Klipsch Cornwall IIIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 26 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment65%
PROS 65%
CONS 35%

Rank based on 26 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an efficient horn speaker that sings with low-wattage tube amps
  • You value a big, live 'wall of sound' presentation for jazz, classical, or rock
  • You want a heritage-line speaker with strong resale value and community support

What users love

Skip this if...

  • Your room has hard walls or tight placement that can't be dialed in
  • You're sensitive to cabinet resonance or midbass coloration around 100-150Hz
  • You prefer a more modern, precisely imaged 'audiophile' sound over an organic, natural tonal balance

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Klipsch Cornwall IV
Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' soundBig, effortless dynamicsRefined, clean bass and midrange after break-inQuestionable build quality for the priceHigh price relative to componentsLarge size and placement demands
Klipsch Cornwall IV
Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' sound
Big, effortless dynamics
Refined, clean bass and midrange after break-in
Questionable build quality for the price
High price relative to components
Large size and placement demands
Best value
2Premium
Wharfedale Elysian 4
Effortless, immersive 'wall of sound'Beautiful build and finishDeep, tight bassHigh price relative to budgetPlacement-sensitive, dislikes wallsCan feel 'boring' to some listeners
Wharfedale Elysian 4
Effortless, immersive 'wall of sound'
Beautiful build and finish
Deep, tight bass
High price relative to budget
Placement-sensitive, dislikes walls
Can feel 'boring' to some listeners
3Mid
Martin Logan Foundation
AMT tweeter detail and clarityAttractive styling and finishGood value versus pricier alternativesLimited deep bass extensionConfusing/overlapping product line pricingNarrowed dispersion versus older Motion-series speakers
Martin Logan Foundation
AMT tweeter detail and clarity
Attractive styling and finish
Good value versus pricier alternatives
Limited deep bass extension
Confusing/overlapping product line pricing
Narrowed dispersion versus older Motion-series speakers
4Premium
Focal Scala Utopia
Airy, detailed soundEnd-game musicalityStriking design and finishBright or thin midrange for someHigh price relative to sound for someOutperformed by some rivals in specific traits
Focal Scala Utopia
Airy, detailed sound
End-game musicality
Striking design and finish
Bright or thin midrange for some
High price relative to sound for some
Outperformed by some rivals in specific traits
5Premium
Focal Aria 936
Smooth, non-fatiguing trebleTight, defined bassAttractive appearanceRising, questionable pricingCheap-feeling build detailsRequires lengthy break-in
Focal Aria 936
Smooth, non-fatiguing treble
Tight, defined bass
Attractive appearance
Rising, questionable pricing
Cheap-feeling build details
Requires lengthy break-in
6Budget
Polk Audio T50
Excellent value for moneyImproves with placement tweaks and break-inStrong bass for the sizeRequires break-in and careful setup to sound bestTreble can be hot on some systemsCan be too much bass for small spaces
Polk Audio T50
Excellent value for money
Improves with placement tweaks and break-in
Strong bass for the size
Requires break-in and careful setup to sound best
Treble can be hot on some systems
Can be too much bass for small spaces
7Premium
Polk Audio RTi A9
Dramatically improves with separate power ampHigh power handling and bass outputAccurate, high-quality soundRequires significant amp investmentBi-amping benefit debatedSensitive to placement
Polk Audio RTi A9
Dramatically improves with separate power amp
High power handling and bass output
Accurate, high-quality sound
Requires significant amp investment
Bi-amping benefit debated
Sensitive to placement
8Premium
Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL
Transparent, airy soundDetailed, lifelike instrument reproductionLong-term durability and satisfactionRequires careful setup and room treatmentHigh price for the formatLimited bass extension
Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL
Transparent, airy sound
Detailed, lifelike instrument reproduction
Long-term durability and satisfaction
Requires careful setup and room treatment
High price for the format
Limited bass extension
9Premium
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6
Life-changing, room-filling dynamics
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6
Life-changing, room-filling dynamics
10Budget
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Precise, punchy bassStrong value for priceBalanced, warm British sound signatureRoom-dependent bass bumpSensitive to cables and positioningBasic spiked feet
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Precise, punchy bass
Strong value for price
Balanced, warm British sound signature
Room-dependent bass bump
Sensitive to cables and positioning
Basic spiked feet
You are here
23Premium
Klipsch Cornwall III
Big, room-filling dynamic soundGreat pairing with tube/vintage ampsEfficient, low-power friendlyGrills dull the soundOutperformed by modified alternativesPlacement and room sensitivity
Klipsch Cornwall III
Big, room-filling dynamic sound
Great pairing with tube/vintage amps
Efficient, low-power friendly
Grills dull the sound
Outperformed by modified alternatives
Placement and room sensitivity

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners consistently praise the Cornwall III's dynamic, room-filling sound achieved with very little power. Multiple commenters note that just 5 watts can drive these speakers to satisfying levels, citing Paul Klipsch's own guidance, with one owner measuring 101dB at 4 feet from a quarter watt. This efficiency lets them pair beautifully with modest tube amps or vintage receivers, producing an open, alive, ambient sound that big speakers uniquely deliver, and a 'wall of sound' effect many describe as immersive and live-like, especially with horns and tube gear.

Several listeners found the Cornwall III's tonal balance natural and vocals especially convincing. Reviewers describe the sound as more natural than 'hi-fi', with pianos and vocals sometimes mistaken for live instruments outside the room. Owners running Marantz, McIntosh, and Sansui gear report warm, rich music without harsh brightness. Classical and jazz material was highlighted as a strength, and long-term owners from decades ago still love their pairs, underscoring lasting satisfaction with the heritage voicing.

Cabinet resonance and placement sensitivity are the most cited drawbacks. One listener identified a resonance hump around 100-150Hz that obscured detail and ultimately returned the speakers for Forte IIs, suggesting more bracing was needed. Another struggled with dull, suppressed sound against cinderblock walls despite trying multiple placements. A third found imaging shallow with reduced space between massed instruments, though possibly due to setup or break-in, showing room and placement matter significantly.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?