Why I Still Listen to These 67-Year-Old Speakers

Introduced in 1957, Klipsch Heresy speakers still have a place in the age of multi-room audio and wireless hi-fi.

Published September 2, 2024

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Introduced in 1957, Klipsch Heresy floor-standing speakers are cultural icons. They’ve remained in Klipsch’s lineup over their existence and are rivaled in clout by only the Klipschorn and La Scala.

However, as multi-room audio and wireless hi-fi become ubiquitous in the stereo speaker market, heritage speakers like the Heresys have become less convenient for most people.

I’m one of those people: I have a decked-out Sonos system at home, and stay up-to-date on technological advancements in audio. That said, the old-school Heresys have earned a permanent place in my home. Here’s why.

Klipsch Heresy IV

Specs

Frequency response	(+/- 4 dB) 48-20k +/-4dB
Sensitivity	99dB @ 2.83V / 1m
Power (Cont/Peak)	100W/400W
Maximum SPL	116dB Continuous
Nominal impedance	8 ohms Compatible

They just look cool

There’s a lot to love about the Heresy. They aren’t too big, even in a small New York apartment. The speakers leave ample floor space and act as something of a statement piece.

Even if you never turn them on, they are the first thing someone notices in a room. And when you do turn them on, their clean, crisp sound can impress even the most discerning speaker aficionados.

klipsch speaker — Compact but still capable of making a statement, the speakers are the first thing someone will notice visiting your home.

Each speaker is built by hand in Klipsch’s Hope, Arkansas, factory and comes in multiple finishes, including walnut, cherry and black ash.

They sound spectacular at low volume

For a floor standing pair of speakers like the Heresys, the speakers have an unusually high sensitivity. That means that they can produce quality sound on less power than similar speakers.

Even at low volumes, the speakers produce clear and clean audio and don’t necessitate being played at deafening volumes.

Even when they lack composure, they’re still fun

While the sensitivity of the Heresy is unusually high, you still need a decent amount of power to run them. You’ll also need some sort of quality speaker amp to route the Heresy through before you attach to your receiver.

The Heresys also tend to be a bit light on deep bass punch, so if you’re looking for a hard-hitting setup you’ll need to supplement a subwoofer.

That said, even in places where the speakers lose a bit of composure (rock played towards the top of its volume threshold), they’re still fun, unbridled and rowdy.

Even in places where the speakers lose a bit of composure, they’re still fun.

It’s true, for a speaker with a 12-inch woofer, I expected a bit more out of the bass tones. But for what is classified as a “compact” speaker, you won’t find a better value. The form and sound of the speaker are elegant, and when you want to bring the noise, the Heresy delivers.

Klipsch Heresy IV

Specs

Frequency response	(+/- 4 dB) 48-20k +/-4dB
Sensitivity	99dB @ 2.83V / 1m
Power (Cont/Peak)	100W/400W
Maximum SPL	116dB Continuous
Nominal impedance	8 ohms Compatible