Short answer: the Klipsch Forte IV, if you are buying new. The KEF R5 Meta ranks higher than it (#14 vs #101 of 188 floorstanding speakers, 4.6/5 vs 4.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Klipsch Forte IV is still sold new at $5,499.98.
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. The tradeoff: 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 KEF R5 Meta is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 12th generation 5” Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) delivers remarkably smooth, controlled horizontal (±50°) and vertical directivity with near-identical off-axis tracking. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.33 against 3.78 for the Klipsch Forte IV. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Klipsch Forte IV. The catch: Low-frequency extension (F3 of 52Hz, F10 of 38Hz) requires pairing with a dedicated subwoofer crossed over at 80Hz for high-output home theater or bass-heavy music performance.
Buy the Klipsch Forte IV, since the KEF R5 Meta is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Forte IV | KEF R5 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.98 per pair | $3,999.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #101 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #14 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) | 86dB (measured average, 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 | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) | 42.2”H x 10.7”W x 13.6”D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 | 6.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 | 8.07 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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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KEF R5 Meta: $3,999.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Same family: the KEF R3 Meta (bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the KEF R7 Meta (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 4.6/5), the KEF R11 Meta (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 4.4/5), the KEF R2 Meta (smaller center, rated 4.3/5) and the KEF R6 Meta (larger center, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: 12th generation 5” Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) delivers remarkably smooth, controlled horizontal (±50°) and vertical directivity with near-identical off-axis tracking. Exceptional frequency response linearity through the midrange and treble that takes extremely well to minor parametric EQ adjustments. Constrained Layer Damping cabinet construction and flexible rear ports minimize enclosure resonances and port turbulence. Deliberately tuned low-frequency roll-off profile permits boundary-adjacent room placement near front walls without boomy acoustic buildup. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: Low-frequency extension (F3 of 52Hz, F10 of 38Hz) requires pairing with a dedicated subwoofer crossed over at 80Hz for high-output home theater or bass-heavy music performance. High-frequency radiation above 7kHz shows a mild on-axis taper (1-2dB downward slope), performing best when listened to 10-20° off-axis. Moderate sensitivity (~86dB SPL average) requires a clean, robust 4-ohm capable amplifier to drive high dynamic peaks without clipping. Discontinued.
Full KEF R5 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 42.2”H x 10.7”W x 13.6”D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) |
| Drivers | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.07 |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons