Looking for advice with Cornwalls

[Damien A]

So last week I was fortunate enough to score a pair of Klipsch Cornwall II’s for a great price. The unfortunate part was that someone at some point completely hacked one speaker up for seemingly no real reason.

I got these home and went to hook them up but after a more thorough inspection I noticed the speaker terminals on the backside of the “problem” speaker were loose and not in the correct spot(you can kindve see in picture 2).

Discovering these crudely soldered jumpers or whatever they are, I was a bit bummed. But I cut them all out, striped new ends and crimped on new connectors. I also had to flip the crossover as whoever played around in this installed upside down(atleast compared to the other one which seems unmolested) and once everything was back in its normal position, I got sound except from the tweeter.

Pulled the tweeter and tested with a multimeter. Definitely seems to be bad, only got the “OL” reading. Was testing both woofers at the same time which respectively read 3.8/3.9 ohms each. So after deciphering someone’s “handy work” and getting these back closer to working, I’m left with a few questions that I’m hoping the experts and enthusiasts can help me with.

1. Is the titanium tweeter upgrade worth the price difference? I believe the simply speakers kit is more like the factory diaphragm and sells for something like $20 a pair whereas the Ti upgraded diaphragm pairs are going for about $90. Curious to hear from people who have heard both and what you liked better. I currently run what I believe to be stock Forte I’s that I adore, so I’m questioning on if the Ti upgraded diaphragm pairs is worth it for me

2. While I’m in here and getting familiar with the parts of these monsters, should I be considering changing the crossovers? From the Crites website I see you can simply buy drop in type replacements already assembled, or I can buy the kit to upgrade the components myself, which might be worth the difference in price as im moderately decent at soldering. Again some insight on the difficulty of a job like this could sway me one way or the other.

3. Is there supposed to be any kind of acoustical dampening material in these cabinets? Is that something I should consider? There is currently none at all.

4. The cabinets are structurally good, but for some reason one is spray painted black and one is spray painted white(see second to last photo). Both badly spray painted at that, the cabs basically need to be completely sanded down and restained/refinished. What grit sandpaper should I be using during this process for best results? And then what would be the best stain color for a darker natural wood color like my Fortes display. I attached the only picture of my fortes to show the wood color I’m going for. Any and all suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Ready to get these bad Larry’s up and running.

 

[tadawson]

That doesn't look like any Klipsch crossover that I have ever seen. I have to wonder if these were homebrewed . . .

 

[Damien A]

That doesn't look like any Klipsch crossover that I have ever seen. I have to wonder if these were homebrewed . . .

Looks similar to this thread https://community.klipsch.com/topic/146413-cornwall-2-crossover-rebuild/

Not saying I know if it’s stock or not, these speakers pre date me by more than a decade.

 

[Apreggiator]

1. Could you share a link to the Titanium one you are eyeing? Should be possible to get a better price. In general on titanium diaphragms: if the suspension is also titanium you'll get frequency (imho nasty) breakup around 15kHz an potentially a few other areas in the higher frequencies. If the Diaphragm has a non-metallic suspension they are usually great sounding items. (I have not tried Titanium in Klipsches but quite often in professional speakers.)

2. If they sound good to you I'd keep the Xo's as is. They look 'interesting' as pointed out before.

3. Yes, the rear, bottom and sides should indeed have acoustical dampening material applied. This is important to get to the same 'virtual volume' as intended (padding 'adds' a bit of 'virtual space' next to some dampening). I'd also add a bit of internal bracing, doesn't have to be much, just well thought out. But opinions on this will differ, because 'not original'. It does improve sonic performance.

4. I prefer applying paint stripper first, then sanding: 80-120-220.

 

[Damien A]

1. Could you share a link to the Titanium one you are eyeing? Should be possible to get a better price. In general on titanium diaphragms: if the suspension is also titanium you'll get frequency (imho nasty) breakup around 15kHz an potentially a few other areas in the higher frequencies. If the Diaphragm has a non-metallic suspension they are usually great sounding items. (I have not tried Titanium in Klipsches but quite often in professional speakers.)

