Short answer: the Definitive Technology BP-9020 for sub-bass you do not have to add, the Klipsch Forte IV for a heritage three-way. The BP-9020’s powered 8-inch side-firing subwoofer and 150-watt Class D amp reach F3 35Hz and F10 29Hz, though the treble runs bright and sibilant. The Forte IV mates a 1-inch titanium tweeter and 1.75-inch compression driver to a 12-inch woofer and 15-inch passive radiator, but is recessed through 1.5-4kHz.
Buy the Klipsch Forte IV. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Definitive Technology BP-9020 is no longer sold new.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Definitive Technology BP-9020 | Klipsch Forte IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 per pair Discontinued | $5,499.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #52 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #42 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 35.3”H x 11”W x 13”D (895.4 x 279.4 x 330.2 mm) | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87.7dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) |
| Drivers | 1 in. annealed aluminum dome tweeter, two 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (front), one 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (rear), 8 in. powered subwoofer | 1x 12” (305mm) fiber-composite woofer + 15” passive radiator, 1x 1.75” compression driver midrange on horn, 1x 1” titanium compression tweeter on horn |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, slot | passive radiator |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 3.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 5.72 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Definitive Technology BP-9020: $500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Integrated powered 8” side-firing subwoofer with a 150-watt Class D amplifier provides exceptional sub-bass extension down to an F3 of 35Hz and F10 of 29Hz without requiring a standalone subwoofer enclosure. Forward-Focused Bipolar Array technology (dual 3.5” front midrange drivers + 1” annealed aluminum dome tweeter, plus a 3.5” rear-firing midrange driver) creates a remarkably wide, spacious soundstage with broad room envelopment. On-axis frequency response stays smooth and relatively neutral when listened to directly aligned with the tweeter. Measured average sensitivity of 87.7dB SPL (2.83V/1m) allows comfortable drive from standard multi-channel receivers. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.7dB.
Cons: Significant high-frequency boost creates notable treble brightness and noticeable sibilance on vocal s-sounds. Bipolar rear driver radiation creates a diffuse soundstage that compromises razor-sharp imaging focus and pinpoint instrument placement. DSP-based internal limiter aggressively compresses output below 80Hz at higher listening levels, causing lower mid-bass and sub-bass impact to diminish as volume increases. Midrange clarity shows slight ‘cuppiness’ and upper-frequency directivity irregularities due to front/rear driver interaction. Discontinued.
Full Definitive Technology BP-9020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 35.3”H x 11”W x 13”D (895.4 x 279.4 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 1 in. annealed aluminum dome tweeter, two 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (front), one 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (rear), 8 in. powered subwoofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87.7dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, slot |
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Klipsch Forte IV: $5,499.98 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: 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. Genuinely resonance-free cabinet, a clear improvement over the notably boomy, resonant Heresy 4 in the same lineup. Surprisingly wide, expansive soundstage that beat both the Heresy 4 and a KEF LS50 Wireless 2 in direct comparison: images occasionally appeared several feet outside the physical speaker location. Deeper bass extension than the Heresy 4 (F3 of 82Hz, about 10Hz lower). Distortion measures well below 1% at 86dB and stays mostly within 1% even at 96dB. Comes as a factory-matched serial-numbered pair, backed by an unusually generous 10-year warranty. Mostly above 4 ohms impedance, so it’s compatible with AVRs, solid-state, or tube amplifiers. More neutral overall than other Klipsch models the reviewer has tested, making it a reasonable pick for listeners who already like the “Klipsch sound” but want something more balanced. Measured bass extension of 82Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 93.8dB.
Cons: 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. A peak around 6kHz reads as sibilant and “painful” when seated exactly on the tweeter axis; sitting a bit above that axis reduces it somewhat. Klipsch’s marketed 99dB sensitivity figure is an in-room rating that assumes 3-6dB of boundary gain: anechoic sensitivity measures closer to 94dB, which the manufacturer does disclose but can still mislead buyers comparing spec sheets. Radiation width isn’t consistent across all frequencies: a noticeable notch around 2-3kHz interrupts otherwise wide dispersion, which can cause a fundamental tone and its harmonics to image in slightly different places in the soundstage. Uses shallow low-pass crossover slopes (despite Klipsch’s steep-crossover marketing, which applies only to the high-pass side), likely contributing to some of the measured dips and possible cone-breakup artifacts. Some compression shows up around the midrange crossover point at very high output (102dB), though likely only audible at extreme volumes. At around $5500/pair, a significant investment, and still needs a subwoofer for material extending below about 50Hz.
Full Klipsch Forte IV review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 12” (305mm) fiber-composite woofer + 15” passive radiator, 1x 1.75” compression driver midrange on horn, 1x 1” titanium compression tweeter on horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
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