The Klipsch Forte IV Speaker Review. BIG TIME HIFI!

#ForteIV #Klipsch #HiFi
My Website: www.stevehuffphoto.com
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Today I review the Klipsch Forte IV Speakers from the Heritage Line. These new Version IV's are different from the rest as they offer a huge 15" passive radiator in the back that brings some serious bass punch and kick, but not the kind of bass you may think!
In this video I share my thoughts on the differences between the speakers in the Klipsch Heritage Lineup. From Heresy to LaScala and all in between!
These are true HIFi audio speakers and they are not the Klipsch Heritage of old, rather all new designs and voting to bring modern say audiophile sound to this iconic brand.
Wether you use Solid State Class A or Tube amps, these speakers can breathe life into your music and give you a realistic performance in your space.
These came from Paducah Home Theater. They offer AMAZING prices on Klipsch Heritage and have all of them IN STOCK. Don't buy Klipsch until you call Cory at Paducah... 270-556-8427
Enjoy!
I powered these with Pass Labs amplification, A Lampizator Amber 3 DAC and Cardas Clear Reflection cables.
Written Review of the Forte IV: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2021/0...
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[@Daniel-qm6bo]

I was a middle or high school teacher in South KOrea for 40 years. I taught a classical chinese. After my retirement I bought FORTE 4 speaker because I lived with integrity. This is fof me. I like to listen to classical music. It is a speaker that expresses it well and I am Korean, but I ltke the sound of America. Also American living next door recommened to me to buy this speakers. I think i bought well. Listen Mozart piano concerto 23 with this speaker. I am impressed.

[@millermark445]

Daniel - I listen to classical music more than any other. It appears that you are satisfied with the way the Fortes reproduce classical music in your listening room. True?

[@astertm99]

Aa always a great review. I really like your videos for their content and high production quality. Thanks for doing what you do!! 🎶

[@tgdrumbeat]

Greetings from Prince Edward Island on the east coast of Canada! Great review, I'm currently loving my Klipsch RP8000F (with Rogue Audio Sphinx V3) but the Forte IVs are calling to me...well, the entire Heritage line really, haha. Someday!

[@vaneast411]

very interDasting. love the review of your kliptch's. love your pass gear as well!

[@marloncumberbatch9442]

love my Forte IVs, great review! Your point around it creating a full experience is spot on. Top to bottom the sound is really integrated and cohesive. There is some talk about them being too revealing for poor recordings, but I tend to think you have to be careful with amplification. In my opinion they need an amp with a little meat on the bones that leans warm. They also took a few hundred hours for the base to settle down. The Passlab Int25 is my endgame upgrade to my system. Currently switching between Line Magnetic 34ia and Heed Audio Obelisk III. Great sound but I think class A will be a different league.

[@Electrichead64]

The best speakers I ever heard in my entire life was a set of Cornwall's back in the mid-80's. That imagery you talk about, I could stand to the SIDE of the speakers and pick out the instrument in the middle of the room.

[@carlosoruna7174]

Imagine early 80s lascalas. Jeje. Still own a pair I bought brand new. Driving them with a nak 620 amp.

[@joaquinrubio3230]

This is one of best reviews I have ever heard love it. My references speakers are cerwin-vega sl-15 I love these 🔊 have a great day

[@raymondnonnie2969]

Great review. I have Forte 1's with Ti tweeter and upgraded caps that I power with a tube amp (Dynaco ST-70) for the mids and tweeters and a SS amp (Pioneer SX-1980) for the woofers. Great combination to make the most of the Forte's, smooth upper end and solid punch to the low end. I find that they image well with the speakers facing straight and positioned 12" from the rear wall. I have listened to the Klipsch lineup at a local Klipsch dealer and found that the Forte's sound like a "mini" Klipschorn. My second favorite next the Klipschorn.

[@mithritades]

I wasn't gonna watch this review at first, because I'm not a Klipsch kinda guy but I'm glad I did, well detailed review...Might've almost swayed me to check Klipsch out again lol

[@bakulg1131]

Excellent reviews. Much better than some of “professional” reviews who get paid for this.

