RDK Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Howdy! Newcomer here at the forum, but I can't think of anyone better to help me with some advice.. I'm currently using a 2-watt Decware Zen amp along with a pair of Polk RT800s (about 90 dB) - I know that the amp is either underpowered for the speakers or that the speakers aren't efficient enough for the amp. Hate to give up the amp, so I'm considering higher efficiency speakers and I like the Klipsch for their relatively low cost and high sensitivity. I'm considering a couple of different Klipsch speakers that I may be able to pick up used, both in good shape: a pair of Forte II's (maybe $450-500) or a pair of CF-2's (around $200-250). They both seem fairly comparable re: specs (bass extension, sensitivity, etc,) but I'm smart enough to know that they probably don't sound anything alike. I won't be able to compare the speakers against one another, but I thought that someone here might have some suggestons as to which is "better" and/or which speaker might be better suited to being driven with 2-watt tube amp. Are they, in fact, comparable in terms of sound or are there any concerns that I should be aware of. Many thanks, Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spongeworthy Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Never heard a pair of the CF-2, but you will love the Forte II with the Decware amp. That combo is a sure winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Get the Forte' s you will love the huge sound these speakers are capable of making. I have a pair in my vintage system they are outstanding. You will not look back, this is a no brainer. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 I'll join the pile-up for the Forte II, as a Forte II owner. And like others, I've never heard the CF-2, so take that with a grain of salt. I also own Quartets, which is the little brother to the Forte II. The Chorus II is the big brother. My problem with the Quartets is that the mid and tweeter are below ear level at normal seating level. I've put them on risers. The Forte II is a bit taller and maybe just enough. But, looking at the CF-2, the treble horn is situated between the two woofers. This is a variation on the MTM (mid-tweeter-mid) D'Appalito (?) design. This placement is designed to give a smooth crossover and a controlled pattern. Still, I wonder just how good the pattern is compared to the Forte II which has the mid and tweeter at a higher elevation. Maybe they're comparable if you're seated at some distance. OTOH, if you're running only 2 watts I'd think you will have to sit fairly close regardless of the high efficiency. Maybe tilting up the CF-2 will solve the pattern problem which I'm thinking about. But again, I have absolutely no experience with the CF-2. In any event, the Forte II is a marvelous speaker and you can't go wrong. Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 One other thing to consider is that the CF-2 has its reflex port in the front of the cabinet. So if you absolutely have to put the back up against a wall, or enclose it, it will work well. Of course this is might prevent tipping up. The Forte (I and II) and its brothers have a passive radiator in the back. Six or seven inch clearance in the back is necessary to allow it to work. I have the Forte II's in corners with the edges almost touching the walls. I do think that you should avoid a situation where the backs must be up against a wall. Folks generally find that one must experiment with placement. I've never read any report where square against a wall facing forward works as the optimal. Some sort of toe-in is usually a first step. Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale A B Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 Since the efficiency is very close at 98 & 99, that is kind of a wash, but the Forte does go down lower, 32 to 36 hz. Size wise, about the same, but I think I'd be more apt to spring for the CF-2's. I have Heresy 2's, Forte 2's, & and CF-4's, and they all have the same type of signature sound. The only other caution of getting the CF-2's is you may want a subwoofer to plumb the depths. I think the CF is the better buy at the cost difference. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 I bought a pair of CF-2's new in 1996 and enjoyed them very much. They were my first Klipsch speaker, and I have since bought many a pair including Chorus II's, but have never heard Forte II's. From my experience you can't go wrong with either, but I would venture to say the mids/highs might be smoother in the CF-2's (2-way), but the Forte II's (3-way) will go lower and louder. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 I really like those 800's. If you decide to sell them, and are close by, I would love to consider getting them. As for the other decision, can't go wrong but I would lean toards the Forte's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDK Posted March 6, 2007 Author Share Posted March 6, 2007 Hah. Well you guys are no help - I was hoping someone would say that one of them sucks! [] Decision's still out and I may miss out on both of them just because I won't be able to pull the trigger for a couple of weeks. Glad to hear that there's no real tonality differences in the two pair, though, or that neither of them suck. I'm probably leaning toward the Forte's just because they seem a bit "classier" and more vintage-looking, plus more people seem to have them and have expressed positive opinions about them. Meanwhile, I'll keep researching both... and probably come to the conclusion that I *need* expensive K-horns! lol (Sorry, Phil, but I'm out in California!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turnip Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I've never heard the CF-2's, but I have Forte II's and love them. I would go with the Forte II's just because I like passive radiators better than tuned ports (in this case, the Forte II's do go lower) and also because the 3 way Forte II is most likely going to have a better mid-range than the 2 way CF-2's. I own several Klipsch 2 way speakers and the 3 way speakers just blow them away in the mid-range. As was mentioned, the low height of the horn on the CF-2 could be a problem too. - d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDK Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 A follow up question: How much do i need to worry about buying 15 year old speakers - about the woofer cones disintegrating or anything like that? And how hard is it to find replacement drivers after so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 From what I understand these cone drivers are not like your ordinary cone drivers. As far as I know these never desintegrate over time. Just so you know, everyone of my speakers is over 20 years old and I haven't had to replace anything except the caps in the networks. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 My Forte's are from 1992 and they look brand new, no problems. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Klipsch do not have foam surrounds that deteriorate like most other brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodcaw boy Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 i would definitely go with the forte ii. yep that would be the one i would choose.....................unless.....................i would definitely go with the cf-2. yep that would be the one i would choose........................ i had the pleasure of working on both. have a blessed night, roy delgado Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDK Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 Many thanks for all the advice! If I can still get the Fortes next week I'll go for them. If not, some other pair of Klipsch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmsummer Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 A pair of Fortes went up on the Dallas Craiglist for $250 about an hour ago. FYI. http://dallas.craigslist.org/ele/291370789.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 They look pretty nice, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 They also sold within 30 minutes of listing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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