In this review, we will be comparing Forte IV and C 97 II, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Klipsch and Jamo. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Forte IV and Jamo C 97 II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch Forte IV and Jamo C 97 II compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Forte IV and C 97 II are 3-way speakers.
Driver |
Klipsch Forte IV |
Jamo C 97 II |
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
1 x 1.75-inch |
1 x 6-inch |
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
3 x 6-inch
|
Forte IV features a 1" titanium-diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter , a 1.75" Midrange and 1 x 12" Fibercomposite Woofer . On the other hand, the C 97 II features a 1" Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 3 x 6" Composite Woofer .
Frequency Response
Forte IV has a frequency range of 38-20k Hz whereas C 97 II has a frequency range of 32-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the C 97 II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Forte IV's min frequency of 38Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Forte IV is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the C 97 II which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Forte IV sensitivity is rated at 99 dB and the C 97 II's is rated at 89 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch Forte IV a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo C 97 II, 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Forte IV can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Forte IV has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 80 watts less than the C 97 II.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Forte IV and C 97 II features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Forte IV and C 97 II have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch Forte IV's and Jamo C 97 II's external dimensions. Klipsch Forte IV has external dimensions of 909.0 x 423.0 x 331.0mm ( 35-3/4 x 16-5/8 x 13inch) whereas Jamo C 97 II has external dimensions of 1070.0 x 248.0 x 402.0mm ( 42-1/8 x 9-3/4 x 15-13/16inch) .
Klipsch Forte IV is 161mm shorter and 71mm less deeper than Jamo C 97 II but it is also 175mm wider.
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 Klipsch Forte IV is approximately 1400.1cm2 / 217.0inch2 and base area of the Jamo C 97 II is approximately 997.0cm2 / 154.5inch2. The Forte IV requires 40% more surface area than the C 97 II 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 Klipsch Forte IV weighs 32.73kg / 72lbs and the Jamo C 97 II weighs 24.55kg / 54lbs. This makes the Forte IV 33% heavier than the C 97 II.
Here is a comparison of how Forte IV and C 97 II'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 Klipsch Forte IV?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Forte IV:
2 Floorstanding loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualCongratulations letterKlipsch brochure
What's in the Box of Jamo C 97 II?
Here are the items that come with the C 97 II:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrille4 Outrigger feet4 Spikes (pre-installed on outrigger feet)4 Rubber feet8 Machine screws2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)Hex-keyUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Passive Radiator |
rear-firing 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
Height |
909mm
vs
1070mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Number of Woofers |
3
vs
1
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Base Surface Area |
997cm2 (248x402mm)
vs
1400cm2 (423x331mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1378USD
vs
4998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Klipsch Heritage Forte IV |
Jamo Concert 9 Series C 97 II |
Brand |
Klipsch |
Jamo |
Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
50-180 watts |
Sensitivity |
99 dB |
89 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
38-20k Hz |
32-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
3 |
Woofer Size |
12" |
6" |
Woofer Composition |
Fibercomposite |
Composite |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
horn-loaded |
n/a |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
1.75" |
6" |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
909.0mm (35.8") |
1070.0mm (42.1") |
Width |
423.0mm (16.7") |
248.0mm (9.8") |
Depth |
331.0mm (13") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
Weight |
32.73kg (72lbs) |
24.55kg (54lbs) |
Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |