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Need Some Answers Building My First Home Audio System, and using Cornwalls

I have a few questions for you audiophiles out there. I am new to this forum, and I am a music hound and vinyl collector, but as yet not exactly an audiophile, and I definitely lack much knowledge.


I just moved into my first/new home and, in a stroke of luck way beyond my wildest dreams, my new neighbor - in order to "empty out his garage" - gave me two very old, 60's looking 100-watt Klipsch Cornwalls (floor speakers) from their Heritage line (see pic). These are the ones that are 35.75" H x 25.25" w (15.5" deep) and have a titanium tweeter, 1.75" titanium squawker, a woofer and a front-ported cabinet.


My living room’s dimensions are very large, as we blended our kitchen and dining room into it, and took down all non-structural partitions - about 60 feet in length by 35 feet at its widest point.


First I wanted to check on a few things, such as whether these speakers work at all, and I can do that only once I get a receiver (right?). I also need new, less dated grill cloth - I did locate a guy/make a call about that, but I am holding off until I know whether/how I can remove the frame from the front of the speakers. The frames appear nailed in at the front, but the back looks screwed in.

*My turntable (technics 1200-MK2) will be going through this pre-amp (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007DB5IDS/ref=ya_st_dp_summary)

*It’s important you know a.) I don't yet want a tube amp and b.) what besides the speakers will need to be powered through the receiver:

-4K TV

-1 Turntable/Pre-Amp (mentioned above)

-4K Ultra HD bluray

-cable box

-iPhone lightning cable and 3.5 mm adaptor for phone/other sources

-2 Klipsch Cornwall speakers


Questions:


A.) I don't need tons of power. All floors are hardwood, with some rugs here and there but can anyone recommend something around 100 W? (I called Klipsch to ask their tech specialist about my speaker details, and the guy said staying at the speaker wattage will be smart, so as not to blow them out) and he said they are 100w. Would like to stay between $200-$500 and get something like a Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha... I suppose it could be used...I obviously want to optimize sound quality. Perhaps your suggestions are contingent on my remaining questions:


B.) Recommendations on a particular Bluetooth-enabled AVR? As much as I love hifi sound from a record on the turntable, there are times when I want to walk In the room and play a recent track from my phone. Also, this is not my private set up - it’s for the whole family, so needs to allow for a range of things, as well as efficiency/convenience. However, I don't use Spotify, Airplay, Sirius, XM, Pandora, DLNA, TuneIn, Tidal, etc. I would only play from actual files on my phone or laptop. (as noted, I will also have a jack coming out of one of the AVR inputs to for my phone to hardwire it sometimes also (in fact, 75% of the time, unless I'm not home for long between work/errands. If you have recommendations on those cables, please let me know.


C) My wife and I got an Alexa for Xmas. Any AVR's work with them? I've read about Smart Home automation and will eventually do the whole thing, but for now it's just music and movies.


D.) i - How do I remove the frame from the front of the speaker in order to replace the cloth? The guy I called about the speaker cloth (Bob Crites, got his name from the Klipsch forum) could tell from the pics that somebody custom made them.


ii- Does anyone recommend removing the cloth altogether and not replacing?


E.) i- Are XLR jacks better connections than just regular wire, or did I misread this?


ii- If so, would the difference in sound be negligible to average ears, or substantial? FYI, I did buy 16awg copper flat wire from Monoprice (pictured) and I imagine that can be connected to XLR's by myself, yes?


iii- speaking of which, how do I actually connect the wires to the Cornwalls? It's a very basic question, but I've never had proper speakers like this, and I don't want to screw it up. Is there a particular technique or nuance?


F.) We may eventually buy a whole-home bluetooth and/or wifi speaker system to bring to our master bedroom and two other bedrooms, so it will have to allow for that.


I think that's all. Sorry if I've overwhelmed anyone.

Thanks in advance and happy new year.


128x128djniteline
mb1audio02
188 posts
 
" First I wanted to check on a few things, such as whether these speakers work at all, and I can do that only once I get a receiver (right?)."

The speakers are very efficient, so yes, a receiver will work. That said, I wouldn't get one. Something like an NAD integrated amp would be a better choice. Efficient speakers don't need that much power, but they do need clean power. That's why the NAD would be a better choice. Also, a $500 NAD will have just as much, if not more, power than a typical $500 receiver. 

" E.) i- Are XLR jacks better connections than just regular wire, or did I misread this?"

Don't open that can of worms right now. It won't be a relevant factor in the system you're currently building.

"  speaking of which, how do I actually connect the wires to the Cornwalls? It's a very basic question, but I've never had proper speakers like this, and I don't want to screw it up. Is there a particular technique or nuance?"

Use regular speaker cables like you would for any speaker. They don't have to be expensive. Get a spool of Monster or Audioquest. You can get both of those in Best Buy.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
I agree with getting an integrated amp. Modern receivers (AVRs) in your price range are are of lower build quality, use cheap electronics, and small power supplies; meaning they do not provide quality power.
And yes, there would be a noticeable improvement in sound between an NAD integrated and an AVR.

speaking of which, how do I actually connect the wires to the Cornwalls? It’s a very basic question, but I’ve never had proper speakers like this, and I don’t want to screw it up. Is there a particular technique or nuance?
You do not connect the speaker wire to XLR jacks. You simply connect the wires from the speaker’s Positive (red) and Negative (black) binding posts and run the wire to the matching posts on the back of the amp or receiver. Making sure not to criss-cross the wires; red to red, black to black.
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=11935
Monoprice does not label the wires as pos or neg, so it’s your choice.

How do I remove the frame from the front of the speaker in order to replace the cloth?
Try using a very small flathead screwdriver and gently pry the cover off the speaker. Look for a gap between the wood cabinet anf the speaker grill.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 

-4K TV

-1 Turntable/Pre-Amp (mentioned above)

-4K Ultra HD bluray

-cable box

If you ultimately plan on expanding into a home theater setup, then an AVR would be the way to go. You can use 4 speakers (or more), and accept the digital from the bluray and cable, while inputting analogue from a TT.
But there would be a compromise in the quality of 2 channel listening. A dedicated amp would be best.

Since playing itunes via Bluetooth is important to you, NAD makes a Bluetooth integrated amp, rated at 30 wpc into 8 ohms, (your speakers are 8 ohms). Otherwise, in your price range, there are many AVRs.


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