revox2tr

Thank you for the info djk. I am optimistic on improving the sound of the Cornwall - not sure yet if replacing the old crossovers with new ones (Sonicaps) will bring the upgrade - considering I do not want to alter the dynamics and live music feel the speakers provide - will follow up after testing on this subject, off topic here. Very intriguing and a dilemma still: 1) The "bracing" squawker-back panel may be a design feature : compression on the metal horn (with possible positive effects on ringing) combined with reducing resonance of the back panel - follow up would be leave it as is. 2) On the contrary: bringing vibration from the back panel into the squawker body assembly with negative effects - then insulation and/or separation of the two would be the right choice.

Hello, I noticed that the back panel presses against the back of the squawker - I have the option to believe that this would be part of the original design in order to brace the cabinet front to back. I am currently upgrading the crossovers, opened the cabinets so I just saw the marks on the interior padding of the back panel. - K55 are screwed all the way - mark is visible on both speakers (same configuration, consecutive serial numbers) Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.

Thank you everyone, I will initiate a new topic about how it works for me with SS and tubes, as soon as I do some tests and measurements and also subjective tests in my dedicated listening room.

I will follow up with pics and updates on (hopefully) some new tube amplification for the Klipsch speakers - thank you all! The only photo I have for now is a pic I have in my phone, but I wil follow up with more

Update on the great speakers: I am again surprised by the texture and qualities of the Klipsch speakers First I got the Heresy I by accident. I got finally a nice surprise after years of slow progress and lots of trial and error with buying and changing speakers. Lots of opinions read about the bass, and the extended highs etc. - important characteristics too. The listening pleasure is way beyond expectations, with or without the frequency extensions. The secret is their character, the design and the result. I continue to be surprised by the Cornwalls I - I am not concerned any more about comparing them to the Heresy I. Keep the Heresy, keep the Cornwall. Genetically the same, different in many ways but still so intriguingly live sounding, fast and dynamic and much more. I could say effortless, transparent, real, large, low distorsion, convincing, emotional - and more. I will try some tube amplification soon, for now all listening was done using a class A SS amp.

Update: I found another pair, this time Cornwall I (1977) and purchased them fast enough not to miss them again , wonderful speakers!

Hooked them to my reel to reel and SS amp, first impression confirms the great luck that I had, I got my first Klipsch speakers (Heresy I) a while ago unintentionally I may say. Also joining this forum was a great decision, lots of encouragement and great posts that are so valuable. I have to admit that I was quite intrigued that so many people are part of the Klipsch community and some own a few pairs of different speakers made by Klipsch. I owned Tannoy, PMC, Merlin and Neumann speakers and listened/tested other, now 39 years old Cornwalls. I bought them without checking with proper amplification and line source, instinctively. After a short listening session I can say the sound is live - my tape recordings sound like live performance. Eng. Klipsch was an artist. I will soon hook them up with a tube amp (using 211) and so on. The speakers are wonderful. Will follow up.

Happy to report I got them "home" Will follow up after recovery

Thank you for the advice - I will give you a full report as soon as / if I get them

Update: The drivers: K77M K55V something to mention: the black paint doesn't look smooth on the inside as well as the outside (I am aware it is metal) - should I be concerned K33 (no letter E) B type crossovers The sound as I heard it through a medium CD player and asian tube amp - average with some not that smooth upper detail, maybe a bit rough - lower frequency OK, is not that important for me what I hope to get is a non fatiguing sound but highly dynamic and smooth response (hoping the Cornwalls can deliver with proper gear and become an upgrade to - the Heresy 1 that I own and which sound special and dynamic, with enough punch and lows - good room acoustics maybe). The upgrade that I hope for is with regards to overall clarity and fidelity not interested in particular in frequency range extremes. The box is in ok condition, discoloured tops and some marks, grills have to be redone but no dents.

If anyone knows what should I look for inside the speakers supposing they are in original state - drivers models/type and crossover - I am actively searching info on this as I wish to make an educated purchase - thank you!

I found a local pair xxRxxx consecutive numbers (1977) I am concerned about the drivers and their remaining active life - the crossovers I might have to address - but are the drivers going to be alive after almost 40 years of service? 800 USD asking price - medium to good shape. I am hooked to the sound of my Heresy I, so I want to upgrade (hopefully) Thank you!

