oldmako Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 OK, this is going to be insanely subjective but here goes....all I am looking for is your opinion. I currently own a pair of CF-3s. I got them mint and cheap. They are the finest speakers I've ever owned and I love them. I'm in the bush leagues compared to many of you with regard to my gear, but I have what I can afford and listen to music constantly. I now have the opportunity to purchase a pair of Fortes (original not the II's he thinks) from the originial owner. He claims that they are in mint condition in appearance and sound. The foto shows them to be in excellent condition. He is asking 400 bucks. Local guy so no shipping. I don't really need them, but I want them and they seem cheap. They also seem to be very highly regarded by many of you as I read the old posts. I currently do not own any tube gear. Will this hamper my ability to fully utilize them? They'd make great end tables and rear channel speakers should I decide to go that route. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Buy them without hesitation. They are too tall for end tables and that would be oh so undignified. They will probably end up as your mains. Tubes? LOL. Forte's don't need tubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I too agree with OT, Run, don't wait............****** them puppies up ! chop chop................you ain't there Yet? Post some pictures when you get setup.........Congrats 400 and they are local = Priceless ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Jump on it. It's a rare deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 They will be much more of an upgrade than you think. I have F1s as mains in my HT and they are AWESOME. Play with placement though as the rear passive can be sensitive to get right. When they are setup properly, ....... SUB, WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING SUB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Easiest way to tell Forte I from Forte II is the rear passive woofer on the I is 12" and on the II is 15" and is nearly as wide as the speaker cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT FAN Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Since you say you are not in dire need of the speakers, show him a $350 bid. It clearly is a buyers market and cash talks in this enviroment. Good luck with your bargaining position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Since you say you are not in dire need of the speakers, show him a $350 bid. It clearly is a buyers market and cash talks in this enviroment. Good luck with your bargaining position. [Y][Y][Y] you never know til' you ask!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Forte's Sound awesome even with an old well maintained Cheap SS amp....no probs without tubes.... Actually some tube amps have "flabby bass" and SS sounds much better on forte's as SS tends to be much tighter and the forte's can dig deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk49 Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 If you have the money do it. I have had both I's & II's, still have the II's and they are wonderful. The price is fair, you won't regret it. t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 warning, if you buy them you may find yourself spending more time enjoying cigars and bourbon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLSamuel Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 If you really want them and can afford them then get them by all means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Like OT I believe these would become your mains[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel's wife Posted January 21, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 21, 2009 I would hope you now have these Fortes in your possession! They are great speakers and you will undoubtedly be impressed! Endtables????? You are kidding, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmako Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 They're perfect, as in showroom right out of the box from Hope. The boxes, and the spare grill are in the same condition. Everything he owned was perfect, from his gazillion dollar carbon fibre armed TT to his house. There was no way I could low ball him. I handed him the $395 and we shook hands. He is replacing them with a speaker I have never heard of.....Schwein-something or other?? He said they were very very expensive. So...now what to do with them. I set them up next to my CFs and the difference was amazing but not in a good or bad way. Just a totally different sound. I actually found the CFs a tad brighter and a bit bassier. However, the Fortes were pretty far from the wall and fairly close together. With the PR on the back I imagine that placement of them is crucial. It was all quick and dirty so I can't really comment beyond that. They sounded phenomenal on his gear. Craigslist times two. Mint CF-3s for $240 and now these. Now I need to bring the rest of my stuff up to speed! Many thanks for the input!! Neophyte FNG Stereo-Geek. ps....just kiddin' on the end tables Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 OM, Here is an excellent review of the Klipsch Fortes from Greg Smith....circa 1996 which should answer all your questions.http://www.soundstage.com/greg01.htmI like this Quote"I like these best sitting about 1-2’ from the left, right, and rearwalls. Pull them far out into the room and they don’t sound as good.Another things to watch out for is toe-in. Most people angle theirspeakers so that the drivers are directly facing them. Bad ideahere--you want these facing directly forward, with no toe-in rotationtoward the center." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel's wife Posted January 22, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 22, 2009 You are right. Placement of Fortes is the key to their sound. If you placed them "pretty far from the wall and close together" you certainly did not capitalize on the Forte sound so many of us are fond of. Were they Fortes or Forte IIs? Either way you got a really good deal even if they weren't quite "showroom perfect". But...with the boxes and spare grill (?) you really did well. Please let us know what you think once you have a little more time to arrange and listen to these beauties. I would be interested to hear what you think after you have heard them property set up. BTW, I'm glad to hear you were just kiddin' about the endtables! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Oldmako: congrats!!!! you got a nice deal and you showed a lot of class the way you handled yourself in the deal [Y].......And I am by no means saying that I have not wheeled and dealed, and lowballed in my day.....but it seems that you assessed the situation like a real gentleman....BTW you stole them Anyway just wanted to say that it's a pleasure to have you posting (unlike some other caped crusaders lately) and I for one, really hope you stick around and join in the maddness......... Be carful of that Groomlake51 character, or before you know it you'll have, 3 pairs of heresies, two pairs khorns, belles, chorus, corns..........He worked his Wall of Voodoo Magic on me, and now I can't buy enough bourbon!!!!! [][][][][] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmako Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 I'm tearing the place apart in an attempt to find them a happy spot. For the time being I have them in my bedroom approx 10 feet apart and within about 6 inches of the corners. They sound (as you might expect) fantastic. If I can figure out how, I'll post a few pics just to show their condition....or one could just look at the ones on the website as they look the same. (Oh gawd...now I'm gloating!) Schweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLSamuel Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Be carful of that Groomlake51 character, or before you know it you'll have, 3 pairs of heresies, two pairs khorns, belles, chorus, corns..........He worked his Wall of Voodoo Magic on me, and now I can't buy enough bourbon!!!!! So that explains why those voices have gotten stronger since I've brought home a rather compact pair of Heresies that temporarily resided in the Wall of Voodoo... [8][8][][][] [] [8][8] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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