Emile Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Hi All, Hoping to get some more advise Using Forte I's in a small stereo room (12x12x8ft); driven by a Marantz 1060. Sounds pretty good for this setup ... of course horrible compared to my KPT-904's Found some CF3's locally (2.5inch ports, so version 2 or 3) and was wondering if this might be an "upgrade." OK; for part 2 of the question I'm complicating it a bit Playing with BOTH Forte I's AND K-510 horns (B&C 75 drivers). Using the K-510's over 500Hz and the Forte's as "bass bins" under 500+ Hz. Not much bass from these 12" Forte woofers. Was thinking the dual 10" CF3 woofers would do better Any thoughts? Many thanks, Emile Add-on ... yes; would get CF4's in a heartbeat ... but impossible to find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff. Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Get the CF-3’s. They pound. Dual woofers are about as close to the punch folded horns provide. If you don’t like them I would be very surprised! I only sold mine when I got my first pair of LaScalas. Too many speakers... still 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 Hi @geoff. Thanks; just found some of your reviews in the "EPIC owners" thread also ... great info. Yes; love the "dual woofers" in my 904's CF3's will never get to that level, but should they would be better than the single 12" woofer from the Forte. Might not make much sense, but 2x10"squared is much larger than 12"squared Cheers, Emile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Me personally, I'd take the CF-3's, too. Those were definitely some of the best sounding speakers I owned for a broad range of music and volume. They are fairly efficient but do love some power. Forte's are a little picky on placement with that rear firing passive as are rear ported speakers. The CF-3's are quite forgiving. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 CF3 without hesitation. Like Kip said above you will need to put some watts to them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 18 hours ago, avguytx said: Me personally, I'd take the CF-3's, too 18 hours ago, rockhound said: CF3 without hesitation. Like Kip said above you will need to put some watts to them. Thanks guys OK, if they look decent enough (yummy; walnut ) I'll go on a 4 hour trip next week. Re "power" ... yes think my Marantz 1060 may not be enough ... so; just made a guy an offer on a Crown XLS402 ... 350W/ch ought to be fine Cheers, Emile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 I typically ran mine on a highly modified 400+ wpc Carver M-1.0t and they loved it. They still did ok with the 35 wpc VTA ST-70, but they really shine on some horsepower. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Emile said: Might not make much sense, but 2x10"squared is much larger than 12"squared More like the area of 2 x 8" dia. is larger than the area of 1 x 10" dia. but even though you're looking at ~1.3:1, the "1.3" is driven by two motor assemblies so should be better-controlled. "Faster" bass if that's truly possible... On the other hand, two nearby sources of the same information can have some drawbacks, too. Too bad you can't perform a double-blind test, hahaha! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 Rephrasing ... are CF3's "close" to Pro speakers? (and ... forget about the horns; have 510's for them.) Know the Forte's are not even close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1290 Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Emile once again picking up his end of the US economy! Spend it man!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 12 minutes ago, Dave1290 said: Spend it man!!! Haha ... yes; but I'm cheap also If these CF3's are not "close" to Pro speakers it will be wasted money In which case I'd better just build a "bass bin" with pro 12" duals 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 Almost bought a pair of (sorry ) Yamaha CW118 bass bins. Only 100 lbs, 30-2KHz ... darn; too big for my "little" stereo room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 Haha ... anything smaller than KPT-684's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimalmo Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 In my opinion: CF3>Forte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 I wouldn't compare the CF-3's to "Pro" speakers with them having neodymium woofer magnets. But they are stout. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff. Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 The output of the B&C75 is 108db, more between 500 and 5000hz. The best we can expect from ANY bass bin, dual (15”) woofers or folded horn, is maybe 104 db. It’s probably almost 100db in the CF-3... The output of the HF section is going to be at least twice that of the bass, with a really pronounced midrange and less than sparkling highs, all other things being equal. Without equal bass output, a passive crossover with filters designed for the specific HF driver, or an active with the correct eq will be essential to the sound we both know is out there. A band-aid solution in the meantime might be a 15 or 31 band eq with “the big smile” other members have suggested. An L-pad has crossed my mind too. Unmolested CF-3’s are probably going to sound better than anything we could jerry-rig without REW AND an active crossover, and bigger bass bins, lol. But I can’t for the life of me see why I wouldn’t try the K510 on a top of a the CF-3’s myself just to find out! Did you get ‘em? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Well close is subjective but I can tell you to me they were closer to what I love about the 904's. I think you will like them since you love the 904. Now my opinion is based on the cf4's I owned but still the sonic signature and IMPACT should be similar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 @Emile what have you discovered since buying these? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 2 minutes ago, rockhound said: what have you discovered since buying these? Love them Mine are version 2's, so can modify to v1 if needed. Think they are much better than my Forte I's - so sold those Dynamic, punchy and sharp. Read about toning down the horns, but to my ears (love horns) they are pretty well matched. Have not tried bi-amping them yet. Am running them with a Marantz 1060 (about 40wpc), but just bought a Kenwood Basic M2 (220wpc) ... seller is delivering it this Sunday ... haha; I should get 120dB's out of this (used in a small room). Cheers, Emile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 31 minutes ago, Emile said: Love them Mine are version 2's, so can modify to v1 if needed. Think they are much better than my Forte I's - so sold those Dynamic, punchy and sharp. Read about toning down the horns, but to my ears (love horns) they are pretty well matched. Have not tried bi-amping them yet. Am running them with a Marantz 1060 (about 40wpc), but just bought a Kenwood Basic M2 (220wpc) ... seller is delivering it this Sunday ... haha; I should get 120dB's out of this (used in a small room). Cheers, Emile Oh yes just wait until you put some juice to them...… The EPIC series was my favorite from the consumer line. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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