those huge black boxes tripped my switch as I was just a kid findin' my audio way.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited October 2006
    Whao, they're huge! I bet they do sound awesome; I'd love to hear some vintage, err, Heritage, Klipsch one day!

    I'm sure it'll take at least 4 months or more before your parents ever notice the difference between these and your RF-35's! :p:D
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited October 2006
    Probably be a great match for the little 6V6 SEP when it shows.

    I got a pair of OLD (1959'ish) Klipsch Heresy in unfinished birch, but no room for them - so they are up on the bay.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited October 2006
    RuSsMaN wrote:
    I got a pair of OLD (1959'ish) Klipsch Heresy in unfinished birch, but no room for them - so they are up on the bay.
    I just checked those out and was going to IM you about them, but I see you've already signed off. They look neat, for sure. I wouldn't mind hearing a three-way horn-loaded speaker sometime.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    edited October 2006
    Good choice, Maurice!
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited October 2006
    Interestingly, I just retired my Cornwalls to the basement this past weekend. They've been replaced, at least for the time being, by a beautiful pair of Quad ESL-57 electrostatics :-)

    dampedcornyhornies.jpg

    Pa020008.jpg
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited October 2006
    Thanks guys. I'm so diggin' the Corns. I listened all day and night from Tues to Thurs. When it comes to extreme metal, I've always tried to voice my system around the PA system found at my favorite venue (Opera House) here in Toronto. I've been there so many times. I've seen Cradle of Filth, Manowar, Immortal, Kamelot, Nightwish and a bunch of different bands there. http://www.adamsonproaudio.com/news/permanent_installations/operahouse/index.htm
    The RF-35 gave me a glimpse but can't even come close to their PA system for dyanmic impact and overall presence.
    When I pumped up the Cornwalls, I couldn't believe that now I own a system that rivals the set up at the Opera House. The bigness, power, dynamics and presence is all there. I listened to a few songs at very high spl just like a live show and it was such a rush!

    Bliss,
    I've got a vintage version but the Heritage line is still in production today. The Heritage speakers were designed by Paul W. Klipsch.
    Believe it or not, my mom DIGS the new speakers! At first, she almost got a heart attack when she saw the size. Then she sat down for a listen and loved the sound.

    Russ,
    Yeah, I'm excited about trying out the SEP on them. I was actually planning to get a pair of Heresy (local) that was selling for 400 if the Corns were no longer available. I bet some of the members on the Klipsch forum will end up winning your auction. They like the Heresy and love the older models.

    MHardy,
    Wow, nice speaks! Have you tried moving that white table out of the way? Seems to be blocking half the speaker.

    How did that squacker caulk mod work out on your Cornwalls? Looks like we have different versions. Mine has the round magnets on the woofers and the x-over are different. I have the B2 xover with the autoformers and stuff. They have the big oil capacitors.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited October 2006
    Mine are 1974's, with AlNiCo tweeters (EV) and MR drivers (Atlas), and the CTS ceramic magnet woofers. XO's are (still) completely original. I forget which version. The Klipsch nuts'll know :-)

    I think the damping on the MR helps the ringing of the cast metal horn. Is yours metal or plastic?

    They are fun and lively speakers. Much better on tubes than SS IMNSHO.

    The best sounding amp I have heard on my own Cornies was a Marantz 8B I had re-habbed for someone. Magnificent amplifier.

    ... and, yes, I know the placement of the ESL's is far from optimum :-P
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  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited October 2006
    I am definitely not thrilled with the look of these speakers. But if they are giving you the PA experience you were looking for, congrats on your purchase.

    I guess I am just not a Klipsch kind of guy.
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
    __________________________________________
    Panasonic -50PX600U 50" Plasma
    Onkyo -TX-NR901 Receiver
    Oppo -Oppo 980HD Universal DVD Player
    Outlaw -770 (7x200watt) Amplifier
    PolkAudio - RTi12 (Left and Right)
    PolkAudio - CSi5 (Center)
    PolkAudio - FXi3 (Back and Surround)
    SVS - PB-12/Plus (Subwoofer)
    Bluejean Cables - Interconnects
    Logitech Harmony 880 - Remote
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited October 2006
    first off, congrats on the Cornwalls... like Polk, vintage Klipsch have a sound all their own. I'd really like to hear those on some nice warm sounding tubes some day.

    enjoy.

