The Forte IV in a New American Auburn Finish
This is the new American Auburn finish of the Klipsch Heritage Forte IV. Auburn joins the Forte IV’s existing American Walnut and Satin Black Ash finishes as a newly introduced wood tone — a reddish-brown veneer that gives Klipsch’s most popular mid-size Heritage tower a warmer, more contemporary look without changing anything about how it sounds.
A Three-Way Design Built to Rock
The Forte IV pairs a 1" K-100-TI titanium compression tweeter and a 1.75" K-702 polyimide compression midrange — both horn-loaded — with a 12" K-281 fiber-composite woofer and a 15" KD-15 passive radiator on the rear panel. That passive radiator acts like a port but with tighter control over low-frequency output, giving the Forte IV a bigger, more authoritative low end than its cabinet size would suggest. At 99 dB sensitivity, it is an easy load for tube amplifiers and modest solid-state gear alike.
Revoiced Crossover for a Smoother Midrange
The ‘IV generation introduced a redesigned crossover network based on the steeper-slope filter topology used in Klipsch’s flagship Klipschorn and La Scala models, along with a wide-dispersion phase plug on the tweeter that spreads high frequencies over a wider listening area. Together they smooth out the up-front, close-to-the-source character Forte owners love while widening the usable sweet spot.
Book-Matched Auburn Veneer, Built to Order
Every Forte IV is hand-built to order in Hope, Arkansas, and the new American Auburn veneer is book-matched left to right like every other Heritage finish, with grain leaves cut from the same piece of timber and arranged to mirror at the seam.
Audition the Forte IV in Our Ottawa Showroom
The Forte IV is a great entry point into the Heritage lineup for customers who want that classic horn-loaded Klipsch energy in a more manageable cabinet than a Cornwall IV or Klipschorn. Book an appointment at our Ottawa showroom to hear the new Auburn finish and compare it side by side with the Heresy IV and Cornwall IV. We deliver and install across Canada.
Product Highlights
- Three-way Heritage Series floorstanding loudspeaker with passive radiator
- High frequency: K-100-TI 1" titanium-diaphragm compression driver on K-79T horn
- Midrange: K-702 1.75" polyimide compression driver on K-703-M horn
- Low frequency: K-281 12" fiber-composite woofer + KD-15 15" passive radiator
- Frequency response: 38Hz–20kHz ±3dB
- Sensitivity: 99 dB (2.83V/1m)
- Power handling: 100W continuous / 400W peak
- Maximum SPL: 116 dB continuous
- Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
- Crossover points: 650Hz, 5.2kHz
- Dual binding posts support bi-wiring or bi-amping
- Dimensions: 16.63"W x 35.75"H x 13"D (each)
- Weight: 72 lbs (each)
- New book-matched American Auburn wood veneer over 3/4" MDF enclosure
- Hand-built to order in Hope, Arkansas
- Warranty: 10 years (Klipsch Heritage warranty — covers current and future Heritage models)
What's in the Box
- 2 Forte IV floorstanding loudspeakers
- 2 grilles
- 8 self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owner’s manual
- Klipsch “Congratulations” letter and brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Auburn a limited-run color for the Forte IV?
No, Auburn is a standard finish option now offered alongside the existing American Walnut and Satin Black Ash finishes. Like all Heritage speakers, each Forte IV is still built to order rather than pulled from stock.
What is a passive radiator, and why does the Forte IV use one instead of a port?
A passive radiator is a non-powered cone, similar in size to a woofer, that moves in response to internal cabinet pressure instead of air moving through a tuned port. The Forte IV’s 15" passive radiator gives Klipsch tighter control over bass output and reduces port noise (chuffing) at high volumes compared to a conventional bass-reflex port.
How does the Forte IV compare to the Heresy IV?
The Forte IV is the larger of the two, with a 12" woofer and 15" passive radiator versus the Heresy IV’s single 12" direct-radiating woofer, giving the Forte IV deeper bass extension and a larger footprint. The Heresy IV is more compact and often used on stands, while the Forte IV is a true floorstander.
