Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Treme for the higher ranking, the Klipsch Forte IV for the lower price. The GR-Research NX-Treme ranks #1 of 25 floorstanding speakers at $9662. The Klipsch Forte IV ranks #24 at $5499.98, $4162.02 cheaper.
On the GR-Research NX-Treme side: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not. The catch: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side.
The case for the Klipsch Forte IV: Three-way heritage design: a 1” titanium tweeter and 1.75” compression driver for the midrange mated to a 12” woofer. Set against that: Contrary to the classic Klipsch reputation for being forward and bright.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Treme if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch Forte IV if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Treme | Klipsch Forte IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9662 for the kit with subs (assembly required) | $5,499.98 |
| Ranked | #1 of 25 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #24 of 25 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) | 82Hz |
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter | 1x 12" (305mm) fiber-composite woofer + 15" passive radiator, 1x 1.75" compression driver midrange on horn, 1x 1" titanium compression tweeter on horn |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB | 94dB |
| Subwoofer | Three 12" Rythmik Audio servo controlled | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | Open baffle | - |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs / 16 kg) | 117.3 lbs / 53.2 kg |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz |
The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research NX-Treme: $9662 for the kit with subs (assembly required) Gr-research
Pros: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. One of the highest sensitivity speakers around. Open baffle mids, highs and bass (using GR-Research Open baffle subs). If you have not heard open baffle bass, you must hear it in person, there’s no going back. Amazing in terms of imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. Can easily be driven by tube amps due to the mild impedance.
Cons: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB |
| Subwoofer | Three 12" Rythmik Audio servo controlled |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs / 16 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Open baffle |
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Klipsch Forte IV: $5,499.98 Crutchfield Amazon
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.
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 $5,000/pair, a significant investment, and still needs a subwoofer for material extending below about 50Hz.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz |
| 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 |
| Sensitivity | 94dB |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs / 53.2 kg |
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.