In this review, we will be comparing Forte IV and S55, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Klipsch and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Forte IV and Polk S55 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 Polk S55 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Forte IV is a 3-way design whereas the S55 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.
Driver |
Klipsch Forte IV |
Polk S55 |
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
1 x 1.75-inch |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
2 x 6.5-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 S55 features a 1" Terylene Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Forte IV has a frequency range of 38-20k Hz whereas S55 has a frequency range of 32-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the S55 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 and S55 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 S55's is at 90 dB. This 9 dB difference makes the Klipsch Forte IV a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk S55, 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 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Forte IV has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the S55.
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 S55 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Forte IV has a rear firing port whereas S55 has a bottom firing ports. Polk S55's bottom-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
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 Polk S55'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 Polk S55 has external dimensions of 1056.0 x 299.0 x 315.0mm ( 41-9/16 x 11-3/4 x 12-3/8inch) .
Polk S55 is 124mm narrower and 16mm less deeper than Klipsch Forte IV but it is also 147mm taller.
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 Polk S55 is approximately 941.9cm2 / 146.0inch2. The Forte IV requires 49% more surface area than the S55 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 Polk S55 weighs 20.00kg / 44lbs. This makes the Forte IV 64% heavier than the S55.
Here is a comparison of how Forte IV and S55'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 Polk S55?
Here are the items that come with the S55:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrille (attached)4 Feet (pre-installed)Owners ManualOnline Product Registration
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Passive Radiator |
rear-firing 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
Height |
909mm
vs
1056mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Base Surface Area |
941cm2 (299x315mm)
vs
1400cm2 (423x331mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
658USD
vs
4998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Klipsch Heritage Forte IV |
Polk Audio Signature S55 |
Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
20-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
99 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
38-20k Hz |
32-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
12" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Fibercomposite |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
horn-loaded |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
1.75" |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
909.0mm (35.8") |
1056.0mm (41.6") |
Width |
423.0mm (16.7") |
299.0mm (11.8") |
Depth |
331.0mm (13") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
Weight |
32.73kg (72lbs) |
20.00kg (44lbs) |
Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Meddite MDF |
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 |