Klipsch Forte IV. The end.

[@DarkoAudio]

**PLEASE READ CAREFULLY** 1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio KZbin community (and not me) as I'm now busy making the NEXT video 2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/ 3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, please)

[@LASoundCrafter]

Polymides are used a lot to strengthen textiles - natural polymides can be found in silk and wool. Synthetic polymides are commonly used in the automotive industry, kitchen utensils. Here, probably for it’s lightweight strength.

[@DarkoAudio]

Thanks for taking the time to explain this so nicely. 👍🏻

[@danielkoster7762]

And it's durability! The most common example of polyamides are nylon products

[@davidlewis8124]

Right on the money 👌✌️❤️

[@naturalverities]

Actually it's easy to confuse polyamide and polyimide, especially when you don't write (edit) pronounce the third syllable. ;->. The Forte 4 mid diaphragm is polyimide (commonly called Kapton), a good thing as it is far more heat resistant than polyamide (commonly called nylon) and for that reason is in widespread use for speaker voice coil formers.

[@2233sc]

@@naturalverities Thank you, they use polyimide (kapton) not polyamide (nylon). I would imagine nylon would be a terrible speaker cone material.

[@dbaum3]

I just passed down my original Fortes to my son (14) who loves jamming on them with Pink Floyd and other classic rock tunes. Proud Dad!

[@donquixoteupinhere]

Rad dad!

[@billbones1000]

An ideal sound in your head is what us musicians live with our entire lives! We chase it with out ears, our fingers, our picks, our Bowes, our lips and limbs and gear. Sometimes I think never reaching that ideal sound is what keeps most of us going through lifetimes of ramen noodles and unappreciative audiences.

[@joshuaschneck]

Just got a pair of Forte iv's and I concur with what Darko and other reviewers have said: they have a very engaging and exciting presentation that is more fun to listen to than most speakers - at least those I've heard.

[@christophernoto]

Thanks, John, for a very classy video review of a tremendous product. I've been a Klipsch fanboy since 1971, when a neighbor invited me in to listen to his new Klipshorns. My youngest brother has a pair of first generation Klipsch Fortes, and I've had some great evenings DJing at his house. I love my early '90s Klipsch KG3.2s, a CraigsList find, right before our first COVID lockdown. My current dream speaker is a Klipsch inspired, DIY, design called the Cornscala, a mashup of the best aspects of the Klipsch Cornwall and La Scala. Gosh, have I overshared? Well, thanks again, and happy holidays to you and yours, and "all y'all" out there in KZbin Land!

[@ajw1811]

Chris, is there a particular version of the cornscala you have built? Looking to do similar

[@bruceweatherby8896]

Wow! What a small world. Just ordered a pair of elliptical tractrix horns from David Harris for a CornScala build.

[@mark-hollis]

Perfect timing. I just ordered my pair of Forte IVs the day before I saw this video. I'm very looking forward to these speakers!

[@milesv5352]

@Keith Kneeland how are u powering them? Thanks

[@markd4292]

@Keith Kneeland That's cool Keith. I am considering the Forte IV's too, but just don't know. It's a battle between the Forte's and KLH Model 5 (which was a very nice sound), but of course the Forte's sounded bigger than life! My thing is room placement difficulties: the Model 5's will be a bit friendlier in that respect because they are a sealed cabinet, but the Forte's...I don't know. How far away from the wall do you have them? I have thick carpeting which will help. I see people with hardwood floors having to really pull the Forte's at least 3 ft. from the wall, that's just too much for me. How about you?

[@victorchiappetta3230]

For some reason, people love to hate on Klipsch and McIntosh. Audio is so subjective. If people dig it, good for them. Their money, their rooms. I said yes to Cornwalls and ultimately no to the MA352, but it wasn't an easy choice. I could care less about measurements and specs. Do I like how it sounds? Nothing else matters.

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

What did you think about the MA352?

[@ekimandersom4478]

It is more the price of these. Simply overpriced for what you get . But that goes for 90% of the mainstream brands.

[@DJcoachbombay]

@@ekimandersom4478in your opinion, what performs as well for a significantly lower amount of money? Genuinely curious as the Klipsch Forte IV are on my very short list of next purchase. Thanks

[@satchelm0uth]

​@DJcoachbombay forte III owner here. I love them, but not for the money I paid. If I got a chance to do it all again, I'd save up more money for Neumann KH420's. I play mostly Disco, House, Boogie and Broken Beat and I find sometimes with very busy music they can be harsh. More spaced out music sounds amazing though. Bear in mind, I'm in a small 5m x 6m room so that really messes things up.

