Klipsch Forte IV review and comparison to Forte III
The Klipsch Forte IV stands as a clear advancement over its predecessor, the Forte III, offering notable improvements in performance. A/B testing experience in my home revealed a remarkable distinction between the two, reminiscent of comparing entirely different speakers rather than a mere upgrade. The Forte IV impresses with its expanded and impressive soundstage, enhanced vocal clarity, and smoother overall presentation, showcasing notable improvements in all instrument reproduction, including the piano.
Additionally, the speaker’s aesthetics receive a significant boost, boasting an improved and more durable wood veneer cabinet and modern speaker grills. For those seeking their first Forte speaker, don’t hesitate, the Forte IV promises an exceptional sonic journey when paired with the appropriate gear.
As for the Forte III owners deliberating an upgrade, surprisingly the recommendation is not that simple…
The HiFi Gear and the Room
For more than two years, my setup for evaluating HiFi gear has remained consistent, lending a sense of reliability and standardization to my evaluating process. Therefore, when I purchased the Klipsch Forte IV, I knew that I wanted to use the very same components, in the very same room to compare its performance to the Forte III. This approach allowed me to appreciate the distinguishing capabilities and sometimes subtle differences between the two models.
After evaluating a wide range of audio gear in my home over the last five year, I discovered my preference for the warm sound produced by Single Ended Triode (SET) low watt Tube amplifiers, particularly those equipped with EL34 or EL84 tubes. Mated with a nice set of high sensitivity horn speakers, it’s a magical audio experience. The components that I have been using for the Forte A/B tests include; the Decware Zen UFO2 Tube amplifier, the Thorens TD 125 MKII turntable with a Denon 103 cartridge, and the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ phono stage and finally the Denafrips Ares II DAC.
Design and Aesthetics
While they the Klipsch Forte III and Forte IV share almost identical physical dimensions, each has its own unique aesthetic appeal and design nuances that result in one seeming bulkier and heavy, and the other lighter and less imposing in a room.
Both models are American Walnut veneer, however, there is a clear variation in the wood color and shade between the two models. I’m assuming there may be variations of shade in real wood veneers — but the difference between the III and IV is significant. The Forte IV has a considerably lighter veneer, sporting a more natural wood color with a matte finish, and looks like a solid wood cabinet. This contrasts with the Forte III, which features a slightly glossy wood veneer and is visibly darker. Clearly the Forte IV veneer is more durable and resistant to accidental nicks and scratches, a significant improvement over its predecessor which can be prone to surface damage even from fingernails during grill removal.
Speaking of grills, the Forte III has sturdy, simple black fabric grills — a nice classic design, and they complement the wood veneer color. The Forte IV, however, diverges from this traditional aesthetic approach, with a more contemporary weave pattern in a salt & pepper color. The Forte IV grills appear to be more delicate to threads coming loose — time will tell. The structures supporting the grill fabrics on the models III and IV, appear identical — and both fasten to the cabinet with magnets.
Another striking difference lies in the factory footing/base of the speakers. The factory-attached base of the Forte III is almost amateurish in design. It aligns with overall speaker cabinet dimensions, but it does not blend seamlessly with the speaker’s overall aesthetics, contributing to the Forte III’s bulkier appearance. On the contrary, the Forte IV employs a smaller, pure black pedestal-style design that is inset to speaker cabinet bottom, it almost visually disappears to create a floating effect for the speaker. This not only makes the speaker more aesthetically pleasing but also makes the Forte IV a less imposing presence in the room. Overall, the Forte IV, with its modern pedestal, lighter and more natural wood veneer, and updated grill design, presents a more contemporary and less dominating figure in any given space — when considering the size of these speakers, I see that as a big plus.
Smaller look, but a bigger and more beautiful sound
The primary component differences between the Klipsch Forte III and Forte IV is an updated crossover design and an all-new K-702 midrange compression driver and modified horn — otherwise the components and specs are virtually unchanged.
Yet, upon first listen, the Klipsch Forte IV left a striking impression. The soundstage it produced was significantly larger and more open than that of its predecessor, the Forte III. The clarity was superior, vocals were simply hauntingly beautiful, and a remarkable improvement in the reproduction of instruments. Overall, the Forte IV managed to create an ambiance that felt akin to being in a much larger concert hall, and with better seats to enjoy the music. It was, quite simply, an astounding, and unexpected first experience for a model update.
After enjoying a wide variety of music for 30 minutes with the Forte IV, I decided to switch back to the Forte III. The difference was immediately noticeable. The soundstage felt smaller, the musical space more restrained, and the hauntingly beautiful decay of vocals and instruments that was so prominent with the Forte IV had diminished, almost disappeared. It was fascinating to observe such dramatic differences not between completely different speakers, but between two successive models in the same line. The Forte IV designers had, in essence, reinvented the voice and listening experience.
