cgolf70

Wow, better than the 7II??!! I haven't heard those personally but everything I read says they are one of the top benchmark speakers. Yes it can always get better if you have the $$ to spend!!

Would love to purchase a pair of the new Forte IIIs but as I listen to my Forte I with the upgraded Crites diaphragms and crossovers, I wonder--"How much better can it get?"

Last week I found a pair of Fortes locally on ebay and was fortunate enough to get them. Included in the deal was a Luxman R-117 stereo receiver from the late 80s or early 90s. I had not heard of Luxman so I didn't think much about it until the couple who sold it said they used it because it mated so well with the Fortes. This couple were in their 80s so they were the original owners. Well they were right!! This thing is a monster and makes the Fortes sing. I did upgrade the diapraghms and XOs but wow, that Luxman is awesome. Don't know anything about the model you mentioned but just wanted to share my experience.

I just finished installing the diaphragms and crossovers in the Fortes and have been listening to them for the past 45 minutes. Without sounding platitudinal or clicheish (are those even words??), I have been totally mesmerized by them. My goodness they sound so fresh and crisp and detailed and warm and oh my they are so sweet with that Luxman. What else can I say. Yes it was worth the $$ spent.

I did get a price on the 450c but need to wait a few days and let the dust settle!! Love the double duty. Yes much easier to justify.

Done??!! haha... After I bought the 280s, I found a pair of Quartets which I bought and then by accident!!?? I found a pair of Fortes which I also bought. Done??!! haha

I have the RP-280s up front and I'm using a RC-62ii as a center. Only because I got a great deal locally. It sounds great and works fine with 280s. HOWEVER, as has been mentioned, I am constantly thinking and wondering what I am missing by not having the 440 or 450.

I think the break-in issue is much more with the ears than the equipment!!

Yes thanks for the advice. My screwdriver is being charged at this time. Parts will be here today but it might be tomorrow before I get them installed. Tonight is a work event. I'll let you know the results. What I noticed after installing just the diaphragms in the Quartets was a more subdued sound. Not a bad subdued, just not as crisp. But my theory is always that the ears are what needs the most break in time for a new or revised piece of equipment, not necessarily the equipment.

Sorry, didn't mean to crash the thread. Just got excited about the Luxman.

That is good to hear. I have no doubt that replacing both diaphragms and XOs will make the most difference, but it is still good to hear from other users who have done it and hear their results. Mine will arrive tomorrow so I'll know before the weekend!!

I recently only purchased a set of tweeter diapraghms for a pair of Quartets I had but called Crites yesterday to discuss the issue of crossovers and diapraghms. I had to agree with his point about "replacing or rebuilding the crossovers is a maintenance item" just like on any other piece of equipment. After about 20 years, the capacitors, etc. dry out, lose their effectiveness, etc. Made sense to me so I purchased both the crossovers and diapragms for a pair of Fortes I found Saturday. I will still only replace the diaphragms in the Quartets and will "A/B" the Quartets and Fortes for fun after I've replaced everything to see just how much difference there really is or at least what difference I can hear. Nothing scientific, just for fun.

By accident!!(ha..there are no accidents!!) I just found a pair of Fortes on ebay Saturday. Included in the already sweet deal was a Luxman R117 stereo receiver that they were using to power the Fortes. Not a receiver I would ever have looked to buy but wow is it ever powerful and does it ever make the Fortes sing sweet!!

I just changed out the tweeter diaphragms on a pair of Quartets and will do the same on a pair of Fortes. I'm curious. How much difference does the tweeter change make compared to doing both the tweeter and crossovers. The tweeters are around $65 but the crossovers are around $250. So is it worth it? How? How much SQ am I losing by not doing the crossovers too? Does leaving the old crossover in impact the change of the new tweeter? Questions. I know many or most do both but I'm wondering how good or bad is it to just do the tweeters.

Yes the originals were the black polys. The Quartets are great speakers!!

I just installed a set of Crites tweeter diapraghms in my Quartets. I have a few comments and questions. It may be that I'm just not used to the new sound so I need to take that into consideration. The new tweeters seem to have toned down the sound. It's not as crisp as before. Does changing the diapraghms and not changing the crossovers mess with the SQ? There was a green wire and a black wire. I figured the green to be the positive and hooked it to the positive terminals. Do I need to change the crossovers since I changed out the tweeters?

Here's one speaker.

I just installed a set of Crites tweeter diapraghms in my Quartets. I have a few comments and questions. It may be that I'm just not used to the new sound so I need to take that into consideration. The new tweeters seem to have toned down the sound. It's not as crisp as before. Does changing the diapraghms and not changing the crossovers mess with the SQ? There was a green wire and a black wire. I figured the green to be the positive and hooked it to the positive terminals. Do I need to change the crossovers since I changed out the tweeters?

Wow, these are great. Thanks!!

Well I guess I have to plead ignorance because I'm not sure. Is there an easy way to tell the difference? The Quartets are a lighter wood and don't look shiny.

I've been looking for a few months and in the last week found a pair of Quartets on CL and yesterday, by accident, found a pair of Fortes & a Luxman R117 receiver to boot on ebay. The Quartets weren't much of a bargain but the Fortes were a great bargain!! Keep looking, take your time and wait for what you want.

I've just acquired a pair of Quartets and a pair of Fortes and have been reading about cabinet cleaning, maintenance, etc. These don't need to be refinished but I just want to clean them up and take care of them. Is it OK to use Old English lemon oil on them to preserve them or is there a better product?

Well I'm finally back home. Don't know if these are even still available. There's a guy around the corner with 3 different sets and models that I want to listen to. If none of those work out and you still have these then I can get them next week. Again apologies for the late change last week. Charlie

Sent the 160s back for a full refund. The 61s sound great and I can place them all the way back against the rear wall. Now I can take that $$ and find some vintage Heresys or whatever...