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Focal 948 vs. Klipsch Cornwall recommendations?

Hi (new here) - I’m in the process of updating some vintage gear to modern HiFi (no HT now) for a listening area that’s about 800 SF with 8’ ceilings and wood floors. I’m coming from a 1970’s SX-737 Pioneer Receiver paired with Klipsch KG4’s. I’ve since upgraded to a couple of NAD C 268 Amps and some other NAD components. I may upgrade components in the future but for now that’s what I have.

I’m trying to decide between the Focal 948’s or the Cornwalls. I guess since I like my KG4’s I’m a "horn guy" to some degree, but who knows at this stage in my journey because I have a ton of learning to do. I do not want to run a sub (have a seperate HT room for that), so this is a 2 channel hi-fi set up in a living room/great room. I tend to like "warmish" sound but realize the amp can greatly influence that. I like good tight bass, but don’t need or want a house shaking sub - needs to be balanced with the rest of the sound stage.

The sound is more important to me than how the speaker looks, but I am drawn towards a more classical speaker look like the Cornwall, however I find both of these speakers attractive. I have not listened to either speaker in person yet...the closest I’ve gotten is the speaker simulator on Crutchfield for the 948.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
dogarogaroo
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,833 posts
 
I love my Forte IV.    I just don’t have the room for the Cornwall right now.  They are the perfect size actually and they sound pretty good.   Like many good speakers the Forte sounds better and better as you go up the ladder electronics wise.  That’s why it’s a perfect speaker for me right now.  
I am having a Toolshed 300b built to drive the Forte , that’s how good they sound.  I’m using Quicksilver 40 watts monos and they are great but I wanted to go the SET route. That in addition to wanting Lascala down the road made perfect sense to have an endgame low power amp built .   It’s got all the goodies so it’s going to be right at home when I have the space for a bigger heritage speaker.  
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,833 posts
 
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dogarogaroo OP
3 posts
 
What would "stepping up my electronics" look like? To be clear, that’s not a sarcastic question...just trying to learn. Thanks.
mofojo
2,291 posts
 
I have not heard that NAD but you may consider a tube preamp to pair with it like the Schiit Freya + although I haven’t heard it. I’ve found a tube pre does wonders for the dry mechanical sound of most affordable class D amps I’ve heard. 
I would think you want more power with the Focal or something that puts out a lot of current. Plenty for the Cornwall I would think. 
bigtex22's avatar
bigtex22
85 posts
 
I demoed the Cornwall IVs last weekend. They’re huge, so you’ll want the right space. No need for subs, plenty of bass. The dealer was running an 80W integrated amp and it was as loud as anything I’ve heard (very efficient). But they are bright with the horns, so try before you buy. 
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