John Chi-town

All I can say is that I have "Loved and Worshiped" my forte II since I pulled them out of the original boxes back in 1992. I never found that I needed more or was lacking anything from these speakers. If still made, they would probably retail for about $3,200.00 a pair today. Bought new in 1992 from United Audio, a long defunct Hi-Fi shop in the Chicagoland area that was purchased by Tweeter who is also now defunct for $850.00 for the pair. I can honestly say I never made a better $850.00 investment. I still have the original boxes for moves, etc. I can see passing these down to my 4 year old son someday. Maybe when he is 30!

Everyone; Sorry for the earlier confusion on the cost of the diaphragms vs. entire driver and diaphragm. I must have misunderstood Steve's verbal quote prior to ordering the K53 TI drivers. Since I did not trust matching a new and 19 year old driver, I just ordered the complete K 53TI drivers. I probably did not pay much attention to the price on just the diaphragms since it was an option I was unwilling to consider. Another pricing/marketing snafu.... Why would Klipsch price 2 complete drivers & diaphragms @$170.00 and charge $168.00 for just the two diaphragms???

They are located by looking up the speaker Chorus 1 or II, Forte 1 or II, on the Klipsch website. Then download the owners manual which is available in a PDF format I believe.

I agree, best of both world's!

Moray, build it and I will buy it! For whatever reason I remember someone posting in the past that the reason Klipsch has not re-introduced the Forte/Chorus line is that it "Canabilized" the Cornwall. I seriously doubt that they could produce a Forte II or Chorus II for less than a Cornwall III, which MSRP's @$1,875.00 a speaker.

I agree with Cask0's assesment. However the Forte II has lower bass response than the Cornwall. The only difference between the Chorus II and Forte II is a 15 inch woofer vs.12 inch woofer respectively. Both have the 15 inch passive radiator. The mid and tweets are the same. Although I have never owned Chorus II I have heard before. My impression is that they have slightly better bass response than the Forte II when driven at higher volumes, real high volumes. If you are not a DJ, or using as a PA system you will find that forte II will provide more than enough bass at "normal" & "obscene" listening levels in MHO. Listed below are the specs of Forte II vs. Chorus II Forte II : Specifications FREQUENCY RESPONSE 32Hz-20kHz(+-)3dB POWER HANDLING 100 watts maximum continuous (500 watts peak) SENSITIVITY 99dB @ 1watt/1meter MAX ACOUSTIC OUTPUT 119dB SPL NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms CROSSOVER FREQUENCY HF 7,000 Hz LF 650 Hz MAXIMUM ACOUSTIC OUTPUT 119dB SPL TWEETER K-75-K 1" (2.54cm) Polymer diaphragm compression driver HIGH FREQUENCY HORN 90(o)x40(o) Exponential Horn MIDRANGE K-61-K 1.5" (3.81cm) Phenolic diaphragm compression driver MID FREQUENCY HORN 90(o)x40(o) Tractrix® Horn WOOFER K-25-K 12" (30.48cm) Fiber-composite cone active / KD-15 15" (38.1cm) Fiber-composite cone passive ENCLOSURE MATERIAL Medium density fiberboard construction (MDF) ENCLOSURE TYPE Bass reflex via passive radiator DIMENSIONS 35.4" (89.92cm) x 16.5" (41.9cm) x 12.25" (31.1cm) WEIGHT 67 lbs. (30.42kg) FINISHES Walnut Oil, Oak Oil, Oak Clear, Finished Black BUILT FROM 1989 BUILT UNTIL 1996 Choruis II Specifications FREQUENCY RESPONSE 39Hz-20kHz(+-)3dB POWER HANDLING 100 watts maximum continuous (1000 watts peak) SENSITIVITY 101dB @ 1watt/1meter MAX ACOUSTIC OUTPUT 121dB SPL NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms CROSSOVER FREQUENCY HF 5,000 Hz LF 600 Hz MAXIMUM ACOUSTIC OUTPUT 121dB SPL TWEETER K-79-K 1" (2.54cm) Polymer diaphragm compression driver HIGH FREQUENCY HORN 90(o)x40(o) Exponential Horn MIDRANGE K-61-K 1.5" (3.81cm) Phenolic diaphragm compression driver MID FREQUENCY HORN 90(o)x40(o) Tractrix® Horn WOOFER K-48-E 15" (38.1cm) Fiber-composite cone active / KD-16 15" (38.1cm) Fiber-composite cone passive ENCLOSURE MATERIAL Medium density fiberboard construction (MDF) ENCLOSURE TYPE Bass reflex via passive radiator DIMENSIONS 39" (99.06cm) x 18.5" (46.99cm) x 15.5" (39.37cm) WEIGHT 89 lbs. (40.4kg) FINISHES Walnut Oil, Oak Oil, Oak Clear, Finished Black BUILT FROM 1990 BUILT UNTIL 1996

As the other forum member mentioned, forte II! INMHO Klipsch's best performance/footprint value out there! I will even go as far as to say that they are as good as any Cornwall that I have heard, and can extend further down in bass.

