Forte info please

[miker]

I recently inherited a set of Fortes from my unncle, and while I know that these were top of the line for their time I know nothing about them. The info on the sticker on the backs contains the following info:

TYPE FOR WO RV

Serials: 8771269 and 8771270

Can anyone shed some light on these as to what generation, years produced, power and frequency ratings etc...

Also I am going to se them as my mains in the home theater to replace my Cerwin Vega AT-100's. What would be the best matched sub and center channel?

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

[ShapeShifter]

miker

Welcome to the Klipsch Club. You have the original Forte's in Walnut Oil, manufactured in 1987. Klipsch doesn't list a preferred center for these, but you could use an Academy Center, they're hard to find and costly. Another Forte would be a perfect match as center. A Quartet may also work for center. Most of the Heritage line would work as rears, plus you may get good results with RS-3 or RS-7 surround speakers. Others here will have good suggestions as well.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 32Hz-20kHz±3dB

SENSITIVITY: 98dB @ 1watt/1meter

POWER HANDLING: 100 watts maximum continuous (500 watts peak)

NOMINAL IMPEDANCE: 8 ohms

ENCLOSURE TYPE: Bass reflex via passive radiator

TWEETER: K-75-K 1" (2.54cm) Phenolic diaphragm compression driver

HIGH FREQUENCY HORN: 90°x40° Exponential Horn

HIGH FREQUENCY CROSSOVER: 6000Hz

MIDRANGE: K-53-K 1.5" (3.81cm) Phenolic diaphragm compression driver

MID-FREQUENCY HORN: 90°x40° Exponential Horn

MID-FREQUENCY CROSSOVER: 700Hz

WOOFER: K-23 12" (30.48cm) Fiber-composite cone active / KD-13 12" (30.48cm)Fiber-composite cone passive

DIMENSIONS: 35.4" (89.92cm) x 16.5" (41.91cm) x 12" (30.48cm)

WEIGHT: 56 lbs. (25.4kg)

ENCLOSURE MATERIAL: Medium density fiberboard construction (MDF)

FINISHES: Walnut Oil, Walnut Lacquer, Oak Oil, Oak Lacquer, Finished Black

YEARS BUILT: 1985 - 1989

MSRP: $1086 pair (Black) / $1180 pair (Walnut or Oak Oil) / $1238 pair (Walnut or Oak Lacquer)

Whew, I'm tired now!

Wes

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"KLIPSCH IS MUSIC"f>

This message has been edited by ShapeShifter on 04-10-2002 at 06:02 PM

[dougdrake]

Miker-Great speakers. I love mine. Wes is correct on the center match.

If you cannot make those work, you may be able to get by using a KV3 or KV4 center channel, possibly even a KLF-C7. None of them are made anymore, but are more readily available at better prices than the Academy.

You'll find that the bass is very strong on these, so you'll need a robust sub if you decide to get one. The Klipsch Reference series would make a nice match. Also, the SVS subs would work well.

Doug

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My System

[jhawk92]

Miker-

Those are great speakers. I certainly love my Forte II's which are basically the same as yours, but with a 15" passive driver in the back instead of your 12". Shape and Doug are correct about the matching center channel. I have used all three; KV-3, KV-4, and Academy. If you can find it, the Academy is the way to go. It is a perfect match across the front.

Otherwise, it would be a tough choice between the KV-4 and the KV-3. The -3's are more readily available on eBay than the -4, and usually go for about $150-200. KV-4s can be $300-400. The KV-4 is brighter than the -3, as it was made for the Epic series. The -3 was made for the KG series. Overall, I think I would take the -3 over the -4. I used the -3 in my system for almost 8 years and enjoyed it very much. I upgraded to the -4 and used it for about a year, and when I got my Academy, it was true love. Only then did I realize what was missing (not a lot, but noticable) from the KV-3 and how bright the KV-4 is (again, not a lot, but noticable).

If you have a bachelor pad or an accepting wife/girlfriend, you could use another Forte or a Quartet, the Forte's little brother, as a center. However, you have to be careful as the Forte is not video-shielded. And it's a big speaker to hang from the wall/ceiling. But I can imagine it sounds great. I am very pleased with my Academy, so I don't see the need to annoy the wife anymore than she already is.

As far as subs, while having never heard SVS, they have great reviews. I have the Paradigm PW2200 and it is an outstanding sub for the money. For about $650-750 you get a 250W powered sub that hits deep bottoms very easily, yet is very musical. If you do a search here, there should be a thread that discusses measured output for that sub; I don't remember the stats right off, but I think you can get to 20-25Hz with good output very easily. You certainly wouldn't go wrong with the 2200.

Enjoy!