What are these?
- Thread starter 851 SP3
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Cantilope
Member
Cantilope
Member
I have a set of KG 4.5 and really like them. I always wanted to have the 5.5, but decided to go the KLF route when I stepped up (I'll still pick up a set of black ones if they show up locally). I am sorry I have no comment on the forte, I have never heard them. I'd be interested in what you think... I just about got a set fortes instead of the Cornwall's I recently purchased. Someone beat me to the fortes, but I think I am ok with that now.
I put a ti diaphragm in my KG 4.5 horn and I really liked that too. Good luck with your cosmetic project, will you be sanding and re-staining? What kind of final finish? I am interested in your process, as I need to do the same to mine.
I put a ti diaphragm in my KG 4.5 horn and I really liked that too. Good luck with your cosmetic project, will you be sanding and re-staining? What kind of final finish? I am interested in your process, as I need to do the same to mine.
851 SP3
Active Member
My 'review' of the two will have to wait until I get the Fortes sorted. One of them has a fuzzy sound from the woofer. I covered some of this issue in my Adcom GFA-535 thread (not enough to bother reading that one). The best thing to happen would be to have the Adcom sorted because it has two sets of speaker outputs which would make instant back to back testing a breeze. My B&K ST-202 has only a single set. If you only heard what their spec sheets called out, there'd be no difference. But, since the Fortes have a separate mid range and the KGs don't it should be interesting to compare. Eventually, we'll see.
As for the cosmetic refurb, I don't plan on doing much. They don't NEED much overall. Grilles need a wash and that's about it for them. The cabinets are in pretty good shaped except for their tops. Seller sent pics that looked like simple water rings and said as much in emails. But, in reality, there is some lifting/warping/waviness to the tops along with some fading of the color. Some steel wool and stain would make them look fine from 5 feet away. To touch them would be another matter. Cross that bridge when I get to it.
851 SP3
Active Member
Other than a sprucing up including a couple of washings of the grilles (another thread), I have done nothing to these. Although I would like to fix the tops, they don't bother me as much as when I first picked them up. I have enough projects keeping me busy that I think I may just leave them alone for the foreseeable future. Especially since they sound great.
I didn't do a full, move furniture out of the room and reposition the speakers, kind of test session between them and the Fortes. But, I did go back and forth with them enough and with enough different styles of music to say that I think I'd actually give the mid and high end edge to the KG's. I didn't think that would be the case since the Fortes benefit from separate drivers. I'd also give the edge to the KG's on their low end which I did expect (two 10" front firing woofers vs. a single 12" (and the rear passive rad). They move some air! A bit tighter with said movement also.
Not saying I don't love the Fortes. They are both great speakers and if I had to pick which ones to keep, it would (at time of writing) come down to how much more substantial the $$$.¢¢ was from someone wanting either.
I didn't do a full, move furniture out of the room and reposition the speakers, kind of test session between them and the Fortes. But, I did go back and forth with them enough and with enough different styles of music to say that I think I'd actually give the mid and high end edge to the KG's. I didn't think that would be the case since the Fortes benefit from separate drivers. I'd also give the edge to the KG's on their low end which I did expect (two 10" front firing woofers vs. a single 12" (and the rear passive rad). They move some air! A bit tighter with said movement also.
Not saying I don't love the Fortes. They are both great speakers and if I had to pick which ones to keep, it would (at time of writing) come down to how much more substantial the $$$.¢¢ was from someone wanting either.
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851 SP3
Active Member
Around here (northeast Ohio) we've always used Milsek oil. That is all I've ever seen my mother use in my 46+ years. Fantastic for aromatherapy as well. I used to have a bottle many years ago that kept my Dahlquists looking perfect (why the Hell did I sell them?!!!!!?).
Regardless, your point is taken. The Fortes and KGs need a little loving and I will get to it forthwith.
Regardless, your point is taken. The Fortes and KGs need a little loving and I will get to it forthwith.
Audioraven
Well-Known Member
Original MSRP on the KG-5.5 was $1000 a pair. Forte II's started at $1300 a pair.
Audioraven
Well-Known Member
Original Forte started at $1085 a pair.
