RobLikesTubes

I own a pair of Zen Se84C Selects bridged. They have been used to power a pair of Von Schweikert VR4.5s, a pair of Conrwall IIs, and now a pair of Decware HDTs (High Definition Towers) using a modified Fostex 206E full-range drivers. I can tell you having had many different high-end SS and tube amps over the years, the Zens are by far the cleanest amps I've ever used. The purity of sound, detail, imaging, timbre are all amazing in my rather small listening room (12'X 13') If you are looking for that SET/Full range magic, this combo is addictive. For lower effeicient speakers(under 93-94db) the Zen signature momos, integrated, or push-pull is required.

Just wanted to thank a bunch of you for providing a lot of good insight on Klipsch products particularly info on the Cornwalls, which I recently parted with after a 2 year love affair. The Cornwall 2s were my first entree into high efficiency speakers with my tube amps, and I learned a lot in that time. If I had either 1) a bigger listening room to allow then to really breath and work at their best, or 2) a higher WAF that would let me place them in a bigger room in the house - I probably would have kept these much, much longer. I have gone the way of a full-range, single-driver design called the HDT(High Definition Tower) by Steve Deckert at http://www.decware.com Steve has done a great custom mod on the Fostex 206E 8" driver, built in a cabinet of his own design that is just the ticket in my 12'x13' music room. They are slightly less efficient than the Cornwalls (96db), but that is no issue here. They can much louder than i listen 90% of the time. His mods to the drivers themselves eliminate the "shout" sometimes associated with single-driver designs, and the cabinet design itself is quite unique and produces incredibly tight and natural bass, which is sometimes missing from designs with these drivers as well. They are still breaking in and blooming more each day, but right out of the box I could tell they were going to be staying for a long while. The imaging is breathtaking and height, width, and depth of the soundstage are amazing. They are resolving greater detail than the Cornwalls and reproducing more accurate timbre of instruments than I ever seemed to be able to get from the Cornwalls. Not that the Cornwalls weren't capable, like I said, my room was more of a limitation to the Cornwalls capabilities than the speakers themselves. I hope terry, the new and 3rd owner of the Cornwalls, enjoys them as much as I did. Nice to be able to pass them along to another owner who will get many more years of enjoyment out of them. Again, thanks for the insight, advice, and good humor. I'm sure I'll pop in now and again to pick up some tidbits

***************These have been sold !!*******************

Maybe I should take another pic of them with my wife hanging her hooters out over top of them

Zoocow... I will be in Pittsburgh the end of june for a pair of Dave Matthews Band shows at Star Lake. If you think the finances may be in order by then, let me know, you might get delivery !

I had posted these on here about 2-3 months ago, but hadn't gotten pics up, and have been too busy up until now. These are a fine pair of Cornwalls IIs in excellent shape all the way around with the following exceptions: 1) The grill clothes on both have some minor fraying, I could not get it to show up in the digital pics. 2) Each cabinet has 1-2 not even penil point size nicks on the side of the cabinets. Again, too small to even show up on the digital pics. 3) There is one pic of the top of what is my right speaker. There is a discoloration (looks like the previous owner had a glass set on top or something) This barely shows in the pic, and would easily be removed by someone who likes working with wood. Not my forte, so i didn't want to make it worse ! I am asking $800 + shipping. Which from what I see others going for here and ebay, is very reasonable. I would prefer a local buyer (maryland/dc/deleware/lower pa) I would see them to a local buyer for $775 to save the work in shipping Copy and paste for photos: http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/loosingitt1/album?.tok=phJqW5AB0Z8xt45.&.dir=/5c20&.src=ph E:mail me: loosingitt1@yahoo.com with any questions. Cheers

Give the amps and tubes some time to burn in. My experience with tube gear is they both take a little time to "mellow out" Once they do, you'll be grinning ear to ear

Yes, gary and I have traded messages, he has the WAF issues, which I understand. I'm gonna hold off perhaps a few more weeks before going the E-bay route. My new speakers are 5-6 weeks away from being built.

topping... these are still available. I will be putting them up on E-bay monday, so you might save a little cash. I'm asking $900 but it is negotiable based on what shipping need to be done .......

Hello folks... Haven't been around here in a while. New job, new computer, etc, etc, I have recently aquired a new set of single driver speakers that I think I am going to make my reference. I'd like to keep the Cornwalls, but space is a problem. I figured I offer them up here before going the e-bay route. The are 1987 all original Oak cabinets in Very Good condition. Serial#s 8766007/08 There are a few blemishes here and there, and a slight scratch on one of the grillclothes (black). The top of one speaker has a small red stain that looks like red wine or cool-aid (all from original owner) The only mod done was to damp the woofer baskets with some caulk. If you are interested, e:mail me: loosingitt1@yahoo.com I will try to get some digial photos up in the next day or 2. Reasonable offers acepted. I'd prefer a local buyer (I am in Maryland, close to baltimore) due to the shipping issues - but I know there are The Crates floating around in this community that could be obtained by a motivated buyer.

so, when does the great direct drive vs. belt drive debate start.

I know you stated you were looking at "classic" tubes, but I would highly recommend a visit to http:www.decware.com and check out some of Steve Deckert's designs. I own a pair of the SE-84C-Selects with a pair of Cornwall IIs, and the music in my room has never been better

my brother has an electrovio "discreet quadrophonic" all-in-one receiver, tuner, and yes...... 8 TRACK player. He also has some quad records, though his TT is shot. The reciever has like a joystick with this flourescent display for the balance control.... trippy. He is the only person on the planet I know who has quad, that is still working and he still uses this up in his home office... those Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, and ELP 8 tracks sound groovy....