[@jasonsmith2032]

Thanks for this review! I used to have KG-4s and graduated to 1981 Cornwalls a couple of years ago. Like the KG4s the Fortes have the passive on the back which meant proper speaker placement was critical. I'm never giving up the Cornwalls but it's great to hear the Fortes measue up well with them!

[@carlosoruna7174]

Early 80s klipsh are special.

[@eternityisinthemoment3543]

Thank you for this review and others…. I just got my Forte IV today and was somewhat concerned about whether I would like once I placed them in my space. They sound great, I am currently running them off a Marantz 2245 but know I will get more from them when I update receiver. This review of the Forte IV is so accurate and precise …. Thanks again 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@joshdekubber3631]

I love my Forte iv's. End game for me

[@MrDickLeaky]

I have original Forte’s. I put new crossovers in them and upgraded their drivers with titanium. If you look at the heritage speaker, the original Forte has the same speaker arrangement except for the fact that they placed them in a Forte box. BTW they sound great for a 40 year old speaker system. I power them with an EVO 300 integrated. Nice review.

[@andypomeroy7447]

Thanks for your opinion. Currently listening to Heresy IV (and love them, but looking for a bit more bottom end), and considering an upgrade to either the Cornwall or Forte IV.

[@faludabutt8253]

Nice review

[@jamesnelson8549]

Hi I think you are spot on about the Forte IV PARTICULARLY the lack of warmth in the MID-BASS! How ever I am very impressed with their life like presentation!

[@filmstylehd]

Loved your review. I have a set of Dali helicon 800s which are very beautiful sounding speakers with lots of detail and accuracy. However I also have a pair of Cornwall fours and that’s what I listen to. The live sound the big movement of air is very enjoyable to listen to. Maybe not as detailed but it doesn’t really matter because the live presence is worth a little lack of complete accuracy that my other speakers provide. I run them with balanced audio technologies equipment there tube amplifiers and receiver and they sound magnificent.

[@Ennay_Essaytch]

Really happy to hear your opinion here. Not because I needed validation on the Forte IV (I was almost moved to tears when I first sat down with them after getting them home), but more to gauge them relative to others. Got to hear the Cornwalls when looking at these and was wondering what I might miss at home. I don’t think I’m missing anything and that makes it easier to absorb that Willsenton R8. I run a McIntosh MA5300 most of the time and find the Fortes really are great with just about everything, but for light acoustic or vocal-focused music that R8 really gels with the mids and softens up the highs in a way that is just more appealing than the 5300 (for that type of music). The R8 also has more on the low-end, but the 5300 has a better all-around grip on the dynamics. I’m super lucky to be able to have that flexibility and I feel like I have the setup I’ve been after for a long time.

[@allenwilliams8962]

@lotusposition are using stock tubes on the R8. How does the R8 sound with classic Rock?

[@markwilson2699]

Thanks! I listened to the whole line from Heresy to Klipschorns and I came away thinking after that the Forte IV were the sweet spot in overall sound for the price and space needed. Though I loved those Klipschorns!! $$$$/BIG!!

[@thomasedward2231]

I wonder if Klipsch will ever create a Heritage “like” bookshelf stand mount speaker 🙃 Exceptional review, sir. You really create laidback fun beautiful informative videos. Can’t wait to hear these in person.

[@wiiver]

I present to you “the fives”

[@thomasedward2231]

@@wiiver that are not powered speakers

[@russford719]

I use KG1.2, replaced the grill cloth with vintage linen and put on custom copper Klipsch badges from Etsy

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

I desire these so much

[@markscott7583]

Great review - and love all the details/comparisons with Heresy, Cornwall, Scalas. I have the Forte III and in my room the sound improved substantially when I placed them on 7 inch metal stands. (You need to remove the base/foot from the speakers to place on stands- therefore it actually raises speaker around ~5 inches). I also have found the Forte’s have been very fussy when pairing amplifiers (fussiest of any speaker I’ve owned) - and after much experimenting with multiple solid state and multiple tube amps the most rewarding pairing in my room I found by far, is with the Decware Zen Triode UFO2. Sound quality is sublime with jazz, strings or lively rock. Would be curious to read/see your feedback if you elevate the Forte’s. Keep up the great work.

