Why not just buy older cornwalls or hereseys?
Less expensive alternatives to Klipsch Heritage Cornwall IV?
Hi,
I'm no audiophile, listening to mainly rock/symphonic metal and classical.
Recently listened to some Frozen Crown and Dragonforce on a friend's Klipsch Heritage Cornwall IV. Of course it was amazing. But, I don't know what I don't know. I'm looking for a set of speakers that have similar (may not be as "good") characteristics as my friend's, and don't cost $7500. My room is about 20' x 15', amp is an old Pioneer Elite. Any directions as to where to search for that set of speakers are much appreciated.
I did a Google query, and the following names came up: Klipsch Heresy IV, Klipsch Forte IV, Polk Audio R700.
Thank you,
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with these stands - https://www.etsy.com/listing/1343688505/custom-speaker-stand-made-upon-order |
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Couple of things to consider: What amp/preamp was your friend using to power the Cornwalls? That will make a big difference to the sound coming out of the speakers, especially if they were using tube gear. That having been said - Heresy’s will definitely need a sub woofer to keep up with the Cornwalls. (You could look at Klipsch Fortes). You could also look at older Klipsch Heritage models (Cornwalls, Forte’s, Heresy) for less than half the price of new ones and if necessary update the crossovers. Crossover upgrades from: Critesspeakers.com is a good place to start and they are literally ‘drop in’ so just a screwdriver will get you there. Good luck! |
@jasonbourne71 totally agree with that. Earlier this year I purchased a heavily moded/restored Valencia system from a shop that specializes in older speakers; they are just remarkable. To think this is a 60yo design and still vital - I use a 40watt X 2 Class A 6550 tube amp with them and it’s as good as it gets. Just my opinion. |
My Heresy 4s work well in my 14x18 room. I like that they have a low profile, as this is my living room too. My amps have been anywhere for 3 watt to 100 watt. You'll want higher than 3 watts if you rock out. I have a REL sub, but don't always use it. That depends on what you like. I got a pair or Heresys from Hifi Heaven for $2399.98 shipped. That was 4 years ago. I feel that they get me very close to a Cornwall sound. They will grow with you as you get better electronics. I have a 100 watt Rogue Audio tube amp now that has great synergy with the Heresys. All the best
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@atemoya - it’s not just the speaker, but the entire audio chain: Source>preamplifier>amplifier>speakers and cabling. Room conditions, how sounds are reflected/absorbed, is also important. |
My house limit is about $2K these days. I have an earlier version of the Zu Audio as my main speakers for the last 7 years or so. People tend to love them or hate them. Very energetic listen, if that is your preference. You would not need to (necessarily) upgrade everything else, if you introduced these into the mix. Your Pioneer receiver would be fine. Would do well with the style of music you like. https://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/p/dw6 Lots of reviews out there. https://www.zuaudio.com/reviews-omen-dar
Rich
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ElectroVoice 15W Woofer and two ElectroVoice horns, brightness and presence controls, 16 ohm local pickup only (you could use UPS Pack and Ship) SkyFi Audio, LLC, 479 S Broad Street, Glen Rock, NJ 07452
https://skyfiaudio.com/products/ev-electro-voice-15-3-way-speaker-system-in-marquis-enclosures They must sound a good bit like mine which sound a good bit like big Klipsch. If you were quite serious, I would go listen/compare them to mine for you, they are 1 hour north of me. Mine are taller, same tweeter T350, same Woofer 15W, different mid horn, and I slant them back (see wood block above front wheels) aiming the tweeter to seated ear height.
