Klipsch Speakers

   I think you have too many variables in play for a single solution. If I may ramble a little. The Klipsch Heritage series has a distinct sound, tubes will improve it, but it’s still Klipsch and will always be bright and lack bass. Also your room acoustics have a huge impact on your overall sound. I’m also amazed @dweller ‘s experience with his Forte’s, that’s hugely disappointing. I have Heresy II’s in the closet that I ran with SS, then tubes. I used subs, rolled tubes and played with cables. I improved the sound , but I still don’t care for them. But keep in mind , many listeners enjoy the Heritage line and that’s great. I would ignore the haters and would consider jumping onto the Klipsch specific chat site and seek a solution for your Forte’s. After reading what dweller said, I’d at least look inside. If there’s any way you could home demo some gear, you could get a better idea of what to do with your direction with speakers and amp. Keep in mind system synergy and room dynamics. On the older Klipsch speakers , crossover rebuilding and diaphragm replacement is a must. In closing I would consider looking inside your speakers. Eliminating any silver cables, and play with speaker placement. I’d also experiment with dampening on and around the mid and tweeters, with tape and soft materials. These are things that are basically free and might yield some insight. Good luck and happy listening. 

Stainless steel connectors? Stainless is a crappy conductor!

@silverfoxvtx1800 

A tube amp might help, but your room would be the first place to start. I’ve been a tube guy since the early eighties, but just last year I bought a solid state amp and I’m very very happy with the sound. The room it’s in has wall to wall carpet, a lot of my hard surfaces are covered and some sound absorbing panels on the walls and it makes a huge difference!

All the best.

Have you run them in 200 hours?  If not, that is a big start.  Other than that, a Schiit EQ or the Bellari EQ will solve your problem. 

I have the klipsch forte iv all round they are a pretty good speaker.dweller is right the binding posts  come loose have to retighten from the inside. I took the metal caps off and installed the iso acoustics gaia ii. As for brightness they are a bit forward. I saw a YouTube video where the guy removed the horn an tweeter,and put dynamat on the for damping which he claimed to help. I think in the end though your equipment will determine how they will perform. Klipsch recommends low watt output tube amps,I’m using a Mac 462 Aesthetix sig.pre-amp,but have not been able to try as my preamp is been upgraded haven’t gotten it back yet. Dweller where did you get the copper strips from?