jdbeachbum

In regards to the crossovers you might want to look at ALK's website (www.alkeng.com). I have a set in my LaScala's and can't say enough good things about the boards. Al makes them and ships them to you and then you can sell your old ones on Ebay. Al K. used to be a regular on the forum but I think he is largely absent now. Very smart man (met him in person) and does great work. This is my 2 cents only.

Derrickdj1, I just bought the same amp (MC-13s) last week and have used it only once so far for about an hour. The amp is used but in perfect condition. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the Tung Sol EL34B tubes. I know you haven't had burn in time but I'm not crazy about the stock Chinese tubes in regards too muted highs and bass that isn't very tight. The choices out there overwhelm me when I try and research all the different brands available and make a choice what would match my unit. Any input for a rookie tube guy would be welcome! Jack

Well, just missed my deal of the century by a couple hours on a craigslist ad that just sold this afternoon here in Annapolis. A designer series Klipscorn in black ash for $250. Here is a picture of the add that is SOLD.

There is a very nice pair of walnut in the Baltimore, Maryland (Craigslist) for $2999. It has been up for at least a month so I would assume he is flexible. I can't put the link up with my tablet so good luck on your search.

Lkendig, Yes the Fortes are still available. I sent you a PM message.

BHenry, did you get my PM about shipping costs and suggestions to your area? jdbeachbum

Yes they are the Forte 1 series. I will research shipping fees in a day or two but if any party wants to supply a zip code I can get a better handle on the cost.

Thanks Gents for the input. I just added some photos on the original post and will work up a price later. To answer Babadono question about shipping, not sure how the payment thing would go down without some form of guarantee. I guess PAYPAL might be an option but these will be pricey to ship! Not against it but was trying to keep the hassle factor low. Jack

Yes I know this isn't an auction site but as stated I have no price point to go off of to even set a price. Let me ask the members that are too far away to purchase as to a reasonable price point that is fair for both parties and I will use that amount. I am not trying to pay my mortgage off of anyone and I would like someone on this site to purchase. I haven't put on eBay yet because I would rather it go here first. Just trying to clear some space. Jack

Selling some mint condition Cherry RF-7's (not the ii) and a mint cherry RSW-15. comes in original boxes with packing. The Forte's are a little special since this is the pair that Al K. used to pull his data off of and create the Forte ALK crossovers. I live relatively close to Al and he built mine as the prototype. The Fortes have changed in color from Walnut to Satin Black. The Walnut needed a little help so I changed it up in color. The bases were delaminating so I removed them as well. I do not have a price point on any of these speakers because there isn't a lot of stock to get an idea what they are going for so I will take offers until I can come up with a price. I live in the Washington DC area (Annapolis, Md.) so this would be a local pick up deal. I will try and get some pictures but the RF and RSW are boxed up. If you are close you can review them in person. FOR THE FORTE ($450 for pair) Jack

The speakers mid and tweeter had more life to them. A touch louder with a little better definition especially on the midrange. i didn't hear any noticeable change at all to the woofer but i don't have a trained audiophile ear either.Hope this helps!

Yes, i got the prototypes that Al created. In Al's home he set up a cool way to switch instantaneous between the stock speaker and the new design. Their was a definite clarity difference when listening to them side by side but not an overwhelming difference like his Universals made to my LaScalas. I use the Forte's for front speakers of a home theatre so i don't have any real seat time just listening to music on these so a long term review is unavailable. I think the DIY option is a smart move since Al's labor involved to build would of course bring the cost up for just a modest improvement. PLEASE NOTE that this is my opinion only. Al makes a fantastic product and would purchase another product from him anytime whenever i venture into more speakers.

