tom b. 57 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 I own a pair of Forte's, I think they are one of the best purchases I have made to date. I have an opportunity to purchase a pair of Forte II's, price to be negotiated. Does anyone have an oppinion on the sound quality difference?The same, better, or not quite as good? What do you think? Tom PS: I know the oppinion thing is a silly question. I am sure there are many oppinions on this subject out there. I've read a few threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 I have never heard Forte' or Forte' II BUT I own Quartets and have read MANY threads here and there is almost universal praise of the Forte (original and II) speaker...it seems that the II is more coveted...possibly as it has the same tweeter for HT applications with the same tweeter being in the Academy (and my Quartet)...I really LOVE my Quarts so...if the price is fair, I would get them... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veloceleste Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 can't go wrong with either ......[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted October 28, 2006 Moderators Share Posted October 28, 2006 I have both and the only comparison I did was put a different one on L & R channel. To tell the truth I could not hear a difference. If I had used a switch box on the same channel it would have been easier to tell, and I never spent much time comparing. I was kind of in a rush to hear them all in a HT. I use Forte ll's for front L&R, center and rear center and original Forte's for L&R rears. Sounds great IMHO. Like Duke said : can't go wrong with either ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 I have a pair of Forte II's driven by a vintage Scott 299 amp, I'll tell you that they sound huge for what they are. Possibly the best bang for buck purchase I ever made. I am really happy with them. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale A B Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 I have Forte 2 & Heresy 2's, and except for the bass, sound very similar. My take is that you should expect very similar sound, +/- a few percent, depending on your room, sources, etc. I wouldn't want another pair of Forte's, but would prefer to go to the next level of performance, either Corn's or K-horns. (Actually, I could use a pair or KLF 30's or RF 7's if the coin was right and was planning on getting divorced). Another pair for a Home theater would make sense though. NP - The Mars Volta - Amputechture .........*.............*..............*......................* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerohm Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 My opinion of course, but I think it has a lot to do with, which version you started off with. That said, I think the IIs are less forgiving, but sound better with excellent recorded material. I have used them together in a 5 channel stereo setup and they sounded just great. You can't go too wrong with either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel's wife Posted October 29, 2006 Moderators Share Posted October 29, 2006 I agree with dtel. We have two pair of Forte II's, one pair of Forte's and a pair of Cornwall III's (courtesy of our name being pulled at the 2006 Klipsch Pilgramage in Hope) IMO you can not possibly go wrong purchasing Forte II's, or Forte's for that matter. It is an individual preference. We love our Fortes, all of them. I sure am glad you didn't ask me to compare Fortes to Cornwalls. That would be a tough one. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I had Forte II's and came into a pair of original Fortes. Knowing I couldn't keep both I did a long, thorough comparison with the same electronics and speaker location. I decided to keep the original Fortes. The differences, in my opinion are slight but noticable. The Forte II's seemed brighter and the image was less focused through the mids, with a little looser, deeper bass. The Forte II's did height better. The original Fortes bass wasn't quite as big, but it seemed tighter and the music seemed better integrated and focused. The Forte II's pulled the music and each instrument apart in a very detailed way, while the original Fortes gave a more natural, focused presentation. Again, my opinions only. I hope this helps! Well I can see I am not the only crazy one around here. [] I too had both Chorus I's and II's, and found I preferred the I's for pretty much the same reasons as you. A little more balanced presentation, with tighter bass, but that is just my opinion. I think they are all great speakers, and you cannot go wrong with either. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I had Forte II's and came into a pair of original Fortes. Knowing I couldn't keep both I did a long, thorough comparison with the same electronics and speaker location. I decided to keep the original Fortes. The differences, in my opinion are slight but noticable. The Forte II's seemed brighter and the image was less focused through the mids, with a little looser, deeper bass. The Forte II's did height better. The original Fortes bass wasn't quite as big, but it seemed tighter and the music seemed better integrated and focused. The Forte II's pulled the music and each instrument apart in a very detailed way, while the original Fortes gave a more natural, focused presentation. Again, my opinions only. I hope this helps! Well I can see I am not the only crazy one around here. [] I too had both Chorus I's and II's, and found I preferred the I's for pretty much the same reasons as you. A little more balanced presentation, with tighter bass, but that is just my opinion. I think they are all great speakers, and you cannot go wrong with either. Mike Forte I and Forte II are very similar designs as far as bass is concerned. 