[@DucatiKozak]

I especially enjoyed your attitude & take on how 'audio memory is too fragile for potentially small deltas'! Best reviews for any electronic genre online! Thanks John!

[@trevorcrowe7571]

My idealized vintage sound is startling real vocals from older recordings in a lively room. My idealized modern sound is ultra detailed and textured bass and highs from a highly damped room.

[@gotham61]

Polyimide (note that there are two “I”s) is a plastic commonly known by the trade name Kapton. It is known for its stiffness, light weight,, and thermal handling properties. You most commonly see it used to make voice coil formers, where it’s ability to handle high heat is beneficial.

[@Cimone90]

I didn't know they used kapton for anything other than tape haha. I use it when doing soldering jobs all the time. The more you know

[@anthonyhopkin]

My 'idealized vintage sound that lives in my head' comes from what I heard at the start of the 70's. It was the Grateful Dead 'Wall of Sound' that I heard on their European tour - something that I have never forgotten. Have been trying to reproduce some of that in my home for the past 50 years.... Close these days - but no cigar. Thanks John for your work. Greetings to you and yours.

[@ecyfoto]

I caught their show in Munich. I was blown away by the number of amps and speakers behind an enormous scrim hanging in front of them. What a sound.

[@stephencosta6814]

John curl from Parasound designed that sound system that you’re speaking about try one of his amplifiers?

[@waynebarto3540]

John...I recently purchased a pair of Cornwall IVs and paired them with a vintage Harman Kardon 930 receiver pushing 48 watts into 8 ohms. My source material is streamed from a Node 2i and fed to a Denafrips Ares II DAC. I am in audiophile heaven! This system produces that sound you call "the end"!

[@bryanpaulgilbert7308]

congrats, that sounds like an amazing set up!

[@myu4039]

The best of the new and old!

[@dougg1075]

I recently got the Heresy IVs that I have connected to a Willsenton R8 and sub. Same here. Audiophile endgame if not for plans to get the Cornwalls one day

[@terrywho22]

Polyimide is a (thermo)plastic polymer that has an imide linkage (CO-N-CO, where the CO groups are carbonyls.) Kapton is a brand name for a type of polyimide. This differs from softer, lower strength common polymers like polypropylene or polyethylene that use carbon only for the backbone (only C - no nitrogen.) It's also more similar to polymers like polyamide (which uses a CO-NH linkage.) Polyimide has enough structural rigidity to be used as a diaphragm material, but since it has better damping characteristics than titanium, it can make for a more natural, less hard-sounding driver. Hope this helps!

[@therevrockinrollin]

New deck? Those speakers have a special place in my heart. Great video…as always.

[@hollowaysteve]

Your whole opening is exactly how I see my ideal sound. And those spks also have the perfect aesthetic for me.

[@Joker-ig8im]

I bought a pair of flawless black Forte II's back in the early 90's for $300 from a pawn shop when I was 20 years old. They were firm on the price but got them to eat the sales tax. It was my first apartment without roommates, downtown above a business that was closed nights and weekends. I had a high powered solid state Class A Amplifier that got so hot running them I had a permanently positioned box fan behind the stereo set up. This was before streaming and MP3s so it was all CD's and Technics SL1200. Remember, this was the time of Pixies, Beastie Boys, Nirvana, Public Enemy, Smashing Pumpkins, RHCP, Sound Garden, NWA, NIN, Tribe Called Quest, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Cypress Hill, Rage ATM, and I was a huge Jazz and Jazz Fusion fan. Best years of my life!!!

[@unklecorky2181]

What about Korn Quicksand and Skinny Puppy?

[@garf7767]

I've watched this review a couple of times, and enjoy it everytime. I've been using vintage valve amps (Radford STA15 and a pair of MA15) with the Forte IVs since i bought them, and i think they are a very good match.

[@paulpavlou9294]

That sound in my head. In 1983 I heard a system that comprised of stacked Quad 57’s electrostatic speakers, Naim pre and power amps, linn Lp12 and a quad 405 power amp driving Kef b139 drivers in a transmission line boxes. This was an epiphany for me just starting out on my audio journey. The closest I’ve heard since, other than my own system was some ATC 150’s at a hifi show at the Airport Hilton in Sydney in 1990’s. Love your work John and your aesthetics. Merry Christmas from Australia.

