Short answer: the Klipsch Forte IV over the RP-6000F II, which regresses tonally. The RP-6000F II handles the highest power with clean, well-behaved compression at typical volumes, but it has worse baffle-step coloration than the smaller RP-5000F II, a 3-4dB swing versus 2dB, plus a sibilance issue the 5000F does not have. The Forte IV has a flaw of its own, a recessed 1.5-4kHz presence region, but it avoids that regression.
Buy the Klipsch Forte IV when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Klipsch RP-6000F II when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Forte IV | Klipsch RP-6000F II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.98 per pair | $1500 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 89 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #60 of 89 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) | 67Hz (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 6.5” cerametallic woofers |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) | 49.4 lbs (22.4 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 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) | 39.6” x 9.3” x 17.6” (1006 x 236 x 446 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 | 7.47 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 38Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1770Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 125W continuous, 500W peak |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch Forte IV compares with other leading options:
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Klipsch Forte IV
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Klipsch Forte IV
- Klipsch Forte IV vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- Klipsch Forte IV vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Revel F328Be
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Q Acoustics 5040
- Klipsch Forte IV vs KEF Q11 Meta
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Infinity Primus 360
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Polk Reserve R500
- Klipsch Forte IV vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Klipsch RP-8000F II
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- See all 47 comparisons
Klipsch RP-6000F II: $1500 per pair Amazon eBay
Smaller models: the Klipsch RP-5000F II (ranked higher, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-600M II (rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch RP-500M II (rated 4/5).
Larger model: the Klipsch RP-8000F II (ranked higher, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Highest power handling and clean, well-behaved compression at typical volumes. Precise imaging from the controlled horn directivity. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90dB.
Cons: Worse baffle-step coloration than the smaller RP-5000F II (3-4dB swing vs 2dB), plus a sibilance issue the 5000F doesn’t have: a real regression in tonal balance despite the higher price. Bass extension is mixed (less deep at -3dB (67Hz) than the 5000F) and needs a subwoofer regardless. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees).
Full Klipsch RP-6000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1770Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 39.6” x 9.3” x 17.6” (1006 x 236 x 446 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 6.5” cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 500W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.47 |
| Weight | 49.4 lbs (22.4 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Klipsch RP-8000F II
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Definitive Technology BP-9020
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Polk T50
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs KEF Q11 Meta
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- See all 41 comparisons