Forte III and Cornwall III sonics
 

Hello all,

I'd really appreciate your impressions and/or comments regarding the Forte III's as well as the Cornwall III's. In speakers I really listen for dynamics, impact and high frequency detail and extension, especially while listening at lower levels late at night.

For reference, I have a pair of Zu Audio Dirty with the Clarity Cap upgrade that I like alot.

I have had Proac Response D2 (nice speaker but always sounded like it was trying too hard in the bass department), Omega Super Alnico monitors, Harbeth Super 5HL Plus, Magnepan's (great cohesiveness and imaging), Salk SS8's (great speaker but a touch too sterile for me), and many others.

Of all these the Zu's have been the most fun, pleasing and my favorite to date.

Wondering what either of the Klipsch's offer?

Thanks,

Tim

The primary difference between the Forte III and Cornwall III is that the Forte uses Tractrix high and mid horns vs. Exponential horns for the Cornwall. The Tractrix profile horns, especially the mid, are going to provide a cleaner and more detailed sound with less distortion.

Sexy!!

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ls9uN38qC...0/IMG_8822.JPG

:naughty:

Nice. Interesting TT/TA and 845 integrated amp next to it. Not familiar with either.

GeAllan70,

Very nice setup! Tell me what you hear when listening to the Fortes please. As I mentioned I value dynamics, detail, extended highs with realistic decaying sounding cymbals, clear midrange and defined bass. I don't care for earth shattering bass just as long as I can follow a bass line.

Thanks,

Tim

BuffaloBill,

Thanks for the comments. How about as far as the treble and highs?

Care to mention what speakers you've had that you like the Fortes or Cornwalls better than? A point of reference is always helpful.

Thanks,

Tim

For reference, here's my current setup.

not mine.... was just putting a reference picture up....

would like to try the Forte III with my low output SET EL84....

:thumbsup:

I like horn loaded speakers better than all direct radiating speakers, regardless of brand. Reducing distortion, especially in the most important midrange, is important if you want to hear all the details in the music. I listen to Klipsch P-37F speakers as I believe they represent the best from the brand and offer critical advantages over the notable German brands.

The Cornwall III uses the same mid-range horn as the the Heresy III which is a Tractrix Horn.

You can look at the Klipsch Heritage speaker brochure and see the difference in the Tractrix midrange used in the Forte III compared to the Exponential midrange used in the Cornwall and Heresy.

https://f072605def1c9a5ef179-a0bc3fb...re_Digital.pdf

My guess, just a matter of time before you see the new mid in a new Cornwall IIII.

Agree, surprised that the change has not already been made. New Klipschorn has it. Offers advantages over exponential contour and significant advantages over direct radiating.

First you can place a Cornwall again a wall. I prefer the bass sound of a Cornwall vs the reflected bass sound of a Forte with the rear facing PR. Music is built from the bottom up and not the High frequencies down. The differences in efficiency and overall out put is minuscule. The larger baffle does change the sonic quality of the Cornwall, it's up to you to decide which you prefer.

You and Paul W. Klipsch have a different view, he said "the midrange is where we live".

I was going to start a thread about the Forte III, but don’t have the priviuyet.

So I think I am at the right place to ask: I have a C22/MC275 combo, and I was living happily with a large pair of DC Tannoys (older Canterburys) until recently.

I now live in a smaller space: Do you think I’d get that same thrill with Forte III? They are about the right size for my room, and they are mainly horn loaded.

And I like their sober look, and I expect themto have a better bass presence than the Heresy III, which I tried and though not well balanced enough.

My experience with the C2200/MC275 with a pair of Heresy III was the same as yours. Did not do well, even when elevated on stands. My brother has since upgraded his original Forte to a pair of Forte III that are great. He is using a 30wpc Luxman receiver with them. Too bad they were not available when I decided to move on from the Heresy III. Let us know if you decide to try the Forte III.

With the Tractrix horns in the Forte III you are going to hear much more of the original signal - much more dynamic. The Forte III has an improved 12" woofer in the front plus a 15" passive radiator in the rear to provide deeper bass.

The Forte III has one shortfall, since it is not a tall speaker the important Tractrix midrange horn may fall below optimum ear level from the sitting position.

Actually, I am now aiming a two speakers: the Forte 3, and Tannoy’s Kensington. The Tannoys are taller and with the driver’s height set to a more probable optimal listening height.

The Tannoys are easily twice the price of the Forte 3, but I like to beleive that a company like Klipsch can offer a similar experience for less. It is often said that tubes mates very well with horns.

BTW, never heard Forte 3s. And, I will not go to their bigger models because of the size, for now. Those Klipschorns look like “once you go horns, you never go back”.

Simple enough to tip back a few degrees if one finds this to be a problem. Solutions go from $0.50 wood wedges to $$Stillpoints and beyond.

If you tilt the Forte III speaker back, you lose one of the main advantages of horns, controlled directivity which delivers more of the original signal to the listener's ears. Horns pointed directly at the listener's ears eliminate spurious wall and ceiling reflections which are problematic with direct reflecting speakers.

(The Forte III speaker was designed to sit level on the floor and not tilted back - loss of aesthetic appeal - would look like a car lifted in front with a floor jack.)

I owned the original forte' for 28 years. Had them about 12' apart and sat 15' from them most of the time and the were excellent.

For a couple years I actually had them set up nearfield in an approximately 6.5' equilateral triangle. That was some of the best sound/music I have enjoyed. Talk about enveloping sound. Music and sounds all around me. The tonality/timbre and detail/resolution were stunning.

In my experience the forte's do not need to be tilted back in any circumstance. Simply place them with some reinforcement from the front wall for the passive radiator and enjoy.

Cheers,

Scott

.

:yes:

Are the Cornwalls designed to be placed against the front wall? I've been thinking Forte III, but we are likely moving, so will need something that can be placed against the front wall in our new living space.

Forte III and Cornwall III sonics
 

Cornwall’s can be placed in corners and along walls, as the name implies. The ports are in front so you get more freedom of placement, but they do need a little room to breathe. Forte III with passive radiators in back probably needs at least one foot away from the wall to sound right.