Klipsch speaker choices

Dale,

Did you know there is a Klipsch forum where good deals are posted?
Those guys don't know other brands exist. You can tag along on the
annual pilgrimage to Arkansas to pay your respects. Those folks eat, live, breathe and expel Klipsch products and tweaks.

On to your question: No room treatments you say? Buy nothing
until you address that. DIY for $300 can do the job pretty well.

Once the room sounds as good as it likely can then see how the current speakers sound. Still edgy? If so you may want to lose the horns and find a high efficiency replacement. Anything rated at 94 or higher will work. Your budget seems unclear but look for some lightly used 15" dual concentric Tannoys if you want lose the harshness. 15" Tannoys have been in production for 60 years so you should find a decent pair.

Loved LaScalas with a 2A3,300B or SE EL84 amp. That was in a large ish living room.

Depending on your budget and room size, I would definitely listen to the Heresy, Forte, and Cornwall. The Heresy is a good start. However, after listening to the Forte III, and also comparing to other brands such as the Tannoy Legacy Cheviot, I found the Forte to be a remarquable loudspeaker and an excellent compromise regarding sound quality and cabinet size. I think it is a very good choice for mid size to large room. The Cornwall is certainly another one to try but it is huge, I did not have a chance to hear it.

The RP600M are cracking standmounts for the money. Superb value. Really great for parties too, even better if paired with a decent sub. John Darko just did a review on the Forte III. He bought a pair and loves ‘em. Not the last word in refinement but dynamic and ‘alive’ for R&B, Rock, Techno etc. I know what he means. But for $500-$600, the RP600M rocks.

Ok, great post. I've owned Heresy III's and the Forte III's and loved them both, personal situation forced me to sell both. If and when I go back to Klipsch it will be from the Heritage series for sure, they are a different breed than the rest of the Klipsch lines. I feel the Heritage series are about music reproduction more so than home theater use. I felt the Forte III's may have been the best speaker I ever owned and that covers a lot of territory. That being said, I now have Tekton M-Lores that I bought from an audiophile friend. They are fine speakers however I am not as wowed as many of the reviewers are. I was expecting the "reach out and grab you" sound I read about and I do not get that. Balanced and pleasant, yes. To my ears they do not have the "liveness" I got from the Forte III's or Heresy III's. I thought the Heresy III's were just great and I did not feel the need for a sub either. What bass they do posses is tight and tuneful. I'd like to move up the Tekton line sometime to maybe the Lore Reference and see what the improvements result in. You are talking dome tweeters vs. horns which will always result in a stark contrast to me. Enjoy the journey.