[@jstoli996c4s]

Now just imagine the Cornwalls or Khorns... and prepare to be blown away 🔊🔊

[@tommy2714]

Love your passion for audio and people like us in audio sound that enjoy are favorite songs and artists can only understand what it means to hear something euphoric in our ears that some people will never understand. Anyways..Great review 😊

[@geoffreymills9932]

With this generation being raised on ipods and cell phone music I don't think they could hear the difference between a Panasonic and a carver 😂😂, and the rap,, they're probably tone deaf anyway

[@chiefchunky-muffin4708]

I have Heresy IV’s and love them. Backing them are a pair or Rythmik L12 subs. I rent so sometimes I have to go subs off. As far as the “sound in my head”, I recall the local Chain store had just began carrying electrostatic speakers. I forget the brand by they were mounted to a sub woofer. Anyway, I walked into the sound room and heard Billy Idol’s Sweet Sixteen on them and I still recall the clarity, but also the weight of the sound. I feel like I’m close. 👍🏼 P.S. John, you’re the best!

[@griff8169]

As a long time subscriber to that most prestigious monthly hi fi publication, I’ve become somewhat accustomed to jaded journalists. After awhile the high browed, been there, heard that take these chaps have on home audio tends to get long in the tooth. Not so with John. Darko’s enthusiasm always shines through. John has quickly became my favorite reviewer. With good reason. Keep up the good work JD. Happy Holidays to all!

[@kirlu50]

My ideal sound is, currently, that of some big Wilson speakers driven by a big Mark Levinson power amp. My local gear pusher played that setup for me last week. It sounded glorious. And the gloss finish on those speakers was so satisfying to touch.

[@BeelzebubLXXV]

See u have a Rega planar 8 there. That's a good step up from what you usually use. Have it myself with the apheta 3 cartridge and it sounds amazing. Love to see your thoughts on that player.Great video👍

[@boballard6040]

Interesting.. this does explain why I bought the Heresy IV seeing my era was 1968 through the 70's. Good analogy and yes it is all in our heads!

[@paulgib96]

I am definitely an audiophile. That being said, my Forte IV speakers blow my mind!!

[@allenwilliams8962]

mine too. all other speakers are boring

[@wvjon75]

I keep waffling back and forth as to whether to buy a pair of Forte IVs to compare to my Cornwall IVs and sell the loser. I was not able to go listen anywhere nearby so I bought the Corns unheard. They’re great but man they are visually imposing in my house. Lol

[@darrelldarrell1447]

​@@wvjon75the corns are better in every way.

[@xXLegendXx70]

Are the cornwalls better than the forte iv then?​@@wvjon75

[@xXLegendXx70]

​@@darrelldarrell1447have you listened to both speakers on the same amp in the same room?

[@mikerichards6312]

Great review. I have the Forte IIIs an love them. Perfect old school, big box sound, like my speaker in college in 1978! But way better quality of sound.

[@nabilhoque9745]

Honestly....this is what I'm looking for

[@DaYoda191]

The audio memory of an ideal sound for me is less of a sound and more of a feeling. That feeling I felt when I was young and walked into a record store and they had a gorgeous hifi setup playing, and I realized how exciting it can be to listen to music. I think that sound tends to have strong bass that is fast and punchy without being boomy, but still fills the room, sound you can feel. And the highs are nice and smooth, not harsh, not quiet, but smooth and engaging. And the mids are warm and at the front of the soundstage. They pop and give more detail to the music. It's such a hard feeling to describe, but for me I'm always looking for a product that gives me that excitement of listening to music. Trying to avoid more modern sounds that have lots of bass and highs, but lack detail. I have a pair of Klipsch RP 60 m speakers that get pretty close to that. I like the engaging feeling you get with Klipsch speakers. I would really love to listen to a pair of the forte IV's, I have a feeling they will have that record store experience I'm looking for. Just to expensive for me right now unfortunately.

[@CleartoneAudio]

If those speakers bring you to tears while reproducing some of your favorite tunes then that’s a winner. Do they? Like legitimately in an end game way? I love speakers that can do that.

[@curt5802]

The Heresy IV did that for me... but the Forte IV will have a more expansive soundstage.

[@Mr_J_J]

Thanks John! These would both be fantastic with tubes. Thanks for sharing your impressions of these current efficient, easy-to-drive, reasonably sized, and attainable speakers.

[@producerevan88]

I had an old pair of early 1970's klipsch tower speakers that were about 4 and some change feet tall. Loved them to bits, had to give them away when I moved. Miss those dudes

[@NemanjaPantelic]

When you asked the question at the beginning of the video, I imagined the same sound in my head as you described. Perhaps it was the kind of sound that I grew up with during the '80s and early '90s. I consider myself lucky to have been able to experience and enjoy firsthand new what we now define as vintage HiFi.

