In this review, we will be comparing Model Seven and Forte IV, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KLH and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Model Seven and Klipsch Forte IV first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KLH Model Seven | Klipsch Forte IV |
|---|
| Brand | KLH
United States · founded 1957 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" horn-loaded |
|---|
| Midrange | 5" | 1.75" |
|---|
| Woofer | 13" Pulp-Paper | 12" Fibercomposite |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-20k Hz | 38-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 99 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-250 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 35.82kg / 78.8lbs | 32.73kg / 72lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 41" x 18" x 12-1/4"
1042.0 x 458.0 x 312.0mm | 35-3/4" x 16-5/8" x 13"
909.0 x 423.0 x 331.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Model Seven and Forte IV are 3-way speakers.
KLH Model SevenKlipsch Forte IV
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KLH Model Seven |
Klipsch Forte IV |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
1 x 1.75-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 13-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
Model Seven features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 13" Pulp-Paper Woofer. On the other hand, the Forte IV features a 1" titanium-diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter, a 1.75" Midrange and 1 x 12" Fibercomposite Woofer.
Frequency Response
Model Seven and Forte IV has exactly the same frequency range of 38-20k Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Model Seven is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Forte IV which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Model Seven can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Model Seven sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Forte IV's is rated at 99 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch Forte IV a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Model Seven, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Model Seven can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Forte IV has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 150 watts less than the Model Seven.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Forte IV features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Model Seven has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KLH Model Seven's and Klipsch Forte IV's external dimensions. KLH Model Seven has external dimensions of 1042.0 x 458.0 x 312.0mm (41inch x 18inch x 12-1/4inch) whereas Klipsch Forte IV has external dimensions of 909.0 x 423.0 x 331.0mm (35-3/4 x 16-5/8 x 13inch).
Klipsch Forte IV is 35mm narrower and 133mm shorter than KLH Model Seven but it is also 19mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KLH Model Seven and Klipsch Forte IV in scale.
Comparison image of KLH Model Seven and Klipsch Forte IV Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the KLH Model Seven is approximately 1429.0cm2 / 221.5inch2 and base area of the Klipsch Forte IV is approximately 1400.1cm2 / 217.0inch2. The Model Seven requires 2% more surface area than the Forte IV which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The KLH Model Seven weighs 35.82kg / 78.8lbs and the Klipsch Forte IV weighs 32.73kg / 72lbs. This makes the Model Seven 9% heavier than the Forte IV.
Here is a comparison of how Model Seven and Forte IV's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Model Seven?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Model Seven:
- 2 Floorstanding loudspeakers
- 2 Riser bases
- 2 Grilles
- Owner's Manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch Forte IV?
Here are the items that come with the Forte IV:
- 2 Floorstanding loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Passive Radiator |
rear-firing 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
909mm
vs
1042mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1400cm2
vs
1429cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
KLH Model Seven |
Klipsch Heritage Forte IV |
| Brand |
KLH |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
20-250 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
99 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
38-20k Hz |
38-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Pulp-Paper |
Fibercomposite |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
horn-loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
1.75" |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1042.0mm (41") |
909.0mm (35.8") |
| Width |
458.0mm (18") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Depth |
312.0mm (12.3") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Weight |
35.82kg (78.8lbs) |
32.73kg (72lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Mahogany |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (38Hz vs 38Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch Forte IV is more sensitive (99dB vs 91dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Klipsch Forte IV is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | KLH Model Seven takes more power (250W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Passive Radiator. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | B | Klipsch Forte IV: bi-amping. Klipsch Forte IV sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($4,998 vs $4,998 a pair). |
A KLH Model Seven B Klipsch Forte IV
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Klipsch Forte IV has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch Forte IV is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.