KISS... or "keep it simple stupid" is a bit of wisdom that applies to many things in daily life. It can also apply to audio systems, especially when high sound quality is one's primary goal. Never did I learn this lesson better than from Jeff, a friend of mine back during my military days. Jeff's system comprised of an Adcom GCD-575 CD player connected via its variable output directly to an Adcom GFA-535 power amplifier, which powered a pair of Klipsch LaScala speakers. The sound quality was top notch, and the efficient LaScalas made the most of the modest Adcom's 60w/ch. In other words it could really shake the house and sound great at the same time ![soundt/action-smiley-035.gif](http://soundt.18.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/soundt/action-smiley-035.gif)
. More than any other system, it was Jeff's that made me begin to regret picking Carver over Adcom (a error I have since corrected ![soundt/thumbup.gif](http://soundt.18.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/soundt/thumbup.gif)
), and the LaScalas opened my eyes/ears to Klipsch speakers (the ones that now make up the "Heritage" line).
I am and will always be a fan of the better "pre-Harmon" Infinity speakers (IRS, RS, Kappa, Renaissance). However, memories of Jeff's LaScalas left me with a desire to one day own at least one pair of heritage Klipsch speakers. I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of heritage Klipsch styling. That styling and the diminsions of most models make even the large Infinities seem more likely to pass the WAF -*test*-('"). After considering all factors (WAF, quality, cost) it seemed that the Forte II would be the best option. Having a 12" woofer and 15" passive radiator, its cabinet is one of the smallest of the heritage speakers, but still not what most would consider "small". The Forte II shares technology with its larger more expensive siblings (it is most directly related to the Chorus II), which helps ensure it delivers top quality sound.
I was not actively shopping for a pair of Forte IIs, rather passively keeping an eye out for any I might stumble across. Then a few weeks ago, "Tedrick" (a fellow Infinity and Adcom fan over on AK) came across a pair for a good price at a garage sale. He had hoped to use them powered by a tubes. The high efficiency of Klipsch speakers seems to have earned them a cherished spot among fans of small tube amplifiers. As I happened to be travelling nearby I planned to stop by to see Tedrick and listen to both the Forte IIs as well as his big Infinity RSIIb's. Fortunately for me Tedrick had decided to go a different route, and he offered me the Forte IIs for what he had paid for them.![soundt/banana.gif](http://soundt.18.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/soundt/banana.gif)
He also bought me lunch... what a great guy! The cabinets are in excellent condition, and the only thing that needed a little attention was a small dent in the cone of one of the passive radiators.
I have the Forte IIs connected to my office system, and my initial impressions are very positive. In direct comparison with the B&W DM602 S3s that had been serving duty in this system, the Forte IIs are a clear winner. The treble and midrange of both are comparable, but after switching from the Forte IIs back to the 602 S3s, the bass seemed muffled and muted on the 602 S3s. The Forte IIs are clearly a better speaker for reproducing the lower octaves and really excell at reproducing percussion instruments. I do realize that this comparison is a bit unfair for the 602 S3s, given that they are only 2-way bookshelf speakers, while the Forte IIs are large 3-way floorstanding models. The MSRP of the Forte II was also about double that of the DM602 S3s, although I paid $25 less for the Forte IIs than I did for the 602 S3s.
For now the Forte IIs are going to stay attached to the office system, although I do want to -*test*-('") them against my Infinity RS 9 Kappas once my listening room is complete. Perhaps in the future I will dive into the world of tubes and vinyl, an environment within which I hear the Forte IIs to be ideal.
Rob
. More than any other system, it was Jeff's that made me begin to regret picking Carver over Adcom (a error I have since corrected ), and the LaScalas opened my eyes/ears to Klipsch speakers (the ones that now make up the "Heritage" line).I am and will always be a fan of the better "pre-Harmon" Infinity speakers (IRS, RS, Kappa, Renaissance). However, memories of Jeff's LaScalas left me with a desire to one day own at least one pair of heritage Klipsch speakers. I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of heritage Klipsch styling. That styling and the diminsions of most models make even the large Infinities seem more likely to pass the WAF -*test*-('"). After considering all factors (WAF, quality, cost) it seemed that the Forte II would be the best option. Having a 12" woofer and 15" passive radiator, its cabinet is one of the smallest of the heritage speakers, but still not what most would consider "small". The Forte II shares technology with its larger more expensive siblings (it is most directly related to the Chorus II), which helps ensure it delivers top quality sound.
I was not actively shopping for a pair of Forte IIs, rather passively keeping an eye out for any I might stumble across. Then a few weeks ago, "Tedrick" (a fellow Infinity and Adcom fan over on AK) came across a pair for a good price at a garage sale. He had hoped to use them powered by a tubes. The high efficiency of Klipsch speakers seems to have earned them a cherished spot among fans of small tube amplifiers. As I happened to be travelling nearby I planned to stop by to see Tedrick and listen to both the Forte IIs as well as his big Infinity RSIIb's. Fortunately for me Tedrick had decided to go a different route, and he offered me the Forte IIs for what he had paid for them.
He also bought me lunch... what a great guy! The cabinets are in excellent condition, and the only thing that needed a little attention was a small dent in the cone of one of the passive radiators.I have the Forte IIs connected to my office system, and my initial impressions are very positive. In direct comparison with the B&W DM602 S3s that had been serving duty in this system, the Forte IIs are a clear winner. The treble and midrange of both are comparable, but after switching from the Forte IIs back to the 602 S3s, the bass seemed muffled and muted on the 602 S3s. The Forte IIs are clearly a better speaker for reproducing the lower octaves and really excell at reproducing percussion instruments. I do realize that this comparison is a bit unfair for the 602 S3s, given that they are only 2-way bookshelf speakers, while the Forte IIs are large 3-way floorstanding models. The MSRP of the Forte II was also about double that of the DM602 S3s, although I paid $25 less for the Forte IIs than I did for the 602 S3s.
For now the Forte IIs are going to stay attached to the office system, although I do want to -*test*-('") them against my Infinity RS 9 Kappas once my listening room is complete. Perhaps in the future I will dive into the world of tubes and vinyl, an environment within which I hear the Forte IIs to be ideal.
Rob