[@annnonymous952]

Good review. A very different take on reviewing that I greatly appreciated. These things are not like reporting the news which should be just the facts (and rarely is these days). These reviews should be about personal impressions, shading, nuance and the feelings that a product invokes. You got all of that in spades. Thank you. I intend to get three Forte IVs to make up my LCR and use the pair of original Forte's I inherited last summer as the side surrounds in my 5.1 set up. Overkill for an apartment dweller? Maybe. Will I regret it? Doubtful. :)

[@L0rdGwyn801]

This video came out at a good time - just yesterday I began seriously considering this pair of speakers after my vintage Snell J/II were turned into a scratching post by my cat after two years of ambivalence toward them. Things change quickly. The 99dB/W sensitivity pairs well with my amplifiers (low-wattage SET designs), the grills appear to be metal, which lowers the risk of serious damage by cats, and magnetic, which sets up a nice cat booby trap if pulled on too hard. Also, Klipsch suggests placement near the rear wall to augment low end produced by the 15" passive radiator, which is a good fit for listening space. It's a match made in heaven!

[@TheJohnnyNormal]

If you can afford/ fit take the next step and go Cornwall

[@L0rdGwyn801]

@@TheJohnnyNormal as much as I would love to, I'm afraid my partner would not agree to it. The Cornwall is also likely too much speaker for my room I think. I will be demoing the Forte IV at a dealer tomorrow, will see if they have the Cornwall IV in a system as well.

[@theklipschcave3389]

They are very good old school speakers. I had the Forte 3s. Became a bit shouty which is not a surprise. But if you want a live speaker this is the one if you like horns. I heard the Forte 4s with a valve-amp. Very nice. Thats what the people at Klipsch recommend. So it's a good idea to aim at f.ex. a Prima Luna amp. The efficiency is more than enough. Do try to put in on transport dollies like Darko did with the Forte 3s. Easy to move in and out of position. Decouple them from the floor if needed with Auralex damping mats or similar, if the bass takes too much room. Alternative speakers which are also great live speakers and very forward without shouty horns, are the Arendal 1723 THX Towers.

[@thirdkey9]

My most personal and idealized vintage sound often gets triggered while playing vinyl and it still hooks me. I’m invariably brought back to the 70’s and my fathers stereo system (marantz & fisher, glowing tubes, big box speakers) and my first full rack system. Super big and dynamic sound. Clearly this is why despite having been more of a future fi minimalist for quite some time, my return to collecting vinyl has made a connection for me to that sound you speak of here; something that creates a really subjective emotional and almost magical experience.

[@greggb681]

1:07 Omg same!! Warm, but dynamic with a relaxed top end

[@joalin947]

Thx for putting words on my feeling and thoughts. 👍😄

[@theklipschcave3389]

THX Arendal1723...

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

not gonna lie, the fortes have all the look and vibe of *My Dad's Hi-fi™* and that alone draws me to them

[@GhostOfNihlus]

The context of contextual memory is fascinating.

[@saml2879]

I love my forte 4, it is THE End game for me....

[@timmotel5804]

I love vintage speakers. Altec are my favs.

[@begood8591]

Same here had a pair of the Atec 7s

[@Carl-bd1rf]

Huh, that was an interesting review. Unlike any other Forte IV review I’ve seen. Straight to the point, “you want old school sound then it’s the Forte IV”. Given I was a teenager in the 70’s old school it is!😂😂

[@gregmatula9749]

The sound that lives in my head. That would have to be when I went to a friend's house at twelve years old. He put on the new Billy Joel album "The Stanger", the first track stuck in my head playing through Klipsch La Scalas. I was shocked at the dynamics that came out, I had never heard anything like it.

[@eddents]

Fun to watch comparison - thank you! No static from me on your definition of "vintage". 30 years ago is a good chunk of time. I remember my "vintage back". Sure miss how it performed "back" in the day (as I type this laying on the floor dealing with my "modern back").

[@newcoatresurfacing5477]

I have a crackpot theory on why we prefer one type of speaker over another. It’s the shape of our ears! Listen to your favourite music and pull on your ears and see how the sound totally changes - incredible isn’t it? Humans come in all shapes and sizes and no pair of ears is identical to another except for identical twins of course! So when 2 people, who have different shaped ears of course, listen to music together, it’s impossible for the speakers to sound the same to 2 pairs of ears so that leads to the obvious conclusion that the trick is to match a pair of speakers to your ear shape. As l said, a crackpot theory!

[@GhostOfNihlus]

This is not crackpot, this is science my friend.

[@markhusbands6132]

That is a very sound theory.