2. If they sound good to you I'd keep the Xo's as is. They look 'interesting' as pointed out before.

3. Yes, the rear, bottom and sides should indeed have acoustical dampening material applied. This is important to get to the same 'virtual volume' as intended (padding 'adds' a bit of 'virtual space' next to some dampening). I'd also add a bit of internal bracing, doesn't have to be much, just well thought out. But opinions on this will differ, because 'not original'. It does improve sonic performance.

4. I prefer applying paint stripper first, then sanding: 80-120-220.

Here’s the link to the titanium diaphragms

CD76TiK/CD76TiM Titanium Tweeter Diaphragm - Pair - FREE US Shipping!

IN STOCK NOW UPDATE 9-1-25: Here’s an update on the titanium tweeter diaphragms, along with a bit of information about what has been going on with these. In August of 2024 we had 500 of the CD76TiM diaphragms left on the shelf so we ordered another 500 of them (that had been our normal reorder...

critesspeakers.com

The one working speaker does sound very nice. And from some quick research it appears these are stock xo’s. Atleast a couple Klipsch forum member seem to agree so.

For the dampening material is there a preference for these older Klipsch? Ive never looked this up, though I’m sure I will in the future when I get to that point. But as a novice this is new ground for me.

And thank you for the response including the sanding tips. I will be trying this out soon. Very excited for what these can become from where they were.

 

[Apreggiator]

1. Here’s the link to the titanium diaphragms

2. For the dampening material is there a preference for these older Klipsch? Ive never looked this up, though I’m sure I will in the future when I get to that point. But as a novice this is new ground for me.

3. Very excited for what these can become from where they were.

1. look to have a non-metallic suspension, so good Diaphragms. Price is for two I see... That's a very decent price and Crites is the go-to place for upgrades (and well deserves to remain being). I'd go for it.

2. Not really. See what you can get your hands on easily at not too much cost. Handling and the material not creating dust or flakes is the most important. I'm perfectly happy using fiberfill (that you can get for not too much online and at hobby shops).

3. Forgot to say: Great find. Would be excited too and looking forward to your journey with these.

 

[Damien A]

1. look to have a non-metallic suspension, so good Diaphragms. Price is for two I see... That's a very decent price and Crites is the go-to place for upgrades (and well deserves to remain being). I'd go for it.

2. Not really. See what you can get your hands on easily at not too much cost. Handling and the material not creating dust or flakes is the most important. I'm perfectly happy using fiberfill (that you can get for not too much online and at hobby shops).

3. Forgot to say: Great find. Would be excited too and looking forward to your journey with these.

Any suggestions on how to remove the spray paint overspray on the tweeters/midrange horns? I don’t want use anything harmful.

 

[whoaru99]

Looks similar to this thread https://community.klipsch.com/topic/146413-cornwall-2-crossover-rebuild/

Not saying I know if it’s stock or not, these speakers pre date me by more than a decade.

Thought my CWs were CWII. But, looking at the original crossovers maybe they are CWI.

Anyway, the guy I bought them from had put in Crites crossovers, tweeters, and midrange/squawker drivers.

All the original parts were part of the deal too. Here's a pic of crossovers represented to me as the original ones.

 

[Damien A]

Thought my CWs were CWII. But, looking at the original crossovers maybe they are CWI.

Anyway, the guy I bought them from had put in Crites crossovers, tweeters, and midrange/squawker drivers.

All the original parts were part of the deal too. Here's a pic of crossovers represented to me as the original ones.

View attachment 3816410

This thread from Ak shows a similar xo to mine, I’ve found a couple threads with similar xo’s to mine. I have seen some like this. Perhaps this was CR1 and mine is the stock CR2…hopefully someone can firm or deny

Thread 'Cornwall II Crossover Recap'

Jul 6, 2019

Recapped my cherry lacquer Cornwall II's (1987) today. Went with Dayton Precision 1% caps except for the 68uF on the woofers, that one got a Dayton 5% polypropylene cap. The recap was a pretty straight forward remove and replace job. Original film caps were very close to spec. One of the 68uF electrolytic caps was up to 72.4uF, the other was 69.7uF, but both were within their 10% tolerance.

Post recap sound is a bit cleaner, bordering on bright. Bass has a bit more presence. I'll give the new caps some time to settle in but, all in all, quite happy with the results. Maybe Ti...

• MATT0404
• Replies: 13
• Forum: The Klipsch Korner

• 

 

[tadawson]

Here’s the link to the titanium diaphragms

CD76TiK/CD76TiM Titanium Tweeter Diaphragm - Pair - FREE US Shipping!

IN STOCK NOW UPDATE 9-1-25: Here’s an update on the titanium tweeter diaphragms, along with a bit of information about what has been going on with these. In August of 2024 we had 500 of the CD76TiM diaphragms left on the shelf so we ordered another 500 of them (that had been our normal reorder...

critesspeakers.com

The one working speaker does sound very nice. And from some quick research it appears these are stock xo’s. Atleast a couple Klipsch forum member seem to agree so.

For the dampening material is there a preference for these older Klipsch? Ive never looked this up, though I’m sure I will in the future when I get to that point. But as a novice this is new ground for me.

And thank you for the response including the sanding tips. I will be trying this out soon. Very excited for what these can become from where they were.

Well, color me surprised . . . Most older Klipsch gear that I have seen has tended to use the big oil filled caps. Live and learn . . .

 

[Gigantic]

My advice would be a pair of L-MAHLs from @Daveintn and a 4500x crossover from @Deang

It's not the cheapest solution, but it is arguably the best.

 

[mrk229]

I think whatever you end up doing I would replace all the hacked up wiring. Clean all the old solder off the driver connections and remake with fresh wire and solder.
That is some pretty ugly work.

 

[Damien A]

I think whatever you end up doing I would replace all the hacked up wiring. Clean all the old solder off the driver connections and remake with fresh wire and solder.
That is some pretty ugly work.

All the poorly soldered and poorly crimped connectors have been removed. I compared with the seemingly unmolested speaker and pretty much just copied it with the same connectors. Freshly stripped ends of wire and new connectors did produce sound from the midrange & woofer. But not the tweeter. I did have to flip the xo as mentioned already. Whoever was inside this speaker had no clue what they were doing it seems.

 

[Damien A]

Small update on the cabs:
Used citristrip and removed I’d say 75% or so of the spray paint. Wiped down with mineral spirits after but still have some residue spray paint and discoloration. Hoping either another round of citristrip or some light sanding will take care of the rest. As a total novice to woodworking, I’m going slow but determined. Wasn’t expecting the veneer to look as good as it does underneath all that paint. The top looks a bit more white than the sides do. Any tips on how to proceed next would be greatly appreciated!

 

[FastlaneDave]

Looks like they are coming along nicely. Keep up the good work.

 

[Christian B]

This is the inside view of one of my original 1972 Cornwall II (vertical horn), showing original crossover and original dampening material.

I replaced the capacitors and swapped the K77 tweeters for Dave's SMAHL.

Second photo shows new tweeter and caps. Saving these is a worthwhile project. Enjoy!

 

[bolero]

that doesn't look like a cornwall II to me?

no support post, crossover is different

I think CW2 were built after 1984?

 

[Christian B]

that doesn't look like a cornwall II to me?

no support post, crossover is different

I think CW2 were built after 1984?

This is an original Cornwall II. It gets confusing. The original Cornwall II meant the Cornwall verticals (Vertical horns). They were sold in mirror image pairs that could be placed vertically or horizontally.
PK started calling this a Cornwall II to differentiate it from the original horizontal horn version, then they dropped the II designation and just referred to it as a Cornwall Vertical . The next Cornwall II came along in 1985. By then they gave up on the mirror imaged pairs and changed the horn to horizontal in all.
I should probably just have posted it as a Cornwall Vertical, since that's the more accepted nomenclature.
Did I mention it gets confusing?

 

[bolero]

ah, that makes sense

I have seen those vertical CW's before, but didn't know the history & that PWK called them CW2's

thanks!

 

[whoaru99]

Probably easier to refer to the early Cornwalls as vertical or horizontal and leave CW II for the ones where front mounted drivers started, circa 1986.