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Forte III to Forte IV upgrade kit available from Klipsch

Brian Tambe said:
Hello my fellow Forte III owner. I purchased mine shortly after you purchased yours and I have a question for you. Is all this hype about the Forte IV justified? Seems right after I get my III’s , the IV’s come out and they make me feel mine are garbage!! Did you trade yours in on the Cornwall IV’s? I thought your place was too small for those monsters , or , did you spend the $798 and upgrade your III’s to IV’s? Is it really worth it? Your input would be appreciated. Thank You
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I LOVE the sound of my III’s and am afraid to hear the IV’s. When is it “ Good Enough?” I just upgraded my 2017 OLED TV to the 2022 model and I just know the latest and greatest OLED is bound to come out. Although the research I did claims NOTHING better for a while yet but it’s coming!! One has to be grateful for what they have , Right? Wrong? Augh
 
Brian Tambe said:
II just upgraded my 2017 OLED TV to the 2022 model and I just know the latest and greatest OLED is bound to come out. Although the research I did claims NOTHING better for a while yet but it’s coming!! One has to be grateful for what they have , Right? Wrong? Augh
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Newer isn't always better. I look at TV's all the time thinking that there'll be something better than my 13/14 year old Pioneer Kuro plasma. They haven't made one yet.
 
You Forte III owners will have a great opportunity to step up without swapping cabs, though, which is very unique. One reason that modifying my original Cornwall I cabs made so much sense vs. buying anything else was that it was wayyyyy too easy to swap components vs selling those cabs and buying new ones. Once the Forte kit gets out there you will have owners telling you about it in due course.

I would bet money that the upgrade is significant, and if inclined that upgrade will never be easier. Just some food for thought.
 
Audible Nectar said:
You Forte III owners will have a great opportunity to step up without swapping cabs, though, which is very unique. One reason that modifying my original Cornwall I cabs made so much sense vs. buying anything else was that it was wayyyyy too easy to swap components vs selling those cabs and buying new ones. Once the Forte kit gets out there you will have owners telling you about it in due course.

I would bet money that the upgrade is significant, and if inclined that upgrade will never be easier. Just some food for thought.
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Thanks!! So , the modification kit isn’t available yet? I first heard about it in November. When is it supposedly going to be available? Any info is appreciated
Thank you
 
Brian Tambe said:
Thanks!! So , the modification kit isn’t available yet? I first heard about it in November. When is it supposedly going to be available? Any info is appreciated
Thank you
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I'm not sure exactly but has been discussed on Klipsch forum, and my understanding was "very soon", although I have not followed that day to day. The kit is all set up and has a part number, etc in the system so it sounded like it was close (and this per Roy).
 
The mod is out and I highly recommend. Easy to install. You receive a new tweeter and lense, new mid driver and new steep slope network. Completed mine about a month ago. I've noticed very improved high freq's with better dispersion of highs. Mids are improved as well. I always noticed a sharpness around 1k hz., and that is gone. Susan Tedeschi's voice was always kinda shrilly at times but that is solved. I always enjoyed my III's, but the upgrade really smoothed things out. Plus I get to keep the cabinet with the better lookin base.
 
rickiroo said:
The mod is out and I highly recommend. Easy to install. You receive a new tweeter and lense, new mid driver and new steep slope network. Completed mine about a month ago. I've noticed very improved high freq's with better dispersion of highs. Mids are improved as well. I always noticed a sharpness around 1k hz., and that is gone. Susan Tedeschi's voice was always kinda shrilly at times but that is solved. I always enjoyed my III's, but the upgrade really smoothed things out. Plus I get to keep the cabinet with the better lookin base.
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How much was the kit for both speakers? Thanks for your help
 
Audible Nectar said:
I'm not sure exactly but has been discussed on Klipsch forum, and my understanding was "very soon", although I have not followed that day to day. The kit is all set up and has a part number, etc in the system so it sounded like it was close (and this per Roy).
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Thank you for your help
 
Thanks for the feedback. I’m trying to get ahold of someone at Klipsch to inquire about ordering the kit , sounds like it’s worth it. Thank God I got a deal on mine because $800 for this modification wouldn’t make sense from an out of pocket expense. I can’t imagine paying MSRP plus another $800!! I feel lucky. I’ll be in mine “ New “ with modification $3,200!! Question , I can easily remove the tweeter and midrange assembly , however , the crossover is over my head , is that simple to do? Thanks guys!! My Fellow Klipsch Fanatics
 
Although I haven’t seen the actual hook up configuration, I would imagine that everything will be labeled pretty clearly. Shouldn’t be an issue.
 
, the crossover is over my head , is that simple to do?

The x'0ver is just push on terminals. Color coded. The only thing you need to do is drill some pilot holes to mount the X'over on the floor of the cabinet as the new circuit is a bit larger. You will need Torx bits to unmount and mount the mid horn assem.
 
I too have Forte 3. Have heard IV but not side by side. Agree with the other poster about liking the base of the 3 as opposed to the 4. I contacted Klipsch when I heard about the kit and they had no info but said someone would contact me. Of course I never heard back.

What I find interesting is that if one goes back and reads forum threads and reviews on the 3, virtually none of the current criticisms of the 3 ever occurred. In fact it was mostly rave reviews, sans the general criticism of klipsch overall from some (too bright). It seemed like those didn’t really occur until the IV was released, and then mostly from many dealers saying various negative things about the 3. Call me skeptical as accepting these criticisms from those who want to sell something else. Like many others, I struggle with finding (or accepting) “good enough”. As an experiment, I could haul my 3s into my local dealer (who has 4s), and do a blind side by side (3 and 4), but that’s a lot of hassle. It may very well the upgrade is worth it. I’d like to hear from others who have done it to see what ultimately the differences might be. And then, if other things could possibly improve the sound - such as is it more of a matter of personal taste and a variety of factors such as amplification, or switching to tubes if one is running SS.
 
