Short answer: the Polk T50 for cheap deep bass, the Klipsch Forte IV for a heritage three-way. The T50 gives pretty deep bass for the price, but our notes flag a 5dB peak at 1kHz and a 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up. The Forte IV pairs a 12” woofer with a 1” titanium tweeter and 1.75” compression driver midrange, and contrary to Klipsch’s classic reputation it is not forward or bright. $5,499.98 against $498.
Buy the Klipsch Forte IV if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk T50 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Forte IV | Polk T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.98 per pair | $498 per pair |
| Ranked | #122 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #152 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| 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 | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators |
| Weight | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | passive radiator |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.78 | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.72 | 6.15 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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