revox2tr Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 (edited) 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! Edited March 13, 2016 by revox2tr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 My 1968 Cornwalls are still going strong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knoblett76 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Shouldn't have a problem unless they've been abused really bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Be sure you check the tweeters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbomberger Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 My 77's are great, look inside and out like new. I have crises upgrades but haven't installed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 I found a local pair xxRxxx consecutive numbers (1977 possibly) 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! prices really depend upon location a lot so check in your area. Depending upon the amp that you have a set of Chorus ll which were the Cornwall replacements might also be a good option and worth looking at. The Chorus has the same mid horn as the CW does but the Chorus ll uses a larger and better mid horn and it uses the K79 tweeter (which can be upgraded to a titanium diaphragm). The woofer in the Chorus and the Chorus ll is a pro version of the woofer in the CW. If you are using small tube amps the CW would be your best option but if you are using larger SS amps the Chorus ll would be worth considering. Either way if a set turns up local to you check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungkiman Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 My 1968 Cornwalls are still going strong. Factory 1967 Vertical Decorators here. Original crossovers, after Bob Crites suggested them to be very close to original spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japosey Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Just make sure you listen to them before you purchase and if there is an issue with a driver do you research beforehand so you know how much it will cost to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revox2tr Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 (edited) 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! Edited March 11, 2016 by revox2tr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricktate Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Just start reading the forum more information than you could ever want. But if they sound good and you like them buy them. Cost of fixing anything in them is low just make sure all drivers work by placing pillow over midrange to hear tweeter and over tweeter to hear midrange if woofer not working that will be easy to hear. If any driver not working offer lower price. Rick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 (edited) the inside of a set of 1977 ( R ) Cornwalls should have the following #1 - K-77 round mag tweeter #2 - K-55V midrange driver with a K-600 horn #3 - K-33 E woofer #4 - type B crossover Edited March 11, 2016 by Budman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 800 for medium to good shape is slightly high'ish unless you live in an area where these things come up for sale very rarely (750-900 for great condition). There really is not one thing on that speaker that can not be fixed... specially at a reasonable price. If its a speaker you really want (they are large), just get them if they are to your liking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Those old caps in the crossovers have a life expectancy of less than 20 years. Think about that. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prerich Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 My 1968 Cornwalls are still going strong. Same here - one 1968 vert and 2 1976 Cornwall 1's going strong....(I do have your ALK Bv2's in them though). Drivers are fine (I did replace the tweets with Crites). Woofers and Squawkers are all stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS121996 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 My 77's are great, look inside and out like new. I have crises upgrades but haven't installed them. You have a crisis upgrade? Sounds serious but I'm sure you can get it fixed :D Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 (edited) Juuuuupiter!! http://jupitercondenser.com/product-category/capacitors/ They haven't released all values of their new replacement for the VT round stack caps but I can tell you the old square version of the VT flat stack wax and paper aluminum foil caps are sublime! For a pair of B networks you would need 2-2uF and 2-4uF (B2 would take a 3uF instead). I converted from B to B2 networks along with Jupiters. Seems like it was around a $400 investment so not cheap at all but I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Deang (Aletheia Audio) could build you a pair with all new parts and make it beautiful as well but I don't know how much building he is doing right now. As far as price, people here like bargains... 800 is not necessarily a bad price. I'd say listen to them for a while and don't do anything right away. Good luck! Edited March 11, 2016 by muel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Nomad Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 My Cornwalls are from '77. All original, except for the crossovers (went with ALK). Without more specifics/pictures (which finish?), the $800 for the pair sounds like a pretty good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 I'm pretty sure I have some used Sonicaps in the values for the B networks. Shoot me a PM if you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revox2tr Posted March 12, 2016 Author Share Posted March 12, 2016 (edited) 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. Edited March 12, 2016 by revox2tr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungkiman Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 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. Sorry no pictures taken of the box itself for now Don't be concerned with the roughness of the mid-range horn. They are cast aluminum, and what you describe is typical. The interior photos look very clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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