Heard the Cornwall Iv vs Heresy IV in the showroom. Was blown away. I was auditioning speakers in the $4-8k range vs. my historical $1-2k budget.
I didn't hear the Forte IV's that day, but the store owner would only play high res jazz. I had to depend on online reviews to evaluate the bass characteristics of the heritage line, and in an unprecedented move (for me) ordered the Fortes without hearing them. I was afraid the Heresy's would fall short in the bass department, but they were so similar to the Cornwalls (compared to other lines he carried) I was confident that the Fortes would have the same open live sound they I liked.
indeed, the Fortes liven up my room compared to my Paradigm 800F's that sounded so good in the store but got swallowed by my room characteristics (although they are amazing in their new home, my recording studio). I can't comment on the III's, I've never heard them.
So the Fortes are doing quite well, and provide an experience that is new to me and way better than the $1-2k speakers that preceded them. That being said, since I have had numerous speakers in this room and their respective room correction measurements I can say without a doubt that the Fortes roll off the high end quite aggressively. Not sure how that is possible with horn tweeters, but it is what it is. It's completely opposite the Klipsch Reference Premiere center channel that I bought to go with them. Otherwise, they sound amazing with all types of music and in all listening positions. I'm not sure if the Heresys would have made me happy, but I have a hard time saying that the Cornwalls I heard would be all that much of an improvement
