Dr. Dave

Steve, I, too, have Walnut Cornwalls (circa 1983), and like JCturboT I use Scott's Liquid Gold. I never use any lemon oil product. Since I live in Florida, I only oil about 1 or 2 times per year. In between oil rubbings I simply use a damp cotton dustcloth. Seems to work great. Oh, it's easy to put "too much" of that Liquid Gold stuff on...if you make 'em real greasy, they'll collect dust and other crud.

Ray, I'm sorry to hear that this is happening: must be difficult. I'm going to think about this overnight...but I'm very interested in purchasing your speakers, though I cannot commit unequivocably tonight. Your price is fair. Are you sure you can't just store these someplace and play like they aren't assets? Then you could "rediscover" them at a later time? Cheers?

Applebite is on target. I mounted SB-1s no problem with the omnimount product specified.

Doug, as usual, your suggestion was right on target! Omnimount.com led me quickly to a table of speaker manufacturers ( where I chose Klipsch), and then to a long, clickable list of Klipsch speakers. I clicked on SB-1 and got a page of info on what I needed - UMK-25RST. Fast & easy. Kinda strange that there was no info with these speakers on wall mounting brackets, etc. Nothing I could find on the whole Klipsch website, either. Again, I owe ya...

I've got these new Synergy SB-1s that I want up on the wall (not high) rather than sitting on top of my Cornwalls, as they are now. They have a nice screw hole in the back for attachment to a wall mounting bracket. I've looked all around the Klipsch site, and can find no such mounts for sale. Any suggestions? Where should I look, and what should I use? Any online sources? Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!

My '83 Cornwall I's are in oiled walnut with light tan woven grill cloth. The wood is magnificent! From time to time I've used Scott's Liquid Gold, which they seem to drink up, and then just GLOW for months. I never do any other cleaning other than dusting them. The grill covers are now bowed from age and/or moisture, and I'm having a tough time getting the Velcro to stick along the top edge. Anybody else had this problem? Any suggestions? BTW, I love these speakers, and have no plans to ever, ever part with them. Hmm...I bet fresh black grill cloths would look pretty good...still, I think I'll stay "stock." God, what awesome speakers...

Ray: those are pretty little connectors! Does your picture show the Straightwire Duet cable? I've never seen it...what price range is it in? Gracias.

I don't know, Ray, I'm just getting my very first surround system optimized now, and it sounds pretty good on 7-channel stereo with regular CDs and phono. I haven't had time to go out and get a music DVD yet: thanks for your suggestion about the Henley DVD. I just got a Denon AVR-3801 with SB-1s, SC-1, SS-1, and KSW-15. I'm still using my Cornwalls as the fronts for another day or two, then I'll move them over to "multi-zone" so I can use them separately for stereo. Then I'll use the Synergy system (5.1) for HT. Now I'm starting to think about monoblocks for the Cornwalls. I've decided to sell my 1974 Quad 405 amp/303pre pair. Anyway, this surround stuff takes some getting used to...it's too early for me to judge, as I haven't yet optimized everything. Enjoy your superb La Scala stereo sound. I doubt surround will surpass it!

Dougdrake - thanks for your original suggestion on this thread...so far it's working out well.

BobG, many thanks for your insightful response. I'm guessing most all of us agree with much of what you say. Certainly nobody would seriously suggest that Klipsch, or any other quality speaker company, should abandon local dealers. The ability to audition and get value-added service is crucial for most customers. What is less clear is how the current corporate policy encourages those retailers to move on to the internet with competitive pricing. But, as you say, this is the struggle you face in this rapidly changing world. I'm sorry I couldn't tie in to the standard Klipsch distribution system this time...one more reason to leave Orchid Island...somehow, though, I always manage to forget all those reasons when I look out at the beach and feel the fresh, warm seabreeze IN FEBRUARY! I guess I'm staying here, and I guess I'll stay in the 2% of the US population not reached by the Klipsch dealer network. Luckily I've got 8 Klipsch speakers in one room already! Maybe I should get a few more, and become the only dealer around here!?

