tlarwa

Actually, they're not. I have a Klipsch subwoofer (SW-10II) in Oak, and these are definitley much darker.

SALE OFF: I've decided to keep these!

Thanks. SET = Single Ended Triode. Look at Decware or Bottlehead for some popular examples (among many others).

Hopefully I wont regret this, but I'm putting my Forte II's, in Oak (but stained a darker color), up for sale. I'm looking to generate some cash for the purchase of a different set of speakers. Got the "winter itch"... The Forte II's are in great condition, and sound terrific. The have had many upgrades, including: * Crites Ti tweeter diaphragms * Crites phenolic midrange diaphragms * Recapped crossovers using the Crites rebuild kit * upgraded 5-way binding posts (replaced the little cheapo Klipsch stock posts) * 2" brass adjustable spikes with threaded inserts (factory risers were pretty beat up) * Cabinets fully braced to improve bass response (nice upgrade) * All cabinet joints sealed with white glue to better seal cabinet * New foam tape around all driver flanges and terminal cups to better seal cabinet * Dynamat applied to the backside of all horns and magnets The cabinets are in great shape. There are a few scuffs and dings but overall they look great. The corners are sharp and the finish is nice. I hit them with Howard's Restor-A-Finish and #0000 steel wool to clean them up, and then Howard's Feed-n-Wax to protect the finish. The worst defect is a veneer chip in the upper rear corner of one of the cabinets. Since it is in the back, it's not really noticeable from the listening position though. The grilles are in great shape. No stains, and the frames are intact, with no frame cracks and all magnets in place. The badges look excellent. In the spirit of full disclosure, there is some veneer damage around the threaded inserts on the bottom of the cabinets. My fault, as I didn't relieve the veneer around the drill hole. So when I threaded in the inserts they raised the veneer. I won't make that mistake again. The good thing is that it's on the bottoms, so you can't see it at all unless you turn the cabinets upside down. The inserts are solid, and the spikes thread in and out without any issues. The drivers/horns are all in great shape. There is some candle wax on the cone of one of the passive radiators, but it doesn't affect the sound at all. It was there when I bought them (I'm the 2nd owner) and I didn't want to rub the cone too much to try to remove it in fear of damaging it. You can't see it anyway, since it faces the wall. Other than that, there are no issues and the surrounds are all in good shape. I tried a few tweaks on these to see if I could make them even better, short of a very expensive crossover rebuild. One of the tweaks was to remove the tweeter and put it on top of the cabinet, toward the rear, to try to time align the tweeter and midrange diaphragms. To do this, I built a small box for each tweeter. I also drilled a small hole in the back of each cabinet to allow the speaker wire to exit the cabinet and run to the tweeter. The hole is small, and I've plugged it since returning the tweeter drivers to their stock positions. I also made a black wooden cover plate for the tweeter hole. No additional screw holes were drilled ... I used the stock screw holes, so this mod was completely reversible. I also tried ping pong balls in the tweeter horns, to attempt to diffuse and smooth out the treble. Again, competent reversible. Did either tweak make a difference? I can't say they were hugely apparent, but they certainly didn't make the speakers sound worse! I'll include the tweeter boxes, cover plates and screws, so you can try it yourself if you feel like it. Heck, I'll even include the ping pong balls that I painted black if you want them! I also have a pair of 2" thick hardwood platforms (one oak, one maple) that I had them sitting on. I'd be willing to sell them with the speakers if the buyer is interested. Otherwise I'll keep them and use them as equipment platforms down the road. I am asking $650 for these Forte II's, which I feel is fair given their condition and the $185 worth of Crites upgrades alone. I'm in SE WI (Lake Geneva). I'd consider meeting somewhere for delivery, within reason. I don't think you want them shipped ... It would cost a fortune given their size and weight. Pictures of the Forte II's are available to view in Photobucket here: http://s850.photobucket.com/user/tlarwa/library/Klipsch%20Forte%20II?sort=4&evt=email_share_media&page=1 I apologize that there are some duplicates. I used the iPad version, and it won't let me delete photos from the album. Stupid interface. There are several pictures showing the speakers set up with the tweeter on top of the cabinet. They are not configured like that now. The pictures showing them in the standard configuration were taken as they are currently. I just wanted to show what I was talking about with the tweaks I tried. I am happy to provide photos of anything else you'd like to see, or answer any questions you might have. PM me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks for reading this long description! One last thing ... I do not have the labels. The original owner assured me they were consecutive serial numbers and I don't have any reason to believe that isnt the case. All drivers match between cabinets. Tom

A1UC, I'm in Wisconsin too. When you're ready to sell, let me know what you have. Maybe we can make a local deal of some sort. Tom

Being the owner of a Bizzy Bee rebuilt Fisher 400, I can speak from experience on how I use mine. It's used in a dedicated 2-channel system, driving (for now) a pair of modded Forte II's ... and with great success, I might add! I use the internal phono pre to run my AR XA table, and the AUX inputs with my Parks Audio Budgie/Empire TT combo. It's a great set-up.

