Thiel 3.5 vs Klipsch Forte IV Speaker choice

You might be fine with your current amp for the KEFs unless you like to listen at really high volumes.  I had an ARC Vsi-55 50 WPC tube integrated and it was more than capable of driving my Harbeth Super HL5 Plus, which are similar in power requirements to the KEFs.  The KEFs like power, but with my 150 watt SS monoblocks I'm usually maxing out around 60 on the volume control (out of 100).

I can't speak to the Altec Lansings, but they were what Art Dudley listened to for quite a while.  

@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. 

I have owned a number of Klipsch speakers - KLF-30, CF-3, Heresy, and currently Quartets, which are like the little brother to the Fortes. 

I went down the Thiel rabbit hole recently.  I bought a pair of CS 2.3 speakers from a friend at a great price.  I liked almost everything they did, but for me they were too detailed and had a brightness to them that I just couldn't get past.  I heard great things about the 3.6 and found a pair of those at a reasonable price.  They had more presence and body and the imaging and soundstage were great, but the sound signature was almost identical to the 2.3.  I bought some high powered solid state amps to see if that would tame them, but they didn't.  The brightness wasn't there on everything I listened to, it was recording dependent, which is not necessarily a flaw of the speakers, just them revealing whatever is there in the recording.

I believe that I'm more sensitive to brightness than most.  I know many people love the Thiel sound.

One of the knocks on Klipsch speakers is that they can also be bright.  They can sound great with a warmish tube amp and are only going to be bright if you like to listen at rock concert volumes.  People tend to think of Klipsch as "rock speakers" because they can play really loud effortlessly, but where they really shine is with jazz, vocals, acoustic stringed instruments and the like.  I don't really agree most of the time when people say that a certain speaker is best with a certain type of music, but in the case of the Klipsch I think they do better with some types of music than others.  They are also very revealing, but are not going to be the imaging / soundstage champs that the Thiels are.

If you like the sound of the KEFs, I would consider getting some better ones.  You might be able to find a pair of Ref 1s at or near your budget.  You might eventually need to upgrade your amp and add a sub or two, but if you want imaging and clarity, they are hard to beat in that price range. 

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

Since you own Thiel CS1 speakers, feel free to join Us over on the Thiel Owners thread.  There you will find many 3.5 fans and owners on the Panel. I agree, the 3.5 will require a SS power amp. And yes, the Vandy 3A requires a large room to bloom properly.

Happy Listening!

@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.

Not the speakers to get if you're picky about cosmetics, but they are good and that's a good price. You won't get Forte dynamics though.

@soix -- great find. I heard a Verity speaker system a few years ago and was very impressed. If I was in the market for speakers, I would have jumped on this deal.

Neither.  Get these Verity speakers.  They’ll astound you and are very easy to drive like the Klipsch but do 3D imaging/soundstage like the Thiels.  Best of both worlds IMHO. 

https://tmraudio.com/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/verity-audio-fidelio-floorstanding-speakers-makore-wood-pair/

I’m a big fan of tube amps and sensitive speakers. So you know my vote.

It looks like your choice is between that and the ss amp to ineffiecient speaker sound.

Only you can decide but wanted to point out that it is a change to an entire differnt platform. So ask yourself first, do you really like ss amps better than tube? or vice versa.

You have a nice amp and I'm thinking you'll be happier with the Forte IVs.

Jerry

Thiel 3.5s should not be costing you that much. I see them all the time selling for under $1K, with the eq. Completely different presentation in sound between the two, and you likely know what they are. The Fortes will sound fabulous with your gear......Yes you would need to get a ss amp with the Thiels ( ime ). My best.....Enjoy ! Always, MrD.