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Klipsch Heresy IV - not what I was expecting

I haven't felt the need to share my thoughts on a piece of audio equipment for some time. About 2 months ago, I purchased Heresy IV speakers kind of on a whim to hear horn speakers. With no local dealers, I bought them on Amazon with the thought that I can just return them if I didn't like them. At just 45lbs a piece, repackaging them would not be a big deal either. Most of my speakers have been monitors (Reference 3A mm de capo i, Merlin TSM mxr w/ Master RC networks, B&W 805 D3) with a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium integrated running EL34s and Berkeley Alpha DAC with an Auralic Aries Femto music server. My music tastes are wide ranging digital so long as the recording quality is very good.

Over the years, I had several folks cup their hands around their mouths to describe horns so I had a somewhat negative view going in. I had never heard horns prior. In hindsight now, the differences between my other monitors are more subtle -- some image a bit better, some had better low base control, extension, dynamics, etc. But with the Heresy's the music sounds very different from the others. It is more immediate and present (and fun). Some sounds actually startle me. They are not harsh and do not sound like "cupped hands". The Heresy's do not image as well as my other monitors - can't get that barking dog on "Amused to Death" to sound like it's coming from behind me -- but their imaging is still pretty good. It's just more of a larger but less delineated presentation. The Heresy's bass does fall off around 45Hz but my JL audio fixes that, as it does with my other monitors.  The bass down to 45Hz is tight and fast.

I bought the walnut version and its book matched veneer is high quality. One minor aspect that is a bit disappointing -- the feet are just cheap metal grommets which I think are unfitting for a $3K speaker. I'm not sure if Klipsch felt spikes were unnecessary based on the speaker's design? And yes, it's a bit weird that these speakers are designed to sit on the floor and angle up.  As a result, the entire soundstage is lower than my stand mounted monitors. Also, be forewarned that the cabinet doesn't have that "dead to the knock" sound that I'm used to with some of my speakers but again, I'm not sure the (ported) design requires it. Anyhow, I just wanted to share my experience with these speakers which was so vastly different (and satisfying) from what I was expecting. 
lofgren
mattshere
20 posts
 
Thanks for sharing your experience @lofgren 

I just added a set of Forte3's yesterday after trying a few other and could not be more impressed with the Klipsch horn sound.  It seemed most of the opinions I had heard had similar complaints - shouty, bright, fatiguing etc. But after some digging there are a lot of users who really enjoy them.  
I've only had them setup in my room for a day but so far i'm very happy.  Tons of dynamics, texture and a very energetic listen.  Pairs well with my Luxman 507uxII.

Enjoy!


mr_bill
347 posts
 
This may have no bearing on anything, but I heard a pair of Cornwall III speakers being driven by a Mcintosh 252 and I thought it didn’t sound good at all. Sound was confined and not free from the speakers. Definitely didn’t disappear and sounded somewhat closed in.  It was right after I heard the big Paradigm Persona floorstanders and that probably ruined me. 

Maybe the new Heresy IV sounds way better.
jdmccall56
73 posts
 

I'm glad you're finding happiness with the H4's.  They're beautiful, classically "American" loudspeakers.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Tremendous fun being exposed to different genres of speakers. With exposure one realizes that no one speaker/genre does it all, and that there is much to love about each technology. 

Regarding the cupped hand analogy, the reason it persists is because it's true. Moving from speakers with different drivers, it is easy to hear the smaller source, the wave guide, etc. compared to other technologies, such as the extreme opposite, the panel. Maybe there is less of the cupped hand sound, but it's obviously inherent in the technology as compared to others. When you can switch in the same day from one to the other it's obvious. I'm not interested in debating my observation.  :) 

And now for an Easter gift! You want to really have some fun? Get creative. Every smallish speaker I have ever used I put atop stands. No biggie; others have suggested. However... turn them sideways! Try them with tweets inside, and try them with tweets outside. Also, work with the baffle slope by putting devices under the speakers to change it. Have some fun! You will be amazed at the changes to the soundstage when you use them either Portrait (normal) or Landscape (alternative placement)! Disregard negative people who howl about inappropriate use. Use these speakers however you wish. It's your ears, your speakers, your room! Imagine how fun it would be to have an alternative sound stage in a moment's change! If you follow my advice you have at your disposal the means to enjoy several expressions of sound. 

Have fun reading at Dagogo.com, in 3 articles regarding the following speakers about my experiments with Portrait and Landscape speaker positioning, first with the Daedalus Ulysses, then with the Magnepan .7, and finally (and best) PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn 1. 
moose89's avatar
moose89
184 posts
 

I agree. If everyone was given the same ear shape, brain, and hearing? I mean, if all eardrums were uniform, then perhaps we could come up with the GOAT speaker.

it’s like “how would you like your steak cooked?”

my speakers need to know?

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