SET12

Yes tubes are great with Klipsch's certainly many peoples preference as is mine! As to the bass in stock form I would agree that they are a bit bass shy! But add a pair of these ALK Crossovers and you will be able to adjust the mids to a level that will bring out the low end much better! I myself could not live with the stock crossovers sound. But Al's work here brings out some of the best of LaScala's capabilities and if you heard them, I think you would hardly call them Bass shy! You can also construct these your self! They inspired my own crossover modifications allowing me to change the sound more than most imagine! And personally I would do this before getting a new amp its that good! SET12

Hey Guy's This is a good discussion, I've learned much from what can be gotten from even minor changes in the networks parts. And the value of the changes is certainly dependent on ones interests. With the outboard networks I can tune the specific drivers to my liking a real advantage IMO. Or affect an overall change, from changing the single coupling cap in my amplifiers Every changed part has been audible in my system. And I think the amount of whats heard is system dependent and in my case I'm using a minimalist approach with a SET amp that has 2 gain stages with a top shelf CD player direct. So ones MMV. I found that just a good Polypropylene isn't necessarily the answer as all brands have their signatures. The same is very true of inductors from my recent encounter with trying out the Solen Hepa Litz from Al's Q test's which being schooled in electronics I can appreciate. But you know I put the 14ga .16mh litz in and I just winced at the sound it really caught me off guard! The funny thing is a few of my friends thought the Titanium tweeter would require a long break in to sound good when in fact that has not been the case at all with the poor Q of the North Creek tweeter inductor installed. The Q factor isn't everything! perhaps there was to much of it between the Mundorf Silver Foil/Oils I don't know! It is expensive to try a lot of the parts out but it is some what cheaper then buying new system components or upgrading speakers. And even then upgrading stock speakers within the Klipsch line doesn't necessary get you what you want! The Forte's I have sound like no other Klipsch that I or friends have ever heard. And in essence have just shocked some of them not to mention myself! SET12

Smart move on the tweeters! I measured the room response and foun a rising top end response. I took my toe in out and the top end response flattened But once I got Bobs Tweeters in it became readily apparent the stock tweeters were still ragged. Enjoy the up grade and keep me informed! SET12

It can be huge Todd! Like going from a 1000$ to a 5000$ easily! You can follow my thread at this site http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=159340 The stock Forte network is on the left. And like yourself I'm a SET user! SET12

One of those posts might be mine! As I have the Titaniums installed on my Forte's as well as Bob's upgraded Autotransformers with very high quality caps and Inductors on an outboard network one might call it extreme. You might think of it as a Super Forte even! I can tell you that mine are as smooth as silk and one of the finest speakers I have ever enjoyed especially with these kind of mods its nothing short of extraordinary! Heres a link to my thread. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=159340 I have a schematic of the Forte posted on it as well! Also see this site for cap sound quality http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html Enjoy your Fortes SET12

Happy Birthday Bob!!! [<)] [^] [8]

Yes, Although the networks are essential the stock values and and connections. I just did the layout and parts upgrade my brother is a Master Cabinet Builder and he did the crossover platforms for me. Thanks! SET12 Oldbuckster, Did you get the Titaniums?

Thanks SWL, These upgrades are after your visit and I think that you'd find these even more to your taste, Perhaps you might think about a return visit with your uncle and your Forte friend? And of course I owe you a visit as well! Again Thanks Much! SET12

Thanks Daddy Dee! And yes they are good people! DeanG Have you heard the Mundorf's? Or the Duelunds?

He uses various loudspeakers. From his site http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html "The results of this test are meant to give you a basic idea of the sonic differences between capacitors when used in loudspeaker filters. I test all the capacitors in the signal path of tweeter and midrange circuits in loudspeakers crossover, I mostly use values of 4,7uF and 10uF to be able to make direct comparisons between different brands and types and try them out in both series- and parallel crossovers. The capacitors are tested in various speakers, varying from the ones I happen to be building at the time to a few standard speakers like my HATT's. I also use solid-state and tube amplification, analogue and digital source equipment and several different interlinks and speaker-cables during the process of evaluation that takes several months of extensive listening. Testing is done by listening to various good quality recordings on CD and vinyl and everyday FM radio. Over time I have re-evaluated my previous conclusions as new capacitors entered the contest, widening the listening platform. The only measurement done is to check the value of capacitance to make sure they were in within the margin stated. I have given each participant a rating. This scale is based purely on sound quality; price has been left out of consideration" He's been right for my needs but! I guess its just his opinion after all and I believe there are combinations that will work for people and not for people. As I like to say nothing is written in stone. In other words YMMV! As for the crimping I consider the Allen screw which has an edged end on it to provide sufficient pressure to mesh atoms together like crimping within the terminal it is my understanding that crimping is still better than soldering. SET12

Here's a good close up of the two side by side please note the winding and core sizes and you can hear it as well! Adding the Titanium tweeters after the autotransformers is what really impressed me! I don't know as if I liked Bobs Autotransformers with the stock tweeters and I can't seem to figure that out! Even though one has nothing to do with the other!

