In this review, we will be comparing Forte IV and La Scala AL6, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Forte IV and Klipsch La Scala AL6 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch Forte IV | Klipsch La Scala AL6 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" horn-loaded | 1" horn-loaded |
|---|
| Midrange | 1.75" | 3" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Fibercomposite | 12" fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-20k Hz | 40-19k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 99 dB | 103 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 32.73kg / 72lbs | 93.18kg / 205lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 35-3/4" x 16-5/8" x 13"
909.0 x 423.0 x 331.0mm | 39.1" x 24.5" x 25.5"
994 x 622 x 647mm |
|---|
Forte IV and La Scala AL6 are members of Klipsch's Heritage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Heritage Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Forte IV and La Scala AL6 are 3-way speakers.
Klipsch Forte IVKlipsch La Scala AL6
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch Forte IV |
Klipsch La Scala AL6 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 1.75-inch |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 12-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 La Scala AL6 features a 1" polyimide diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 1 x 12" fiber-composite cone with folded horn Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 425Hz - 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
Forte IV has a frequency range of 38-20k Hz whereas La Scala AL6 has a frequency range of 40-19k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the Forte IV can go slightly deeper then the La Scala AL6's min frequency of 40Hz.
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
Forte IV and La Scala AL6 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Forte IV sensitivity is rated at 99 dB and the La Scala AL6's is at 103 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch La Scala AL6 a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch Forte IV, 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.
Forte IV and La Scala AL6 have the same power range of up to 100 watts.
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
Both Forte IV and La Scala AL6 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Klipsch La Scala AL6's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or 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 Klipsch Forte IV's and Klipsch La Scala AL6'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 Klipsch La Scala AL6 has external dimensions of 994 x 622 x 647mm (39/1 x 24.5 x 25.5inch).
Klipsch La Scala AL6 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 199mm wider, 85mm taller and 316mm deeper than Klipsch Forte IV.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch Forte IV and Klipsch La Scala AL6 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch Forte IV and Klipsch La Scala AL6 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 Klipsch Forte IV is approximately 1400.1cm2 / 217.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch La Scala AL6 is approximately 4024.3cm2 / 623.8inch2. The Forte IV requires 65% less surface area than the La Scala AL6 which gives it a small advantage 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 Klipsch La Scala AL6 weighs 93.18kg / 205lbs. This makes the La Scala AL6 185% heavier than the Forte IV.
Here is a comparison of how Forte IV and La Scala AL6'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 loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
What's in the Box of Klipsch La Scala AL6?
Here are the items that come with the La Scala AL6:
- 2 Loudspeaker cabinets
- 2 Subwoofer cabinets
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure
 Low Frequency Response |
38 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
20k Hz
vs
19k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
rear-firing 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
909mm
vs
994mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1400cm2
vs
4024cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
4998USD
vs
14998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
103 dB
vs
99 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage Forte IV |
Klipsch Heritage La Scala AL6 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
99 dB |
103 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
38-20k Hz |
40-19k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fibercomposite |
fiber-composite cone with folded horn |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
horn-loaded |
horn-loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
1.75" |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
425Hz - 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
909.0mm (35.8") |
994.0mm (39.1") |
| Width |
423.0mm (16.7") |
622.0mm (24.5") |
| Depth |
331.0mm (13") |
647.0mm (25.5") |
| Weight |
32.73kg (72lbs) |
93.18kg (205lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Woof veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
American Auburn, Black Ash, American Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
10 Years |
Siblings in Klipsch's Heritage series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (38Hz vs 40Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch La Scala AL6 is more sensitive (103dB vs 99dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Klipsch Forte IV is easier to place; Klipsch La Scala AL6 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability | depends | Klipsch Forte IV: bi-amping; Klipsch La Scala AL6: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Klipsch Forte IV is cheaper - $4,998 against $14,998, about 67% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch Forte IV B Klipsch La Scala AL6
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 La Scala AL6 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 3x the price. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Klipsch Forte IV looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Klipsch La Scala AL6 appeals to you. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch La Scala AL6 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch Forte IV is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch La Scala AL6 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.