Age: I have a full set of spare drivers and re-cone kit. The horns are impregnated linen, mine untouched since 1958, I’m told virtually indestructible (I did burn a T35 coil blasting ’In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’), the crossover’s parts are sealed in tar filled metal cans, and re-build kits for the 15" woofers (cloth not foam surrounds) still exist, and parts express has 16 ohm L-Pads. https://reconingspeakers.com/product/ev-electro-voice-15w-15-aftermarket-recone-kit-16-ohms/ Do you have 16 ohm taps on your amp? I drive mine with a Cayin A88T MK1 which has 16 ohm taps (originally Fisher 80az Mono Blocks). Note: Current Klipsch Cornwalls are 8 Ohm, and I presume foam surrounds on the 15" woofers. No level controls which I think is a darn shame. https://d2um2qdswy1tb0.cloudfront.net/spec-sheets/Cornwall-2019-Spec-Sheet-v03.pdf?v=1718394140
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Hi - All nice stuff. What would you recommend driving these speakers with? The OP presently uses an old in the tooth Pioneer Elite amp (presuming AV, could be wrong). Would that do the trick here? Since $7.5 k was a mic drop for speakers and these would cost $3.5k, plus a trip out to Bergen County, plus any expense to refurbish ... aren't we bringing him pretty close to the mic drop ceiling. The ceiling could always change, but I got that the Cornwalls were a NFW for him, price wise. Rich |
rar1These would be the easier to live with choice with free shipping in the price. IF OP really likes the sound of Cornwalls, and IF what Skifi says is true, transport is the immediate issue (no refurb needed currently). I have never seen that Marquis cabinet before. If they become your beloved speakers, in the future the cloth could be replaced, a woodworker could refinish, adding a select veneer of choice ..... I would put them on 3 dual wheel casters, and tilt them back a bit like my existing ones, not only directs the tweeter, it changes the angles of reflection off the floor/ceiling/eventual rear wall. I 'know' their sound (possibly preferable to the Cornwalls, certainly similar), For me, the pair of L-Pads to adjust them in any listening space using a CD with test tones and an SPL mike is highly desirable and the Klipsch lacks that. They could be added to the Klipsch, especially the restored ones. You never know what floats another's boat, who has a cousin Vinnie with a big SUV that could pick them up and come visit, and I don't know what space or equip OP will use/change to, or his retirement plans and how that will effect 'big' stuff. However their age/future is an entirely different matter when compared to a fairly current Cornwall and Cornwall the far more common 8 ohm. I've got spare drivers and re-cone kits, If mine were stolen by a pair of strong theives, I would probably go back to a pair of JSE Model II's, The Cornwalls have front ports, the Marquis rear slots/vents, I have a rear 'tuned port' designed by Electrovoice Engineers when I designed the cabinet, however I have it blocked here, I used it open in prior location when there was no wall behind the speakers. I want to stay with tubes, they are sensitivity 90db, not sure my Cayin's 45 wpc would be enough for very dynamic content, I used McIntosh SS 2250 to drive them in the past, just because someone gave it to me. I never tried less power with them, I just assumed my Fisher 30 wpc 80az mono blocks were not enough. |
btw, take a look at my horns mounted vertically, and both the Cornwall Horns and Electrovoice 250 Midrange horn in the Marquis being mounted horizontally (note electrovoice t350’s are vertical in both mine and the Marquis). The Electrovoice Horns in my speakers have mouth shapes that accomplish the opposite of what they appear, mounted vertically, they limit the vertical dispersion, and specifically deliver wide dispersion. https://products.electrovoice.com/binary/T350%20EDS.pdf My midrange is actually two horns on a single driver, called a ’Compound Diffraction Projector’, model 847 CDP on page 26 here. Fisher chose to use it in my Uncle Johnny’s Fisher President II, which I inherited in 1973. Thus my speakers can be considered 4 way, although the crossover is 3 way. https://www.steampoweredradio.com/pdf/electro%20voice/electro%20voice%201957.pdf |
Heresy's are great speakers, if not everyone's cup of tea. If you want a cheap alternative I would suggest looking for a pair of Klipsch KG-4s. I bought a pair for one of my daughters to use in her college apt. and ended up using them myself for a second system in my office. I actually like them better then the Heresy but that's just me. I haven't paired them with a Fisher but I did play them through a restored Scott integrated and a Marantz 2235b. Sounded great.
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I've owned both the Cornwall IV and the Forte IV. Hate to bash an American company but I found the build cheap. The wood seemed thin, the grill on the speakers will sag over time. The packaging is really one-time, which is why you see most sales are for local pickup. They did achieve nice sound sound , which is really important, but nothing to knock your socks off. The Cornwall was a nice stop up in scale and power, the Forte maybe slightly ahead in the sometimes sought after hifi sound. There is Volti, but I've never never them. He makes his "Klipsch" speakers out of nicer materials and the build looks much better. If you remember coming to America- their but has a sesame seed, our has no seeds. I think he learned his stuff from Klipsch before taking the bold leap on his own and even surpassing them on many levels. They are more $$$ but worth a look. Are you sure horns are your thing? Lots of types of speakers out there. Have fun slow down learn and enjoy! |