Details, details, details…
Having been accustomed to the Forte III for over two years, the transition to the Forte IV was not just intriguing, but also somewhat disorienting. It was an emotional roller coaster realizing that many of my records sounded completely different to my previous experiences. It was almost as if I was listening to entirely new compositions, due to the richness of detail that the Forte IV presented. The new model also provided a distinct separation of instruments, which the Forte III could not replicate.
To illustrate, I’d like to cite a few examples from my own listening experiences. While playing Ike Quebec’s Bossa Nova, Soul Samba album — a personal favorite — I was struck by the details and sounds I’d never heard before in the opening track, “Loie”. It felt like I was hearing an entirely new layer of music, prompting me to move closer to the speaker to identify the delicately layered mysterious sounds. Of note, Garvin Masseaux playing the chekere — a sound that had previously blended seamlessly into the music when played on the Forte III suddenly came to life in its own delicate layer. Other tracks like “Blue Samba” and “Blues for Charlie” presented an even more defined, clear-cut sound of the guitar and the tenor sax than I had ever experienced with the Forte III. However, one feature that the Forte III seemed to offer more of, was Ike Quebec’s breathy sensation of sax playing between notes, which was less prominent on the Forte IV — I miss that experience.
Focusing on vocals, I found that the Forte IV’s new crossover and horn provide a transformative listening experience. For instance, when listening to Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind”, a track that had always sounded edgy and a bit flat on the Forte III, I was pleasantly surprised by how the Forte IV filled the room with Sinatra’s voice, as if he were performing live at a nightclub. Similarly, tracks like Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” and J.S. Ondara’s “Tales From America” album took on a new depth, becoming more three-dimensional, hauntingly lifelike, and smoother with the Forte IV. These examples highlight the distinct capabilities of the Forte IV that set it apart from its predecessor, making for a more immersive and lifelike listening experience.
Finally, Piano, which has never been the Forte III’s strength came to life with the model IV. The Forte IV beats the predecessor hands down. Playing a few tracks from the Red Garland Trio demonstrated easily how the Forte IV handled piano reproduction in a superior way, and provided greater space for the notes that felt very natural.
Location, location, location…
From my experience, the Klipsch Forte IV, with its additional musical detail, proves to be more fussy about its location and setup than its sibling, the Forte III. This could be attributed to the increased level of detail offered by the Forte IV.
In terms of placement, both models performed optimally in my home when positioned in corners, close to the wall. This arrangement significantly enhanced the bass, providing a solid snap to the drums without causing any boom.
In my evaluation, I used the factory-provided bases/footings for both models as well as placement on stands. However, just as with the Forte III, I found that the sound quality of the Forte IV improved significantly when the speakers were set on stands. The sound dispersion seemed less “beamy” and the overall acoustic performance was enhanced.
Despite the tonal improvements, finding the perfect “toe-in” or angle for the Forte IV has proven to be more challenging than it was with the Forte III. The enhanced detail delivered by the Forte IV’s horn likely plays a role in this, as it adds an extra layer of complexity to the speaker’s interaction with the room.
It’s important to remember, as with any speaker, the return on investment from proper placement can be a game of trial and error, requiring experimentation and patience. Each change in position or angle can dramatically alter the sound. Finding your preferred “sweet spot” can be a rewarding journey. So, take the time, experiment, and above all, enjoy the process of discovering what sound appeals to you the most.
Should you buy? Should you upgrade?
If you’re considering purchasing your first Forte speaker, my advice is straightforward: go for the Klipsch Forte IV, don’t consider the used Forte III. However, I must add a caveat that high sensitivity horn speakers like these have a unique character, and their compatibility with other components isn’t as straightforward as it may be with conventional speakers. For my room and personal taste, Single Ended Triode (SET) tube amps work best.
On the other hand, if you’re already a Forte III owner, the decision is less clear-cut. After several weeks of A/B testing, I’ve found a certain charm to the less complicated, big sound style of the Forte III. The less detailed sound sometimes feels just right, and jazz horns, for example, seem a bit sweeter on the older model.
The question I’ve repeatedly asked myself is whether, after experiencing the Forte IV, I would go back to the Forte III. The answer is no. While there are moments when playing certain albums when I find myself longing for the simpler sound of the Forte III, however the astounding improvements in sound and dimension with the Forte IV more than make up for the compromises.
In summary, the Klipsch Forte IV is not just an upgrade, but a different speaker altogether. Despite the occasional disorientation when playing some of my favourite records due to the new level of detail, I find myself thoroughly entranced by the overall listening experience it offers. The Forte IV is a transformation that, in my opinion, is worth exploring.
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Copyright 2021 Mark Scott, HiFi Setup
