The fun continues... KG4 --> Forte

Mystery

Okay, just had the KG4's for a week and have line on a pair of Forte's.

As usual, more speakers coming in than going out...

cnh

Well. It will all work out in the end. I totally understand this situation. Just picked up a pair of B.A. A200s last week, have to move the A100s now, and more!

One of the few things I haven't yet sampled on the vintage side are the Klipsch series you're chasing. Must resist!

Enjoy!

cnh

Mystery

cnh wrote: »

Well. It will all work out in the end. I totally understand this situation. Just picked up a pair of B.A. A200s last week, have to move the A100s now, and more!

One of the few things I haven't yet sampled on the vintage side are the Klipsch series you're chasing. Must resist!

Enjoy!

cnh

BA 200 should be fun. Keep an eye for the 400's.
If you were closer, we could have a shoot out of 200 vs 400.

You know when I first started this hobby few years back, someone told me that vintage Klipsch only sound good with tube amps so I actually passed few good deals. :sad:
Then I listened to few different pairs at friend's place with SS amps and they sounded pretty good.
I had Tangent 30 (later version of KG4) but didn't like them.
Then Heresy that I hated.
KSP-400's are amazing.
RF3's are quite good as well.
KG4 is much better than Heresy and sound pretty good.
Forte is supposed to be even better and actually considered SDA-2B of Klipsch line (the sweet spot).
Will pick up tomorrow if seller stands by his word.

Mystery

Pictures or it didn't happen...

So here are the pictures... still in my trunk. Hopefully they work as there was no way of testing them.


***

indyhawg

Looks liked you are having fun. I thought I had done all my downsizing near the end of fall. Then over the long cold winter I have somehow acquired 5 more pair of speakers.

Dennis Gardner

My guess is that you will like the Fortes over the KG4s. That rear passive radiator really makes the bass come alive.

Mystery

indyhawg wrote: »

Looks liked you are having fun. I thought I had done all my downsizing near the end of fall. Then over the long cold winter I have somehow acquired 5 more pair of speakers.

Yep, downsizing is limited to the imaginary world. Not happening in real world.

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

My guess is that you will like the Fortes over the KG4s. That rear passive radiator really makes the bass come alive.

I believe so since many prefer Forte over Forte II's and even some over Cornwalls.
KG4 also has same 12" PR as Forte and does have good bass.

xsmi

Mystery wrote: »

I believe so since many prefer Forte over Forte II's and even some over Cornwalls.
KG4 also has same 12" PR as Forte and does have good bass.

Yes they do. I half-heartedly tried to sell my KG-4's here last year. Although I needed the money, I'm glad they didn't sell.

Mystery

Not a detail comparison but quick listening test...
HK AP2500 Pre and Rotel RB-990BX Amp.

KG4: Very forward mid range, missing details on the highs, feels harsh in comparison, constrained (feels behind a curtain), slightly metallic tone on vocals that feels like someone's trying hard to sing, dry and metallic sounding than Forte overall, bass is heavier/louder than Forte but boomy. Good with tracks that have very less instruments like jazz or solo vocals.

Forte: Much more balanced and smoother, lighter/thinner and open/effortless, easy on ears, lot more details in the highs, feels more open and images great. Much better instrument separation than KG4 but also kinda feels slightly noisy at first. Bass at the same volume is not as loud as KG4 but is tighter/faster/balanced and not overpowering other music. Vocals have slight roughness.

Switching from Forte to KG4, where did the music go? comes into mind...

Again, this is just a quick listening test, not critical listening neither correct placement but after listening few hours, Forte gives better impression of listening live music while KG4 more like recorded material.
KG4 is pretty good by itself but compared to Forte, Forte wins, at least for myself.
KG4 will be passed on soon not because I don't like it but because I have Forte and need to get rid of one of the two.

xsmi

Cool. Keep us posted.

Oh and when you get a chance, get some glass in the mix.

Conradicles

Just keep in mind that placement is super critical.
Here is an example from a review:

"Placement: The other thing that really can bite you and leave a bad impression of these speakers is how you place them. All of Klipsch’s speakers are designed to be placed closer to the corners than typical designs. I like these best sitting about 1-2’ from the left, right, and rear walls. Pull them far out into the room and they don’t sound as good. Another things to watch out for is toe-in. Most people angle their speakers so that the drivers are directly facing them. Bad idea here--you want these facing directly forward, with no toe-in rotation toward the center. When pointed right at you, the harshness that’s always waiting around for the unwary comes right out. The off-axis sound is much smoother and more pleasant to listen to. The manual that comes with the speaker has very generic recommendations that recommend toe-in for all their speakers; ignore all of their suggestions. They may very well be true with other models, but with the Forte II they are just plain wrong (current production might have a revised manual that gives better advice)."

Mystery

Conradicles wrote: »

Just keep in mind that placement is super critical.
Here is an example from a review:

"Placement: The other thing that really can bite you and leave a bad impression of these speakers is how you place them. All of Klipsch’s speakers are designed to be placed closer to the corners than typical designs. I like these best sitting about 1-2’ from the left, right, and rear walls. Pull them far out into the room and they don’t sound as good. Another things to watch out for is toe-in. Most people angle their speakers so that the drivers are directly facing them. Bad idea here--you want these facing directly forward, with no toe-in rotation toward the center. When pointed right at you, the harshness that’s always waiting around for the unwary comes right out. The off-axis sound is much smoother and more pleasant to listen to. The manual that comes with the speaker has very generic recommendations that recommend toe-in for all their speakers; ignore all of their suggestions. They may very well be true with other models, but with the Forte II they are just plain wrong (current production might have a revised manual that gives better advice)."

Thanks for that info.
Will try that when I get some space.

TCK

These shoot outs have to be my favorite part of the forum. Always interesting.

Mystery

Okay, tested with little better placement.
The only thing that changed is the bass on KG4.
Now Forte's bass is at the same level of KG4 but KG4 still sounds boomy while Forte is tight and balanced with all the things I mentioned above still being the same.

gmjungbluth

I found that the bass on my KG4s was very dependent on placement - depending on how close or far from the walls I could really get things shaking. This really makes me want to try the Fortes!