Wonderful speakers the Cornwall, I am still upset missing the purchase. As I started this topic, I will conclude that it should have been an easy decision, in fact the Cornwall speakers are much better than I expected, and the price around $800 USD is low for this product. Very simple. I hope to find another pair in as good condition as possible and at that time it wil be a fast purchase. In the mean time I will play with the Heresy ones. In the mean time I will keep instructing myself on the sound quality of the Klipsch vintage line. My esoteric "precision" speakers I am planning to sell and forget that route. It makes more sense to buy Klipsch, a bright and common sense design from almost all points of view the gifted engineer provided. Even built on a budget as some think they were. The speakers are alive and special beyond belief.

speakers have been sold - just before I was getting ready to go pick them up - someone just bought them

I just returned from the Cornwall II audition. I really liked them - cannot say that it was obvious that they are in a differnt league than the Heresy I that I have at home. About the character, very similar, maybe more articulate and for sure more lower end. I picked many things that I liked during the short listening session. Some other things I did not, for instance the vibration I felt through the walls of the cabinet (was not abviously audible at the low levels of the 3W amp) and less dynamics than I expected but I can blame it on the owner's amplifier. I did not have my amplification gear with me so I can only judge by the well known hi-rez files that I am familiar with, the owner has a 3W per channel tube amp, unknown brand name. It is not my intention to review the Cornwall, I am just overthinking what to do, They cost 840 USD non negotiable. They look very good and seem to be an 1987 model (875XXX) serial number. They look original. So it is a gamble still. My precision speakers lost the sympathy battle to the Heresys but they image better and classical music and complex choirs sound better. I am tempted to believe that these big Cornwalls may be what I kept looking for but you never know. Impossible to bring them at home for a listening session and then decide. So I will have to gamble.

Update: I will see/hear a pair of Tangent 400 today and the Cornwall II tomorrow. I decided my many times more expensive speakers are not more likeable overall than the stock Heresy that I got (by accident actually). With very good line input and SS amplification for now (planing for tubes again soon). So I will follow the road called Klipsch. Very entertaining forum, will follow up and share my thoughts.

Thank you for the tips and advice - what i really like about Klipsch is the relaxed sound and the dynamics. Power and bass extension come as a bonus and are of great importance. And there is something about the flow, the sound, difficult to define. I am even worried if/when changing diafragms not to change the character of the speakers - recapping ok - but I respect the experience of Klipsch owners that went for the change. On the same note, Cornwall vs Heresy - I hope to find the same sweetness and relaxation in the Cornwalls - SS or tube whatever necessary.

Great suggestion for the ported Heresy - thank you moray james - might as well keep both speakers. Good to hear from Bossman about the "slightly sweeter sound" of the Heresy and the Cornwalls being better overall. (I like SS class A too. Tubes as well, for different flavours). Heresy is kind of unbelievable to me as I keep listening to different sources. I owned many different speakers but I was surprised how attractive the Heresy sounds - in fact a cheap old speaker as many would say. I will not say here that it sounds better than my 4x more expensive speakers but some friends will hear me saying it, even if it may be coloured and have weaker bass. The perspective of improving the sound as per the drawings above is another conforting thought. Having more lower end is great news but the quality of the sound remains fascinating with or without the bass extension. All speakers are different and you cannot have all qualities in one speaker - maybe the Cornwall is a step closer.

Thank you for encouraging me - I hope the Cornwalls image well. Klipsch brings this fast/efortless/relaxed sound, very intriguing ; imaging, soundstage and all the "precision" (and sometimes too analitical) sound of higher priced speakers may not come with the package - but I like the sound so much and I will purchase them if they are in good shape. Thank you again

Hello everyone, I registered on this forum as I recently bought a pair of 1983 Heresy (some people call them 1.5) and I listen to the dynamic/fast/sweet sound that comes out with ease. My background is analog tape recorders and vinyl and lately computer audio via a great DAC. Amplifiers SS and tube back and forth. The other speakers are both bookshelf acoustic suspension (one pair - a sophisticated sound US made and the other pair some modern german made powered studio monitors). I found a pair of Cornwall II close to me advertised as "excellent condition with all original parts" and I would appreciate any opinion on the upgrade that may take place. They are priced at USD 800 (or CAD 1250), triple the price I paid for the Heresy pair, half of the other ones. Price is not my main concern but it is an important factor too. The upgrade in sound quality is what I need advice on. I listen to jazz, some classical and older rock/pop and analog recordings made with tube mastering gear or copies from master tapes. Digital audio (hi-rez via macbook and amarra player out to the custom DAC) works too but on a different enjoyment level. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!