@doyle3433 which model do you have? I have heard the rivals at a recent Axpona and loved them.
Speaker Suggestions for Next Move
I'm considering moving on from my Klipsch Cornwall IVs. I'm looking for suggestions on new loudspeakers in the $8-$15k range. Used is fine too.
Here's what you need to know (or what I think you should know):
- Modifications: I upgraded the crossovers and binding posts similar to the modifications made by Don Sachs (VCap ODAMs, Rike resistors, better wire/posts, and some internal damping). I have them sitting on acoustically near inert 1.5" studio subwoofer platforms. I feel I've juiced just about all I can out of them.
- Reasons for Changing. They do not sound harsh or bright. I'm not thinking of moving on because of that. I'd like to get a bit more depth to the soundstage and more finesse in the overall presentation.
- Things I Have to Keep.
- I need to have sizable scale in the presentation. I have a good group of audiophile buddies and a friend who is a dealer. I've heard so many high end offerings that don't really scale that well to me. I really like how you feel like you listened to live music or a studio--not a laboratory. Sound doesn't shoot at you with laser focus, but rather it blooms, bathes and surrounds you.
- Amp Friendly. I have found the CWIVs to be very friendly with both SS and tube topologies. Surprisingly, they can sound amazing with great quality SS. I have both types of pre/power amps to service speakers, but I'm not looking for speakers in this price range that need gobs and gobs of wattage. I'd be happy to commit more so to SS if needed, but I'd like to stay way from very difficult loads.
- Placement. I have a dedicated space and have leeway on placement. That said, I don't want to wrestle with a fickle speaker either.
Side Note/Stuff I Don't Really Want to Discuss Here. You can note this stuff all you want and chat with others about it in the thread (won't bother me at all), but I'm not going to engage on (a) Klipsch Heritage is garbage and awful sounding; Trust me though, I do see how Klipsch builds to a pricepoint and could easily better its offerings with better parts, bracing/dampening, etc.; (b) modifications are dumb, wasteful, hurt resale, etc. I could care less about any of that. I'd prefer not to modify stuff--fyi; (c) detailed discussions about amplification and sources. I have and have access to various topologies, manufacturers/brands, etc.
Room: A bit large for me, historically. 15.5' wide, 23' long, with 10' ceiling. Speakers will be placed along the short wall.
Music Format: Vinyl 50%, Digital 40%, CD 10%.
Genres: Pretty much you name it. Jazz ~30%, Rock/Pop ~30%, Blues/Folk 30%; Classical ~10%.
I'm curious to trying Fyne, Spatial Audio, Spendor (classic line in particular), Tannoy, Volti, Harbeth, PSB's flagship, Wharfedale's flagship, ATC, Vandersteen, Devore. Open to others.
Thank you in advance!
Showing 12 responses by jbhiller
Hello @ozzy62 , Good to see you chime in here as I recall your history with the Heritage line and several excellent discussions with you in the past! I'm off to look at Qualio IQ per your recommendation. THANK YOU! |
Thank you all for the recommendations. Yes, Volti does seem like a great fit. Man, I heard the Rivals (I think) at the 2019 AXPONA and said to myself that they sounded better to me than so many rooms. I was actually comparing them to $35k Steinheims (not that I was buying those)--they sounded that good. Maybe I need a trip to see Greg. @SNS, Yes, I did my modifications at the very same time Don Sachs did his. We conversed over email. I loved the CWIVs but felt building to a price point constrained them. I'm not sure going back to do the inductors would make much difference--I skipped those. I will say this. I have friends who have very modern speakers (Revel Salon 2s, Magico, B&W, etc.). When they hear the modified CWIVs (with excellent electronics and sources), they are amazed at how big and dynamic the sounds is. I've pretty much tamed any brightness. While I don't mind that they are the best imaging speaker, I would like a bit more cohesion out of them. I'll keep researching and planning. Keep the posts coming. |
@bigkidz , Revival Audio looks great. Don Better in Shaker Heights is a 6 hour drive. I'm going to ping them. |
I use two REL subs, fine tuned nicely where you cannot tell there are in the system--unless I turn them off. I play in a couple of bands and my ear is pretty darn good at integrated a sub to taste. They help immensely. SNS, can you shoot me a PM with the inductor values on the CWIV crossover? I never tested them. I'd be curious to the values and what you used. I may tried (just because and for fun). I also may try to dampen the cabinet further. I didn't go hog wild on that because, like Harbeth, the cabinet might be part of the sonic signature. |
@zuesman , Yes, I have high respect for Monitor Audio. I owned a pair of studio bookshelf monitors in the late 1990s that I felt were so much better than B&W 805s that I lusted after. Monitor Audio does, just like you say, ride a nice line between musical and analytical. I've heard the Platinum 200s in some generation a few years back and liked them. I'll put them on the list too.
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@treepmeyer , very interesting. Thank you. This is something worthy of researching to learn more. |
@mezzguy2 , Thank you for your input--it's extra valuable coming from someone who owned the CWIVs and who generally likes them--as I do. I'm going to try the Revival Audio Atalante 5s (Great recommendation @bigkidz). I'm very curious and if I don't like them after a few months I can sell them--they appear to be selling like hotcakes. I had a great two nights of listening with the CWIVs this weekend. But the sessions confirmed I want to move on. |
@bigkidz , You (and many others) were not kidding about Revival Audio's Atalante 5s. I have them in the room, breaking in. Good golly these are seductive. I'd pay much more for these. They aren't perfect (no speaker is), but boy are they compelling. This is a special loudspeaker. BTW, the fit-finish and quality of everything was a bit surprising at this price point. |