Likewise, I can't see any simple solution to this mess. But I hope Klipsch corporate can...eventually. Speaking of slow, I finally made the shift from shopper to buyer. I just got the Denon AVR 3801 (sweet so far) and Synergy speakers: SB-1s, SC-1, SS-1, and a KSW-15. These will handle the HT, and on the music side (using the multi-zone Denon) I'll continue to use my Cornwalls. As I begin the process of optimizing this stuff, I'll post questions elsewhere on the BB. I guess now I can start shopping for better speakers again? Funny, I can't recall where all this new stuff came from...

Likewise, I can't see any simple solution to this mess. But I hope Klipsch corporate can...eventually. Speaking of slow, I finally made the shift from shopper to buyer. I just got the Denon AVR 3801 (sweet so far) and Synergy speakers: SB-1s, SC-1, SS-1, and a KSW-15. These will handle the HT, and on the music side (using the multi-zone Denon) I'll continue to use my Cornwalls. As I begin the process of optimizing this stuff, I'll post questions elsewhere on the BB. I guess now I can start shopping for better speakers again? Funny, I can't recall where all this new stuff came from...

Richard Hemmings's idea regarding "reference" dealers who carry a full spectrum of Klipsch product being allowed to then develop an (affordable) etail presence merits careful consideration by Klipsch management. Some variant of it might be worth exploring in detail. Thanks, Dick!

And I thought you guys were just a bunch of yahoo audiophiles...imagine my surprise upon returning to the list after a brief absence, to see here all these thoughtful messages on the state of Klipsch's internet policy. I've been away on a several day journey to get to the nearest authorized bricks'n'mortar Klipsch dealer, so I could pay MSRP. I failed. I couldn't fit the speakers into my VW bug, and since I live well outside their local area, they weren't allowed to deliver or ship. What's a poor doc to do? But seriously...what are we consumers to do? I'm not a genius, but it seems that the official Klipsch internet policy is likely to backfire (as similar fear-based responses have for others - thanks for pointing this out Dick). No doubt the current situation is complex, and there are no simple, easy answers for transitioning to a more flexible marketing model. Many retailers are grappling with similar issues to those that have prompted the strikingly Byzantine course of action adopted by Klipsch. All I can say is ,"Good luck!" Fortunately Klipsch makes a superb product that at least a select few consumers want. Otherwise their punitive internut policy might hurt them more than it probably will anyway. Schwar: I don't think the policy letter would allow the kind of mail order and telephone sales you suggest. At least that's not my take on the document. Dick: your posting was directly on target. Though we both are probably underrating the very real difficulties facing Klipsch . Still, the equivalent of their response has been tried before with unfortunate results, as you point out. MBM135: Perhaps you're right on target, too. Slow growth is a perfectly justifiable business strategy. "Small is beautiful"? qball: You sorehead! "I feel your pain, man!" Webmaster: Thanks for taking the time to post so thoughtful a response. And thanks as well for sharing the internet policy documentation. The historical picture you paint does help me see your situation in a different light. I can understand how this response is good for customers from the perspective of protecting them from the potential of unauthorized junk or shoddy service. But from several other angles, I'm at a loss as to how this policy is, on the whole, beneficial for CUSTOMERS. It seems mostly designed to protect DEALERS (I know they're key, especially in your business model). I know you may say that in so doing you are ultimately benefitting the customer, but I don't think it will work that way for most people. I disagree strongly with only one statement in your fascinating posting: your contention that this policy "encourages dealers to expand their horizons through the internet within the parameters of the new policy." Within those parameters there is little room to see a horizon, much less to expand one. But, no doubt that's just a difference of opinion. I am truly biased on this matter. I live too far from an authorized dealer to make business there attractive. So, I feel like I'm stuck. By the way, I did a word count on your posting, and here's the score on the number of times the following words appeared: CUSTOMER - 3 DEALER - 14 I know this is a cheap shot, but nonetheless, as a CUSTOMER I have to wonder if this isn't reflective of the emphasis Klipsch is adopting in its internet policy...

Hey, thanks for all your input...sounds like unclestereo.com is still in contention for me. I'm also currently checking out www.kiefsav.com (Kief's Audio-Video), as they also carry Klipsch and Denon. Prices only over phone, and I haven't yet called, but will do so Monday. I got their name from audiosurvey.com, where it seems they have a good reputation. I'm getting really antsy now:READY TO BUY!!!