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Need input!! AR3a or Klipsch Forte 1

S

shport

New Member
Just purchased a pair of mint AR3a speakers but also have an opportunity to purchase a set of Klipsch Forte 1, also in pristine condition.

I know I could buy both and make the choice on whichever I prefer but not a Rockefeller over here. Hoping to get some input on whether or not I should pursue the Fortes.

I understand room size, music preferences, cost, etc are all factors but all things being equal in your setup, which would you take?

I do listen to a lot of rock from all eras. Lots of beat driven music, as well.
 
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If you are a live music kind of guy, go for the Forte's. On the other hand, if you like to hunker down and listen to your stereo for hours on end, then maybe the AR's. I've gone both directions over the last five decades, but ended up in the Klipsch, JBL, Altec camp, I just prefer the efficiency and dynamics of horns and horn hybrids.
 
I have owned 3 pair of AR3a.

I have owned Klipsch Chorus II and Heresy I.

I would go with the Klipsch. The Forte are between the two I had. Probably the sweet spot unless you have a huge space.

Just my 2 cents. The AR3a tweeters are old and hard/dried out. Same with the mids. Unless you want the expense of having them refreshed, I would go with the horns.

Are the AR3a with cloth woofer surrounds, or foam (early/late). There's also a minor crossover difference between the two.

Both probably need re-capped. The AR3a has a bit of a crossover, including something like a 150 uF cap on the woofer. It's been a few years.

FWIW, I sold the both Klipsch and all the AR3a. Everything I have these days is current manufacture (except for the New Large Advents in my garage and gym). I kind of gave up on vintage speakers.
 
F1nut said:
Two very, very different sounding speakers
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Polar opposites. The same system, the Klipsch will sound very bright compared to the AR. Seems like a sort of a binary thing - if you had much of a preference for one, you probably wouldn't like the other.
 
The AR3A's will need a lot of power. The Klipsch won't. If you don't have an amp that's up to the task, I would go for the more efficient Klipsch.

That being said, the AR3A will be more satisfying if you listen to a lot of classical or jazz.

I have similar speakers in my stable- the AR5 and Klipsch Heresy's. Both sound great but for different types of listening. If I were you I would get both
 
Af
nefertem7 said:
I would definitely keep the AR3s
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podbaydoors said:
I had a pair of LaScala, which sounded really big and bright with just a Fisher 500.
My fully restored 3a’s ( with a Dynaco 150 ) are just plain awesome. Just my two cents.
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My Friend had the Pair of Dynaco Mark 3 running a pair of AR3 I think all the Klipsch speakers even though they are efficient I couldn't live with them for a long time to fatiguing
 
The Forte 1 is, unfortunately, one of the ONLY Klipsch speakers that's always a "hard pass" for me.

After getting a graphic demonstration of how colored and unbalanced the midrange response was (they made Al Jarreau unrecognizable!)- I never wanted anything else to do with them. Big problems in the lower midrange.

Most any of the others- Cornwall, LaScala, Heresy, and such- are at least decent, if not quite a bit better, to me. But the Forte 1- at least stock- is fatally flawed, IMHO.

Regards,
Gordon.
 
Ross6860 said:
I have owned 3 pair of AR3a.

I have owned Klipsch Chorus II and Heresy I.

I would go with the Klipsch. The Forte are between the two I had. Probably the sweet spot unless you have a huge space.

Just my 2 cents. The AR3a tweeters are old and hard/dried out. Same with the mids. Unless you want the expense of having them refreshed, I would go with the horns.

Are the AR3a with cloth woofer surrounds, or foam (early/late). There's also a minor crossover difference between the two.

Both probably need re-capped. The AR3a has a bit of a crossover, including something like a 150 uF cap on the woofer. It's been a few years.

FWIW, I sold the both Klipsch and all the AR3a. Everything I have these days is current manufacture (except for the New Large Advents in my garage and gym). I kind of gave up on vintage speakers.
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The 3a is a great speaker, sounds great regardless of the genre.
3a tweeters would benefit from a rebuild. Roy C. does this. The mids will be fine. Crossover recap should be done, and it’s not hard to do. The pots can be problematic with corrosion, a common issue. They may just need a simple cleanup, or replacement. I’ve restored many 3a’s. Personally, I’m not a Klipsch fan. Too forward and harsh for my ears. The ARs have great detail, mids asr smooth, bass, outstanding. Very satisfying. Just my 2c.

Cheers, Glenn
 
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