Are internal component upgrades worth it.

Might be stated a bit strongly but I am a big fan of upgrading crossovers.  Most manufacturers do not use quality components for crossovers and I've had good results myself.

what Carlsbad2 said. and cabinet/horn damping is also a factor in these that should be adressed. 

So you  guys would recommend cracking open the speakers and applying these fixes like norez and sticky stuff to the horns etc and installing a new crossover? As i mentioned. Im not that handy and have never done this before. What level of expertise does this require? 

@paqua123 it seems you’re asking us if you are capable - we have no clue if you are. Normally, one looks at the steps/procedures then decides for themselves whether they have the capability and drive to follow through.  

Well some folks have said they have done this type of work. Jusst wondering how difficult it is. I havent seen any instructions on this as yet since you have to buy the kit to get them

Where are you located? Maybe someone could help you out. I installed Danny's kit in my Forte III's.

Did you have to buy a circuit board and solder the capacitors etc onto the board? 

No, there is no circuit board.

So the kit comes assembled and just has to be wired in then?

I have extensively diy modified Klipschorns, only bass enclosure stock, this level of change would be far too much for novice. Installing a kit would be way to go, Crites has pre assembled crossovers, I've purchased various components from them in past. Not sure if Volti still offering upgrades.

I thought crites was closed...they dont have a kit for Cornwall IVs i believe tho. Is Volti another seller?

I think addressing the cabinet concerns with adding internal bracing and something like Norez would yield much greater results than messing with the crossovers.  If I was a novice, that's something that I'd look at first.  

If that's a bit beyond what you're comfortable with, you could find a local cabinet maker or wood worker than can do it for you.

Any modification you try should be something reversible in case you don't like the results.  Any change in the sound could b for better or worse and there is rarely anything that would constitute a universal upgrade.  While often praised, I know folks who don't like the Crites crossover upgrades, for example.  Making a box more rigid does not necessarily improve the sound (not all box resonances are "bad"), and even if bracing the box is a positive, you will probably want to make some other adjustment, such as changing the amount of internal damping material.  It is really a matter of tuning, which means trying different adjustments.  Note too that adding bracing decreases the internal volume of the cabinet and that changes the tuning.  As to upgraded parts, the biggest difference will be the choice of capacitors in the crossover, and again, you will have to listen to the results and be prepared to reverse the change if it is not an improvement.

Another completely different avenue for improvement would be to consider a different amplifier.  The Cornwalls are good candidates for being driven by low-powered tube amps.  The sound of such amps might be something you will like, so you should at least try some low powered tube amps with your speakers if you can.  In most set ups, 40-50 watts would be plenty, and some listeners might even like 5 watt amps with your speakers.

Ok, ill have to think about that...All good advice for sure.

I believe Volti learned most of what he knows from working with Klipsch speakers and has surpassed them, and seems really grateful for this path. 

I have a simple solution. Buy speakers that you think sound fantastic that don't require modification. Why anyone spends that much money to then crack them open and 'fix' them I will never know.

I agree with this. However there arent many dealers around me. The 1 that is, is ultra high end stuff Im not will to pay for no matter how good they sound heh. So listening to  speakers isnt really a thing to find out what I really like

Perhaps you can attend a show, not necessarily to scope out what to purchase, but to get a better idea of the kind of sound you hope to achieve.  That would help in any effort to improve the speaker you have,or guide you in finding better cables, in use of room treatments, etc.  There are no universally better parts; a change wrought by a particular choice might be going in the direction you want or it may go in the wrong direction.  But first, you need to be clear about what direction you want to take.  Cornwalls are lively sounding speakers whose vivid and exciting sound may come at the expense of sounding rough.  Are you looking for an even livelier sound, or are you willing to trade off some liveliness or detail or some other quality for something else, like a warmer sound, or deeper bass, smoother (less edgy) sound or whatever.  These tradeoffs and adjustments can be made with something as simple as adding or subtracting speaker stuffing, or changing internal wires, or changing crossover parts.  It is NOT the case that technically superior parts (tighter tolerance, better electrical behavior) necessarily improves the sound.  I know a builder who hunts down old, technically inferior resistors that others would say muddies the sound because they work in his designs and match the sound he is trying to achieve.

