In this review, we will be comparing Cornwall IV and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Klipsch and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Cornwall IV and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch Cornwall IV | KLH Kendall |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" horn-loaded | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 1.75" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 15" Fiber composite | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 34-20k Hz | 25-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 102 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 44.55kg / 98lbs | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 38" x 25-5/16" x 15-1/2"
966.0 x 643.0 x 394.0mm | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Cornwall IV and Kendall are 3-way speakers.
Klipsch Cornwall IVKLH Kendall
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch Cornwall IV |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 1.75-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 15-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Cornwall IV features a 1" titanium-diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter, a 1.75" Midrange and 1 x 15" Fiber composite Woofer. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
Cornwall IV has a frequency range of 34-20k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Cornwall IV's min frequency of 34Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Cornwall IV and Kendall have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Cornwall IV sensitivity is rated at 102 dB and the Kendall's is at 96 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch Cornwall IV a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Kendall, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Cornwall IV can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas Kendall has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Cornwall IV.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Cornwall IV and Kendall features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch Cornwall IV's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. Klipsch Cornwall IV has external dimensions of 966.0 x 643.0 x 394.0mm (38 x 25-5/16 x 15-1/2inch) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch).
KLH Kendall is 431mm narrower and 14mm less deeper than Klipsch Cornwall IV but it is also 55mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch Cornwall IV and KLH Kendall in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch Cornwall IV and KLH Kendall Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Klipsch Cornwall IV is approximately 2533.4cm2 / 392.7inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The Cornwall IV requires 214% more surface area than the Kendall which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Klipsch Cornwall IV weighs 44.55kg / 98lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the Cornwall IV 101% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how Cornwall IV and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch Cornwall IV?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Cornwall IV:
- 2 Floorstanding loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
 Sensitivity |
102 dB
vs
96 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
966mm
vs
1021mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
2533cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
6598USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage Cornwall IV |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
102 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
34-20k Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber composite |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
horn-loaded |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
1.75" |
5.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
966.0mm (38") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
643.0mm (25.3") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
394.0mm (15.5") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
44.55kg (98lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch Cornwall IV costs roughly 4.4x what KLH Kendall does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
KLH Kendall digs deeper - 25Hz against 34Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
A |
Klipsch Cornwall IV is more sensitive (102dB vs 96dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size |
depends |
KLH Kendall is easier to place; Klipsch Cornwall IV is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Klipsch Cornwall IV: bi-amping; KLH Kendall: bi-amping. Klipsch Cornwall IV sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
B |
KLH Kendall is cheaper - $1,500 against $6,598, about 77% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch Cornwall IV
B KLH Kendall
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 34Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch Cornwall IV has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, KLH Kendall is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.