Short answer: the Klipsch Forte IV, if you are buying new. The KEF R5 ranks higher than it (#40 vs #101 of 188 floorstanding speakers, 4.4/5 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 catch: 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 is the more accurate option. Slim three-way tower with the acoustic advantages of KEF’s coincident Uni-Q midrange/tweeter: horizontal and vertical off-axis responses track the direct sound smoothly, producing stable imaging and a well-behaved directivity index. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.78 against 3.78 for the Klipsch Forte IV. The tradeoff: The unusual gap between 77Hz F3 and 33Hz F10 indicates a gradual bass contour rather than flat deep-bass output; a subwoofer and roughly 80Hz high-pass are recommended for high-level playback.
Buy the Klipsch Forte IV new; the KEF R5 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Forte IV | KEF R5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.98 per pair | $2,999 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #101 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #40 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) | Approximately 86dB/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 | 1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | Approximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) | 40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 | 5.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 | 7.40 |
| 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 |
- Links
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KEF R5: $2,999 per pair Discontinued eBay
Same family: the KEF R3 (bookshelf, rated 4.5/5), the KEF R7 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 4.2/5), the KEF R11 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5) and the KEF R2c (center, rated 4/5).
Pros: Slim three-way tower with the acoustic advantages of KEF’s coincident Uni-Q midrange/tweeter: horizontal and vertical off-axis responses track the direct sound smoothly, producing stable imaging and a well-behaved directivity index. Erin measured deep low-frequency reach for the cabinet width (77Hz F3 but 33Hz F10) and less than 1% harmonic distortion at 86dB. At 96dB it remains clean when high-passed, and its mild response deviations are suitable for equalization because the radiation pattern stays orderly. Measured bass extension of 77Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: The unusual gap between 77Hz F3 and 33Hz F10 indicates a gradual bass contour rather than flat deep-bass output; a subwoofer and roughly 80Hz high-pass are recommended for high-level playback. Erin measured a minimum near 3.5 ohms around 150Hz, although most of the curve remains above 4 ohms, so amplifier quality still matters. Sensitivity is approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m. At 102dB, compression reaches roughly 1dB around 150Hz, showing the limits of the twin 5.25-inch woofers. This original model lacks the Meta version’s MAT rear-wave absorption. Discontinued.
Full KEF R5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers |
| Impedance | Approximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.40 |
| Weight | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons