CatManFever

If you go back to old StereoBile issues on recommended components you will see lot of them with terrific reviews. One would think he could buy that speaker or component and that would be the end of it! After all, it says things like "blows every other one away" or "I can't see anything better than this", "most perfect (this and that)" etc., stuff like that. So you see, that should be the end of it and they should close shop and go home. BUT THEY DON'T!!! So you can see it's all baloney and it's just made to keep you buying and selling and selling and buying and they all can have jobs all their lives. Go see for yourself. Go get an old StereoBile and read the recommended component list review. It can be quite amusing. Don't tell me I didn't warn you!

I have wrote to Stereo(bile) about Klipsch speakers many years ago and had my letter published. I complained about why they did not have any Klipsch speakers reviewed. I received no reward or acknowledgement from Klipsch nor was I expecting any from them. Though, I did thought that Paul was going to give me a Teak or Zebrawood Klipschorn out of extreme kindness. Oh, did I mention that I wanted it laquered?

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Wow! The only way I'd drive a truck like that is only 50 FEET in a STRAIGHT LINE!!! Where's the dealer? Right next door???

Wow! Very interesting comments. I don't know when I will ever get the chance to do an A/B comparison. But you guys have certainly made me curious.

Does anyone know which really sounds better? I now realized Klipsch may have revamped it's entire model line awhile back to possibly compete with this new kid on the block that is making raves everywhere. Note how the Reference series bears a resemblance to the DT line. Is it possible? The DT blows the horns away, all the way down to the Klipsch Quartet? And quite possibly, the mighty Klipschorns???

They have a Chinese edition of Stereophile. It's called "Stereofoo".

What speakers did you audition before you bought your Klipschorns?

Personally, I would go with the Grado 80 or 125. But I never listened to either one. Duhhhh! But I have been considering buying a Grado and have examined many reviews of them and these are the two models I would consider in the "budget" range. Of course, ho holds barred, I would consider the upper level models of Grado. But methinks I would be perfectly happy with the Grado 125. I would also consider the Koss ESP-950.

I have just seen the April Edition of Stereophile and didn't see any Klipsch speakers on their semi-annual recommended components. SHOCKED!!! Guess that's why I quit subscribing to them several years ago. So, I shouldn't be too shocked, but WHY AM I??? Maybe I should go into the speaker wire business and wrap copper coil wire in foil that's been "shamaned" by at least 3 voodoo doctors.

>>Boy would Paul turn in his grave if his company went out >>of business. He would turn in his grave either way, but at least he never put plastic feet on his speakers before he left.

I heard someone mentioned they'd like to see the Heritage or some of the classic series revived and name them the 3rd of whatever. My question is this, what Forte to revive, the Forte I or the Forte II, or perhaps a hybrid? Where the midrange horn is in between the size of the original horn and the huuuuge size of the II? What about the "too big" radiator in the back of the II? Maybe a 13.5 inch radiator compromise? Hahahaha.... Personally, of all the speakers in the world, I consider the Forte, Chorus, Quartet (especially with the clever wood base built in), and Klipschorn and some of the other older speakers by Klipsch as some of the most beautiful speakers ever made, especially with exotic wood. Another speaker company I admire is the Ohm Acoustics when they made the Walsh Series speakers with beautiful wood veneer in triangular shapes. Now, they make'em look like ugly straight towers with caster wheels of all things. (Maybe living in Brooklyn with the Twin Towers was too much of an inspiration). Sounds a lot like the new Klipsch with cheap plastic feet. Boy, would Paul turn in his grave if he ever heard of his speakers with plastic feet!!!

Thanks Strabo for the explanation.

What is a K61-K please?

>>Ha! Well, that's what the dealer said. A real Klipsch afficinado, btw. He definitely preferred the Forte I. Well, I can't argue with him, as I have never heard the Forte II play. He also was really convinced that there is no other speaker like the mighty Klipshorn! But, I still say the Forte II doesn't look right, front or back. Radiator and midrange drivers seem too big for the box. Structure describes action - Leonardo Da Vinci

>>The dimensions of both are also the same, I believe they are not the same. The dimension of the Forte II is slightly larger. I think it was the width or depth that got slightly larger.

To me, something about the Klipsch Forte II doesn't look right when compared side by side to the original Klipsch Forte. The size of the rear passive radiator just seems too big for that speaker and it makes it look like a "squish" job from the rear. I think it was a quick fix to get the Forte a little lower. Again, as I said, recent speakers from Klipsch seem to be just "marketing" speakers since Paul let go of the company. Also the midrange horn seems too big and flared. I can't imagine a horn that flares so wide and so soon from the midrange driver can sound right, but I'm no horn expert. But things should kinda of look right. It does seem like it could get a "harsh" sound second guessing people's comments and looking at that horn, but I have never heard the Forte II so I can't really say this is so, the opposite of it could even be true. "Structure discribes action" - Leonardo Da Vince

I've talked to a dealer here and he told me they sound different than the Forte I, more harsh, but whatever the difference he seemed to like the Forte I better. Another person also said it sounded much different, and he heard the two. He also wouldn't part with the Forte I. Too bad Mr. Hirsch couldn't review it, but I doubt it could top the review he already had on the Forte I.

I noticed a SURGE of Web Page Counter numbers right after or about the time the auction ended. Apparently, a lot of people were curious at what price it would go for methinks. It was a slightly higher price than usual, but it was advertised as "rarely used", even though the serial tags appeared to be slightly rolled up, but it looked new from what I could gather on the pictures, especially in the cone areas. That's the 1st place you can tell.

Thanks for that faaasst answer. Very interesting, I didn't know it was more expensive. Wonder why the brochure just didn't list it as oak laquer? I guess to make life hard.......

Those are obviously the Forte I's which have a narrow midrange horn. What you gotta worry about is if that picture is the speaker he is selling to you since the description is for the Forte II!

Does anyone know the difference between these two veneers? I know one is oiled, but the other? Klipsch brochures don't say much.

>>Only if you are unhappy with the sound. Don't ever say that anywhere near an audiophile. They are never happy with their sound. Just read Stereophile reviewers. The audio press loves to make you doubt about your equipment, with words like "improved", "2nd generation", "upgrade", "new this & that", etc. It drives a multi-million dollar industry by just those few words. As they say, don't believe everything you hear. (No pun intended).

Solve your problem of harshness buy (no pun intended) getting the Klipsch Forte I. My understanding is that they don't sound "harsh" like the Forte II's.

I agree. I have virtually no interest in the new line of Klipsch. They are clearly a "marketing" type of speaker. And it's got cheap plastic feet of all things. The old Klipsch designed by the Master himself just can't be beat for looks, integrity and sound.