Tapehead47 Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 I bought a pair of Fortes last week. My first main speaker upgrade in over 30 years. Upgrade being an understatement. I am so impressed! I didn't know my system could sound so sweet!! I can't stop listening. I'm hearing things I haven't heard before. It's like "wow, I never realized there was a tambourine there, just left of the keyboard" or "there's a singer right in the center that I never noticed"! The sound staging on these monsters is incredible. Every note thru them is shaped and massaged as I've never experienced before. Voices and guitars seem to reach out from the stage. The room is so full of music. There's a richness to the Fortes I just can't describe. I had been using JBL 4311 control monitors. I've never had the money to just go out and buy new speakers. Most of my system upgrades came from garage sales over the last 30 years. When I saw the classified ad for the Fortes for $450 I had to do a little groveling to get them. With 2 kids in college and 4 cars to maintain, well, you know the story. But when I got them set up in my mancave I invited Vicki in for a listen. She was immediately impressed. There is no question about the Fortes being much better speakers than the 4311's. Now she can't drag me out of here! Lock the doors! Go away! I can't hear you knocking! Just one more song! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 It truly is amazing to get such an upgrade from a $450 purchase!! Great post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Nothing like Klipsch in the man cave. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Ironically, this is one time where the next two statements have the same meaning... Congrats, it can only get better from here. (as you begin to love them more & more and crave bigger & better) Congrats, it can only get worse from here (as you begin to love them more & more and crave bigger & better) [Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Congrats, it can only get better from here. (as you begin to love them more & more and crave bigger & better) I dunno I think many could be happy a lifetime with either little herseys or fortes. By the way Congrats on the new Fortes![Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom b. 57 Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 I too am a Forte owner and was very impressed with their sound. You have purchased a great speaker for a great price. Congratulations on your purchase. They certainly do have a great sound stage. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgeraci Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Again, as I've previously said over at the other place, congrats Rick. Enjoy your "new" speakers for quite awhile for before you think of other options. Stop and smell the roses, coffee, etc. Fortes truly are truly underrated and underappreciated speakers. Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Congrats, it can only get better from here. (as you begin to love them more & more and crave bigger & better) I dunno I think many could be happy a lifetime with either little herseys or fortes. Well for some if you don't have the biggest you can't possibly be satisfied. Which usually means......... [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapehead47 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 I'm feeling my way around this site since I'm new here. This is a quick reply. Let's see where it goes.... Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapehead47 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 OK. I think I got it. Anyway, went out today to buy a CD or two to feed my new Fortes. Ended up with Steely Dan's AJA, and Frank Zappa's You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4. I got Aja since it's one I don't have on CD, and Zappa because it'll be mostly "Live". My experience so far with the Fortes is they love Live music the best. Joe Zawinul's World Tour is unbelieveable on these speakers. The dynamic range of the recording is perfectly reproduced through the Klipschs. I won't be able to upgrade my receiver for many months, but I'm looking forward to doing so eventually. Meanwhile my Pioneer SX-D7000 ss is performing very well, thank you. Another yardsale deal! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapehead47 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 Carl: thanks for the comment. You get around, my man! See you at 'The Other Place'! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapehead47 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 Just one more comment: As I've said, I'll be looking for an upgrade to my receiver. However, I need POWER. Don't want some 3watt tube amp. I'm thinking about 100wpc to give me some headroom. I listen at a robust level of about 95-100 dB's sometimes to get that 'you're there' experience and don't want the danger (or embarassment) of clipping my amp. Maybe at first a ss amp with a tube preamp? How about a McIntosh integrated tube job? Maybe 100-125wpc? Please refrain from suggesting an exotic $10,000 setup. I'd like to stick to name brands that are available and serviceable here in the Tampa Bay area. I'm not looking for snob appeal, just something heavenly. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 How about a Harman Kardon HK 3480, it is a two channel receiver with 120W of high current power available. I just bought one of these from AudioGon after seeing them for sale on Ubid as NOS from Harman Kardon. I picked it up for $165 and the looks and most importantly the sound is amazing! If you are looking for inexpensive but good look into the HK. The 3485 model replaced it and I think MSRP on it is like $500 so $165 for a B stock last year's model is a bargain. Here is a link to info on the HK 3485 which is essentially identical to the 3480. Sounds really good on my little KG's w/subwoofer. Oh yeah, it has a subwoofer output on it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 It does not have to be a 3watt tube amp, get a vintage Scott intergrated amp. Then listen to those forte's. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klipsch_dan Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Hi Rick, Great deal on some awesome speakers! I think a Hafler 200, 220 or 500, or a Carver m1.0T would be a great match for your Forte's. Either will really make them sing. You will definitely rediscover your music collection as the Forte' is a big step up from the 4311. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapehead47 Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 Thanks, gentlemen! Some good suggestions there. If I forgot to mention it, it'll be around Christmas before I can buy anything 'expensive'. That's the deal with my wife. Hey! I was ecstatic to get the Fortes! After using the JBLs for 30+ years I think I can afford to wait a few months. Meanwhile I'm taking your suggestions seriously. I'm writing down brands and models and researching. That HK looks fantastic. But right now I have 120wpc rms. Even though it's a receiver I still get some astonishing sound quality. Thanks, and keep the suggestions coming! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel's wife Posted May 21, 2007 Moderators Share Posted May 21, 2007 Congratulations on your Fortes. They are great speakers and you are going to enjoy them for years to come. We love ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.