Short answer: the Klipsch RP-5000F II for tonal coherence, the Forte IV for a bigger design. The RP-5000F II is the most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with only a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt, but its bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander at F3 55Hz and F10 41Hz, so it needs a subwoofer. The Forte IV’s 12” woofer and 15” passive radiator give it more presence, yet it is recessed around 1.5-4kHz.
Buy the Klipsch RP-5000F II. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $4,300 less than the Klipsch Forte IV.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Forte IV | Klipsch RP-5000F II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.98 per pair | $1,199.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #46 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by 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” titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25” cerametallic woofers |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) | 38.6 lbs (17.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) | 36.1” x 8.1” x 14.8” (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 | 7.25 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1900Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
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How Klipsch Forte IV compares with other leading options:
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- Klipsch Forte IV vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch Forte IV: $5,499.98 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
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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Klipsch RP-5000F II: $1,199.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Precise imaging thanks to the controlled horn/waveguide directivity. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90dB.
Cons: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander (F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz) and needs a subwoofer. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees) trades soundstage width for imaging precision. A mild high-frequency tilt and a slight lack of detail around 1-1.5kHz.
Full Klipsch RP-5000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36.1” x 8.1” x 14.8” (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25” cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.25 |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs (17.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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