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Vertical Cornwall - Perplexed/Identify?

HBTim

HBTim

Critical listener of beer fizz
Hi all, picked up a pair of Vertical Cornwall’s. Did some research and understand these were decorator series as possibly center channel and also can be laid on its side. Where this gets very weird is that they were badged Cornwall ll’s. Mine are not. Also, I have not seen them with grills. Mine do. Also, have not seen them with stands. Mine do. One other strange thing is my sticker with the name plate on the back distinguishing the serial number and the like has a red stamp on it. “Salesman Accommodation Sample”. “Not For Resale”. I am now confused at what the hell I have here. Frankenwalls??

Wish I had the other badge on that grill. Cabs will need work, but I will get that sorted soon enough. They sound great!

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Trying to disseminate the model number and serial number also has me confused. So C-DB15 I think means C=Cornwall D=Decorative B=Black 15 is number 15 in the build??

4M512 M=1974? I tried reading the Klipsch forum model year decoder and not sure what this is here with mine.
 
I’m thinking the “b” in the model number might mean birch instead of black but I’m totally unsure. Yours appear to be factory painted because the rear panel and bottom are all painted, something likely not done by a later owner. I appreciate you posting these. They are indeed interesting.
 
macyjrm said:
I’m thinking the “b” in the model number might mean birch instead of black but I’m totally unsure. Yours appear to be factory painted because the rear panel and bottom are all painted, something likely not done by a later owner. I appreciate you posting these. They are indeed interesting.
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I could also be wrong but I think the second letter is the color? Anyway, the Klipsch forum thing doesn’t seem to easily confirm what I have other than that they are Cornwall’s and a Decorative edition.
 
"Frankenwalls" is a good guess. These look like horizontal Cornwalls, and those were eventually discontinued during 1974. They don't appear as wide as the horizontals I've seen in pictures, but I think that's my eyes playing tricks on me. Dimensionally they look like the vertical Cornwalls.
Klipsch installed the K-33-P woofers (made by CTS) beginning in 1968. Iterations of the K-77 tweeter has been used in Cornwalls from 1959 - 1983. I believe those K-56 mids (EV 1828) may be what dates these Cornwalls as they were only used for one year (1974) due to production issues with the K-55-V mids.
My guess is these red stamp editions were for the showroom floor salesman.
Also, that badge I believe was used for the Cornwall III. Before then, the badge was a rectangular "Klipsch" badge centered and positioned on the grill above the tweeter.
 
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I did a little more research on the Klipsch Audio Community site, which had a lot of interesting stuff! They spoke of Cornwall horizontal mirrored pair decorator speakers which could be used vertical or horizontal. Klipsch realized that vertical was the way to go, so that how they were marketed. Those speakers had arrows on the back for speaker orientation so the tweeter would always be on top whether seated horizontally or vertically. Cornwall Decorators did not have any grilles. The wood trim and grills had to be added later on by the owner or dealer as a kit.

Where do you find these deals Tim? I never find anything good, always overpriced or more than I'd like to spend.:(
Fortunately I have a pair of Cornwall III which lessens the pain...I'll buy the speaker badge from you if you're selling as I'm missing one.;)
 
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The risers aren't original. You can see where the old steel buttons (feet) were. Nice find! I have a pair of CWII's in black that I recently rescued. I love them!
 
Not knowing many details on the history....seems I've read before where Klipsch would sort of use parts on hand during transition of (for example) Cornwall I to the II or something similar.... so for those near the changeover date, they might have parts from the prior version.

So I'd not necessarily call these Frankenwalls....

On the K forum, you can go to the "Ask the Historian" and provide the serial number(s). Mr. Jim Hunter might be able to tell you many more details about them..... including when they were made, the retailer they were sent to. I'd venture to bet that he'd even have access to the original owner though he might not be able to provide that.
 
eiraved said:
I did a little more research on the Klipsch Audio Community site, which had a lot of interesting stuff! They spoke of Cornwall horizontal mirrored pair decorator speakers which could be used vertical or horizontal. Klipsch realized that vertical was the way to go, so that how they were marketed. Those speakers had arrows on the back for speaker orientation so the tweeter would always be on top whether seated horizontally or vertically. Cornwall Decorators did not have any grilles. The wood trim and grills had to be added later on by the owner or dealer as a kit.

Where do you find these deals Tim? I never find anything good, always overpriced or more than I'd like to spend.:(
Fortunately I have a pair of Cornwall III which lessens the pain...I'll buy the speaker badge from you if you're selling as I'm missing one.;)
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Well bud, first off... I have no idea how I stumble on these things. Second, they are big as all get out. Huge. The badge!! Well, now we both need one.. hahahaha live you bro. Anyway, they sound great and everything inside seems accurate and placed as verticals would be. Just a crazy situation.
 
uteman1011 said:
The risers aren't original. You can see where the old steel buttons (feet) were. Nice find! I have a pair of CWII's in black that I recently rescued. I love them!
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Risers seem odd to me as well. I will have to do some closer looking at them because they really do look like they belong and the veneer and black color seem spot in... who knows .
 
Coytee said:
Not knowing many details on the history....seems I've read before where Klipsch would sort of use parts on hand during transition of (for example) Cornwall I to the II or something similar.... so for those near the changeover date, they might have parts from the prior version.

So I'd not necessarily call these Frankenwalls....

On the K forum, you can go to the "Ask the Historian" and provide the serial number(s). Mr. Jim Hunter might be able to tell you many more details about them..... including when they were made, the retailer they were sent to. I'd venture to bet that he'd even have access to the original owner though he might not be able to provide that.
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Wow!! Great idea. Next stop will be there I think. Thanks man.
 
If you will check EV spec sheet on the T-35 tweeter it can be used either vertically as recommended or horizontally as Klipsch did in his heritage line. The mid horn is the one that determines that speaker should be used in the horizontal position to get the best spread while keeping the sound off the floor and ceiling. I would have risers made similar to the ones used with Herseys to tilt the speaker toward the listeners ears.
 
twiiii said:
If you will check EV spec sheet on the T-35 tweeter it can be used either vertically as recommended or horizontally as Klipsch did in his heritage line. The mid horn is the one that determines that speaker should be used in the horizontal position to get the best spread while keeping the sound off the floor and ceiling. I would have risers made similar to the ones used with Herseys to tilt the speaker toward the listeners ears.
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OOOO. good call on the tilt riser. Will do!!
 
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