No nothing is soldered, other than the Autotransformers, Everything else is fastened by allen screws in the terminal blocks. For the most part the Mundorf Silvers are staying I may use the Mundorf Silver/Golds in my amps, providing I really like the Duelunds and so far Tony Gee has been right on in his evaluation of the Mundorf's and I expect that the Duelunds will even be even better than the Mundorf's as his evaluation said. SET12

I have heard of no regrets of Bobs work! SET12

I have had them on top of the speakers but its better being away from the drivers magnetic flux influencing the network. The input terminals and output terminals for each driver are at the rear of course and the Forte's have three sets of terminals on the rear of them each driver has its own wiring all of which was upgraded to Audio Quest Midnight for the bass and Audio Quest Indigo for the midrange and tweeter Amp to Networks is Audio Quest Clear all of the wire was purchased used and for penny's on the dollar from a local audio dealer that had a lot of used stuff just laying around.I have used Velcro to fasten them all in a bundle all going down to where the original speaker binding post were. I have substantially cleaned up the wiring as I was using Hovland Music caps with bypasses The Hovlands are a love, hate relationship perhaps I'll relisten to them having the Titaniums in place Here they are now in my living room that I share with my girlfriend that I have compromised with her in my system setup. Even compromising like this I still have an awesome sound stage, If I had a dedicated room the system performance would certainly be greater as it would be dedicated 2 channel only without all the video and furniture stuff but I'm not complaining. Sometimes when I have my local audio club members over I move stuff out to optimize listening more. SET12

No they sure aren't! But the basic values are. And Thank You! Groomlakearea51 Here's a picture of of the stock network without the auttransformers mounted to them next to the outboard version. These will be coming next week! You can see some results of listening test performed here by Tony Gee of Netherland, And I concur with his evaluations. With the Mundorfs. http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html This by far the most fun I have ever had! and the most satisfying. Every change has been audible.

Hello all, I recently have had the pleasure of doing some business with Bobs business B&K Sound and had the pleasure of placing an order to his son Michael for their replacement Autotransformer's and Titanium Tweeters. And I got to say this is a very serious upgrade that is not taken lightly by myself. I have spent considerable time and money into my Fortes outboard crossovers and have enjoyed the fruits of my labors but these two upgrades are some of the Fortes biggest strides in sound quality. And not that the others are not ground breaking but for the funds for these its a must have. I encountered some resistance from a few of my friends and I must admit I was a little apprehensive about Titanium as metal tweeters don't seem to be the most welcome additions to many people especially in the non Klipsch crowds. But Bob has made it clear he has no audiophile notions! And when he said these Titaniums were smooth! He meant smooth! And I'm all for that! And more! I installed the Autotransformer's and gave them a listen first! I could hear the bandwidth extension right away! And I got to tell you I didn't know if I was keeping them as I thought they seemed bright so I thought! That is until the Titaniums were installed! The resultant sound has left me stunned! So Bob wasn't kidding when he said the Titaniums are smooth and flat! Making the stock units sound ragged and harsh in contrast! And his Autotransformer's have revealed a whole new meaning to midrange effortlessness making the stock units sound compressed at higher levels and lower rez. For me Mr. Bob Crites is a Klipsch "Godsend" SET12

Welcome John S.E.T. For life as well! SET12

Great Work! As I to can attest to modifying and getting fantastic results! I find modifying greatly rewarding in sound and personal satisfaction! And I concur the performance can be worth many times what you spend! SET12

Yes can anyone go over the sound presentation of the various tweeter options especially the Titanium Dome. Perhaps Bob could reflect some on this? I certainly am interested! SET12

Thank You SWL, And thank you for your visit I enjoyed your company very much! After yrs of audio experiance one does learn a few things By going beyond the good enough approach! One can achieve extraordinary results by extraordinary means! For the love of [8] SET12[]

Thanks seti,[] I never have enjoyed the hobby more [] especially after getting involved DIYing [] SET12

forte, As far as power is concerned you might want to check this out as I think it is very useful for amplifier power. http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/supercharger/dynamicrange.html Some yrs back Stereophile Magazine published an article on why tubes sound louder than their actual continuous power rating. What they found was that push-pull tube amps could react to a burst power of up to 2 1/2 times their rated continuous power And single-ended tube amps an unbelievable 5 times there continuous power rating I myself use a 10 watt SET amp thats 5.5 watts rms and I have no problem reaching 100db at my chair although I listen in the low to mid 90's. If you'd like a smoother Forte you might try up grading the crossover networks to Sonicaps a great bargin for the money of course there are many more to chose from! Check this cap comparison listening test out! http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html I have had Hovlands with small MIT bypass caps and I attest to his opinions to the Hovlands. I am now using Mundorf's Silver/Gold for the midrange and just the Silver for the tweeters again I concur with his opinion! My next venture will be the Duelund VSF copper-foil/paper for the midrange very costly but likely worth every penny as the Mundorf's are! Below is a picture of my outboard crossover that allows me to try out any cap or inductor with ease! I might add that I recently tried out the 8 ohm taps on my SET amps and found that the midrange was far more suited to it makeing it more lively and involving with littile given up in the bass IMO. The Forte's have a 4 ohm woofer and 8 ohm midrange and tweeter. Muelund VSF copper-foil/paper Good luck! SET12

I own Forte's and having owned two ways I agree with the consensus here! OB is very correct, The mids are where most of the music is! SET12

What 25 watt tube amp? They are not all the same, and neither is SS or for SET amps as well.

Thanks Guy's! One of our Forum members SWL will be here in a couple of hrs to give them a listen as well as his first listen to a DIY SET amp of mine as well! Glad you like the look as much as I do!