In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers . Wharfedale Super Denton is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Forte IV is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Super Denton and Klipsch Forte IV first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Wharfedale Super Denton Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 2" Midrange
- 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
- 52-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-120watts
- Weight:9.20kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 360.0" x 9-11/16" x 11-5/8"( 360 x 246 x 295mm )
Klipsch Forte IV Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" horn-loaded Tweeter
- 1.75" Midrange
- 12" Fibercomposite Woofer
- 1.75" Midrange
- 38-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 99 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:up to 100watts
- Weight:32.73kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 909.0" x 16-5/8" x 13"( 909.0 x 423.0 x 331.0mm )
Super Denton and Forte IV are members of Klipsch's Heritage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale Heritage Series History
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale Super Denton and Klipsch Forte IV 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 Super Denton and Forte IV are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale Super Denton |
Klipsch Forte IV |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2-inch |
1 x 1.75-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
Super Denton features a 1" woven textile Soft-Dome Tweeter , a 2" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 940Hz and 4.6kHz. 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
Super Denton has a frequency range of 52-20k Hz whereas Forte IV has a frequency range of 38-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the Forte IV can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Super Denton's min frequency of 52Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Super Denton is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Forte IV which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Super Denton sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Forte IV's is rated at 99 dB. This 12 dB difference makes the Klipsch Forte IV a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Super Denton, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
Super Denton can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Forte IV has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Super Denton.
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 Super Denton and Forte IV features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale Super Denton's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Super Denton and Forte IV 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 Wharfedale Super Denton's and Klipsch Forte IV's external dimensions. Wharfedale Super Denton has external dimensions of 360 x 246 x 295mm ( 14-1/8inch x 9-11/16inch x 11-5/8inch ) 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 clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 177mm wider, 549mm taller and 36mm deeper than Wharfedale Super Denton.
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 Wharfedale Super Denton is approximately 725.7cm2 / 112.5inch2 and base area of the Klipsch Forte IV is approximately 1400.1cm2 / 217.0inch2. The Super Denton requires 48% less surface area than the Forte IV which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Super Denton?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Super Denton:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Pair of white cloth gloves User Manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch Forte IV?
Here are the items that come with the Forte IV:
2 Floorstanding loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualCongratulations letterKlipsch brochure
Max Input Power 
Height 
Base Surface Area 
Price per pair* 
Sensitivity 
Nominal Impedance 
Woofer Size 
Passive Radiator