Short answer: the KEF Q11 Meta for a modern coaxial design, the Forte IV for scale. The Q11 Meta is a three-way tower whose coaxial layout places a 3/4” tweeter with Metamaterial Absorption Technology in a 4” mid-range, but it measures genuinely dark on-axis and needs sidewall reflections within about 6 feet to sound neutral. The Forte IV’s 12” woofer and 15” passive radiator cut a bigger figure, yet it is recessed around 1.5-4kHz.
Buy the KEF Q11 Meta. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $3,000 less than the Klipsch Forte IV.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
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 eBay
Three-way tower design with a coaxial layout: a 3/4” aluminum dome tweeter (with KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology behind it) mounted at the center of a 4” mid-range, plus three 6.5” bass drivers.
Amazon $1,249.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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
| Klipsch Forte IV | KEF Q11 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.98 per pair | $2,499.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #122 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #124 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) | 88.6dB (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 | 25mm tweeter + dual 165mm drivers |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) | 106.9 lbs (48.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) | 43.8”H x 12.5”W x 15”D (1112.8 x 317.5 x 381.0 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 | 6.72 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 | 8.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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.
Measurement data: Klipsch Forte IV (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and KEF Q11 Meta (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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