Yep. I have one of the first MM Budgies (#003, I think) with the wood sides. When Shannon looked to incorporate his SUT design I took him up on the offer and sent mine back to him for an upgrade. Mine has selectable switches on the bottom of the unit to choose between high or low gain MC or MM cartridges. I've used it with a DL-103 and my current AT150Mlx, as well as a Dynavector 10x5, all with good results.

I have and use a Parks Audio Budgie phono pre with a built in SUT. It's an excellent preamp. I highly recommend it ... Shannon does really good work.

I'd only buy it if it was >$1000 ...

I have purchased several items from Larry (Sunfire subwoofer, Klipsch Heresy's) and he is a good guy and sells nice stuff. I wouldn't expect there to be any issues with these at all. If I had the $$ I'd buy them myself. I work nearby if anyone needs help picking these up. Tom

Man, I want those. And I'm even local-ish (Lake Geneva). I've been looking for some Cornwalls, as an upgrade to my modded Forte II's. It's purely a $$ issue, as always. It's a "self-funded" hobby in my household, so until I sell the Forte's (or something else ... any interest in a minty custom-built AR XA?) it's not in the cards, unfortunately. I wish you the best of luck with the sale, though. They sure would look good in my listening room!

I saw and heard a pair at AXPONA this year. Probably the best set of speakers I heard at the show. And there were a LOT of nice speakers there!!

I have a DL-103 with 250-300 hours on it, with original packaging. Sounds good and is in great shape, with straight cantilever. Looking to trade for a Shure V15 series cartridge. Prefer an original Shure stylus in similarly good condition. This will be used on my AR-XA. Other interesting MM cartridges that would mate well with the XA arm will be considered! Thanks! Tom

They're not Neutrik connectors, they're just 1/4" jacks. If I buy them (going there tomorrow) I'll have to remove them and wire in new 5-way binding posts. I run Kimber speaker cables with bananas. I'm guessing it won't be too big of a deal to do this.

I haven't. But I've heard good things about them, especially with a tube amp like my rebuilt Fisher 400. They'll be in a relatively small (12'x19') dedicated listening room, fully treated (sound panels/bass traps). I have a decent sub (Adire Audio Rava) so I'm not too worried about augmenting the bass, if it is indeed lacking in my room. I've run KG4.2's, Heresy's and my current Forte II's. Just moving on up the line, I guess.

I emailed him, and they are indeed all original; all drivers, cabinets and AA crossovers. No mods done to them at all. I assume the crossovers would likely need a recap at some point, and the cabs definitely need refinishing (paint or veneer). I do remember them having PA-type speaker connectors (single plug .... sorry, I'm not a pro sound guy so I don't know the proper term). I assume these can be rewired easy enough to allow for use with regular 5-way binding posts? Mods: if this is in the wrong forum, please move. In my mind, it's 2-channel audio. It is NOT an item for sale so I didn't want to put it there.

I'm pretty sure I can talk the local seller down to $500/pair. I looked at them this summer, when he was asking $800, and when I saw them I passed. They are former band speakers, and well-used. Typical black cabinets with metal corners and handles. AA crossovers, if I remember correctly. I don't know the S/N or model year. I run modded Forte II's now, and have never owned LaScalas. These would be used in a dedicated listening room, powered by my Fisher 400. What do you think ... Is $500 a fair price? And could they be "prettied up" for home use without too much trouble? I'm not a fan of the industrial look. Thoughts?

That was random...

I've been watching for some K-1-K woofers or come up for sale for a while now, but it's not happening. Any suggestions on another model that will be a drop in replacement? This is the 6.5" woofer. Even a non-Klipsch woofer, if the specs are similar. They will be used as rear surround speakers with Forte II's as the mains. Thanks! Tom

Mid diaphragms are sold. Tweeter diaphragms are still available.

Replaced these with Crites versions. No issues. Selling for 1/2 the price of the Crites. Perfect if you've got a bad diaphragm. Mid diaphragms should fit the Heresy II, Cornwall II, Quartet, Forte, Forte II, Chorus, Chorus II, and KLF Series speakers. Tweeter diaphragms should fit the Heresy II, Forte, Forte II, Quartet, Chorus, Chorus II, KLF Series, KG Series and Cornwall II speakers. $35 + $7 shipping for the mids $26 + $5 shipping for the tweets

Apparently, it's all a matter of having something people want, and then pricing it fairly! I'd rather sell it to someone who can use it at a fair price than have it sit in the drawer forever. Let's see, what else do I have laying around? ...

All sold!

UPDATE: The GE quad is SOLD. the Sylvanias are still available at $55 for the pair. They are coded "le DFJ". No issues ... perfectly functional.