[@DakTirCue]

I often cup my hands behind my ears and listen to the difference "giant ears" make. it makes a BIG difference.

[@dennismurray00]

My ex BIL had a pair of JBL L100s and a Kenwood KA-3500 stereo integrated amplifier that is burned into my mind as ideal sound. I've been unsuccessfully chasing that sound since. I've often thought about buying those speakers and amplifier and instead have tried with modern equipment. This was in the 90s and we listened to vinyl, cassettes and CDs.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

John, I'm Old ! So these are my Romantized Picks on Vintage Speaker Ideals; 'the Large Advents' (with the "right guttzy amp"- back then a Phase Linear -700) ... the complete Braun L series; including the "LS3/5a size" & comparable tone, at about 1/3 the price - 'L-200' (& It's updated variant CM-5. Bought a pair in Berlin a couple of years ago from the Braun repair shop near the Sofitel !) And lastly, the Dahlquist DQ-10 - again like the Advents, a Beast of an Amplifer is Best ... My Mispent Youth was in the Audio Industry. Though a bumpy ride. It sure was interesting. Met Henry Kloss, Paul Klipch, Saul Marantz (Marantz was with Jon Dalhquist, at the unveiling of the DQ-10 at a meeting of the NY Audio Society) Dave Wilson (at a Wine & Cheese Presentation of His then $35,000 WAMM system ! I know LOL) Lastly, Amar Bose - no comment ... and John Iverson. You may want to Google the later. As It's a very much a "Believe It or Not" Story; perhaps bizarre ? As you may come across a Poster from the F.B.I. ! "Merry Christmas"

[@AllboroLCD]

Ive cringed so many times chipping tiny pieces of veneer sliding my heavy towers around, I had no choice but to put and end to the madness and build dolly's for them. Wheels are good for heavy speakers if you ask me!

[@cestusfr]

Merry Christmas to you, your team and families.

[@mauriciogutierrez8992]

I have these paired to a Yamaha AS3200 and am loving them. Piano recordings sound like you’re there in the music hall.

[@josh_wink]

Polyimide is a type of polymer/plastic that has good flexural strength and very light compared to metals. This would benefit in a loudspeaker given the amount of vibration/movent of the driver.

[@RCJP1008]

It’s funny when you say “…you have this sound in your head…” I found mine with the Forte’s little brother-Heresy. They have “that sound” I remember as a teenager sitting in front of my dads kit in the living room. But they also give you that crazy detail at low level listening where you hear that cymbal crash and decay- lovely. Happy Christmas Darko. Keep up the good work.

[@AudioTnT]

Ditto! I was gobsmacked by the sound of the Forte IV but settled for a pair of Heresy IV. Couldn't be happier. Now I can play classical orchestral music with a realism I could not attain before with my small LS3/5A diy speakers.

[@jeffdold4864]

The vintage sound to me is smooth and dynamic. Almost as if you're listening to a concert instead of a recording. The closest I have found are my Ohm Walsh 2 speakers.

[@jimmyBside]

Been see a bunch of vids on the Ohm, the last few weeks….never seen them B4 then. Fascinating….

[@icervoid]

A super hi-fi sound for me is extremely clean - all instruments are perfectly distinguishable without and distortion and without cover the rest. But this is a illusion, a chimera. And one thing more: when letter "S" is on the lips of singer it is not prolonged or pronounced.

[@brianbieniowski2777]

What a flex just casually dropping the needle on a new Planar 8. Quite an upgrade from your other decks, I would imagine. Would love to hear your [eventual?] thoughts on moving magnet vs. moving coil; I can't personally decide if I should open that particular pandora's box given my music tastes.

[@griffith4830]

A NAD 3020 into some lovely three way Polk Monitor 5 s - a vintage sound that was so musical and enough to tame The Smiths jangly sound. Happy days

[@albiepalbie5040]

Hi John I had a pair of Koss headphones in the 70s I thought the sound was amazing - but of course had non of the physical power of speakers From then on I have been searching for that clarity and sparkling smooth sound coupled with physical punch The closest is electrostatic speakers with multiple sub woofers It’s not there yet !

[@bruceweatherby8896]

My “brain audio reference” takes me back to a pair of Klipsch KG4’s driven by a Nikko setup. I have always considered this the Gold Standard of sound. I have come full circle (40 years). While I love gear, I have really gotten back to LISTENING to music.

