Short answer: the Klipsch Forte IV on measured sound quality, the Polk Audio XT70 on price. The Klipsch Forte IV ranks #101 of 188 floorstanding speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $5,499.98. The Polk Audio XT70 ranks #140, rated 3.6/5, at $578, $4,921.98 cheaper.
The Polk Audio XT70 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. The flagship tower in Polk’s current Monitor XT lineup, sitting above the XT60 and XT15 in the same series, adding a second 6.5” woofer and dual 8” passive radiators for more low-end output. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.16 against 3.78 for the Klipsch Forte IV. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Klipsch Forte IV. The tradeoff: On-axis smoothness (0.274) and listening-window smoothness (0.303) are unremarkable for a tower this size, with a pronounced +0.28dB per octave upward tonal tilt giving it a brighter-leaning balance and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.31.
The Klipsch Forte IV is the better-sounding option. 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.
Buy the Polk Audio XT70 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Klipsch Forte IV when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT70 | Klipsch Forte IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $578 per pair | $5,499.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #140 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #101 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | Ported, critically-braced MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” Dynamic Balance woofers, 2x 8” passive radiators | 1x 12” (305mm) fiber-composite woofer + 15” passive radiator, 1x 1.75” compression driver midrange on horn, 1x 1” titanium compression tweeter on horn |
| Dimensions | 40.4H x 9.25W x 12.5D in | 36”H x 16.5”W x 13”D (914.4 x 419.1 x 330.2 mm) |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each | 117.3 lbs (53.2 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB @ 1W/1m | 93.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer rates 99dB in-room / ~94dB anechoic) |
| Impedance | 4/8 ohm compatible | 8 ohms |
| Country | China | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 | 3.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 | 5.72 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) | 82Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.7Hz (derived, sustained-crossing interpolation, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | passive radiator |
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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
Polk Audio XT70: $578 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk Audio XT15 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Monitor XT20 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio XT60 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio XT30 (smaller center, rated 3.6/5), the Polk Audio XT35 (larger center, rated 4.1/5), the Polk Audio Monitor XT10 (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.1/5) and the Polk Audio Monitor XT12 (larger subwoofer, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: The flagship tower in Polk’s current Monitor XT lineup, sitting above the XT60 and XT15 in the same series, adding a second 6.5” woofer and dual 8” passive radiators for more low-end output. Rated for both 4 and 8 ohm operation. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis smoothness (0.274) and listening-window smoothness (0.303) are unremarkable for a tower this size, with a pronounced +0.28dB per octave upward tonal tilt giving it a brighter-leaning balance and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.31. Directivity-index standard deviation of 3.33 is unremarkable either way.
Full Polk Audio XT70 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.7Hz (derived, sustained-crossing interpolation, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Country | China |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4H x 9.25W x 12.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” Dynamic Balance woofers, 2x 8” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Ported, critically-braced MDF |
| Impedance | 4/8 ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 89dB @ 1W/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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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