[@allenwilliams8962]

@markscott7583 is the UFO2 enough to power at loud levels?

[@markscott7583]

@@allenwilliams8962 - for my tastes, jazz music, more than ample. My sons would prefer it plays louder when they stream their music when I’m not home :)

[@chrispicquet733]

I never heard the Forte IV's, but I have owned Cornwall's, La Scala's,Forte 1's, and currently own a mint pair of Klipsch Belle's,two pairs of Heresey's( one pair modified with the original Alnico drivers) big improvement!! I have to say that the La Scala and Belle's are designed for large rooms! Tip; Replacement of the inefficient CTS woofers with Efficient Alnico drivers,like JBL, or EV pro stuff .take care!

[@piker3000]

Great review! Did you have a chance on low volume listening..if so forte vs cornwall?

[@criticalshot516]

Hope you are feeling well, thumbs up!

[@wckkee7]

Very detail review 👍 How about matching with Luxman L595 class A amplifier ?

[@warrenwillis6477]

Of the different Klipsch heritage speakers, which one performs the best at low listening volumes in your experience? I listen in the mid 60 db range and I am looking for a speaker/amp combo that sound their best when played in that way. Thanks…

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

diggin the cicadas man

[@jamesrandall3192]

Glad I got my Forte 3 in early 2020 before all the price increases. I'm sure the Forte 4 are great....but it's hard for me to justify a large price increase over the Forte 3 which I already have. Would need to A/B compare the 3 vs 4 or against the Cornwall 4 to justify the costs. Would need to be a significant improvement in sound quality.

[@Baron_Blue_Max]

I just picked up my Forte III's on clearance yesterday - $1,600 off! The new IV's are literally double what I paid, and I 100% agree, even if the new model has made some improvements, there is no way they are going to be THAT much better. Very happy with my purchase.

[@scottengh1175]

Well, Forte IVs with front wall of La Scalas. The rear driving bass into the sweetest speakers ever. Beautiful home. Please identify what you consider small, medium and large rooms. My dedicated listening room is going to be 15'w X 9.5'h X 24.5'l.

[@richardbartch9514]

I'm currently listening to a pair of forte 1 from 1985 and a pair of klipsch khorns from 1951.

[@dans550]

Planning Bob Crites crossover and tweeter upgrades soon

[@charleskatz2606]

Good horns can't be beat.Though they never really took off here I bought a pair of Odeon's (Tosca-1998 $6500).They have incredible sound.Would like it if yu could get some other horn speakers like Volti or Avantegarde to compare to our friends in AK

[@milesv5352]

Nice review! Questions…Is the bass be too much for a small townhouse (moderate volume)? Your amp choice is nice but expensive. What integrated amp would you choose UNDER 3k? Thanks!!!

[@Cimone90]

I know you asked this a year ago, but under 3k, it's hard to beat a Marantz pm8005. I think

[@garysmith8455]

Thanks for your thoughts, however I heard no mention of Orchestral or LIVE Jazz recordings and how they sound with that genre of music. This is what I primarily listen to. All the music you describe are pretty much studio mixes. Any thoughts for us symphony music lovers? Appreciate it thank you.

[@m.d.f8470]

Hello. klipsch chorus 2 is the best! can you compare this? you will notice too! your sound is amazing

[@quicktoevil]

... bought my first pair of Klipsch when in college Kg 3.2 and at the time they cost more then the VW Rabbit I was driving. later, I bought KLF-20 Legend Series. have gone through amps and players but the Klipsch are still with me. after twenty years maybe its time for an upgrade? wondering how Forte IV might compare?

[@dougg1075]

I use a sub with my Heresy IV’s and it’s awesome. To me. And Wilsenton R8 .. butta

[@a3marketing991]

What do you have the crossover set at?

[@trebep]

What sub did you pair them with?