Mike, My Cornwall IIs are in almost exactly the same sized room as yours. I can get them as loud as I can handle without brightness/harshness. I found the secret to be NOT toeing them in more than a hair (and sometimes not at ALL) I have them 18" out on the short wall, 15" from the sides, 5' apart and about 7' from the listening position. The imaging and soundstage (particualrly depth) are simply amazing. Enjoy !!

they are the "Select" version of the SE84C. I'm using NO pre-amp. My turntable set-up is currently on hiatus, so with only one source (CD), I am able to take advantage of the gain control provided on the Zens, and not have to to use ANY preamp. Having this direct a signal path has proven to be a very good thing, indeed

My former VonSchweikert Research 4.5s did a pretty fine job in the soundstage dept. When I decided to try the Cornwalls for their much higher sensitivity, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I can tell you that the Zen/Cornwall combo is the best imaging I've achieved in my current listening room. Every person who has sat and listened to the current set-up agrees. The depth/width/height of the soundstage is nothing short of breathtaking. I was always impressed with the Zen's ability to create a holographic soundstage, the horns really show that off. Recordings certainly have much to do with how that image is presented. But recordings that are done right, come across as very "real" and "live". A solo instrument will just "be there" not left/right/center , just "there" - you can almost reach out and touch it. I've been able to get much more depth out of this combo all well. Orchestral recordings particularly have blown me away with the ability to place the aspects of the percussion section deep, deep, deep in the back of the rest of the orchestra, with the other instruments falling just where there should be. beautiful.

Welcome... I just became Cornwall devirginized back in February. I really just stumbled into a pair locally from someone on this forum while I was researching RF7s. Several suggested I give the Cornies a try. Well, it has been two months of ups and downs and highs and lows. A few minor tweeks, and more to do with placement... Things are finally as they should be. I haven't made any adjustments to anything for about 3 weeks now(other than some usual tube rolling in my Zen's) I've done nothing but listen, and I'm totally in tune with what these speakers are capable of. It took a bit of adjustment, because i had owned some pretty amazing speakers in previous ss/tube/hybrid amp/preamp combos. I can honestly say, I've got a a combo here now that will be staying for a few years to come. The imaging and soundstage I get with the Klipsch/Zen combo is truly breathtaking. Ensemble and orchestra instruments are EXACTLY where they should be, with a realism that feels like you can reach out and touch it ! I have found too much toe-in (in my smaller room) takes away SO much from the width and depth these classics can produce. Maybe this isn't an issue in larger rooms, or the toe-in is needed there. I also notice the horns are way too bright when over toed-in. s-s-s-s-sibilence becomes nasty. Enjoy - happy listening.

XTC - Apple Venus Vol I - great for frequency range, dynamics I'll 2nd the Dire Straights - Brothers In Arms, Ride Across The River is great for imaging. Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - Live @ Luther College - great for acoustic guitar and that 'being there' live feel. Paul Simon - Graceland, Rhythm of the Saints Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach Patricia Barber - Companion Yo-Yo Ma - The 6 Bach Unaccomanied Cello Concertos Crash Test Dummie - God Shuffled His Feet Rush - 2112, A Farewell to Kings Pat Metheny - Letter From Home Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Outbound

WOW ! Just get them. Send them back if you don't like.... you won't. http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/

I owned a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce-s. With really good solid state amps (100W +) and a tube pre-amp they sounded very good. Every other combo I used (lesser ss amps / ss pre-amps, etc) they were "OK". I found them to be very finicky placement-wise. You need a good 3 feet from the wall for decent bass response. The are very neutral, image pretty well, but nothing like the Cornwalls.

I certainly cannot testify to any "measured"(as with meters) improvement. I've always let my ears be the judge when it comes to tweeks. There is NO doubt in my mind, and 3 others who listened before and after to the caulk tweek, that the detail in the bass lines, timbral acuracy, and 'tightness' (bass drums especially) of these speakers improved signifigantly with this little tweek. Once audiophile friend, not knowing the tweek was performed commented: "Wow, what did you change the Klipsch's ? , the bottom end is much more detailed that when I first heard them" Coincidence ? hell, maybe But, I know what I hear/don't hear.

TubeNube, Nice to see another Zen owner in the house !! I recently purchased a set of Cornwall IIs and am running a pair of SE-84C-Ss I am very happy with the combo !! I have the Cornwalls about 18" from side/rear walls. 6' apart. 8' to the listening position. I have them toed-in just a "hair". I found toeing them in too much blurred the soundstage a bit, and took away from the holographic image this combo is capable of. Experiment a bit, you'll find what is best in your room. When it is right. It is SO right. Happy listening

Well, after reading numerous posts about caulking the woofer baskets of Cornwalls to improve bass/mid-bass response, I decided to give this little tweek a try. I decided on a self-adhesive bathroom caulk that is designed to fold and go on the tub and wall edge around a bathtub. Having the fold worked well for forming the strip around the ridge in each of the woofer baskets ridges. 16 uniform strips of caulk later, with woofers remounted in the cabinets, I can honestly say this by far the best tweek I have ever done to any speaker, certainly in the "bang for the buck" department. The whole bottom end improved, especially bass drums. Much tigher, better defined. Bass lines are better detailed, little slides on the neck, timbre elements that define the type/brand of bass guitar are heard. Stand-up up basses have "more wood" !! Anyway, thanks for those who offered up this suggestion. For $4.29, I am sold

My little Zen's have a gain control and are set up to accept a 2.83mv source direct, with NO preamp. It is so great to have such a direct path. I have used a Anthem Pre-1L and a SF Line 2 with the amps. Pre-amp-less is my fave. Of course, this will have to change when I put the old Thorens analog set-up back in action.

Thanks, i suspected as much from inspecting them. But I have seen all these pictures of folks with backs off while doing mods ?!?!