12 inch passive vs a 15 inch. Chorus I and Chorus II are completely different designs. Box size being about the only real comparison. And its a passive vs port when it comes to bass. I'll take the Chorus II three times today and twice tomorrow over the Chorus I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I had Forte II's and came into a pair of original Fortes. Knowing I couldn't keep both I did a long, thorough comparison with the same electronics and speaker location. I decided to keep the original Fortes. The differences, in my opinion are slight but noticable. The Forte II's seemed brighter and the image was less focused through the mids, with a little looser, deeper bass. The Forte II's did height better. The original Fortes bass wasn't quite as big, but it seemed tighter and the music seemed better integrated and focused. The Forte II's pulled the music and each instrument apart in a very detailed way, while the original Fortes gave a more natural, focused presentation. Again, my opinions only. I hope this helps! Well I can see I am not the only crazy one around here. [] I too had both Chorus I's and II's, and found I preferred the I's for pretty much the same reasons as you. A little more balanced presentation, with tighter bass, but that is just my opinion. I think they are all great speakers, and you cannot go wrong with either. Mike Forte 1 and Forte 2 are very similar designs as far as bass is concerned. 12 inch passive vs a 15 inch. Chorus 1 and Chorus 2 are completely different designs. Box size being about the only real comparison. And its a passive vs port when it comes to bass. I'll take the Chorus 2 three times today and twice tomorrow over the Chorus 1. Well I guess that's why we all have opinions. And for what it's worth I'll take my La Scala's every day of the week over either. YMMV... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Well I guess that's why we all have opinions. And for what it's worth I'll take my La Scala's every day of the week over either. YMMV... Mike Good One! Yup thats what makes opinions so great[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodcaw boy Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I own a pair of Forte's, I think they are one of the best purchases I have made to date. I have an opportunity to purchase a pair of Forte II's, price to be negotiated. Does anyone have an oppinion on the sound quality difference?The same, better, or not quite as good? What do you think? Tom PS: I know the oppinion thing is a silly question. I am sure there are many oppinions on this subject out there. I've read a few threads. well, II is higher than I.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 well, II is higher than I.............. Twice as high... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Has anyone mentioned that the II employs Klipsch's highly-regarded Tractrix horn on the midrange? M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 dtel sez: 'We love our Fortes, all of them. I sure am glad you didn't ask me to compare Fortes to Cornwalls. That would be a tough one.' really? I think the CW would blow away any Forte. Now the Chorus would be neck and neck, imho. put one of them next to each other, hook up to same amp and give a good listen. Do the same with F and FII. Then report back. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popbumper Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Yeah, CW easily blows away Forte. I had to learn this - and finally did, after being a diehard Forte fan. Better imaging, wider soundstage, more depth, less "box-like" sound...... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel's wife Posted October 30, 2006 Moderators Share Posted October 30, 2006 dtel sez: 'We love our Fortes, all of them. I sure am glad you didn't ask me to compare Fortes to Cornwalls. That would be a tough one.' really? I think the CW would blow away any Forte. Now the Chorus would be neck and neck, imho. put one of them next to each other, hook up to same amp and give a good listen. Do the same with F and FII. Then report back. M Okay, it wasn't dtel that said that, it was "dtel's wife". But for the record..."I do love our Fortes, all of them. I sure am glad you didn't ask me to compare Fortes to Cornwalls. That would be a tough one." And I do love the Cornwall III's. However, all things considered, including pricing (you know the little WAF thing) I would have to say it would be a tough decision. Yes, I would definitely love to own a pair of Cornwall III's ( we do, but we did not pay for them, they were given to us by Klipsch) Hands down the quality of the sound is considerably better with the Cornwall III's. But...two pair of Forte II's and one pair of Fortes for less than one third of the price for Cornwall III's??? Which brings me to the next point, the Cornwall III's will remain in our home long after any other speakers we may ever own, yes guys, including Khorns. Remember, the WAF, well the sentimental value I have attached to the Cornwall III's make that last statement a certainity. And you guys thought ya'll had women all figured out?[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modified-Tractrix Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 This question is one I have been seeking an answer two for quite a while, so I finally set up my own test. Equipment is as follows: NAD 372 integrated amp 150 x 2 Old school Denon CD player for initial AB comparison followed by home brew triode tube amp 8005 outputs, about 25 x2, and hafler DH200, and Dynaco ST70, for longer listening periods. Speakers used were 88 vintage Forte's, 92 vintage Forte II's, Tangent 500's, 78 vintage Cornwalls, and finally, don't laugh, they are suprisingly good, Cerwin Vega DX-9's First up Forte II versus Tangent 500's. This was a no brainer, the Frote II just blew the Tangents away, I am not sure what went wrong with the tangents as they start out life right with heresy II components, plus the passive out of the Forte. The tangent was out matched in every way. Next up was the Frote II versus the Vega's, this was closer than you might think, the Vega's spund good on many things, just a hole in the upper mid range makes the Frote II the winner. Next up drum roll please the Forte II versus the Forte, very tough call on this one, but the Forte gets the nod, tighter faster bass, smooth highs. The Forte II is awesome but the Forte is a little better. Finally, Forte versus Cornwall, I am not sure how to put this into words, but the Cornwall is just a funner speaker than the Forte, huge dynamics, bigger sound stage. The Forte is more refined and accurate, deeper bass, higher highs but just not as engaging as the Cornwall, so there you have it Cornwall is #1, Forte close #2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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