Regardless of what sound you are looking for, to me, the first modification of modern speakers to do is to add L-Pad controls to control driver output.  Such controls are essential for tuning the speakers to your room, your system and your personal taste.  It is madness to me that modern speakers builders think their chosen driver balance is ideal for all situations. 

What are L-Pad controls? 

I see what they are. Interesting. Maybe I should just listen to some other speakers 

L-Pad attenuators look like a potentiometer, but they are two potentiometers in one,  that will simultaneously increase resistance in one circuit while decreasing resistance in another.  When wired into the speaker crossover circuit, they allow the crossover to “see” a constant impedance.  This is necessary because a simple attenuator would cause the crossover frequency to change with changes in signal levels going to the driver.  There should be plenty of discussions of these devices on the web.

In the good old days, level controls were common but a lot of people misused them and then complained about the sound and created a lot of hassle for dealers.  I think that is why they fell out of favor.  But, anyone here seriously contemplating upgrades is certainly capable of using them correctly.  It is a matter of patient experimentation.  If you have a three-way speaker, you would have two L-Pads, one on each of the two more efficient drivers so that their level can be matched to the least efficient drivers (typically the woofer).  Given two controls and the overlap of sound from the drivers, adjustment can be complicated, but one’s patience will be rewarded.

No harm in just looking (yeah, right).  For speakers with a lively sound like Cornwalls, but a bit more refined sound, I suggest looking at Volti.  For speakers that can be used close to room boundaries, like the Cornwalls, I suggest looking at Audio Note speakers.  But, there are many great speakers out there and a major regional show is your best way to hear a decent selection.

Volti Upgrades

I thought was Klipschorns or Belles dont see any for Cornwalls

I would make sure that the speakers are optimally set up and your listening space acoustically treated as well. If after ensuring that is done, and if your still interested in pursuing this change, I would reach out to humblehomemadehifi.com, Tony G, in the Netherlands, he specializes in crossover upgrade kits, custom speakers and wouldn't steer you wrong. Full disclosure, a number of us on the What's Best forum have upgraded the crossovers, internal wiring and binding posts for the Goldenear Triton Reference speaker, an already acclaimedt speaker using his components with excellent results. Best wishes on your journey. FYI, I installed the crossovers, but had an expert do the soldering, very happy with the results.

Crites still very alive, Bob passed some years ago. Just saw they now offering the ALK crossover, this a steep slope crossover, original and continuing design shallow slope.

@paqua123 One can modify Klipsch Heritage speakers in so many ways, drivers, crossovers, parts used in crossovers, baffles, cabinets, horns. You can get great refinement, far more natural timbre, get them to image very nicely, and keep the inherent qualities of a horn speaker. If you are willing to experiment with the Cornwalls these are keepers IMO. I'll never go back to box speakers after experiencing horns without the downsides of unnatural timbre and poor imaging.

I agree partnering amps important. Your Luxman is very nice SS amp, but you should try to audition tube amp, push pull with EL34 power tubes and/or 300B SET, both have unique presentations. Again, Cornwalls very nice even in stock form, can be improved quite substantially if one is willing to experiment.

Thank you ill check out his site!

Thanks SNS. I just need to grow a pair and see what's out there :)

Really depends. The greatest value IMHO Is what you personally learn from the exercise, but financially, no. If you don’t like how your speakers are sounding or think you can upgrade for peanuts it’s not worth it.

There are some cases where it’s a bargain. Replacing tweeter caps in Focals and Wharferdales and budget B&W speakers is often worth it, especially if you can find a good sounding, budget cap, like Mundorf MKP (Yeah, others hate them but comapred to Solens I think they are great).

If you feel the need to get your hands dirty, and I wish you would, consider instead building a kit from Madiscound, Meniscus, Parts Express or Solen. You’ll have more fun, feel less frustrated and waste less money.

Whatever you do, consider hanging out at DIYaudio where a lot of excellent and helpful builders are.

Of course, my normal advice is make sure your room has the proper acoustics for your speakers.  A poorly treated room will make all speakers sound mediocre and in need of an upgrade.  A well treated room will make a lot of speakers sound great.