Klipsch Forte IV loudspeaker Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Three-way, horn-loaded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: titanium-diaphragm, K-100-TI 1" (25.4mm) compression driver affixed to a 6" × 4" K-79T horn, tweeter; K-702 1.75" (445mm) polyimide compression driver paired with a 10" × 7" K-703-M horn, midrange; K-281 12" (305mm), fiber-composite cone woofer; KD-15 15" (381mm) passive radiator. Frequency range: 38Hz–20kHz. Sensitivity: 99dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms.
Dimensions: 35.75" (908mm) H × 16.63" (422mm) W × 13" (330mm) D, Weight: 72lb (32.7kg) each.
Finish: American walnut, natural cherry, black ash, or distressed oak.
Price: $4500/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 65. Warranty: 5 years.
Manufacturer: Klipsch Audio Technologies, 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Tel: (317) 860-8100, (800) 554-7724. Fax: (317) 860-9170. Klipsch manufacturing facility, 13 Hempstead #278, Hope, AR 71801. Web: klipsch.com.

COMPANY INFO
Klipsch Audio Technologies
3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 860-8100
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture

"Inserting the Parasound Halo Hint 6 integrated amplifier (160Wpc into 8 ohms) brought further surprises. The soundstage was smaller than with the LKV Veros, but now everything on stage was more precise. I heard more top-end air, giving ride cymbals dimensional resonance and "ping," and acoustic bass notes sounded more concentrated, hence more emphatic."

This tends to be the difference I've heard when experimenting between the two different feedback configurations on SS amps I've made, when LKV is local feedback and the Halo is global feedback.

Cheers George

Jack L's picture

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AudioBang's picture

I remember purchasing the original Forte after reading a positive review by the late Julian Hirsch when I was in my early twenties. Originally paired with a 60W Onkyo receiver, it was my first serious upgrade from a Heathkit AR2020 Quad receiver and four Radio Shack two-way speakers with 8" woofers. I bought a Crown Macro Reference for my bass guitar rig and later found myself on occasion pumping 600W/channel [according to the Macro Reference's power display] into the Klipsch's rated 96dB sensitivity playing the Back in Black album. It was so ear-bleeding loud it reminds me of the effect from the mind scanner on the original Star Trek "Dagger of the Mind" episode. I recall telling the salesman at the White Plains Lyric HiFi store how the sheer volume had the effect of purging the mind while making the hair on my neck stand straight up. He was setting up a Genesis V listening session for me and correctly remarked, "That's not what HiFi is all about". I remember the grin on my face when I responded, "Yeah, but I like it!"
Fast Forward to today, I'm reminded of Red's final parole hearing in Shawshank Redemption where he is asked "So do you think that you have been rehabilitated?" and Morgan Freeman replies, "That stupid kid is long gone [and this old man is all that's left...]" - I consider myself a young 59. Obviously those Forte did much more than this adolescent story I share.
I think of those original Klipsch Fortes with only fond memories like my first girlfriend. What a memorable product.

tsampson123's picture

Good review but a direct comparison of the Forte IV and Volti Razz is a
a missed opportunity! The difference in price is only $500 and a natural to have a reviewer's input on since the Razz rec'd a great review by you as well. Can you add a follow up please?? Thanks.

John Atkinson's picture
tsampson123 wrote:
Good review but a direct comparison of the Forte IV and Volti Razz is a missed opportunity!

The Razz has long since been returned to the manufacturer.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

rlo's picture

Why no measurements with this one? Will they be provided later? Was very curious about the measurements for the IV vs the III.

John Atkinson's picture
rlo wrote:
Why no measurements with this one? Will they be provided later?

The report on the Klispch Forte IV was originally prepared and published in print as a Follow-Up and I don't usually measure products for Follow-Ups.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

wilbur's picture

What review Is this a Follow-Up to? The Klipsch Forte III? Given that the high frequency drive is modified, the midrange drive is new, as is the crossover, and the comments in the review about the difference in sound between the two models, it seems like that's enough of a difference to warrant measurements of the current model.

Erin's picture

*cheap plug alert*
I measured this speaker and have the data here:
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/klipsch_forte_iv/

John Atkinson's picture
Erin wrote:
I measured this speaker and have the data here: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/klipsch_forte_iv/

Thanks Erin.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

Erin's picture

Glad to help. Was a bit worried it might be seen as "spamming" so I appreciate you letting the link stand.

wilbur's picture

Thanks, Erin! That was terrific.

tonykaz's picture

I'm supplicating myself in an attempt to have a pair of these Forte or Cornwalls.
Wifey would rather an attractive tiny transducers mounted on the floor behind the Sofa-Bed.
So I'll buy Abyss Diana & a high performance music system for my bicycle.
I don't have a basement to hide-away in.
Tony in Venice Florida
ps. if I lived in Europe my wife would love a nice MBL system
ps.2 ). Decades ago, I took a trade-in pair of Klipsch Corner Horns in Rosewood. hmm, can I get them back?

wilbur's picture

"...low end was full and weighty and, in my room, sometimes lacked a little definition. That would improve in a larger room..."

Ken, how large is your listening room? Thanks.

Wavelength's picture

Ken,
I always found the klipsch horns a little off. Then someone told me pull the horns out and put modeling clay on the back of them so they don't vibrate because of the woofer. Man a completely different speakers. Hope you are well my friend!
Gordon

ejlif's picture

nice. This seems like an obvious comparison. Chances of getting to hear both and then make a purchase decision seems unlikely for most.

dcolak's picture

Why do we see more and more "reviews" without measurements?

laxr5rs's picture

Thank you.

laxr5rs's picture

Get real here. Klipsch speakers usually measure horribly. Horrible measurements lead to horrible sound. What is the use of some writer with flowery words? Not much. You get a review with someone who's perennially over-confident in their severely flawed human hearing perception ability. Perhaps something like, "Hey, I liked them!" We should notice when cars are being measured no one says, "it measured horribly, but is fantastic anyway!" THAT'S what you get with "word reviewers." There's no use to this "review."

MatthewT's picture

feel sorry for you measurement geeks. I can see you at an art gallery with your colorimeter, bitching about that, never mind what you see.

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