High sensitivity (99) with mid powered (50 to 100 wpc/tube) amps?

I have been investigating this too — I have Quicksilver Mono 60's (25wpc and up, depending on output tubes) and am looking at Forte IV's and Cornwall's.

All I've heard from folks (including on Klipsch forum, which the OP should check out) is mid-powered tube amps sound just lovely with sensitive speakers. Indeed, a buddy of mine who has very sensitive wide baffle speakers (not Klipsch) runs things as low as 8 wpc up to 75 wpc and the speakers always sound great.

When you say near field, how far from the speakers would you be listening to them?  How far apart would the speakers be?  If it were me, I don't think you should be too concerned with the power of your amplifier especially if you like to crank it up once in a while.  Make sure you give them time to break in.  If it doesn't work out then return them.  My two cents.

Thanks @hilde45  , I think that one of the sites that I did a quick pass through was the Klipsch forum and I am not sure what the original thread topic I clicked on was, but I remember a bit of an argument about whether the Forte IV would be too much bass for a small room and whether the ported Heresy IV would be better.  This consideration is applicable to me, because I am listening, presently, in a quite small room at near field.  That is one of the nice things about the sub I would like to get out of the equation, I can tune the bass to my liking.  However, I am thinking that the bass from the Forte IV would be of much higher quality.

I really would love to upgrade my speakers if I can find the right pair at the right price (and these Forte IVs just about meet the latter category), and I do appreciate MDs audition period policy, but I'd like to think that I am going to like them, as I do not think I am going to like shipping 144 Lb.s of speakers back to Chicago.

Anyway, good advice on the Klipsch forum . . . I am going to spend some time there.

@jc4659 , I actually wasn’t worried about not enough power, I was worried that too much power might not be compatible with a sensitivity of 99? My ancient B&Ws are listed as being 87, and my Cary has no problem at all driving them in 50 wpc triode, and especially now that they are in a real small room.

As far as how near field it is? I went back to measure, but I recently uprooted almost EVERYTHING to get to something else, so with stuff all over the floor, I cannot even see where I marked the spots to return my speaker stands to. (I think I am going to get that restored as my next project today.)

But anyway, for dimensions, the front of my drivers are about 3’ from the front wall (which from what I have read of the Forte IV so far is no problem as everyone seems to be putting them a lot closer to the wall than that) and the "polite" B&Ws and I site in an equilateral triangle with all the points being about 4’ from each other. (And I do note that the Fortes don’t have a much bigger footprint than the B&Ws.)

Which I realize is way close, but life is full of compromises and it is what it is. However, with well recorded/mastered source material and the lights off (which is how I always listen) the speakers and walls disappear. With poorly recorded &/or source material, the effect makes me almost nauseous. Some day we may be back in the living room, but I do not see that day happening real soon.

Keep in mind the passive radiator used in the FIV; they need to be experimented with the distance to the rear wall. I find the design to be too low, so a base of some kind can be used to elevate them, or you can create a tilt up elevating the F from the front. They have a very different presentation to the B&W. I am a bit surprised actually that the change of speakers has come up since the power cable discussion was started, not too long ago. Matt, do not take this the wrong way, please, but I see you as just another listener who is a bit lost in the direction of where you want to take your music listening experience. Truth be told, you are not alone, as I communicate with many people, and this is very common. I love the Klipsch Heritage line, and I feel the CWIV should be the way to go. Also, to get them to be problem free, you would do well to dampen the horns with a Dynamat type product. I am very sorry if my words are taken hurtfully. Last thing. Most people listening to recorded music today through a hifi rig (making them an audiophile), are listening for / to the wrong things, ime. They do not want to accept the recording for what it is, which is a collaboration of many various elements that make it very imperfect. But one thing for sure is on our recordings; the "musicianship". So, while many folks want to hear more "space" of a stage, more "tone" from a violin, more "sound" beyond and around the actual boxes / panels, they miss the integrity of the music itself. This, is my experience. I love my system (although I use many different power amplifiers through rotation). My system conveys to me that one most important quality I look/listen for. That connection "with the musicians". Again, I apologize. Good luck my friend. Always, MrD.