Alpha220

Dean, hello. Good info and insight there on the B-3 network. As you probably know, the B-3 is the least discussed Cornwall network, since it was used only briefly (maybe 2.5 years, 1983 to 1985) during the Cornwall production run. I'm in the same boat with 1984 units that still sound wonderful. Your comment made me wonder if anyone has actually identified the B-3 components to determine their quality/usable life. This is the first time I've read that that big fat white and blue capacitor might be better quality than those used in other B networks. From a Google search, "run capacitors are mostly polypropylene film capacitors". So could the small black capacitors be OK, too? I could take a close look at one of my B-3's and provide the exact component info, if that would help. I'd be interested to known if anyone has tested a B-3 this decade to see how far out-of-spec it actually is. No doubt that higher quality, new components would be ideal, but are these OK for a while longer? Also, it does appear that the the B-3 was specifically designed as second-order for all drivers, so swapping to a third-party universal network model (without consideration/adjustment for the Cornwall 1.5 builds) may not improve sound, no matter what quality the build. Other than replacing B-3 components, if a new network is desired, it appears that Bob Crites' B-3 is the best (and maybe, safest) choice for Cornwall 1.5's, as he sticks to the original Klipsch design. P.S. I know that there's an informative Dope From Hope paper on the B-2 network, but I've yet to see any Klipsch documentation on the B-3.

Nikko Alpha amps from the mid-70s to the early-80s pair amazingly well with many speakers including Klipsches. With hundreds of watts, the attenuator rarely gets past 9 o'clock with Klipsch. Vocals are lifelike and crystal clear. A good Alpha 220 sells in the $200+ range on eBay, Craigslist, etc. rock-solid reliable, too. Mine have been running for 35 years without issue. Nikko's top Beta preamps (and top Gamma tuners) are also amazing. They also happen to be the same vintage as my Cornwalls. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, it might be costly, but the UPS Store will pickup, pack and ship for you. You could pay for the item via an agreed upon method, then dispatch UPS. I suppose if you swap out your damaged radiator for the good one, you could just part out or sell whole the spare Forte. It seems possible, but not inexpensive or easy. Give it time, other options should materialize.

Absolutely. (Offer $100 for a box with the radiator, horns and crossover -- you could sell off the horns and crossover and the whole thing will cost you only time. Request excessive bubble-wrap packing.)

Here you go --> https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ele/6158222179.html $150 buys a single Forte II speaker with a good radiator, horns and other items. Not sure what's happening with that woofer! Good luck.

If metal, these 1983's would be like this other member's 1983's (which does make sense) --> Therefore, the OPs combo would be: B-3 crossover network K-33-E woofer K-52-H midrange (K-52-H driver with K-600 metal horn) <-- Is that correct, so many different configs. possible K-77-M tweeter (K-77-M square magnet driver with K-77 metal horn)

Oh, you may be correct about this. Attached is the only internal mid photo I have from my 1984 Cornwalls. While the driver looks similar, the horn has more bolts on mine. Certainly a photo from the front will indicate whether it's plastic or metal. (And good eye! Amazing catch.) Totally agree. Just sayin', they do look nice.

FYI, up to 1983, the serial number will be stamped into the back side of the cabinet (it would include a Y in stamping for 1983) plus a tag stapled to the back. Newer years used only the tag stapled to the back, which could be removed. The network is definitely B-3. It will say so on a plate on the side below the terminals. See Internet image that I attached. By the way, the crossover components look awfully clean, despite being 30+ years old. You appear to have a late 1983 Cornwalls, which has the exact same setup as my late 1984 Cornwalls, see below; B-3 crossover network K-33-E woofer K-57-K midrange (K-52-K driver with K-601 composite horn) K-77-M tweeter (K-77-M square magnet driver with K-77 metal horn) To my ears, they are wonderful. I've yet to upgrade anything in mine. Good luck! P.S. How do the cabinets look? Feel free to post pix.

Gorgeous! Congrats, too! Did you snag them for $750, just great. Definitely post a pic w/o grills. How do they sound -- they look perfect in your room.

