John Chi-town

I would be very wary of a seller that refused "local" pick-up, much less effort than having to pack, ship, etc on his part. Regardless of which route you go you will be satisfied with either the Forte or Chorus. My opinion on the two is that the Chorus has slightly better bass at "concert hall" levels of sound. I'm talking about 110db and above. Other than that, almost identical in sound INMHO. I prefer the series II in either, with the "Exponential" midrange horn, and larger passive radiator on the forte, not sure about Chorus. Best of luck on your future purchase!

Check out Craigslist there are a beautiful pair of Cornwall 1's for sale for around $750.00 just outside of Chicago, Western suburb of Downers Grove.

I have been very happy with the following: Adcom ACE 615 Line Conditioner with ELS Technology Suggested Retail Price $629.00 Until recently, surge protection for all applications including home entertainment and computer systems has been plagued by low endurance, unpredictable performance and safety problems. The new Adcom ACE-615, with patented ILS™ (If Lightning Strikes) technology, now offer a uniquely effective solution that has earned the U.S. Government's highest ratings. In addition to the revolutionary ILS™ technology and its uniquely safe and effective handling of power line surges, the ACE-615 provides superior State-of-the-Art AC line enhancement by effectively filtering both types of noise interference (radio frequency and electromagnetic) without "choking" the full power line load necessary for dynamic amplifier performance. The filter response in the Normal Mode (between hot and neutral) is 6 dB @ 10kHz. The filtering effect increases as the frequency increases. This filtering very effectively deals with the kind of AC noise and “hash” generated by vacuum cleaners, compressors in refrigerators, etc. This filtering takes place prior to the surge suppression stage and dramatically enhances audio performance. The filter response in the Common Mode (between hot and neutral with respect to ground) is 6 dB @ 400kHz. Again, the filtering effect increases at higher frequencies. This filtering pertains primarily to Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). The ACE-615 also offers advanced coaxial cable protection for signals traveling the coax lines. When the IL™ series coax circuit is examined, its unique qualities become readily apparent. The coax circuit is completely isolated. Located as far away from the incoming AC signal as possible and incorporating precisely engineered utilization of isolation washers, the ACE-615 coax module prevents electrical coupling, RF coupling and ground loops resulting in the best possible video image without degradation from AC noise and distortion. The Adcom ACE-615 represents a completely new dimension in total surge suppression efficacy, coax protection, AC line enhancement and safety. They are also, like all our products, precision engineered and quality manufactured to deliver maximum performance, long lasting reliability and, of course, ultimate Adcom value. The Government’s Highest Rating... Having experienced a rash of very costly suppressor failures, the U.S. Government set about developing a powerline surge suppressor purchase specification that incorporates user requirements and classifies products for: Endurance (service lifespan) Performance (degree of protection provided) Mode of Operation (application) This specification is now available to everyone and the ILS™ technology utilized in Adcom’s ACE-615 was the first to receive the U.S. Government’s highest certification, independently verified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc.®: Grade A Endurance (1,000 surges; 6,000 volts; 3,000 amps per surge) Class 1 Performance (280 volts measured) Mode 1 Applications (no ground circuit contamination) No MOV-based Shunt-Mode suppressor has ever been able to meet all three of these standards. Although no longer made for the last year or so, you can purchase on Ebay or Audiogon used for about $250.00

With the New/Replacement you also get a higher quality auto transformer than the original. In addition if you want to go to extremes and hot rod even further down the road, you can easily replace individual components much easier than on the original circuit board.

SkyDover, The nice thing about changing out diaphragms is that if you are not happy with the result you can always return to stock, etc. I have my original set of both tweeter and mid diaphragms should I ever get the urge to change out, or part with the speakers. The first scenerio although unlikely, is much more plausible than the second.

Good advice from Willand! But at the end of the day, the seller did those upgrades forhis/her enjoyment, not yours. I would offer $500.00, you can always go up! Kind of like customizing a Harley, and expecting to sell for value of bike and upgrades. This rarely if ever happens, again they did not customize the speaker/bike for you!

Adcom GFA 5802. 300 WPC into forte II or any other 8ohm speaker.

You are correct normal price in the day was about $1,100.00 give or take. At the time I had a friend of a friend who was a salesman there. Bought my at the time Adcom GFA 555 II, Adcom GCD 600 player, Adcom GTP 500 II, and Velodyne sub at the same time. So I got some pretty decent discounting! But $1,000.00 + on speakers in '91, or early '92 would be like spending $3,000.00 + today.

Agree 100%! It hasbeen rumored that the forte/chorus line nearly canibalized the cornwall market when they were borth available new. In 1992, I paid $875.00 for my pair of forte II new, those from the M idwest may rember the chain United Audio, which then was bought out by Tweeter. Both are now defunct retailers. Today Klipsch would need to sell at the price point of a pair of cornwall's to make a profit on a reissue of a forte let alone a chorus model. Cornwall's now retail for about $1,875.00 per speaker if memory serves me correctly.

Agree 100%! It hasbeen rumored that the forte/chorus line nearly canibalized the cornwall market when they were borth available new. In 1992, I paid $875.00 for my pair of forte II new, those from the Midwest may rember the chain United Audio, which then was bought out by Tweeter. Both are now defunct retailers. Today Klipsch would need to sell at the price point of a pair of cornwall's to make a profit on a reissue of a forte let alone a chorus model. Cornwall's now retail for about $1,875.00 per speaker if memory serves me correctly.

