2. speakers
  3. 163297-156117

JBL 4349 or Klipsch Cornwall IV

I need some input on these speakers, I will be able to try 4349 in my home in some time but Cornwall IV is difficult to audition, no dealers nearby. Any input is highly appreciated.

I listen to rock, metal, classical music, jazz, americana and occasionally some country. I have Mark Levinson pre and power (power is not an issue with the JBLs although I might have to change amp for the Cornwalls). My room is roughly 16x18 with a 10 feet ceiling.

I have listened to JBL L100 and while I enjoyed them with classical, jazz and metal, I did not find them to be very good for rock. The treble was slightly harsh and since the loudspeaker did not sound very open or engaging at lower volumes, the treble became very noticeable when the volume was dialled up. But like I said, they brought life to classical and jazz, that’s why I’m now looking at 4349 or maybe Cornwall IVs which have gotten some very nice reviews.


johnek
62 responses Add your response
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
I owned the cornscala C version a few years ago. While it is a good speaker, it came with it's own set of problems. First, the crites xovers had to go and were replaced by an ALK version with adjustable taps for the mids. I also wrapped the midrange horn with dynamat. Even after all this the undoing of this speaker for me was the cabinet resonance in the mid bass. Not terrible, but undeniable in some material.

The bottom line is that although much more expensive, the CW IV is the better speaker.
superstoked
31 posts
 
Check out Bob Crites’s “cornscala” speaker (now known simply as Crites speaker). Like the cornwalls they are a 3 way horn loaded speaker. I own a pair and imho are just fantastic. I run them with a vta st-120, and at 60w per channel they’ll blow you out of the room, very efficient. Only cons I can come up with is they don’t come with attractive veneers. Huge soundstage and very dynamic.
jdmccall56
73 posts
 
I've not heard the JBL's but they certainly look great!
I own the Cornwall IV's and I'm very happy with them.  They are a little light below 50Hz but they are oh, so clean and dynamic!  I listen to a wide range of music, too: rock, country, jazz, classical, chill and more.  I have never felt horns were the best thing for large-scale classical music, but they really are the cat's meow for pretty much everything else, IMHO. 

As for the "revealing" thing...Cornwalls have exceptional clarity, but I would not say they are ruthlessly revealing or that they are particularly forgiving, either.  Bad recordings will sound like bad recordings.  Great recordings will sound like great ones.  They do have a degree of warmth that I think sometimes helps the medicine go down.
davidantonio
29 posts
 
3 hours every time you listen to these speakers?
John Marks’ JBL L100 comments

speakermaster
738 posts
 
Whichever one you listen to make sure you warm up and play for at least three hours to determine the sound a lot of high or higher efficiency systems take time to warm up to sound their best do not make quick judgements and buy the one you like but the cornwall will be very amplifier dependent.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
I'm not sure I'd call them forgiving, but they don't shine a light on poor recordings.  I can listen to most anything on them.

@mijostyn, are you talking about earlier Cornwalls or the latest?

Oz

tomstruck's avatar
tomstruck
350 posts
 
can't talk about the whole line but I read a review on the L100s cabinet construction was not great
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The Cornwall is such an excellent speaker at what it does. For a rocker on a budget it is first class. You do not have to worry about your amp, just about anything will drive the Cornwalls to crazy levels. Down the line if you cross to subwoofers between 80 and 100 Hz you will really be cooking. I have never listened to the JBLs so I can't comment.
As far as forgiving goes I'm not sure I can give you a meaningful answer. Horns are very detailed if you feed them trash like a bad pressing played with a less than stellar cartridge you are not going to like the sound. If it is just a poor recording then you will be fine. The Cornwalls will not mask anything. It is important that your program sources are up to the job but that is true of any fine loudspeaker. 
johnek OP
15 posts
 
@ozzy62 What’s your take on the Cornwall, do you feel they are forgiving of less than stellar recordings? Tone recently published a review where they claim the Cornwall is slightly forgiving, if that’s true I’m definitely going for it. 
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
I have owned the CW IV for about six months now and I'm extremely happy with it. It takes a bit of work to get the placement right, but when you do, you will be rewarded. Great tone and texture and dynamics are just what you expect from horns.

Oz



johnek OP
15 posts
 
@8044drussellI It does have controls for both treble and midrange. Lowering the treble makes it more listenable but also makes it dull. I don’t think it’s the level of the treble that’s the problem, it’s the quality. Spoke to the salesman about it and he agreed, he did not like the midrange or the treble. But as he said, people buying them were quite happy. It depends on what you are are looking for, what music you listen to and how sensitive you are. 
8044drussell
93 posts
 
Doesn't the L100 have a tweeter control? I ask because I am interested in comparing them to my modified Heresy II's.
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Harbeth Super HL5 Plus XD
80x80
FINAL ESL GRAND WORLD DEBUT OF OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY FLAGSHIP, THE M35
80x80
Rega RS-5