This is my 3rd Adcom amp. Everything in my system including the forte II date back to 1992, with the exception of the amp. I originally purchased everything in my system profile with the Adcom 555II. Around 2000 or so I changed to the Adcom 5500, and have had the 5802 for about 2 years now. The Mosfet/Nelson Pass design to my ears sounds much warmer than the bi-polar 555II. I love the Adcom 5802 to my ears midway between a Krell and Mac. I know that others will probably disagree, but everything in this "game" is subjective. I paid $750.00 for the 5802 in mint condition with very low hours. At 300 WPC into 8ohms, more than enough horsepower to drive anything. Adcom claims that the amp is capable of driving 1ohm loads, or even a dead short. Anyway, I have been very happy with Adcom performance/price ratio for the last 20 years or so. One day when the 5802 needs to be replaced, I will look for a used Macintosh.

Welcome, and enjoy all of your "ear candy" options!

Yes, it is only a dollar more @ $84.00 per diaphragm, vs. $85.00 for each complete driver. I would call Klipsch and ask them to send to you for $2.00 plus shipping and handling. The rep should have told you that the complete K53-TI drivers are only $85.00 each. Best of luck!

Extreme 4099; Did you pay $84.00 each, or a pair for the K53 TI Titanium Diaphragms? Hard to believe that Klipsch would price the entire K53TI driver with diaphragm included for only $1.00 more?!

Agree 100% with your assesment. Glad you are pleased as well. I thought the K53 TI diaphragms were only $84.00-$85.00 per pair. I only paid $85.00 for each complete K53 TI Driver with the titanium diaphragms. Are you saying that the pair of diaphragms are the same as two complete drivers? If so, why did you not purchase the complete assembly and have spare drivers, or replace entirely? When I spoke with Steve Philips of Klipsch I thought the diaphragms only were roughly half the cost of purchasing two complete K53 TI drivers?

Your welcome. If you buy please post your thoughts vs. the BC phenolics as well.

Set 12; The titanium midrange diaphragms on the K53 TI drivers are a MAJOR improvement over the stock phenolics, and blend extremely well with the BC Titanium tweets that are installed as well. I have not yet listened with the BC replacement phenolics. I just enjoy the titaniums too much! Call Klipsch parts and ask for Steve Philips. Again, Steve told me that the titanium diaphragms are available for the K53 TI drivers @ $84.00 per pair. These will "drop -in" to the original forte or forte II mid-range drivers just like the BC phenolics. My original plan was to go with the BC phenolics, but while disassembling a driver the ring that goes around the housing where the diaphragm seats came loose and with the strength of the magnet it was impossible to fix. According to Klipsch drivers are not magnatized until after they are built. So, my only option was to buy two complete new drivers with diaphragms. Hope that helps. Please advise once you speak with Steve Philips at Klipsch parts as to the availability of the titanium diaphragms only. Again I was told $84.00 or $85.00 per pair.

Yes, the entire driver is $85.00 each. However, according to Steve Philips at Klipsch parts, the titanium diaphragms that are used in the K53 TI Driver are available at $84.00 for the pair. I had no choice but to buy a driver since one of mine were damaged. According to Steve I could have purchased just one complete driver and a diaphragm, but I wasn't comfortable with a new and a 19 year old working together so I purchased two complete K53 TI drivers. What if someone were to blow a diaphragm on a K53 TI Driver? They are available, or at least that is what I was told by Steve.

D; If you are interested in trying call Klipsch Parts and ask for Steve Philips. He has the most knowledge on the Heritage line there. If I had to guess, I would have to say yes, that the titanium diaphragms used in th K53 TI drivers would fit the Heresy II as well. Steve is a great guy, he will research and provide you with the right product.

Mark, were you wearing a ski mask at the time? You "stole" them for $275.00![Y]

Mark; I know what you mean by 2.1 being enough "practicly" speaking as it relates to the forte II's. I have never had mine toed in, and I keep them 15 inches from my rear walls, pointed straight out. They are about 9-10 feet apart as well. If anyone is interested, I am selling my BC replacement midrange phenolic diaphragms for $70.00 which includes free shipping in the lower 48.

My original intent was to put in BC's midrange diaphragms, after already putting in Bob's networks and titanium tweeter diaphragms. However upon the rebuild I lost a driver that was non repairable. So I purchased two new K-53 TI drivers which are exactly the same as the forte II original except they are equipped with titanium diaphragms and are used in the Heresy III and Cornwall III. I have auditioned both and prefer the titaniums perhaps after a few weeks I will try Bob's phenolic again, but at this point and time the titaniums in the K-53 TI drivers sound better to my ears. I am not dissing Bob's product, it is very good indeed, just prefer the titaniums and thought I would post my thoughts. If anyone is interested in trying them they are available from Klipsch parts @ $85.00 per set. Again they are drop in to the original forte II drivers as well.

Well, where do I start? I payed with both the BC phenolic replacement diaphragms as well as the titanium that came with the new K53 TI drivers. The BC's made an improvement over the stock, but from my perspective and humble opinion the titanium diaphragms are another step up. Don't get me wrong I love Bob's products and have his replacement networks and titanium tweeter diaphragms. The titanium midrange diaphragms seem to provide a more seamless transition from the mids to the highs with the titanium tweets. Very transparent and more liquid sounding to my ears. If anyone is interested I will be selling my phenolic BC midrange replacement diaphragms for the forte II. I will part with for Bob' s price plus free shiping in the lower 48. That is about a $10.00 savings. I plan on keeping the original phenolic diaphragms. I could not be happier with the way the speakers are performing and am done with mod's for quite some time. Time to listen and enjoy! I will post a more detailed review of the titanium midrange diaphragms after another 20+ hours or so of listening.

Mark; I am dying to gt them in. Need to travel to the other side of the Chicago universe for Thanksgiving today. Hope to pop them in tonight late,or early tomorrow afternoon. I will post my initial thoughts once they are in. Happy Turkey Day to all!

Well, my new K-53TI drivers are on a Fed Ex truck somewhere between Memphis TN, and the Chicago area. Projected delivery is sometime tomorrow, barring any bad weather or other snafu's along the way. I am going through withdrawl symptoms at this point! Hopefully I will be up and running tomorrow evening!

Yes, I remember being told by Steve Phillips that they are $84.00 or $85.00 per pair. I needed to purchase the K53TI dirvers as well which are $84.00 each including the titanium diaphragm. Cannot purchase the driver without the diaphragm according to Klipsch. You can purchase the titanium diaphragms without the drivers at $84.00 or $85.00 per pair. According to Steve I only needed 1 driver, but I was uncomfortable with a new & a 19 year old working together. This way they will be matched and I have 3 sets of diaphragms to work with. Titanium, BC phenolic replacement, and the original phenolic. I will let you know my thoughts as soon as I get and burn in. They should ship on Monday from Hope AR, so I should have by Friday or Saturday of next week in Chicagoland if not sooner. Sent Fed Ex Ground.

Wuzzer; You can purchase the titanium diaphragms through Klipsch. The titanium diaphragms on the K53TI drivers now used in the Cornwall III and Heresey III are available through Klipsch parts at $84.00 a set. They will fit the forte II. I am waiting on a pair of new drivers with this diaphragm since after taking apart my horn etc. in order to install Bob Crites phenolics one of my drivers came apart which is not repairable. The K53 TI driver is the same as the forte II original except for the titanium diaphragm. So I will try the new drivers with the titaniums first. I will let you know my thoughts. I have to believe that it will sound as good as the difference between the BC titanium tweeter diaphrams vs. the stock phenolic. John

I will definitely post my thoughts on...... Too bad you are not closer to the Chicagoland area, you would be welcome over for a beer and a listen yourself. Gotta think it will sound good with the titanium diaphragms since they are using the same driver and diaphragm on the Cornwall and Heresy III's among others. Forgot to mention in my last post that Klipsch does not "magnetize" the drivers until they are completely built. Got this from Steve Philips today, who checked with engineering. They said it would be nearly impossible to re-install the metal collar that attaches around the diaphragm housing and holds the horn and gasket to the magnetic driver. Not only was this the first time BC heard of this but Klipsch as well! Figures I would be the first! John