Review: Klipsch Heresy IV Born to be wild! 

This guy reminds me of all the things I used to like about shopping for audio components back in the day. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and no condescendence.

The Heresy IV is the only thing Steve could find that was louder than his shirts.

My dad was in the industry and we had a lot of cool tube amp's and speakers and two turntables. Out of all the components my dad had , he always had Klipsch Heresy and Klipsch Lascala's ?? May be killing that name .. 900lb Mcintosh amps ( they were massive and heavy) speakers came and went ..the Klipsch speakers lived here longer than some family members. It was a special time in my life ...only problem is , i have a serious case of Klipsch ear. The Hersey Mk4 does it for me. The last pair of speakers i will buy...ok , the last pair i will buy brand new ! If you van scrape up the cabbage ...just do it ...pull the trigger , life is short . Oct of 2019 , i was fine one minute and wole up in Yale ICU a couple days latter , i had a brain aneurism ! Tube everywhere , a hole drilled in my head ... a year 14 mos latter & I'm still here..not as hood as i was but ..i am here . Point is ..ya never know, this is not a dress rehearsal...if you can afford to do something really special for yourself ...something that you have been wanting to do for YEARS.... maybe go ahead and do it ! I gave my Heresy 4s to a U.S. Marine vet. He always wanted a pair of Klipsch speakers...served our country , came home and didn't have a whole lot ...he was going to buy a pair of Boston's i repaired ..but he took home the Klipsch H4's , he had tears in his eyes because he was so touched ..i had tears in my eyes after left ...but i wanted him to have them ..in my heart , i really did. Sorry for the derailment... Killer speakers ....absolute top shelf built in the U.S.A Quality and performance. Hope to obtain another pair again sometime soon.✌👍🇺🇸

Your taste in Music Open my Soul ,, My wife just died 3/6/2023 your music list wowow,,, I needed it Thank You,,

Fantastic Review Steve. Your descriptions are vivid and even without any audio (which would be pointless and unproductive over a computer or smartphone anyway) are incredibly detailed in to be of much more value than any audio sample could ever be and you entice us (even taunt us) to give these speakers a Close Encounter of the Audiophiliac Kind. I’ve heard older Heresy models quite a bit. For a time, one of the Horn bands I gigged with for many years used the wedge shaped Heresy Monitors for our Horn Section. What better way to hear horns through monitors than with Horn speakers and yes they were Loud! Some speakers are great at reproducing nuance, detail, sibilance, definition, etc. and many can’t. I want to hear the detail in Louis Armstrong’s phrasing when he sings and plays his trumpet because they are one in the same. I want to hear Miles as he shades a single note in his unique way on his Martin Committee Trumpet. I want to hear Johnny Hodges beautiful richness of tone on his saxophone and Thelonious Monk’s percussive pointillistic melodies and he manipulates the pedals and “bends” the notes of his piano. I want to hear Billy Holliday’s “God Bless the Child” in its naked soulful yearnings. I want to hear Buddy Rich’s drawing those incredible tonal nuances out of his cymbals and I want to hear Gàbor Tarkövi’s dynamic Mahler 5th Solo on his Schagerl Rotary Trumpet like he’s on that big Concert Stage and I’m on the Front Row. How many speakers can deliver all that? I can’t really say because I haven’t heard them all but I have heard some Klipsch speakers come awfully close. Thanks Steve.

My first love for audio must have originated from high school while visiting a friend, and my friend's father had an early pair of these back in the 70s (1st gen Heresy) driven by a Sansui 9090 receiver we would listen to for hours. The experience for me was exhilarating. The sound was nothing short of incredible, and utterly breathtaking. These speakers are legendary. Indeed, these are some of the most awesome creations, guaranteed to satisfy even the most discriminating audiophiles, and for decades have been consistently a standard by which everything else compares.

Oh, man, I hadn't seen "The Gut" in so long, this was so great to fall upon, Mr. Steve, I love how he talks about sound and speakers.

