mujhc

I'm not sure if you have already purchased one of those pairs. But I'll just go ahead and give you my 2 cents. I love both Klipsch and Altec. I currently have LaScala, Forte II, 2pairs of Snatana, and Valencia and a few other speakers of other brands. Between Valencia and Cornwall (mind you I haven't listened to the III's, I assume improvement should be there from earlier Cornwall, but with similar character), Valencia over Cornwall anyday for me. Although 1,500 EUROS for valencia seems very expensive, In US Valencia goes between $1000 - $1500 USD depends on the condition. Why I do I prefer Valencia? Because Cornwall is just not in the same league. I listen to LaScala in a BIG room(20'x40') and they sound wonderful, it would never work in small room since it has such an over-emphasized mid Bass. Not boomy, but just too much of it. Santana and Valencia have magical midrange. They are rolled off on both high and low frequencies, but so dynamic that you don't realize it's not there. Forte is very clean and punchy and covers a bit more frequencies than Altec, but very sensitive to matching amps. In my opinion Cornwall is a stepped-down version of Forte. As I stated earlier I haven't listened to III..so can't tell you how big a improvement there is. Nonetherless, with difference in your quoted cost I'd pick Valencia in a tenth of a heartbeat. Hope my 2 cents helped.