jt1stcav
Up and Coming Bottlehead
I guess I don't really have anything to add to this discussion since I've only heard Cornwalls and Klipschorns over the years (never auditioned Heresys and other Heritage Series, nor have I ever heard the Reference...only Synergy at Best Buy, and the ProMedia line).
All I can say about my original '79 Cornwalls is that room placement also plays a big part in whether Klipsch horn speakers will sound good, along with high-end components and superior source material. In my present tiny music room, the huge Cornwalls cannot breath properly, whether being driven by Carver or McIntosh SS amplification, and even by my current 300B SET amp! But my Cornwalls are capable of sounding fantastic, like when my dad used them in our large formal livingroom, even when driven by a top-of-the-line 115 WPC Technics integrated amp from '78 (which IMO is mediocre at best compared to all my SS McIntosh amps I had).
Like others have said, they can sound either great or really bad, depending on component matchup, SS or tubed power, and by various room sizes and placement. You'll just have to try them out and see for yourself whether they'll work out for you and your setup. If not, you can always get back what you paid for them; they're a desirable horn speaker with a long heritage and fine reputation, and their owners swear by 'em.
All I can say about my original '79 Cornwalls is that room placement also plays a big part in whether Klipsch horn speakers will sound good, along with high-end components and superior source material. In my present tiny music room, the huge Cornwalls cannot breath properly, whether being driven by Carver or McIntosh SS amplification, and even by my current 300B SET amp! But my Cornwalls are capable of sounding fantastic, like when my dad used them in our large formal livingroom, even when driven by a top-of-the-line 115 WPC Technics integrated amp from '78 (which IMO is mediocre at best compared to all my SS McIntosh amps I had).
Like others have said, they can sound either great or really bad, depending on component matchup, SS or tubed power, and by various room sizes and placement. You'll just have to try them out and see for yourself whether they'll work out for you and your setup. If not, you can always get back what you paid for them; they're a desirable horn speaker with a long heritage and fine reputation, and their owners swear by 'em.