I’ll never forget when I played queens another one bites the dust for my mom through my heresy ii. Her reaction was priceless... rocking her whole body side to side for the whole song, and when it was over, she yelled “where do I buy these speakers!?”

I first heard a set of these when I was 12 years old. My nextdoor neighbor had them paired with a Yamaha amp and played the B52’s at an astonishingly loud level. They were so clear and so crisp. I started buy audio stuff short after that. Now I primarily buy Klipsch and Yamaha. Although Emotiva and Elac are wandering into my equipment collection now days as well

Groovy shirt! Groovy Review! Always enjoy your passion and analysis! Thank You! I have been a Klipsch fan over the years...

I love Klipsch speakers and JBLs, been living with both for over 40 years. I had a pair of pro La scala's, the two piece 200 watt one's. Now I been jamming out with a pair of Forte's. 🎼

KLIPSCH SPEAKERS.... pissing off the neighbors since 1946!

I auditioned these, in the first 10 seconds I knew I had to have these! They are fabulous!!!

I've had two pairs over the years. My last pair was the Heresy II in light oak with factory angled stand. They sound great! Since they are compressed driver technology, the are very efficient so you can use a very modest amplifier to drive them. I've also owned a pair of "Cornwall's" but the passive subwoofer was too bassi for me. My dream speakers were then either a pair of "La Scala's" or a pair of K-Horns" The larger Klipsch's require a huge room because they are so physically big. The Heresy's are perfect for any room modest or large and sound great too!. I never planned to use them in my home theater, but somehow they made their way into my system probably while I was deciding on which speakers to get for that purpose. Turns out that they sounded so good that I just left them as my front left and right speakers. True audiophiles don't like Klipcsh loudspeakers for many reasons. One of them is that they over drive them with huge amplifiers (you really only need 20 WPC to make them really sing). I used a small tump and preamp and a killer turntable and had an amazing system. True audiophiles scoff at compression drivers in a loudspeaker for some reason. True audiophiles can be snobs at times. My theory is that once you educate yourself about your equipment, audition everything, consider even buying used components on eBay and places like that, once you establish a budget, you'll be able to build an awesome system that satisfies YOU and not anyone else. It is great fun to share your music with others, perhaps sipping a good Chardonnay and nibbling a Brie cheese, listening to symphonies, female vocalists and Jazz, or even classic rock and alternative rock are good choices once you've built your system. Once you find the sweet spot, you will be in heaven. Educate yourself and choose wisely, buy used speaker cables and you will save BIG! Sure, the really high end stuff costs as much as a house, but don't get caught up in that stuff because for modest money, you can have a system that sounds almost as good once you know what you're looking for for a fraction of the price. So endulge yourself!

The Klipsch Heritage Series speakers are out of my price range, so I started watching Internet ads for Klipsch’s KG speakers, from the 1990s. Bought my first set of horn speakers, KG 3.2s, in =mint= condition, Thursday afternoon, for just $200! They are magical: clarity, presence, and a smooth, full response! Thanks, Steve! 🔥🔥🔥

I'm pleased you like large horn speakers... I use to own one of Paul Klipsch's personal favorite the Klipsch corner horns...now that's a speaker that can rock and sounded so amazing once you had them set up correctly...they also got me in a lot of trouble back in the day...I believe they still build them today... Steve, I think you should give them a try while you still have peaceful neighbors... ...lol...my present speaker is the JBL 4325's, a 15" studio moniter...love both these manufactures...thanks for your time and reviews... I have followed you long before the internet was around...how times have changed...peace

Thanks for the review Steve! I am now a proud owner of my own heresy's, and really enjoy them not only as a living room music listening speaker but also there are fantastic for cinema!

Steve, I previously had my Klipsch floorstanders towed in to focus in between my 2 listening chairs. I was always happy with the sound but on your advice I towed them in even more so left speaker would hit the right chair and right speaker would hit the left chair (per your diagram). Wow!! Amazing difference! Sound stage is super balanced and (maybe) since the backs of speakers are directly in line with the true corners the bass response has increased noticeably. Incredible and cheap!!!

