eighteen_psi

I've got a couple of these as well (with an Apple TV in the living room) - great setup. The quality is pretty respectable even with the normal analog out, but the optical is an improvement.

Crites'd Fortés on Onkyo A-RV401 w/ power ballad kick from the listening thread: The mighty m505 is down at the moment while I source replacement parts Otherwise the rig is the Sony 34XBR2 HD tube, Senn 580 Jubilee on custom multiloop amp, Integra 6-DVD, and Apple TV w/ a bunch of lossless tunes. Bedroom rig comprises of: Onkyo A-5 Integrated, T-9 Tuner, ALR-Jordan Entry S, M&K V-2B - will take a pic a little later.

I've listened to both at length and prefer the F1 to the F2, but I'm a big fan of both. The F1 was always able to image more preciesly for me (better than virtually any other larger speaker I've heard). The tradeoff is it sounds more significantly different outside a relatively narrow sweet spot where the F2's mid seems to cast a wider net. The F2 seemed more forgiving of being run with a lower current, less powerful amp. The cheap receivers I've tried out leave my F1's thin, with a vague image and nasty, siblant treble. The F2 obviously sounds much better with a good amplifier, but it doesn't punish you as badly for a poor one. Both seem to be equaly bad at 'glossing over' poor source material...the Klipsch way. Bottom end was comparable for me out of both - the 15 didn't seem to add any range down low. Seems to me the 12 is capable of higher excursion, so the two might be matched in terms of overall displacement but would likely leave the larger driver better able to 'room match'. As I've mentioned before, I had to pull mine over a foot from the wall behind before the response evened out. Close to a wall, or in a corner, and I would have pockets of crushing bass other places in the house, and thin, bassless response where I wanted to listen. The F2 had a magnetic grille, whcih I see as superior to the peg/rubber rig the F1 has. Finish on both was extremely nice, very high quality. Long story short, I kept the one I liked better but they're both a hell of a speaker. Give em some juice, spend some time tinkering with the placement and you won't find much better, anywhere. My opinion anyway - my favorite Klipsch.

I've listened extensively to RF3-II and Forté II as well as my Forté I. I like my F1 the best, which is why I've kept em. I can't speak to the KLF-30 but the 20 can't beat the either Forté. The RF3 is solid, great speaker and all but I think everything else here outguns it by a pretty fair margin. The RF is easier to find, easier to place (in room), easier to power and easier to match (other speakers), however.

Going to second everything by Cal - my F1s were pretty tough to get set up in my room. A little more or less toe gets the mid horn reflecing off of a wall, or a window or something and they get nasty. They also have enough displacement to completely overwhelm a room with bass if you aren't careful. If you stuff them in a corner or right against the wall you'll probably end up with something boomy and nasty, particularly in a small room. Mine loved to make hotspots of deafening bass elsewhere while leaving the listening area devoid of bass until I pulled them ~18" from my wall. With them set up 'right' they're smooth and even, not harsh, and the bass snaps, doesn't 'boom' - very clean, very big and very low. Once you verify everything is working properly, just devote a bit of time to playing with how far apart they are, how far from the wall, how much toe in (if any), etc. More than any other speaker I've tried, they do need messed around with. But it pays off

Always an option.

Nothing presently but I'll eventually get around to building another of what my av shows - megaboosted 87/88 Thunderbird TC

Wanted to throw in - I've got a pair I use at work and love them to death...other than having had to jack around with that stupid volume pot a couple of times. It's apparently due for a 3rd teardown now (or replacement)...so I've got the volume set where it does work and adjust with software until I get around to it. I've had to mess with a couple other pairs I recommended when they did the same thing too. They're honestly a spectacular sounding setup for what they are but it's pretty ridiculous they're let down so badly by one cheap part. Props to hardway for his guide. Out of warranty or not, how about a bone here Klipsch? Source quality replacement parts we can buy for cost or something and provide a guide on your site.

I actually picked up my Fortés as an upgrade to KG4s. The KG4 is a solid speaker but the Forté is a big upgrade all around in my experience. The bass is fairly comparable until you get pretty low, and you'll get a lot of volume out of either. The 4 didn't image as well (KG2s were better than the 4s for me here). The biggest thing you'll notice is the KG's having a response 'hole' vs. the 3 ways. To their credit though, they are easier to set up in the room (and the 2's easier still). My Fortés sound amazing but only after a bit of work getting them sorted right. They can just as easily sound horrible if you position them wrong. Similarly, my KG2/KG4 were much more flattering of sources and components. I'm as big a Forté fan as you're likely to find - I like them better than any LaScala or KHorn setup I've heard mostly due to how preciesly they image. My first good speakers were ALR-Jordan mini sats that made me love that. Most larger speakers can't match them in terms of building a 'stage'. The Forté does, and can blow your face off too

Long time lurker, figure I may as well start posting I'm a bit heartbroken at the moment - amp has died Am wondering if there's anyone with experience with one of these, or someone local who could poke around the thing (would pay of course). I have a bit of electronics experience but haven't been able to troubleshoot on my own. Maybe I'll luck out and it's just a relay or something? Anyone have a schematic by chance? It's honestly the best thing I've ever heard on the Forte and they don't come up for sale very often. Took me ages to find the copy I have now. Thanks in advance