[@fabieneldridge3414]

I am a Klipsch fan ! I’ve been listening to khorns and Belle’s. Up front are the K horns in back the Belle’s. They take a completely different attitude to music. My room is 28x26’. It sounds like your sitting in front of the stage. Live entertainment ! 🇺🇸👍

[@bernardjenkins1630]

When is Klipsch going to come out with a subwoofer that would match with the La Scala speakers?

[@eurekaakerue4649]

❌✅ *But that rocking chair 🪑 behind you just goes off by itself WoW😮‼️*

[@corfreaky]

Would you recommend forte 4 for classical music....

[@MANUELMANNY509]

What do you think about these speakers with a McIntosh 5300?

[@sherlockholmes2010]

I own a pair of quartets on my 2nd chain. Clear and Dynamic with Bass. But pretty forward.

[@sherlockholmes2010]

I use a vintage 331 sansui receiver. Smoooth Source. Low price ;) Nice sound. Although the Quartets have passive radiator, i recommend a musical subwoover. It is true. The heritage give, what you've put inside bevor.

[@masoncnc]

My low end SF-2 are great with a $500 Denon. Couldn't imagine the difference

[@bencausey]

I tried them for a couple of weeks, and thought they were too bright - driven by Hegel integrated with Denafrips dac. Thought the same of the Heresy 4’s.

[@archstanton7269]

I want these speakers but I have to put them in a large room on a 2.5ft divider between a reading/library room and a living room with no wall behind the passive speaker. Would a subwoofer work well with these speakers with that type of setup?

[@rodrogers7553]

What I would encourage Klipsch to do would be to come out with an appropriate sub woofer line.

[@matthieulecocq3376]

I would like to know what amplifier take for this speaker please

[@johnjkaye3091]

I Have the Forte 11 The Forte 2 with the 15 inch Bass

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Me= Beautiful speakers. Cat= Wow! New scratch posts!

[@jm_1214]

That's a great review. You're right. Klipsch are actually the opposite of bright

[@saml2879]

My dream speaker and it's $12k in Au. Might still be a bargain if you compare to other brand with a similar performance.

[@rodrogers7553]

Have you ever heard any of the Tannoy Heritage line? The Ardens in particular.

[@christinearmington]

I wish. ❤

[@scoobyrex247]

Just how big is small to medium?

[@Musicman369]

I wonder how the RF 111 vs Forte 1v.

[@roundearthshill248]

Wow I would have never thought Bill Burr had time for hifi, much less time to make KZbin videos about it!

[@davidrobert1855]

Our room is 12'6"x 12'6" would they be suitable for that size room

[@jm_1214]

The horn shout is not present in Forte 1 or cornwall 1

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

this dude meditates

[@bartdecremer9166]

The cat made the chair rockin' at 2:34 :-) At first I was spooked

[@tgdrumbeat]

Does anyone have experience in how these compare to the RP8000f? I'm considering making the move but it's a big price jump....worth it?

[@davidsagarra9841]

Totally worth the investment. I went from the RP-280F (almost exactly as the RP-8000F) to the Forte IV and the improvement is impressive.

[@andrewpipitone1572]

We drive on a parkway and park in a driveway. Using the term imaging to describe sound is out right American. LOL

[@davidcroteau510]

I just got a pair wow I still love my jbl L100,s

[@allenwilliams8962]

@davidcroteau510 but which ones are better?

[@ericnigg]

Great review! Do you think my Marantz 2226B receiver will pair well with a set of Forte IVs?

[@artcorvulay2428]

Feed the speakers more power

[@deekay2]

Perfectly fine.

[@lerpack455]

Comi5ng off the many dollars/pounds spent for some, l only have a £1200 system. My Klipsch RP600m’s are the best l have heard. l use a 60’s Fisher 500b valve ( tube amp ) and sometimes a JBL SB-2 sub bass spk. to add a room presence in a medium size art studio room filled with shelves and art crap. Also l only have one ear working now after a brain tumour op. in 2001. l sometimes use a custom dish held to my good ear for a different hearing experience! Amazing sound from my old ( cleaned vinyls ) and CD’s. l had B & O 5702’s, IMF TLS80’s and Bose 601’s before. lnteresting to hear your ‘sound experience’ on these far better speakers if one has the extra cash! l wish.

