Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower. It ranks #12 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $5,698. The Klipsch Forte IV ranks #122, rated 4.0/5, at $5,499.98, $198.02 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A 3-way bamboo tower with a RAAL ribbon tweeter that measures a 6.97 preference score, bass to 38.7Hz and a nearly flat on-axis response. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.97 against 3.78 for the Klipsch Forte IV. Its bass reaches about 38.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Klipsch Forte IV. The catch: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some smaller passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models.
What the Klipsch Forte IV does well: Three-way heritage design: a 1” titanium tweeter and 1.75” compression driver for the midrange mated to a 12” woofer, plus a 15” passive radiator for extra bass reinforcement. The catch: Contrary to the classic Klipsch reputation for being forward and bright, this model is actually somewhat recessed in the 1.5-4kHz “presence” region, which can make some tracks sound dull or lacking in detail.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $198.02 saving on the Klipsch Forte IV is not enough to make up the difference.
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A 3-way bamboo tower with a RAAL ribbon tweeter that measures a 6.97 preference score, bass to 38.7Hz and a nearly flat on-axis response.
Ascend Acoustics $5,698 eBay
Three-way heritage design: a 1” titanium tweeter and 1.75” compression driver for the midrange mated to a 12” woofer, plus a 15” passive radiator for extra bass reinforcement.
Amazon $5,499.98 Crutchfield $5,499.98 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower | Klipsch Forte IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,698 per pair | $5,499.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #12 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #122 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers | 1x 12” (305mm) fiber-composite woofer + 15” passive radiator, 1x 1.75” compression driver midrange on horn, 1x 1” titanium compression tweeter on horn |
| Dimensions | 43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm) | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) each | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 400W continuous, 600W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.97 | 3.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.42 | 5.72 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | passive radiator |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower (measured by the manufacturer) and Klipsch Forte IV (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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