Klipsch Cornwall

Name: Klipsch CORNWALL
Brand: Klipsch

1959 – Present

The Klipsch Cornwall was introduced in 1959 as a full-range alternative to the Heresy. It was designed as a center channel between widely spaced Klipschorns, or as a standalone speaker in larger rooms. It is named after Cornwall, England, where Paul Klipsch first demonstrated the prototype. It has the high output and full-range performance the smaller Heresy couldn't quite reach.

Klipsch Cornwall Speaker - Placeholder Image

Wikimedia Commons - CC0

Specifications

Type	3-way, bass-reflex/vented enclosure
Woofer	K-33 or K-33-E 15" (38cm) fiber-composite cone
Midrange	K-55-V, K-55-X, or K-55-M 2" (5cm) phenolic diaphragm compression driver on K-700 exponential horn
Tweeter	K-77, K-77-M, or K-77-F 1" (2.54cm) phenolic diaphragm compression driver
Crossover Frequencies	MF: 700 Hz, HF: 5000 Hz (varies by generation)
Nominal Impedance	8 Ω
Power Handling	100W continuous, 400W peak
Sensitivity	101-102 dB @ 2.83V / 1m
Frequency Response	34-38 Hz – 20 kHz (±4 dB, varies by generation)
Maximum Acoustic Output	119 dB SPL continuous
Dimensions	38" H x 25.5" W x 15" D (96.5 x 64.8 x 38.1 cm)
Weight	98 lbs (44.5 kg) per speaker
Enclosure Material	Birch plywood with book-matched wood veneers
Finish Options	Walnut, Cherry, Black Ash, Raw Birch

Design Overview

The Cornwall sits in the middle of the Heritage lineup. Like the Heresy, it uses horn-loaded midrange and tweeter drivers for clarity and efficiency. But it steps up to a 15" woofer, the same K-33 used in the Klipschorn, and a vented enclosure. That vented box extends bass well below what the sealed Heresy can do.

The Cornwall takes the direct-radiating bass approach of the Heresy and adds a larger woofer and more output for bigger rooms. The vented (bass-reflex) enclosure extends low-frequency response into the mid-30 Hz range. That is enough bass for most music, and it doesn't need corner placement like the Klipschorn.

The Cornwall was meant to sit between two Klipschorns in a stereo system and carry the center channel information. The tonal character is similar, and it is easier to place. Its sensitivity of 101-102 dB lets it keep up with the very efficient Klipschorns in multi-channel setups.

Generational Evolution

Cornwall (1959-1990): Original design with Type B or C crossover, K-33 woofer, K-55-V midrange, K-77 tweeter
Cornwall II (1990-2005): Updated crossover network, improved cabinet construction
Cornwall III (2006-2019): Major redesign with new drivers, redesigned horn, thicker cabinet walls
Cornwall IV (2020-Present): New K-107-TI titanium tweeter on Tractrix horn, redesigned crossover, improved woofer

Historical Context

The Cornwall's origin is a bit more international than other Klipsch designs. Paul Klipsch first demonstrated the prototype at the Cornwall Hotel in London, England in 1958, and the name came from that. The speaker was built for a specific job: high-output, full-range center channel performance in Klipschorn-based stereo systems, where the Heresy's smaller 12" woofer and sealed enclosure couldn't deliver enough output or bass extension.

As home audio changed, the Cornwall found a second life as a standalone stereo speaker. It combines high efficiency, full-range response and flexible placement (no corner required). That made it popular with audiophiles who wanted the Klipsch "live music" sound without the room constraints of the Klipschorn.

The Cornwall also found its way into commercial installations, particularly restaurants, clubs and small theaters, where its high efficiency and sturdy construction were valued. Many vintage Cornwall cabinets show the scars of years of commercial service.

Production of the original Cornwall continued until 1990, which makes it one of the longest-produced speakers of its era. When it was discontinued, many enthusiasts mourned it. It returned in 2005 as the Cornwall III.

Special Versions

Cornwall HBR: Raw birch finish, popular among DIY finishers
Cornwall Industrial: Black painted finish for commercial installations
Cornwall III SE: Special Edition with premium finishes and upgraded components
Cornwall IV Special Edition: Premium veneers and upgraded binding posts

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ KLIPSCH CORNWALL                                                Aug 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $5,649                                  Latest            $684 │
│ Median    $1,600                                  Trend                — │
│ Low       $10                                     Volume           ~6/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ $6,000 ┤                                                                 │
│        │.        .        .       .          .                           │
│        │                .   .                                            │
│ $3,429 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                         . .     .     .                         │
│        │                      .  .                                   .  .│
│        │                 .              .                .             . │
│     $0 ┤                  ...   .    .  ....  . .                       .│
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │▄        ▄      ▄▄█▄█ ▄ ▄█▄▄ ▄  ██▄▄ ▄▄▄▄        ▄           ▄ ▄█│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-03                      2026-05                      2026-07│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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eBay Listings

Klipsch CORNWALL vintage audio equipment - eBay listing photo 1

Klipsch Cornwall IV Heritage Speakers Pair B Stock Walnut Fi

$5,499

Klipsch CORNWALL vintage audio equipment - eBay listing photo 2

Klipsch Cornwall IV Floor Standing Speakers Auburn B Stock

$5,499

Klipsch CORNWALL vintage audio equipment - eBay listing photo 3

klipsch cornwall speakers

$5,300

Klipsch CORNWALL vintage audio equipment - eBay listing photo 4

klipsch cornwall iv speakers

$7,000

See all Klipsch CORNWALL on eBay

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Listening Impressions

The Cornwall delivers the dynamic, uncompressed sound that Klipsch speakers are famous for, with bass response that satisfies for most music genres. While it doesn't reach the subterranean depths of the Klipschorn's corner-loaded bass, the Cornwall's vented 15" woofer provides authoritative low-end that's rare in speakers of this size and efficiency.

The horn-loaded midrange and treble maintain the characteristic Klipsch clarity and presence, with vocals and instruments projecting with a lifelike immediacy. The Cornwall's higher sensitivity (101-102 dB) means that even low-powered tube amplifiers can drive it to satisfying volume levels.

Many enthusiasts consider the Cornwall to be the "sweet spot" in the Heritage lineup—it offers most of the Klipschorn's dynamic capabilities with none of the placement constraints, while providing significantly more bass extension than the Heresy. It's an excellent choice for larger rooms or for those who want the Klipsch sound without needing to rearrange their living space around speaker placement.