Klipsch Cornwall IV

I have been listening to the CW IV since December in my room.  They are staying put. 

To me, they sound like a live production.  The create a large, seamless soundstage--once I dialed in the positioning, which was surprisingly harder to do than I thought. 

One caveat--  they are super revealing of source and amplification.  Amplification, in particular, has been a fun journey for me.  

Personally, as someone who plays music, they sound like real music.  There are wide dynamic peaks and troughs.  Classical--one of my least favorite genres (only because I get lost in it so quickly) is so much more dynamic and thrilling.  

I'm now that guy pushing 50, using all tubes (pre amp, amp, sources (phono and DAC) and running horn speakers.  I couldn't be happier.  

I have a large-to-me room.  It's about 22' long, 15.5' wide, with 10 foot ceilings.  I do run a REL T9i sub, BUT it's set so low on the crossover and volume setting so as to just fill in that extra octave.  

Someone above thought the bass was lethargic or less than impressive. In my experience, these are not bass heavy speakers yet they do go down into the 30s.  Everything effects the output with these, so just trying a different amp or source or tube or cable can change things more drastically (but not drastically) than I was historically used to.  

If you can spend a touch more, I'd look at Volti's offerings.  I think his stuff gets real pricey when you start looking at nicer finishes.  

I've tried the Cornwall IVs with 4 different amps and my go to right now is a Bob Carver Crimson 275--favored even over my 300B.  The pairing in my room sounds "delicious"--I apologize for using the word but it's the best that I can find to describe it.    While I'd be open to trying any amp with them because it's so captivating to hear the immediate differences, I would think cool and analytical amps would sound a touch thin and boring with them.  Nonetheless, there could be a Class D amp that would work.  My takeaway--I don't think you have to spend a fortune to get them to sing and synergy is important, yet I would be sure to try driving them with wide bandwidth amps, particularly of the vacuum tube variety.  

I think the only downside with trying them out is return shipping.  They have to be shipped by freight given their weight and size. 

Listening to any speakers in a showroom sharing the space with other speakers, you will always hear bass problems ( all the woofers are playing, via spl ). It is basic acoustics. I know there are a lot of Klipschers out there, besides myself, but imo, if you listen loud ( I do, and with Heritage, you can and it is easy ), further damping on the horns, woofer frames, cabinets, crossovers ( and yes, the new model IVs as well ), will significantly improve what you are hearing. Not a single client of mine has ever said to me " I do not hear a difference of improvement ". Tubes vs SS. Whatever you like, as I prefer ss, through horns. MOSFET Class A, for me, anytime. Just what I like. Enjoy !

I had a pair of them around 1980. They are super efficient needing only 1 watt to drive them. They will rock really loud with prodigious bass. But they will also settle down and play nice. Given their size, I would try and get some listening in before taking them home. I enjoyed them at the time. 

The are useless on string bass, especially when it is an electric stand up.  Way too loose!  I don't like anything about them, but, I can certainly see why a person who has a lot of pre=fi LP's might think they reproduce old albums (Pre-1960) well.

Not much to add except if you love horns and want a big sound under $10k, these speakers are it. Yes, I own them. :-)

If they are too big, the Heresy IV  with sub or two are amazing.