[@IrenESorius]

I think Iw got the speakers that fulfill my whishes,, a couple of Triangle Signature Theta with subwoofers. Their often described as "loudspeakers for tired audiophiles" and thats what I think of them. I bought them used and driving them with a NAD778, mostly for the DIRACS sake. Iw heard many speakers that are better, but also totaly out of my budget, so i try not to think about them. But those freaking Dynaudio Confidence 20,, pffffhhhhh,, they made me feel 101% relaxed,, and every peace of the puzzle just fell in to place and I fell asleep. I try extra hard not to think about them,, 🤪😂. Thank you John for being exactly who you are on this channel. An oasis in a desert. ❤️

[@dancundiff3316]

Very well done, thank you. About to buy a pair! This helped.

[@bdmcn]

Love my Omegas, Super Alnico Monitors, in tandem with an Alnico hemp cone 8” subwoofer. Human voice and detail is sublime. This combo gives me the sound I’ve been chasing for as long as I can remember … I feel lucky. Hope others find theirs!

[@Vinylbop]

What model do you own?

[@bdmcn]

@@Vinylbop I have the SAMs which are the larger Omega bookshelves than their Compact Alnicos. Single-driver, rear ported in Walnut cabs with oatmeal-colored magnetic grills. I have them on 18”Skylan Stands, which are four-post. Very happy.

[@frederikjacob1985]

The sound I had in my head for about 4 years: the b&w 804d2. Then I heard them back to back with the 804 Nautilus on the same amp as I heard the 804d2's. Not much difference on that amp. So I have bought the CDM 7 NT speakers. More neutral sounding but with that same airyness that I was searching since I had heard the 804d2's. So happy right now!

[@arsenikkkk]

The ideal sound that lives in my head is that of a 90s underground rave sound systems. High dynamics, high base, punch and very minimal heigh frequencies :)

[@kkoller8952]

I'm with you as far as the sound I'm looking for in speaker..thats why I keep my Vintage Large Advents (large and small), AR 2ax's, and ADS L730s around in my secondary system for music only listening. The Fortes have always been one of my favorite Klipsch speakers but I never went for them for one reason or another. I would love to replace my the Revels in my main system which I use mainly for home theater....now if Klipsch would come out with a center channel and surround speaker to match their Heritage Line I would have these Fortes in my living room tomorrow! Really like your review format...showing the equipment in more detail along some music is much more enjoyable than looking at some guys face rattling on about one piece of equipment or another! Look forward to more of your reviews.

[@richardcomerford1828]

I have a set of Forte III’s and completed that sound with a McIntosh MAC7200 receiver. Big, fat and definitely vintage. The sound is right where I want it.

[@CosmicKnight1]

Quite a contrast in production quality from 2019 to now. You produce some very polished material!

[@tahirahmed3747]

Love the voice in the AD :)

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

John I ordered the 3x the steel door stoppers from your community post they arrived today from Amazon dam their built very well and heavy i am using them on top of my cd transport and dac thanks man !

[@bockNL]

I still love my fully restored kef 104ab's reference as the ideal (vintage) sound

[@dougmcdougall778]

Pair of IMF TLS-80s will give you that sound in your head and so much more!

[@tedjensen8841]

Another great video. Thank you

[@BenX74]

The sound that lives in my head is that of the JBL Everest DD67000 I heard some years ago at a show. Dynamics, precision, clarity, attack - all of these qualities came violently leaping at me from these beasts in the best of ways. They played Rammstein on those things - it was as if the God of the old testament was speaking to you.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Magnepans with REL subs. Endgame. It's the sound I was seeking for 35 years! 🎶🤫🎶

[@ld4974]

Which Magnepans with which REL? Any experience with the Martin Logan electrostatic speakers?

[@marcopignone9386]

Have you tried a Hypex based amp for 500 very good, but cheap watts? I have .7s with a Buckeye Amp and Schiit Freya plus, and Bifrost 2. Working well and nothing is crazy expensive. I have a REL in my other system, but too much bass in the Maggie room.

[@brianwalsh1844]

My speaker memory is always a three way speaker - I had a pair of Mordant Short 3 ways and they were great - in my memory.

[@MarkDavidMcCoskey]

I LOVED my Klipsch Forte III's, but due to a cross country (California to Florida) move this last summer, with only what could fit in the car, they were "gifted" to my daughter. I just took delivery, a couple days ago, of a pair of KLH Model 5's, which like the Klipsch, are seen as vintage like old school speakers (10" 3-way air suspension). Liking them thus far, but still getting to know them.

[@myself61607]

Good for your daughter!

[@milesv5352]

How do you like them so far? Do they live up to the hype? Thanks!