No problem loading Cornwalls into a 2008 Toyota Sienna with rear and middle row seats folded down/forward. Didn't snap a picture, though. I once managed to put an NEC 26" CRT TV into a 1986 Toyota MR2, now that was tight. However, bottom line, if there's a will, there's a way...

Kind of like Zillow's 'Make Me Move' price... It'd be hard to say no at $1,200. (I was able to carry the Cornwalls into the van/house by myself, but I'd need help with Belles!) Let us know what happens.

I suppose the range in price that people are willing to pay for used Cornwalls just expanded. Unless there was something funny about the bidders, an excellent, but not perfect, set of 1985 Cornwalls recently sold for $1826 (plus $220 shipping) on eBay. The link is here, but won't be forever since eBay purges history --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/110831441878 Great for the seller, perhaps the quality ad helped. I thought I was going the distance a few months back on a 1984 pair of CWOs in similar condition for close to $1,000. Interesting.

I've been using the HK 3480 for several years. It's a powerful receiver and sounds very good, especially with Cornwalls. The only issue is the ergonomics, tiny buttons and even smaller fonts for their labels. Well worth the money.

While that reference guide is very helpful, I'm more interested in seeing how and when (and perhaps, why) specifications changed. For instance, it seeems that both the bottom and top end frequency response was extended over time and it seems that efficiency increased, too. In the end, I'm definitely wondering about the Cornwall 1.5's that I currently have, since there is little, clear documention regarding these transitional models. What are their specifications and how do they compare to older and newer models. For those interested in tweaking their Cornwalls, it'd be interesting to see how each driver and network affect sound and measurements. For those looking to purchase pre-owned Cornwalls, it might help narrow down years/models, based on preferences.

Just wondering if any one (or between all the members) we could come up with the specifications for each model of the Cornwall (or at least more accurate than is easily available now). Specifications seem to have changed slightly across the models. With which component / Cornwall model did the bass extend lower, the highs extend higher, the SPL raise, etc.? Did crossover points vary with each of the four or five Cornwall crossover variations? It'd be interesting to have the full specifications for each model, including frequency response, weight, etc. I'll get the ball rolling with an easy few. Just from these samples, low end, high end, efficiency and freq. resp. flatness vary considerably. Cornwall Specifications (from 1980 Klipsch brochure) • DIMENSIONS: 35.75" H x 25.5" W x 15.5" D • FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 38Hz - 17 kHz +/-5db • SENSITIVITY: 98 db @ 1watt/1meter Cornwall Specficiations (from Klipsch website, for discontinued models, not clear which year these are referencing) ¦BUILT FROM: 1959 ¦BUILT UNTIL: 1985 ¦DIMENSIONS: 35.75" x 25.5" x 15.5" ¦ENCLOSURE MATERIAL: Birch Plywood or Veneered Lumbercore ¦ENCLOSURE TYPE: Bass reflex via front-mounted port ¦FINISHES: Walnut, Rose, Teak Oil, Oak, Cherry Lacquer, Natural, Mahogany, Maple, Raw, Black Birch ¦FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 38Hz-20kHz +/-5dB ¦HIGH FREQUENCY HORN: 90(o)x40(o) Exponential Horn ¦MID FREQUENCY HORN: 90(o)x40(o) Exponential Horn ¦MIDRANGE: K-55-V 2" (5.08cm) Phenolic diaphragm compression driver ¦NOMINAL IMPEDANCE: 8 ohms ¦POWER HANDLING: 105 watts maximum continuous (1000 watts peak) ¦SENSITIVITY: 98.5dB @ 1watt/1meter ¦TWEETER: K-77-M 1" (2.54cm) Phenolic diaphragm compression driver ¦WEIGHT: 108 lbs. ¦WOOFER: K-33 15" (38.1cm) Fiber-composite cone Cornwall III Specifications (from Klipsch website) • BUILT FROM: 2006 • CROSSOVER FREQUENCY: HF: 5000Hz ?LF: 800Hz • DIMENSIONS: 35.75" H (90.81cm) x 25.31" W (64.29cm) x 15.5" D (39.37cm) • ENCLOSURE MATERIAL: MDF • ENCLOSURE TYPE: Bass reflex via front slot ports • FINISHES: Walnut Lacquer, Cherry Lacquer, Black Lacquer • FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 34Hz - 20 kHz +/-3db • HIGH FREQUENCY HORN: K-79-T Tractrix • MAXIMUM ACOUSTIC OUTPUT: 119db • MID FREQUENCY HORN: Exponential Horn • MIDRANGE: K-53-TI 1.75" (4.45 cm) Titanium diaphragm compression driver • NOMINAL IMPEDANCE: 8 ohms • POWER HANDLING: 100w max continuous (400 w peak) • SENSITIVITY: 102 db @ 1watt/1meter • TWEETER: K-107-TI 1" (2.54cm) Titanium diaphragm compression driver • WEIGHT: 98 lbs • WOOFER: K-33-E 15" (38.1cm) Fiber composite cone