I've had a lot of well regarded speakers: Harbeth, Buchardt, Kef, among others, but these Heresy's have a little touch of something magical that is totally and completely endearing✨

Good to know a reviewer's defined preferences.

I have Heresy 3 in my studio. Matched them with a sub and they rock!

Steve, I've been bingeing on your content. I love your show!

Steve- thanks for this review. I just kept watching it. Made me remember my time with the KG4's I used to own...and the Heresy II's I talked my buddy into getting 20 yrs ago. I got my Heresy IV's on Friday. Moved out my ProAc Monitors. Took time to set these up. Are they better? No. Are they awesome,Yes! Just something about Klipsch. Somehow they have slam that defies size and specs. They have detail and a large soundstage. Very easy to place in a room. Thanks for spotlighting these. I am am going to enjoy my musical trip back in time.

I heard my first pair of Heresy's at a party in 1978, at a girl's house. Super impressive with just 50 watts.

I am glad that you touched on low level listening. One of the great features of these high sensitivity speakers is that you can play at low levels and retain a sense of excitement. Plus the HOA doesn't get involved.

I love what Roy Delgado is doing to the entire Klipsch Heritage Line. Better drivers and superior horn lens designs. More refined sound. Best speaker you can buy for Rock and Blues Guitar.

I had a pair of Heresy's I purchased in '81 and they where portted across the front at the bottom. I had them paired with Crown components. 2 DC300A amps, a SL2 preamp and FM2 tuner. Tyvm for the reviews on the IV's. :)

Nice detailed explanation Steve .It helps to make that perfect choice .

Late 1970s... the local Tower Records, as big inside as a large grocery store inside with a tall 20-foot ceiling, had four of these positioned around the perimeter of the album area about 12 feet up and cranking hard. I was blown away at how clear they sounded at such a high volume. I always wanted a pair, but ended up with lower cost Cerwin Vegas which did a decent job, followed years later by some sweet JBLs. Let the music play on....

Does the Heresy iv manages to challenge or even overshadow the Forte iii in some aspects?

Thanks Steve! I am thumbs up #280. Great review as always. I am now your newest subscriber with the bell!

I love listening to van morrison on my heresy’s. Listen to Van and his choir album, gypsy queen. I could hear into the music so well and can feel the heart in vans music.

Great speakers. Heard them in the late 70's. The adage still stands as in cameras. The best speakers as in cameras is the one you use at the time you have it. In side not I have owned Cerwin Vega Boston Acoustic Sansui JBL Altec Lansing. Sold them all and as far as I know still in service. Just to say I am glad that audio geeks are still out there loving the craft of old equipment of yester year.

I bought a pair of Klipsch Roughly 30 yrs ago and they are still the best sounding compared to others i have bought

Steve I enjoy your reviews. You, unlike some reviewers, don't have a tin ear!

I sure wish I could have heard all your advice, for the last 50 years , when I think of all the crappy sound equipment I’ve spent my money on

Sold many of its older brothers back in the late 80"s such good times!

One thing you convey really well is how fun Klipsch speakers are. Are they the most ______ ? No. But they are freaking fun. I love them too.

Great review man, nice shirt :-)

Paired with a good tube amplifier, in my case a Line Magnetic 211 iA, the Heresy IV is an absolute dream team. This plastic openness and transparency in the mid-high range is unique. I like listening to live recordings, you can literally reach into the stage. The audiophile virtues such as resolution, localization and spatiality are also at a very high level with the Heresy IV. Other loudspeakers, even high-quality ones, often bored me relatively quickly, but this is completely different with the Heresy IV, these are captivating and you feel like you are right in front of the stage. You definitely shouldn't let the Klipsch haters stop you from listening to this phenomenal speaker, it's absolutely worth it.

Hey Steve, as mentioned here by someone else, I'd love to hear your opinion on Klipsch La Scala. Also, not too long ago you visited an audiophile in NYC that was rocking PBN M2! (speakers based on JBL M2 pro-audio drivers). Is there any chance you would have a critical listen to those again and tell us about it. In fact, Volti Audio, Unison and JBL Synthesis have great horn-loaded speakers. Any horn speakers you can get hands on ... i'd love to hear about it.