[@photoipster]

What happened to the Vinni Rossi?

[@HiFiHuff]

That was sold 10 months ago before I moved. I needed the funds for the new house and move so it had to go. I talked about that in a previous video a while back and on my website. The only reason it was sold was due to our cross country move. I sold a ton of stuff to have the fund we needed at the time. Amazing piece and if money wasn't an issue at that time, it would still be with me. With that said. Pass sounds even better with Klipsch Heritage.

[@jm_1214]

Best kept secret in audio

[@Adrian-jh5cr]

Ok so what do you recommend if we can't afford a $6000 tube amp? Speakers are relatively easy to come by used.

[@HiFiHuff]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/boC2gHylZpyqias

[@TheMeridian808]

where is Dynaudio, I wanna see it!!!

[@HiFiHuff]

Nots are what you mean. I have three listening rooms. One of which is being assembled now. I have two sets of Dynaudios here. Two sets of Wharfedales. A Set of KEF LS50 Metas and three sets of Klipsch Heritage. I have many speakers and quite a few amps and DACs as well.

[@yippie6862]

The Forte 3's were great for 4 grand. A few short years later Klipsch made some minor tweaks, called them the IV and raised the price to $4500. Less than a year later, for no reason, they raise the price again to 5 grand! No longer the sweet spot. The entire Heritage line up is now overpriced IMO.

[@bonebrothpete7928]

Fortes are 10K in Australia. It sucks balls

[@yippie6862]

@@bonebrothpete7928 That's $7500 USD! Ridiculous. Sorry mate.

[@cihant5438]

By the earlier models used for a quarter of the price. If you want to, you can upgrade the drivers and the caps.

[@scottkasper6378]

@@bonebrothpete7928 oof madone! 🤌🏻

[@kaifa76]

€6000 in most of europe -_- (i paid my forte3 €3800 just a couple of years ago for comparison)

[@scottkasper6378]

I don’t get how the fortes fit into the line.

[@weekeeyuu836]

do let us know when you hear robin williams whisping thru

[@scottlowell493]

Klipsch has come so far, I can never go back to older versions. Better parts, better crossover, more natural. I get lower, deeper bass than a 15" passive radiator with a big subwoofer, eq'd and room corrected. I've tried bigger klipsch, but in a smaller room, the Heresy IV with a sub is the best choice.

[@marcusbenwell3655]

they are sealed not ported speakers that's why they sound tight, plain and simple, they have a sealed passive radiator in stead of ported

[@rolandmcneal3806]

Love the review but your chair behind you started to rock like someone sat in it spooky.

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

I will just have to chock this up to differences in tastes. I have demoed the entire Klipsch heritage line and did not care for the. The La Scala was worse than the Cornwall iv for me. Just no bass as in no extension at all. I would look at JBL personally.

[@malasharan4307]

I want to talk to you but how ?

[@Sloimer]

We’re filing a restraining order against you.

[@edwardpotasznyk1691]

Price is ridiculous. Cheap stamp frame eminence woofer

[@brianchisnell1548]

Naw. The best speakers were made years ago.

[@NisseOhlsen]

Bowers & Wilkins. Done.

[@Sloimer]

Nope

[@NisseOhlsen]

@@Sloimer I guess there days you are correct. Had to replace my old ones and did research. Ended up buying Mission instead.

[@Sloimer]

@@NisseOhlsen don’t worry. I’ve done the same thing. You get some high end speaker thinking it’s the be-all, end-all, and then you realize there’s more to it than the best components/the best measurements etc.

[@Sloimer]

@@NisseOhlsen recently bought Focals - they sound nice but already thinking about how to get rid of them and go back to my old reliables.

[@NisseOhlsen]

@@Sloimer also, modern day mid range B&Ws are made in China no longer the UK, which also makes them less attractive to me..

[@thomasschafer7268]

Sorry .5600€-6200€. Too expensive. Look inside. Industrial Chassis. Cheap crossover parts. Never ever.

[@thetruthh.8836]

I agree. I mean, I really love the sound but the build quality is meh for the price. The right price should be between 3 and 4 k, no more than that