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Forte w/ "ALL UPGRADES" on Way

S

stevensctt

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Originally using Heresy with the set-up pictured. Two weeks ago, I picked up a pair of Forte II then found a MINT pair of Forte. Sold the Forte II.

Very nice speaker but I actually like the overall tone and delivery of the Heresy better.

Expected more from the Forte, so I ordered the Ti Squawker Diaphragms from Klipsch as well as the Crossovers w/ Bandpass and Ti Tweeter Diaphragms from Crites.

The upgrade cost is about 150% of the price paid for the Forte so expecting big things!

I should have all installed in a week or so. I'll update once everything is in place.

Set-up pictured is a blend of 60s (McIntosh MA230, MR65 Mono, Knight KG12 Adapter), 70s (Dual 1229Q), 80s (Forte) and 00 (PS Audio DLIII and Airport Express).
 

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I just completed a basic rebuild on my Forte II’s. Replaced all the caps with new and better caps

It made a huge difference. I will eventually upgrade the tweeters with titanium. Is that an MA 230? That was my first Mac piece. I set mine up to use as a standalone tube amp. The pre can be bypassed. I use an MX110 as my pre.
 
beautiful forte's man.
wish mine were in that good a shape.
i bet they'll sound great

my cabs are rough and both my woofers are slightly discolored, greyish in spots on the surrounds. not sure what causes that.
 
It is a MA230. Front end recapped and fully serviced. Wonderful piece!

Destructor said:
I just completed a basic rebuild on my Forte II’s. Replaced all the caps with new and better caps

It made a huge difference. I will eventually upgrade the tweeters with titanium. Is that an MA 230? That was my first Mac piece. I set mine up to use as a standalone tube amp. The pre can be bypassed. I use an MX110 as my pre.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you. The Fortes I have are truly in exceptional condition, absent of any cosmetic flaws. If they were not in such great condition, I may have not gone for the upgrades. Lucky to have found these.

nrap said:
beautiful forte's man.
wish mine were in that good a shape.
i bet they'll sound great

my cabs are rough and both my woofers are slightly discolored, greyish in spots on the surrounds. not sure what causes that.
Click to expand...
 
My next project will be to upgrade the preamp section of my MA230 and convert it back to an integrated amp possibly switchable to a standalone tube amp. my forte's have remained in excellent physical condition but 15 plus years of use wore out the original caps.
 
Hey Steve how did you decide to keep the Forte I's over the II's, was cabinet condition a deciding factor before sinking dough into the speakers? I imagine WAF had something to do with it. I mean we all want good looking equipment on display in our homes.
My question relates to the fact that a lot of Klipsch fans, myself included prefer the Tractix horn found in the Forte II's. I am contemplating upgrading my Forte I's and wonder if it will be worth my while. I know Set 12 did an amazing upgrade to his speakers but that is way above my skill set/pay grade. Let us know how everything works out.
 
Received the Mid Range Ti Diaphragms from Klipsch today (fast service) and the Crites stuff is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Should have this done before the end of the long weekend.

In the meantime, I acquired a set of 1981 Cornwalls.
 
The condition of the speakers was a factor. The pristine condition of the Forte made the decision to sink $575 of upgrades more worthwhile. WAF was a non-factor, but if I were to ask it would be!

I did find the Forte a more balanced speaker than the Forte II but my experience was limited. The tweet, midrange and bass of the Forte seem to blend nicely.

Not well versed enough to know the difference with a Tractix horn. Does the Tractix have the Ti diaphragm?

RT Fan said:
Hey Steve how did you decide to keep the Forte I's over the II's, was cabinet condition a deciding factor before sinking dough into the speakers? I imagine WAF had something to do with it. I mean we all want good looking equipment on display in our homes.
My question relates to the fact that a lot of Klipsch fans, myself included prefer the Tractix horn found in the Forte II's. I am contemplating upgrading my Forte I's and wonder if it will be worth my while. I know Set 12 did an amazing upgrade to his speakers but that is way above my skill set/pay grade. Let us know how everything works out.
Click to expand...
 
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Update - Disappointment for me with the Fortes and even a bigger disappointment with "all" the upgrades considering the cost. I do like the Fortes but can't recommend any upgrades.
 
suggest that you take a long deep breath relax and wait you have a lot of burn in to deal with and if you panic now you could throw the baby out with the bath water. Things are different now and will continue to change over the next three weeks play as long and as loud as you can. After three weeks you can expect to tweak your set up as far as positioning goes and perhaps even other aspects. You have an excellent set of loudspeakers now you just need to give them some time and a little attention. If after all that you still do not like what you are hearing look to other than the speakers for a change.
Having done what you have done plus a whole lot more in terms of physical modifications to a good number of Klipsch (Heresy, Heresy 3, Forte, Forte ll, KLF20 two pair and CF3) I have a pretty good idea of where your speakers are and I don't want to see you jumping the gun at the start of the race. Best regards Moray James.
 
Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I'm impatient. I sold the upgraded Fortes last Thursday, no regrets.

moray james said:
suggest that you take a long deep breath relax and wait you have a lot of burn in to deal with and if you panic now you could throw the baby out with the bath water. Things are different now and will continue to change over the next three weeks play as long and as loud as you can. After three weeks you can expect to tweak your set up as far as positioning goes and perhaps even other aspects. You have an excellent set of loudspeakers now you just need to give them some time and a little attention. If after all that you still do not like what you are hearing look to other than the speakers for a change.
Having done what you have done plus a whole lot more in terms of physical modifications to a good number of Klipsch (Heresy, Heresy 3, Forte, Forte ll, KLF20 two pair and CF3) I have a pretty good idea of where your speakers are and I don't want to see you jumping the gun at the start of the race. Best regards Moray James.
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stevensctt said:
Update - Disappointment for me with the Fortes and even a bigger disappointment with "all" the upgrades considering the cost. I do like the Fortes but can't recommend any upgrades.
Click to expand...

Moray has a point, but what upgrades did you do?

Being a guy that probably has done one of the most expensive upgrades to a pair of Forte's in the country no doubt I guess I could comment. If I knew just what you did!

If you had done something like sony6060 here http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=516254

You might of been telling a different story like the title of his thread.

But do tell please.

I can guess! But I'd like to know from you before I comment.

SET12
 
Here are the upgrades:

Crites B&K Type Forte Crossovers (pair)
Crites CD76TiM Titanium Dome Tweeter Diaphragms (pair)
Klipsch Part # 127122 Titanium Dome Midrange Diaphragms (pair) Purchased directly from Klipsch
Crites Bandpass Filters (pair)

SET12 said:
Moray has a point, but what upgrades did you do?

Being a guy that probably has done one of the most expensive upgrades to a pair of Forte's in the country no doubt I guess I could comment. If I knew just what you did!

If you had done something like sony6060 here http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=516254

You might of been telling a different story like the title of his thread.

But do tell please.

I can guess! But I'd like to know from you before I comment.

SET12
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