I do extreme toe in with 600m’s and it is great. Thank you Steve!

Steve, I’d LOVE you to review the La Scalla!

Great review. I now have inherited parents 1983 model Hersey's (speakers I help my Mom select back in the day) in my studio office paired with the smallest 8" Klipsch down firing sub. No complaints, except I now want the model IVs!

Great review Steve.

Love my Heresy 1 speakers. That was the beginning of my Klipsch addiction. Have Klipsch in every room now. There is no other speaker that matches Klipsch in my opinion. I have gone through many Klipsch center channels and subs. Some do not last forever but the Heresy 1 kind of does. Had to replace the woofer years ago on one Heresy but that was the only problem I have ever had. Bought them from a friend in the mid 90's for $275.

I've now watched 4 reviews on the Heresy IV, and there hasn't been a single review that actually plays them..... Amazing.

Sir love your Channel ! a) How would you compare Klipsch Forte 3 vs RF 7III ? b) Also now that most Klipsch range is moving to version 4, you think Forte 3 will also have an upgrade soon ? I currently own Forte 3

.... I admit it, I've listen to this review a few times now ....... I had 4 different AR Speakers before 74 and they were my 1st love .......... I had my JBL 4311 and they were my ROCK n ROLL speakers for decades but I think in Dallas 1977 I heard the entire line of Klipsh & dreamed of the day! Most of my equipment disappeared as I invested in Studio & Live Equipment and about a Year ago I decided to do the best I could and go back to just LISTENING for a while. Not many people have the WORK and PAY that we all use to get in the USA, but so many PEOPLE are Dying in my age group, that incredible equipment is around last few years to enjoy even if your living under a $1,000 a month. ..... anyway, I realize that if anyone really knows me they will someday in the future get an AWESOME Unit I leave behind, even if it's not FAB or New.... it will still pull your Zipper Down.

Thanks! How do you feel about the Heresy being mounted on a stand? I have read that they lose their base when up off of the floor. My living room/area, will have a chair slightly in the way of a floor speaker. Thanks again!

I have never been a Klipsch fan myself but that is okay. That is the neat thing about this hobby-one man's meat is another man's poison. I think we have different tastes in speakers (and possibly music as well) but I still enjoy your reviews. They help me keep an open mind.

I have tried extreme toe in with my DI's. Love it.

Great vid! Now, I feel I need a pair of Fortes or Cornwalls! Btw, they play “loudly”, not “loud”, Steve. C’mon, man. You’re a writer. lol. Just kiddin’! You da man, and I’m a long time subscriber. You could speak strictly using monosyllabic words, and I’d still be a huge fan. Anyway, I hope ya don’t mind if I go off topic for a sec, but do you feel my Tekton Pendragons (95dB efficient) would pair well with a First Watt amp at aprox 25 wpc or a Pass Labs XA.25? I know the XA.25 is very conservatively rated, and have heard both yourself and Herb mention that it can output as much as 80 wpc. Have you found the First Watts seem to, “stay in their lane” as far as wattage goes? Is one of them more tonally appealing, in your opinion too, or am I just comparing apples to oranges here? I just figured I’d ask the real expert first. Dumb question? Just preference, in the end? Thanks so much for yet another amazing vid, Steve! 🎶👍🔊🙂

I bought.a pair of Heresys in 1975 and originally paired them with a Sherwood receiver with 60 watts per channel. They always performed cleanly and without effort at all listening levels. In the 80s I switched to the NAD 3020 with 20 Watts/channel. Still plenty of power.

Poetic passionate Review! Thank You! Honest and Balanced!

