Short answer: the KLH Model Seven. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#132 and #122 of 226 floorstanding speakers), and the KLH Model Seven costs $4,999.98 against $5,499.98 for the Klipsch Forte IV, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The KLH Model Seven is the deeper-bass pick. The flagship of KLH’s Model collection: a sealed 3-way with a 13” woofer, a 5” midrange and a 1” aluminum dome tweeter on a wide baffle. Its bass reaches about 26Hz before falling 10dB, against 39Hz for the Klipsch Forte IV. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured KLH Model Five (4.76 Spinorama preference score).
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, plus a 15” passive radiator for extra bass reinforcement. Watch for: 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 KLH Model Seven. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $500 less than the Klipsch Forte IV.
Worth knowing: the KLH Model Seven has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.6 to 4.3, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KLH Model Seven | Klipsch Forte IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,999.98 per pair | $5,499.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #132 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #122 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 18”W x 9.8”D (914 x 457 x 248 mm) | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) |
| Weight | 67.9 lbs (30.8 kg) | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38Hz (manufacturer specified) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 5” pulp paper midrange, 13” pulp paper woofer | 1x 12” (305mm) fiber-composite woofer + 15” passive radiator, 1x 1.75” compression driver midrange on horn, 1x 1” titanium compression tweeter on horn |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 88dB free-field, 91dB in-room (manufacturer specified) | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (manufacturer specified) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB in-room (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | passive radiator |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.72 |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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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The Two Speakers In Full
KLH Model Seven: $4,999.98 per pair Estimated KLH eBay
Same family: the KLH Model Three (bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the KLH Model Four (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.8/5) and the KLH Model Five (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4/5).
Pros: The flagship of KLH’s Model collection: a sealed 3-way with a 13” woofer, a 5” midrange and a 1” aluminum dome tweeter on a wide baffle. KLH rates it 38Hz to 20kHz (±3dB) and 26Hz at -10dB, deep enough that many rooms won’t need a subwoofer, with 115dB maximum output.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured KLH Model Five (4.76 Spinorama preference score). Free-field sensitivity is 88dB and its wide cabinet takes a lot of floor space.
Full KLH Model Seven review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 18”W x 9.8”D (914 x 457 x 248 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 5” pulp paper midrange, 13” pulp paper woofer |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB in-room (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB free-field, 91dB in-room (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 67.9 lbs (30.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch Forte IV: $5,499.98 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Klipsch Heresy IV (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 2.3/5), the Klipsch Cornwall IV (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 2.8/5), the Klipsch La Scala AL6 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 2.8/5) and the Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3/5).
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 Klipsch Heresy IV in the same lineup. Surprisingly wide, expansive soundstage that beat both the Klipsch Heresy IV and a KEF LS50 Wireless 2 in direct comparison: images occasionally appeared several feet outside the physical speaker location. Deeper bass extension than the Klipsch Heresy IV (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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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