The "better" Klipsch models, Heritage, are still made in Arkansas by hand. I owned the Forte III's recently and loved them, the best Klipsch of the several I have owned over the years. Had to give them up due to a divorce, sigh. DO NOT discount the need for proper amplification in any audio system. I read time and time again about listeners swapping speakers yet retaining an A/V receiver and wondering why the sound isn't pleasing enough. The Klipsch sound is an acquired taste for some but I liked the "liveliness" of it. They are very, very revealing of everything upstream, that includes sources. Good luck in your audio journey. The Forte III's are awesome speakers, some day I will own them again...