Short answer: the Klipsch Forte IV, if you are buying new. The Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ ranks higher than it (#72 vs #101 of 188 floorstanding speakers, 4.2/5 vs 4.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Klipsch Forte IV is still sold new at $5,499.98.
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. 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.
The Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. High-value three-way tower with strong output and unusually deep usable sealed-room bass for the price. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.56 against 3.78 for the Klipsch Forte IV. Its bass reaches about 62Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Klipsch Forte IV. Watch for: The nominal 4-ohm system approaches 3 ohms near 100Hz in Erin’s measurement, so a high-current amplifier is preferable.
Buy the Klipsch Forte IV if you want one new; the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Forte IV | Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.98 per pair | $999 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #101 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #72 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) | Approximately 89.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| 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 | 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter; 5.25” midrange; dual 8” woofers |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) | 56.9 lbs (25.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | Approximately 3 ohms minimum near 100Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) | 42.7”H x 12.2”W x 12.3”D |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 | 5.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 | 7.14 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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How Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ compares with other leading options:
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
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 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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Emotiva Airmotiv T2+: $999 per pair Discontinued Emotiva eBay
Newer model: the Emotiva Airmotiv XT2, ranked higher, estimated 4.2/5 (also discontinued).
Same family: the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ (bookshelf, rated 3/5) and the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ (center, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: High-value three-way tower with strong output and unusually deep usable sealed-room bass for the price. Erin measured F3 at 62Hz and F10 at 32Hz, with sensitivity just under 90dB/2.83V/1m. Dual 8-inch woven-fiber woofers relieve the 5.25-inch midrange, and the 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter provides broad horizontal coverage. Approximately +/-2.5dB response linearity, solid cabinet bracing and low compression allow substantial playback levels; the gradual low-frequency roll-off integrates well with either room gain or a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.5dB.
Cons: The nominal 4-ohm system approaches 3 ohms near 100Hz in Erin’s measurement, so a high-current amplifier is preferable. Horizontal and especially vertical directivity through the midrange/tweeter transition is less uniform than the best waveguided or coaxial designs; listener height and nearby reflections matter, and EQ cannot correct the narrowing mismatch. The large rear-ported cabinet needs placement clearance, and its deep F10 should not be confused with flat 30Hz output at cinema levels. Discontinued.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 42.7”H x 12.2”W x 12.3”D |
| Drivers | 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter; 5.25” midrange; dual 8” woofers |
| Impedance | Approximately 3 ohms minimum near 100Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 89.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.14 |
| Weight | 56.9 lbs (25.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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