dr-dezibel Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Since last year I have a look at the Cornwall III. Now I have the opotunity to get a pair of used Altec Valencia. It is about 25 years old and cost about 1,500 Euros The new Cornwall cost about 3,300 Euro. Which one would you prefer? And why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 a very hard choice ..... they both do different things better Cornwall, maybe the edge in bass... the Val's roll off quick at 50 hz .. but then .the Val's ... got them Altec mids ....[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheltie dave Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 At only twice the price, a set of brand new Cornwalls economically is the better choice. At $3300 vs $700 to $800 here in the US, it would be a tougher decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnBob Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 Well, I sold my Valencias (Flamencos, actually, same thing, different grillwork) to buy Cornwalls, but that was 1974... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr-dezibel Posted May 18, 2007 Author Share Posted May 18, 2007 Well, I sold my Valencias to buy Cornwalls, but that was 1974... And why? What are the advantages of the Cornwalls over the Valecias? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 My preference in sound is Cornwall. That is a subjective thing, of course. But IMO hard to beat. The price is a tougher call. I'd say if you've got the cash, go for the CW's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mujhc Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I'm not sure if you have already purchased one of those pairs. But I'll just go ahead and give you my 2 cents. I love both Klipsch and Altec. I currently have LaScala, Forte II, 2pairs of Snatana, and Valencia and a few other speakers of other brands. Between Valencia and Cornwall (mind you I haven't listened to the III's, I assume improvement should be there from earlier Cornwall, but with similar character), Valencia over Cornwall anyday for me. Although 1,500 EUROS for valencia seems very expensive, In US Valencia goes between $1000 - $1500 USD depends on the condition. Why I do I prefer Valencia? Because Cornwall is just not in the same league. I listen to LaScala in a BIG room(20'x40') and they sound wonderful, it would never work in small room since it has such an over-emphasized mid Bass. Not boomy, but just too much of it. Santana and Valencia have magical midrange. They are rolled off on both high and low frequencies, but so dynamic that you don't realize it's not there. Forte is very clean and punchy and covers a bit more frequencies than Altec, but very sensitive to matching amps. In my opinion Cornwall is a stepped-down version of Forte. As I stated earlier I haven't listened to III..so can't tell you how big a improvement there is. Nonetherless, with difference in your quoted cost I'd pick Valencia in a tenth of a heartbeat. Hope my 2 cents helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Buy NEW Cornwalls..........kick back and let your ears be entertained for 20, 25, 30 years.......Buy once, and enjoy.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryO Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I've got Valencias in the bedroom. I've got the Cornwall redeisgned in my main listening room. I listen to both constantly. I like the overall performance on the Cornwall for daily listening. I think they're a lot more versatile. At night at lower volumes I listen to the Valencias in bed while reading or just re-hashing the day. The Vals are smoother at lower volumes to me. Hence the bedtime listening. The Cornwalls can't be beat for versatility or quality. I run tube power only and it smooths out the beasts in both. Easy question depending on listening factors. Cornwalls By Klipsch. You can't beat them if you have the choice of only 1 pair of speakers. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Nice first post, mujhc! Wecome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnBob Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Sorry this took so long to reply. For some reason the forum stopped recognizing by password. The Flamencos were smoother and a bit more natural. The Cornwalls seemed to go further in each direction, and were more detailed. For instance, in the von Karajan recording of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," there's a harpsichord doubling the string sections. On the Cornwalls, I could hear it easily. On the Flamencos it was hard to pick out. On the EV Sentry IIIs, it was pretty much buried. The Cornwalls also, at least subjectively, could handle more power, and were not as prone to feedback (I admit it, I've used them for PA work) as the big Altecs. (The Altecs could blow out candles playing "Smoke on the Water," though. Such abilities were considered way cool at the time.) The Klipsches also had a quality that's hard to describe, except that the CWs made people want to get up and dance. The Altecs, not so much. I hope this helps. Bear in mind, these are thirty year old recollections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr-dezibel Posted June 6, 2007 Author Share Posted June 6, 2007 Thank you all for your replies! I've not already purchased. I was leaning towards the Cornwalls, but mujch's post makes me wonder again wether the Valencia may be probably the better speaker for me. My listening levels are low to medium, never very high. Music is rock, most 70s and 80s, funk and a little jazz. The speakers will be powered by a Marantz 2330B. Which one do you recommend regarding this ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Cornwalls.......will do everything you have listed and More......The best part about Klipsch is you don't have to play LOUD to hear great musical sounds, Low volume, High volume, and everything in between........Cornwalls and Marantz, very nice combo............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 when did 'as' become a bad word? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungkiman Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 no worse than assume... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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