2. speakers
  3. 154885-15065

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
grinnell
1,099 posts
 
Could you please compare them to the de Capos?
I have some Klipsch Quartets on another system and de Capos on my main system.  Very different sound like them both
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
570 posts
 
I have Crites speakers which took me a long time to get set up right.  I also added room treatment.  Now I have imaging galore!.  I have a feeling the Heresy is the same.  I heard them at a dealer powered by a Lumin integrated.  They were not as open sounding as the Paradigm monitor or Tannoy.  To be fair these were $6-7K speakers. 
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
Somehow the midrange seemed "more right" when I put the Heresy IIIs back on their risers of my floor...obvious bass reinforcement happens with this configuration and with my 2 subs integrating perfectly it's all good...I've thought the bass without the woofers on is very "honest" and lacks frequency spikes...a good thing...roll in the subs and it's amazing.
btg88
21 posts
 
I've just placed an order for a pair in Walnut for a second system in a medium-sized room (15 x 22 x 8 ft).  Next is to think about amplification.  I've always been solid state on my main system (Ayre), but for these I am looking for a tube integrated or perhaps a Schitt Aegir with the Freya+ tube pre.  If I do go with the tube integrated, I'd really like to get something made in the US - just my personal preference.  Anyone ever try a Frenzel stereo amp?
avman21
3 posts
 
Nice review, and welcome to the first of what I hope will be a long lasting appreciation for Klipsch horn technology speaker design. The engineering, especially of the "Heritage" Klipsch speakers, is outstanding and leading edge, even though the concept goes back to the mid 1900s with Mr Paul W Klipsch!
ALL of my speakers are Klipsch! Belles and Cornwalls make up a 2 pair "surround sound" system in my casual living room, w/a RSW 12 to handle the lowest notes.
My theater room is a 9.1 system, with 3 KLF-30 Legend series speakers across the front, a pair of Heresy front side surrounds, KSP-S6 bipolar rear side surrounds, and a pair of SA-3s doing temporary rear surround duty. I had a RSW-15 doing the deepest bass, but with a failed amp and no replacement available, I can’t complain because my Definitive Technology Trinity Supercube sub is THE best subwoofer for music and movies that I’ve EVER heard, and I used to work in the industry.
Klipsch! So good it Hz!
More to discover