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Thiel 3.5 vs Klipsch Forte IV Speaker choice

I am weighing the choice between the Thiel CS 3.5 and the newer Klipsch Forte IV.   My  budget for this is $3600.  If I get the Thiels, I would need to upgrade my amp to accommodate them.  Some possible choices would be a new LKV Power 3 Purifi amp or a used Jeff Rowland 525 amp or a Mark Levinson 23.5.

If I opt for the Klipsch, I do not need to upgrade from my tube amp based system.  The two choices are pretty equivalent in price.  

I have never heard the larger Thiels but had the smaller Thiel CS 1s for many years and still use them to compare with other speakers. They sound good in my music room until I compare them to others.  So far I have cycled through Spatial M3 triode masters and Vandersteen 3a.  Both sounded good but needed a larger room to truly shine.  Currently, I am using Kef 105 speakers and really enjoy the base they produce but think they are lacking in clarity and imaging.  I have only heard the Klipsch in a large showroom, but they sounded very good.  I understand these are very different choices and am hoping the wise Audiogoners can help me with this considering my room constraints and budget. 

My room is 14 x 17 x 8ft., with speakers on Long wall due to constraints. Floor is carpeted and room has some sound treatments. The rest of the system is Don Sachs preamp with Bob Latino modified ST 120 push pull tube amp.  Source will be streaming with Bluesound Node 2i and Schiit Modi Multibit DAC.  Next upgrade after speakers will be a better DAC.

 

 

 

jplunkettj

Showing 3 responses by jplunkettj

jplunkettj OP
55 posts
 

@soix thanks for the Verity suggestion. It does look like best of both worlds. @roxy54 ​​​​@arafiq thanks for further confirmation of Verity as something I should consider. @carlsbad I originally switched to tubes to try out high efficiency speakers -so I am leaning toward the Klipsch. @mrdecibel  the Thiels are around $500 but the amp needed to power them is going to be around $3000.  But my first good set of speakers were the little Thiels so I have had the bug to try the bigger ones.  Thanks everyone for your input.

 

jplunkettj OP
55 posts
 

Thanks @jafant , I will check out the thread. The vandersteens and Spatials were great when I had them in a 500 sf room but unfortunately, my new music room is only 238 sf. 

jplunkettj OP
55 posts
 

@big_greg sounds like you have already walked down the road ahead of me. I do like the Kefs. I will add the ref 1s to my list to consider. I imagine I would need a better amp as well for the Kefs?  However, I did get the tube gear to try out some high efficiency options in my room. Should I also consider an Altec Valencia or equivalent as an option? I am not sure if that would be similar to a more modern Klipsch Forte or too old to compete? If still available, I could get one in good condition for about $2500. 

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