Okay, so get a pair of Heresy IVs for when you want to storm the Bastille, either with James Brown or Richard Wagner, e.g. (yeah, government certified Old Dude here), AND a pair small-ish Maggies like the LRSs or .7s when more finesse is desired. These flat panels are light and compact enough to pick up and move over to the side walls when you need to clear the dance floor. Just make sure that you've marked those carefully located set-up sweet spots for later. How about a Rogue Atlas for the amp with KT120s? Just something about the idea of a Rogue spouting Heresy that appeals to my sense of whimsy. Not an unrealistic price match either and all "Born in the U. S. A.", for those who care about such things.

Hi Steve just wanted you to know that I love all your videos and information you gave us in this hobby!! Just had a question I want to know if you could recommend an integrated amplifier to go with the Klipsch heresy four speakers. My budget is $1000 I know this may be difficult but any help would be much appreciated!! Thanks again for all you do!!

Thank you for a great review Steve.

Did I tell you that that is a great shirt? And the Ramones? I LOVE it!

"It sounds like being there: The Ohm Walsh 2000," says the Audiophiliac.

9:18 - You can say that again. Also I now own the set you reviewed. They are amazing.

Hey Steve. This series could be an elective at any major university - unbelievable content. Have you ever reviewed Mills Audio speakers? I have never experienced them in person but they seem to be a "life goal" for those who own them.

I bought a new pair of Heresy speakers in 1980. They were too much speaker for my small livingroom, but I would set them on the corners of our porch about 25 feet apart. Our back yard was a 1 acre field where we played frisbee. Those speakers sounded so beautiful anywhere in the yard. They made the Vapors, the Police, Head East, The Cars and Fleetwood Mac sound so good. If I could share one piece of advice, if you were to acquire a pair of these speakers don't try to play disco, because 40 years later, disco still sucks.

As soon as I get back up to Oregon and out of this condo after winter is over I’m buying a set in cherry. All based on you and Robinsons reviews. The LAST thing I will play through these though, will be The Ramones! Or The Fugs or the Velvet Underground.

Steve did you get to see the ramones early on? I saw them at an amusement park in 1979, after the show they loaded up their own equipment....I was shocked because we idolized them..but it was also very punk.

Hello. I wondering how it would work with the x7 from muzishare

I have '84 Heresy's and love them.

Great video, Steve. I have a question for you. Are there any comparable floorstanding speakers that match the performance and sound of Heresy IV? I am looking to upgrade, but I have space constraints (I live in a small apartment) and I feel these speakers, awesome though they are, will not be good for limited space. I currently own Jamo S606s. I appreciate your inputs!

My parents bought a pair of Klipsch Cornwall's new in 1979. Mom still has them and still sound great!!! She said they cost $500 each then...

Love the videos! Would you recommend these speakers in a room 12’D x 10’W x 9’H ?

Hi Steve. Very good posts for sure. As a listener my taste in music ranges from jazz to classical with a tertiary as rock. Given the accoustic ranges for jazz / classical what can you tell me regarding speaker choices as I am strong believer than the speakers are the most important element of any stereo set up.

Considering these speakers, they're in my price range and people seem really passionate about them. They're way beyond my volume needs, though. Do you have a favorite speaker for music and movies at a low volume but still really great quality? Thanks!

Back int the 1970's my room mate had a pair of Heresy speakers and a Phase Linear 700 power amp. He played Quadraphenia wide open, and our neighbors up and down the apartment came out looking for the storm.

Would you recommend these speakers with a Vintage Sansui 9090 Receiver?

Very good video. Which one would you choose, the Klipsch Heresy IV or the JBL L100 Classic?

I almost forgot I also would like to add a subwoofer with the Klipsch heresy speakers

Love the videos, keep ‘em coming! Question, if these aren’t the best horn speakers for things like classical music, what is?

Hi Steve Great review. The Heresy's sound like a bargain. I own the RP600's based on your review and love them. Question: Is the overall sonic character of the Heresy similar to the RP's given that the frequency response is pretty close?