[@thirdfromlast]

I have the KLH new Model 5s. I love them and, as my audio dealer said, you would have to spend 3X as much on other speakers to get the same sound. However I can tell you that adding 2 REL subs transformed them (in a good way :) )

[@xb8slim]

It warms my heart that you quest for that warm full sound too. I compete in car audio for sound quality and as I listen to other cars ( at the top of the game) I don't like how they sound. Dry... Lack of that bottom push. No fun to listen to. I on the other hand finally have this in my car. I'm sure most of these "bookshelf" speakers sound vocally amazing but if they don't fill the room below 60hz I just can't soak up the music like a good set of floor standers suck as these.

[@schweineful]

I have the Klipsch Tangent 5000. I absolutely love them. The Forte IV should be better, but they are from the same family. I love the sound when I play them on low levels and I love them on high levels. They feel „live“, they are fun.

[@mistert7958]

Tangent 40's here...pre Kg4, same design...just something about them! BTW, I also have Forté II's.

[@markphaneuf1368]

This is my favourite channel on KZbin bar none. Another speaker that has been updated that I would love to see you check out is the Buchardt Audio S400 MK II.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Nice review. I prefer classic wood finish over any shiny lacquer. Doh! Who scratched them?? 🎶😢🎶

[@hassanidir9919]

Thank you

[@eddents]

Nothing strange at all about those audio memories living in our heads. I think we all have them. "Voices" living in one's head, on the other hand, is something to seek professional help about. In the mid 1970's I went to a friend of a friend's house (someone older than the teenagers we were at the time and who had a real job). He had a nice stereo setup with Klipsch Heresys. It was the first time I was "impacted" by music that was forceful and loud, but without distortion. I got some more of that "feel" when a friend's dad help me build some floor standers with Altec Lansing 15" woofers and a horn tweeter that I sat on top of the cabinet with exposed crossover wires. They played awesome outside, when winging the Frisbee, drinking beer & eating oysters. Got me through college and sold them to a band. Only had bookshelf speakers since. If I end up with a house with a big enough room, perhaps I'll flash back. Thanks for the memories John and have a happy holiday!

[@firebearva]

I just bought the Klipsch Forte IV and think I would like to add a subwoofer, but will be waiting a little while since I am replacing my old amplifier with a new Yamaha A-S3200. Will see how the Forte's sound in a couple of months.

[@calepvanarsdale9764]

Add 2 subs

[@rosekruck6958]

add a single ended for good sound and kt 88 for bass

[@MrFrenchHarp]

@@calepvanarsdale9764 I bought two SVS SB1000 sealed subs. I’m going to feed the subs inputs with the Fortes input signals, so in stereo. Wilsenton R800i 300B w Psvane 805 tubes, Rega turntable, and a Gustard R26 DAC.

[@ptbfrch]

Two strong vintage memories: 1. Original pair of B&W 801s with top of the line Nakamichi separate amps was magical. 2. Early Paradigm around the time they purchased Spica, with Counterpoint amplification and a Kuzma turntable. I remember how effortless and certain it all sounded. Honorable mention: Infinity IRS V had such an impact on me, but I will never be able to even come close, so it remains a ver happy strong memory.

[@annenominous7220]

Review Spendors.... seriously the best regardless of price.

[@tywoodruff8578]

John, thank you for a very enjoyable and informative video. Frankly, until watching this review I had never really thought about an “idealized sound living inside my head” (some might question whether there’s much of anything living inside my head). You got me thinking about it though, and I realized that yes…I do have a fairly specific sound in there. That sound I’m in search of would be best described as “live”, or as close as I could get to the musicians actually being in the room. The closest I’ve found to that is actually another Klipsch Heritage speaker, the La Scala. The first time I heard the LS it was as much emotional as auditory…literally stopped me in my tracks. This was about a year ago and not sure which iteration, but regardless well outside my budget. However, I did pick up a pair of 1980 LS earlier this year, and am now in search of an amp to pair with them. Also picked up a pair of 1978 Heresys just in case! Anyway, I would be very interested in your thoughts on speakers you have reviewed or heard that best recreated the “live” sound, as well as any thoughts on an amplifier that would pair well with the LS.

[@Bladerunner220]

Great video. My ideal sound started with the Jbl L36. I kept on replacing with other JBLs from L65 to finally L220s, which I still have. Currently using Maggie’s 3.7i speakers. Love comparison of the 2 speakers and great music selection,my compliments. Keep up the great service you provide…

[@SullivanValaer]

I'd really love to be able to hear these speakers. My first memories of music are from my fathers Pioneer HPM-1500 powered by McIntosh MC-60 tube mono blocks he bought in the early 70's and I really haven't been able to find that sound ever again. My current setup with NAD C 368 and Focal Chorus 726 give me a huge amount of listening pleasure for the price but they certainly fall short of the nostalgic vintage sound that I remember from my dad's system. Sadly I can't afford new McIntosh tube amps but Im curious how current NAD C 368 integrated amp would pair with these speakers in your opinion John.