The forte II is the "Hidden Jewel" of the extended Heritage line. As far as I am concerned, the best sounding speaker Klipsch ever produced when you factor in foot print and other real world variables. As far as looks, they are a traditional design with a somewhat 70's retro look. I find them much more attractive than skinny 2 way designs of today. forte II speakers will take anything, and I mean anything you throw at them and faithfully reproduce every nuance of sound from rock to jazz to classical. Buy a pair and get rid of the 2-way design! [Y]

INMHO there is no advantage to bi-wiring. It is simply a "Marketing" ploy. There is no substitute to "More Horsepower".

As a owner of forte II, since new in '92 I also will never part with mine. One day perhaps when my son is in his mid 30's I will let him have. He will be 5 in the middle of May. As another member mentioned above you cannot beat the performance of a forte/forte II other than a Klipsch horn and few of us have the real estate required to set them up properly. Sorry to hear that you missed out on this pair, but be patient and you will find a pair soon, and never ever regret the wait.

I have always believed that the Forte/Chorus line were the best bang for the buck in the Klipsch line factoring in real world considerations such as space, WAF, etc. I have onwed my forte II new since early '92. I have modified, some would say to the point of "Bastardization", but all of my upgrades are reversable, and the titanium tweets and mids are simply outstanding. Just to lazy to take a pic but 10/10 asthetics,etc. Clear oak finish.

I owned the 555 II for many years. It is slightly forward, but not too bright. For $300.00 it is a fair price if in good operating and cosmetic condition. For about $100 more you could buy the Adcom GFA 5500 wich unlike the 555 II is a mosfet, Nelson Pass design. Wheras the 555 II is bi-polar. I would describe the 5500 and 5802 the bigger brother as between a Krell and Mac. The 5802 can be had on the used market for about $750.00 300 WPC into 8 ohms, for the price best bang for the buck that I have found.

Agreed. The best way I can explain the difference in sound on exponenetial vs.tractrix horn is that the tractrix is more "Live" sounding. In the sense that the mid's on a forte II vs. forte are just ever so slightly more pronounced. You could not go wrong with either speaker. It is extremely subjective in nature, just like everyting else in this hobby.

You own one of the most desirable speakers that Klipsch has ever made. INMHO they were discontinued for "Canabilizing" the Cornwall line. Replacing a forte or forte II for any RF series would be downgrading in my opinion. From a 3 way to 2 way design as others have mentioned. Do upgrades as Wuzzer and I have done, and you will not want to part with. If we have not convinced you yet, please send me a PM with your asking price on the forte's. Take care.

Buy a used Adcom GCD 600 or 700. About $100.00 -$150.00 on Audiogon or Ebay.

I owned a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab with the HEMI 5.7 , 345 HP at the time with about 375+ ft. lbs of torque. Looked great, but much lower overall quality than any Chevy or Ford truck that I have ever owned. The transmissions on Dodge are notorious to completely fail at about 75K miles at least on the gas versions. I cannot comment on the diesel models. Also lots of rattles and interior/cabin not as nice as Chevy or Ford INMHO. I admit they are visual eye candy, but overall cost in the longrun will be higher than Chevy or Ford from my experience.

Set 12 Actually the forte II also comes with a phenolic tweeter diaphragm and not polymer. I spoke with Klipsch and even though the website says polymer, they are phenolic originals. I have yet to find any forte II owner with a polymer diaphragm in the tweeter. Take care, John

Set 12; The entire assembly only includes the driver itself and the titanium diaphragm. No horn is included. The driver with titanium diaphragm should/would mount directly to either the exponenetail or tractrix original horn in either a forte or forte II model. My forte II also has a 12" bass with 15" passive. Does the forte have a 12" or 15" passive? I forget. Anyway, for $2.00 more If planning the upgrade well worth having a spare or replacing altogether INMHO. [Y] John

Set 12, Yes, it does just keep getting better with hours/time. I believe that the K53 TI driver which includes the titanium diaphragm will fit either the exponential or tractrix ,midrange horn directly. The reason I say this, is that the K53 TI is used in the Cornwall III & Heresy III which are both exponential horns vs. the tractrix mid;'s in my forte II. Let me know if you think/know different. Thanks! John

My 1992 forte II. 97/100! Never heard a better speaker/footprint ratio. Tractrix midrange is outstanding INMHO. I have performed the following modifications/upgrades: BC Networks, BC Titanium Tweeter Diaphragm, K53 TI Drivers, Titanium Diaphragms. No, they are not, nor will they ever be for sale!

david419b; I have heard very good things about the GTP500, although I have never heard/auditioned. From what I have heard from various circles is that folks are very passionate on the GTP 500 vs. GTP 500II. Kind of like the debate of which is better the forte or forte II? Both are very good speakers with equal highs/lows "INMHO". All of my equipment was purchased new in 1992, other than the Adcom 5802. I originally purchased the Adcom GFA 555II, then sold to a friend and went to the Adcom GFA 5500, parted with that and have had the 5802 for the last 3 years or so. Would love to move up to a MAC someday but I have been very happy with the various Adcom amps owned especially when you consider the performance to price ratio. I picked up my pristine 5802 from a friend of a friend with very low hours for $750.00 What is your impression on the GTP 500? Does it have a phono stage like the GTP 500II?