    I agree with Holydoc, they aren't "pretty", but what counts though, is how they sound anyways. ha ha.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited October 2006
    Old school, back again. I loves it.
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited October 2006
    Fun stuff. Enjoy!
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  • Johncan
    Johncan Posts: 38
    edited October 2006
    I love mine!
    My main rig
    Eico HF-87 amp and Eico HF-85 preamp; Klipsch Cornwall I; Systemdek IIX TT w/ a Dynavector 10x4 MKII cart; Denon DVD-2910 universal CD/SACD/DVD-A/HDCD player - Polk Monitor 5s, 7s, & 10s used in secondary systems.
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  • KevinR
    KevinR Posts: 1
    edited October 2006
    I also love Heritage Klipsh. I've had Heresys and Fortes. The Heresys were very good and the Forte's were awsome. Do you think the Cornwalls are better than the Forte's?
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited October 2006
    Grats Maurice!!!!!

    I'll still get me a pair of the Heritage line some day...I have enough tube amps and pres, now, that I should be able to make them sound like they were intended to sound, which, in no way, could be like they sound on the gear I've always heard them with(ala crappy sand all around).

    I'm leaning towards the CWs or LaScalas...maybe some Heresy's....which ever I can get the best deal(value) on. I also want to get a SET amp at some time.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited October 2006
    MHardy,
    The squaker is metal on mine. Not sure where the drivers were sourced from though. I'll keep that tweak in mind. I did the same thing on the horns on my RF-35.
    Yeah, they sound amazing on tubes. It takes so little power to make them sing. The 8B is a legend. Cool to hear you got the chance to play with one.

    HD and DB,
    They're not lookers, that's for sure. But after living with them for over a week now, I'm starting to get used to their sight. In fact, I don't mind at all. Just two big, black boxes that don't really call attention to themselves. But of course, it's the sound that matters:).

    Kevin,
    Sorry, I have no experience with the Forte. My only Klipsch experience is the RF-35 and now the Cornwalls. The Forte have 12" woofers while the Corns have 15". Also, the mids and tweeter horns are different. Judging by the drivers and cabinet size, the Corns should provide a bigger overall sound and more dynamics due to higher sensitivity and bigger drivers.
    Welcome to Club Polk!

    Noel,
    Hey man, long time no see.
    I had no idea you had a horn fetish too. The La Scala was what I've always wanted, but after reading a lot of LS vs. Corns on the net, I think I did the right thing by getting the Corns. Many people say the LS is a little too aggressive in the mids and highs. They also lack bass extension. They cut off at 55Hz and the Corns go to the low 30's. Those who have heard them all say, the next thing to the Cornwalls is a pair of Klipschorn.
    You could probably post a WTB thread on the Klipsch forum when you're ready to buy. I've seen many people selling Heritage speakers on there.
    Is there a particular SET amp you have an eye on? Most 300B based amp put out 8w/ch

    Maurice
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  • Johncan
    Johncan Posts: 38
    edited October 2006
    Maurice,

    My Cornwalls have sounded good with whatever tubes I have used. I am currently using an Eico HF-87 amp and the Cornwalls really sing. The bass is amazing for tubes. I highly recommend vintage Eico tube amps.

    John
    My main rig
    Eico HF-87 amp and Eico HF-85 preamp; Klipsch Cornwall I; Systemdek IIX TT w/ a Dynavector 10x4 MKII cart; Denon DVD-2910 universal CD/SACD/DVD-A/HDCD player - Polk Monitor 5s, 7s, & 10s used in secondary systems.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited November 2006
    John,
    That's cool. Is the amp running EL84 tubes?
    I have a vintage Dynaco ST-70 and I'm looking forward to hooking it up to the Corns.
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited November 2006
    Maurice, congrat to the corn :-) I want to have a pair for the 8wpc Radii SET, but I just have too many over sized speakers. Don't think I can avoid pissing off the lady if I haul in another pair ....... However, I won't say never :-) BTW, the HF-87 is EL34 amp, 35wpc.

    John, I have 2 HF-87's and converted one to fixed bias (HF-89 circuitry). It is worth to spend time to do such conversion.

    -fredv-
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