[@Jakeross123]

The green on the wall looks great!

[@tonyperring]

Would love to see a review of Martin Logan electrostatics.

[@golfjunkymusicjunky8370]

JBL L 100 Century……Always in my head….that’s why the are in my living room….. very nice holidays and stay all save……

[@storskegg]

I've always thought Klipsch, broadly speaking, plays well to jazzy, bluesy, and some folksy music. Would love to hear Silly Wizard, Portishead, and Waits' "Alice" on those Forte's.

[@gregmiller3630]

The midrange drivers used in the new Forte and Cornwall are made by Celestion, and are offered in a choice of mylar (PEPT), Kapton (Polyimide), or Titanium in their 1 3/4" voice coil models. Polyimide is an excellent material for this application as it is lighter and stiffer than mylar, but softer and better damped than uncoated titanium, and as such is less prone to "ringing" from stored energy. I've owned all three diaphram types, and for hi-fi applications polyimide is my first choice as it has most of the speed and detail of titanium, but without the metallic tone or harshness that can often appear with metal domes. The driver that I suspect is being used in the Forte was designed by Celestion for use as a midrange driver and has a couple of unique features. Beside having a very smooth response in the mid band, it features a very low resonance for it's diaphram size, allowing it to cross over nicely to large bass drivers such as those used in the Cornwall or Forte. It should be an imrovement over the original titanium unit which came from a generic OEM manufacturer, sold under multiple brand names.

[@naturalverities]

Well stated! Stevie Wonder said it well: if we believe in things that we don't understand, then we suffer, which means there are many suffering audiophiles out there!

[@AlexanderBrowne]

Videos are looking great and nice to see them in 4K.

[@markd4292]

That sound in my head? I heard the Forte IV, and I think I would agree, they are in that category, but I also heard the KLH Model 5, and they were in there too, but I think The speaker for that sound (just based on appearance) would be the JBL 4345: I just look at these speakers and it sings, even though I never physically heard them...Gosh, I wish I was born when they came out because I surely would have purchased them! I've been searching for JBL 4345 parts for maybe a DIY project, but they are difficult to find.

[@krisha1362]

My idealised vintage sound is definitely the Sansui AU-999 hooked up to a pair of JBL 4410s. Stumbled upon the combination at an Air BnB in Munich of all places... p.s. love your videos, keep up the great work!

[@Acceleronics]

My first "low end of the high end" was a pair of Klipsch Heresys, which I purchased from an audio retailer in the 70s (Flanner and Hafsoos). Compared to the garbage I had been listening to, they were amazing. However, as the years wore on, I grew tired of their "shoutiness", which was probably an elevated midrange. I tried putting cotton balls in the horn throats to attenuate their contribution, but the final solution was to sell them.

[@dougg1075]

They have developed since then. I also stayed away because of my buddies old Heresys from the 70s but when the Heresy IVs came out , I took a 3k dollar gamble… and won:) freakin love them.

[@towertone]

The Sound in MY Mind (apologies to Willie) is that of the Sansui Quad system inherited at 14 and kept alive for another 25 years, at which point my HiFi world was gone for over a decade. After getting some Wharfs EVOs, then KEF LS50s, and finally SVS Ultra towers for different rooms, I got two sets of vintage speakers. The smaller set had an 8" woofer and the larger, a 2 way horn w/ 10" woofer is a low end L-110/Heresy size that made me realize the difference between old and new styles. The only I can describe it is like having either convective central heat that warms the air around you, much like newer speakers put out accurate but sometimes clinical music while the older style are fuller, more radiant, which goes past the skin and warms your bones. I'm Hope(ing) one day to get the Forte IV and relive that FEEL of having the music go to the core of my senses.

[@Gymgray]

I have the AR3a sound in my head. I will be listening to the Klipsh to see if it is recreated.

[@joshmcgowan4]

Nice my dad had a pair of those. Listened to a lot of music as a kid on them.

[@mauro6095]

I have a pair of AR3a improved and have also a pair of Klipsch, I think that some of the same experience is recreated. The sound is quite meaty as well, as you don’t often find. One example: when listening to uncompressed cello recording, the AR3a give you the impression of a physical cello, as lower frequencies are very present. Other leaner speakers are not able to transmit the whole body of the instrument in the same way, and with such easiness.