If anyone is interested, an add was just listed on craigslist for Khorns for $1250. They are in the MARYLAND section in the Baltimore area. I am hoping i attached the link correctly below. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/1332811570.html

The runs aren't that long. One will be 15' and the other 25'. Heck, if it doesn't hurt doubling up then I might as well. It isn't costing me anything but my time. Will probably use banana clips so they will easily go together and keep the guesswork out of it later whenever I have to play with my receiver. Thanks, Jack

Does anyone have input about paralleling the conductors in a monster cable for my speakers? I have probably 500' of 4 conductor, 16 gauge, monster cable that I want to use up for my speakers. I can hook them up with a single pair of course but was wondering if it would gain anything if i paralleled together 2 wires for the positive and 2 for the negative which will double the gauge of the wire. Would any sound be lost or gained with this set-up? Jack

Thanks John, that's kinda what I had in my head, also. If you could recommend some other models to research that would be fantastic. I don't mind at all second hand or discontinued models. Again, many thanks. Jack

Al, that was a good idea how we could switch over instantaneously right in the middle of a note to hear the difference between the 2. These Forte's in general have impressed me. Colin, thanks for the pat on the back, but really don't deserve it. It was a no brain-er for me to let Al tinker with them. If i was close to Dean or Bob C. I probably would of done the same with them given their reputation. With the end result being so satisfying, I'm glad Al lived close.

Hello, I had put Al K.'s crossovers in my La Scala's and the results were so good that i asked him if he had anything for my FORTE's. He said he didn't but always wanted to develope one for them because of all the requests that he has had. I offered him one of mine to play with and his research and design have a thread on this forum. I really didn't know what to expect but i took over the other speaker to him this morning and we put the new design and the stock one side by side for a comparison. Now please understand that my knowledge for the finer details of high end sound can't compare with many of you dedicated audiophiles. All I know is that there was a clear difference between the two (but not as extreme as his universals for my La Scala's) and the new had a much cleaner, full, sound across the board and was louder at the same volume level. Al said this was from making the crossover more efficient but you should really ask him about the particulars- I'm sure he would answer any questions one might have. Al was wondering if the tweeter was going to be "too hot" but we didn't hear that at all. It sounded fantastic in my opinion! I'm not writing this to promote his product since his name speaks for itself but i would like to thank him for taking on the task of upgrading my speakers. Hopefully, he can market this new design for FORTE owners so that others can reap the rewards that i just had completed. Jak

I have access to a DUKANE IMAGE PRO 9017 with the D-ILA technology for home theatre. Back in 2004 when they were produced they sold for over $10,000 dollars. Are the HD projectors out today for under 1000 dollars with new technology better than this older DUKANE unit? It had great reviews back then on the other forums. The only drawback is that it is a table mount which will create a bad set-up for the room. Rather have ceiling mount! This unit was given to me by a close friend which FREE is always a good thing in my book, but is there a better one now a days that is just as good or better for under a grand? Any help with info will get me started in the right direction. Jack

Looks great Al, The velcro seems like a good suggestion and will serve as a buffer instead of the rubber carpet pieces. The industrial type sold at craft stores has great holding power. I don't know if this would lose any quality of signal to the speakers but would it help installation if you were to put some wire tails off the board for the drivers with male and female sta-con quick connects so that all you would have to do is reach in and join the network wires to the driver wires. Just a thought. Jack

Hello, can anyone tell me what the cost of Forte speakers were when they were new back in the mid 80's? I have repeatedly seen $1200 but is that for one speaker or a pair? Also, what was the out the door prices at stores since no one pays MSRP? Thanks, Jack

I need some good advice on the finish I am looking to acquire. I haven't researched for products yet but to get a piano finish I would think that a 2 part epoxy system is what I need. Not looking for just black paint in which the grain still shows but a deep black mirror finish. Might anybody know of a product that would give me that type of finish? Thanks, Jack

Thanks Daddy Dee for the welcome. That sounds like good advice. I was thinking on the same lines also as Erniek about changing the color to cherry but thought if i stained them and it didn't turn out well then i have double the work getting that finish off to be ready for paint. Too many choices! What's a man to do! Jack

Hello all, this is my first post but read the site all the time. I just purchased a set of FORTE's on craigslist but the cabinets are looking a little weathered. Needs a good sanding and some repair (the bottom sectoin needs replacement) on the venear. My question to all is would it be a mistake to abandon the oak finish and put a black piano finish on the cabinets? The black is better suited for the room but don't want to have the speakers worthless by doing it. Any input will be appreciated.