My story isn't unlike that of many others. As a teenager, I was introduced to Klipsch Cornwalls by essentially an audio store "pusher". Why on Earth would he otherwise let a kid into the "high end" room? I had been plenty content with my Nikko NR-1219 receiver (110wpc) and a set of 3-way Cerwin-Vegas with 12" woofers. But he led me into that room. It was 1980 and I was 16. There's no way I should have been looking at and listening to a Nikko separates stack and a pair of rosewood Cornwalls, but there I was. Nothing else sounded so sweet or right. It took about a year or so, but eventually I traded in and up to the beautiful and all balck Nikko stack (Alpha 220, Beta 20, Gamma 20). I simply couldn't have purchased those Cornwalls or fit them in my bedroom. As it was, the Nikko stack plus the Vegas were rattling windows and cracking plaster. I still have the Nikkos. As was put in a review on another forum of the Nikko & Cerwin-Vega combination, "Nasty, Nasty!" By the time I bought my house in the 90's, I had been brainwashed by all the audiophile info that I had read. I never forgot about the Cornwall sound, but assumed it was likely due to 16 year old ears and tastes. I picked up very highly rated Snell Type D's which I have used and loved until yesterday. I came across an eBay auction for a pair of local, gorgeous Cornwalls in oiled walnut (same as my Snells), one owner since new. My house has been expanded and they would now fit. Yes I was the highest bidder and yes I picked them up and hooked them up the same day, yesterday. First let me say, I didn't remember them being quite that big. Cornwalls are huge. They almost look ridiculous, but that didn't stop me from loading up the minivan! The sound. Just incredible, just as I remember it. I listened to music all night. The whole family was dancing. Low level, high levels, the music just sounds right. I'm happy and at peace with my audio equipment. Klipsch, I've come home! (They're playing right now.)

Mystery solved! bkrop and Groomlakearea51 (plus thanks for the offer) are both correct! I took a closer look at the labels with a flashlight aimed at an angle. You can see one tiny faint brown line from the label info and the impressions from two signatures and the CWO designation. The rest of the back really looks good, not faded in any way. I guess 27 years can do that to ink. Thanks for the comments.

If the tags weren't the correct size or color, or if they weren't stapled like originals, or if the serial number font and placement were different, I'd say maybe they were replacements, but they do look like Klipsch tags - they even have the glue backing, that was apparently not wetted/activated. I suppose they could have been factory or temporary replacements affixed by Klipsch. Maybe they really did run out of the printed tags and were planning on swapping when more were available? Thanks for the posting of other 1984 tags, they are similar, but with all the info missing from mine! It's a small mystery.

The Cornwalls...

Second serial picture...

After purchasing a set of late 1984 Cornwalls, I noticed that the serial number tags are completely blank except for the serial numbers. Shouldn't they at least be the Cornwall labels with signatures plus the serial numbers instead of blank paper with serials? Maybe they ran out of the first generation Cornwall tags, since these were made at the very end of 1984? They do not appear to be faded, just white tags with serials. These had one prior owner since new. The serial numbers are 8451645 & 8451646.