In this review, we will be comparing Forte IV and kO-R2, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Forte IV and Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch Forte IV | Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" horn-loaded | Compression Horn |
|---|
| Midrange | 1.75" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Fibercomposite | 15" Paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-20k Hz | 39-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 99 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 32.73kg / 72lbs | 54.65kg / 120.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 35-3/4" x 16-5/8" x 13"
909.0 x 423.0 x 331.0mm | 45-1/2" x 25-3/8" x 22-1/4"
1156.0 x 645.0 x 565.0mm |
|---|
Forte IV and kO-R2 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.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Forte IV is a 3-way design whereas the kO-R2 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Klipsch Forte IVKlipsch OJAS kO-R2
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 OJAS kO-R2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 1.75-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 15-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 kO-R2 features a " K-706 driver Compression Horn Tweeter and 1 x 15" Paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 760Hz.
Frequency Response
Forte IV has a frequency range of 38-20k Hz whereas kO-R2 has a frequency range of 39-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the Forte IV can go slightly deeper then the kO-R2's min frequency of 39Hz.
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 kO-R2 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 kO-R2's is at 97 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch Forte IV a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch OJAS kO-R2, 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.
kO-R2 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Forte IV has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 200 watts less than the kO-R2.
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. kO-R2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Forte IV has a rear firing port whereas kO-R2 has a front firing ports. Klipsch OJAS kO-R2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Klipsch Forte IV with its rear-firing port.
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 OJAS kO-R2'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 OJAS kO-R2 has external dimensions of 1156.0 x 645.0 x 565.0mm (45-1/2 x 25-3/8 x 22-1/4inch).
Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 222mm wider, 247mm taller and 234mm deeper than Klipsch Forte IV.
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 OJAS kO-R2 is approximately 3644.3cm2 / 564.9inch2. The Forte IV requires 62% less surface area than the kO-R2 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 OJAS kO-R2 weighs 54.65kg / 120.2lbs. This makes the kO-R2 67% heavier than the Forte IV.
Here is a comparison of how Forte IV and kO-R2'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
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
97 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
38 Hz
vs
39 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
rear-firing 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
909mm
vs
1156mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1400cm2
vs
3644cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
4998USD
vs
8498USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
|
Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage Forte IV |
Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
99 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
38-20k Hz |
39-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fibercomposite |
Paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
horn-loaded |
Compression Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
1.75" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
760Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
909.0mm (35.8") |
1156.0mm (45.5") |
| Width |
423.0mm (16.7") |
645.0mm (25.4") |
| Depth |
331.0mm (13") |
565.0mm (22.2") |
| Weight |
32.73kg (72lbs) |
54.65kg (120.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Horn Loaded |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
13-ply Baltic birch plywood |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Red Oak, Hammertone |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
5 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 39Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch Forte IV is more sensitive (99dB vs 97dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 takes more power (300W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch Forte IV is easier to place; Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability | A | Klipsch Forte IV: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Klipsch Forte IV is cheaper - $4,998 against $8,498, about 41% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch Forte IV B Klipsch OJAS kO-R2
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. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 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 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.