Sammythebull said:
I too have Forte 3. Have heard IV but not side by side. Agree with the other poster about liking the base of the 3 as opposed to the 4. I contacted Klipsch when I heard about the kit and they had no info but said someone would contact me. Of course I never heard back.

What I find interesting is that if one goes back and reads forum threads and reviews on the 3, virtually none of the current criticisms of the 3 ever occurred. In fact it was mostly rave reviews, sans the general criticism of klipsch overall from some (too bright). It seemed like those didn’t really occur until the IV was released, and then mostly from many dealers saying various negative things about the 3. Call me skeptical as accepting these criticisms from those who want to sell something else. Like many others, I struggle with finding (or accepting) “good enough”. As an experiment, I could haul my 3s into my local dealer (who has 4s), and do a blind side by side (3 and 4), but that’s a lot of hassle. It may very well the upgrade is worth it. I’d like to hear from others who have done it to see what ultimately the differences might be. And then, if other things could possibly improve the sound - such as is it more of a matter of personal taste and a variety of factors such as amplification, or switching to tubes if one is running SS.
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FINALLY ,Someone who thinks the way I do regarding this topic. When Roy DelGado designed the New and vastly improved Forte III , after its release in 2017 it was the Talk of the Town as the saying goes. New improved “ Mumps “ Midrange driver technology , new titanium diaphragm midrange driver , new titanium diaphragm tweeter driver , new crossover technology vs the Forte II which was discontinued in 1996!! RAVE reviews. The clincher? Steve Guttenberg aka “ The Audiophiliac “ did a video and wrote 2 reviews about the Forte III and absolutely LOVES IT. It made his top 10 FAVORITE Speakers of all time along with the Cornwall IV!! Does that sound like a speaker that NEEDS improved upon? No , I don’t think so!! Like I said earlier, when is what we already have considered plenty good enough!! I purchased my FORTE III’s based on the RAVE reviews and you know what? I’m still raving about them.
 
Brian Tambe said:
FINALLY ,Someone who thinks the way I do regarding this topic. When Roy DelGado designed the New and vastly improved Forte III , after its release in 2017 it was the Talk of the Town as the saying goes. New improved “ Mumps “ Midrange driver technology , new titanium diaphragm midrange driver , new titanium diaphragm tweeter driver , new crossover technology vs the Forte II which was discontinued in 1996!! RAVE reviews. The clincher? Steve Guttenberg aka “ The Audiophiliac “ did a video and wrote 2 reviews about the Forte III and absolutely LOVES IT. It made his top 10 FAVORITE Speakers of all time along with the Cornwall IV!! Does that sound like a speaker that NEEDS improved upon? No , I don’t think so!! Like I said earlier, when is what we already have considered plenty good enough!! I purchased my FORTE III’s based on the RAVE reviews and you know what? I’m still raving about them.
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One more thing to point out , there is a side-by-side comparison on YouTube of the III versus the IV’s and it’s a couple of guys that have a business called Puddacah Audio and they listen to various tracks of different kinds of music and while doing this comparison they say things like “ The midrange is a Little “ more detailed NOTHING is said about the high frequency from the tweeter with the new phase plug ,nothing is said about the low frequency because no change there at all just the midrange is talked about with the new polymide ( cloth like material ) diaphragm. Some tracks they say “ Can’t tell the difference “
At the end of the video they give their plug for the IV ( of course ) and say that Roy DelGado did a great job with the IV , however , the older guy says “ If you can find a dealer who still has a pair of III’s at a good price , he wouldn’t hesitate a second and would purchase the III’s. Nuff said , right?
 
Sammythebull said:
I too have Forte 3. Have heard IV but not side by side. Agree with the other poster about liking the base of the 3 as opposed to the 4. I contacted Klipsch when I heard about the kit and they had no info but said someone would contact me. Of course I never heard back.

What I find interesting is that if one goes back and reads forum threads and reviews on the 3, virtually none of the current criticisms of the 3 ever occurred. In fact it was mostly rave reviews, sans the general criticism of klipsch overall from some (too bright). It seemed like those didn’t really occur until the IV was released, and then mostly from many dealers saying various negative things about the 3. Call me skeptical as accepting these criticisms from those who want to sell something else. Like many others, I struggle with finding (or accepting) “good enough”. As an experiment, I could haul my 3s into my local dealer (who has 4s), and do a blind side by side (3 and 4), but that’s a lot of hassle. It may very well the upgrade is worth it. I’d like to hear from others who have done it to see what ultimately the differences might be. And then, if other things could possibly improve the sound - such as is it more of a matter of personal taste and a variety of factors such as amplification, or switching to tubes if one is running SS.
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You brought up an excellent point when you mentioned tube gear. I am running a solid state AVR, and I know for a fact that a good quality tube amp that is dedicated only for listening to music would improve the sound of the III’s and since I want a tube amp dedicated strictly for music anyway I’m going to opt for doing that versus upgrading the III’s to possibly , maybe , hear an improvement. I used to have a pair of KG 4’s with the phenolic diaphragm. I swapped out that for the Bob Crites titanium diaphragm and was not doing cartwheels with the difference in sound. It sounded a little different. Don’t know if better is the right word so the more I think about it the more I am over this purchasing a kit and spending the $800 for it. The IV’s retailed for $4,400 a pair when released early 2022 and the III’s retailed for $4000. Now a new pair of III’s are $4,398 and the IV’s are $4,998!! Good friggin grief!! Tube amp for me and I’ll definitely hear an actual improvement from my III’s due to the warmth and clean clear detail the frequency is from a dedicated tube amp!!
 
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