You misspoke when you compared the low end of the Heresy IV with the Cornwall III. The CIII lower frequency range was specified by Klipsch at 34 hertz. The Heresy III is 58 Hertz, the Heresy IV is 48 Hertz, the Cornwall IV is remains 34 Hertz. Nevertheless, I have taken delivery of my Walnut Heresy IV pair this week and the decision about amplification is my current conundrum. Of the First Watt amps you tried - The SIT-3, F7 and J2 - Did one perform noticeably better? Thanks

Ah - toe in means the horns have a narrower dispersion. Do you have to be sitting to hear them well?

Hello Audiophiliac i have moved on from the Pioneer SX-880 to the Pioneer SX-1080. i am using Klipsch R820f speakers which do a great job, but i am looking for an upgrade that would be a better match specification wise. i have considered Cerwin Vega SL 12 and 15. Also considered klipsch R7iii and Forte iii. i don't know if i should go with more sensitive or less sensitive speakers. Please help me make a decision with your knowledge.

I’m running a pair of the first generation with a pair of Decware amps in a small office and love them. The answer to 6 watts per Channel is yes plenty loud. I sometimes think about getting the new generation and why spend another 3 grand. You are right around speaker position as I’m constantly changing positions from album to album. Cool shirt by the way.

I love my old fortes I have the forte II they sound great

Looks like the connectors on the Heresy IV have made it to the new upgraded RP 600 M II. ! small part of the upgrade kit for the RP600M was wire to wire connectors

Forget the speakers....where do you get your shirts. I need to sport the Guttenberg look.

Steve, you should open another channel where we can discuss all your AWESOME shirts and what's new in the Audiophiliac shirt world!!!

Steve, what were your thoughts when paired with the First Watt J2?

I heard these recently at the Bristol HiFi Show. Absolutely killer speakers. They reminded me of the sound of the speakers that my dad had when I was a kid. I just sat and listened for who knows how much time. The best rooms are the ones where you don't try to dissect strengths and weaknesses because the speakers engage you to just listen. This was one of those rooms.

What do you guys think, are the heresy IV really worth 3 times more than something like the rp 8000 f for music? Thanks a lot for any help on that!

At around 09:45 , did you mean to say the Heresy III is sealed? (I ask because you started talking about Cornwalls all of a sudden).

Hello Steve. From your past opinion I bought a new Outlaw R2160, so far after more than a year, I love this receiver. Now I need some better speakers, what do you think of the combination of a Outlaw RR2160 plus a set of these Klipsch Heresy IV ? Thank's !

Thanks for the great review. Can you please compare these Klipsch models with Tannoy Cheviot and/or other comparable Tannoy speakers. Thank you.

Interesting, I just seen another review from a very good reviewer, and the review was a quite different! Amazing.

Looks like I’m going to upgrade !

S.G. - "If you're itching for neutral, probably not for you." Andrew Robinson - "The Heresy IVs are now perfectly neutral." Who to believe. Who to believe.

I had a pair in a listening room with a Phase Linear amp and a sub woofer. It was in a remote setting, the sound levels were impressive. Other than other Klipsch speakers never heard anything to create concert realism so effortlessly. For critical listening there are other roads to take. Fun speaker LWE's

I love that, right off the bat, you mention that these have freaking 99 dB sensitivity. I could run that on a 10 watt lePai amp and be satisfied for years.

My Klipcsh are tower speakers 38H X12W 10 woofer at middle of speaker and 10inch or so horn at the top. Port at the front on bottom. Probably several years old, in a black cabinet and they are very heavy. Bought them at an Estate sale with no info available. they sound awesome. Just wanted to know if you may have any info on these speakers. No model number to be found. Also the speakers are black not the copper. The brand name is on the front bottom of the speaker covers, they are also sealed. Thanks in advance for any info.

I've owned Heresy I. Years ago . Loved them. Lively. Also Forte I. Currently running Paradigm Studio 20 v5. Love them . Very smooth. Tomorrow going to look at Forte iv Heresy iv. Tomorrow I'll be bringing home Klispch . Leaning towards Forte iv. But those Heresy are like a Fender Tweed 57 Champ. Heresy have that history. Either way I'll be good.

The Ramones 1st (and best) album?!?!?!?! Now THAT'S the way to christen in a pair of speakers! Very cool!!!!