I purchased a pair of Klipschorns without ever listening to a pair of any of the Klipsch lineup, past or present. It was worth the outlay of $2300 as the Klipschorns for all their faults, there are equally positives added to the mix of these loudspeakers and other Klipsch's I assume.
Klipsch!. The worst speaker company, EVER?
His passionate hatred for Heresy's and other Klipsch speakers made me laugh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BELSPBZyoCI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BELSPBZyoCI
141 responses Add your response
I believe the takeaway here is Klipsch might have it’s faults ( what doesn’t ), but they do more right, musically, than anything else at their respective price points ( to us fanboys ). And for those who understand the weaknesses, and know the secrets ( they aren’t secrets if you know where to get the information ) of how to minimize, or even eradicate, the nasties inherent in the original designs ( and I am still only talking about the 5 original Heritage models ), they are truly wonderful. Even stock, they are wonderful ( but maybe not with a Crown DC300 driving them, lol ). It is unfortunate many folks still have bad things to say about them. Still, Maggies, Vandys, Martin Logans and box type speakers will continue to have their followers and fanboys, and that, folks, is the wonderful world of audio. For a variety of listeners, there are a variety of speakers ( as well as everything else that makes up a system ). Everyone, just Enjoy the Music ! MrD. |
Let me just say that there are lots of Klipsch bashers out there. I laugh when people say that a particular piece didn't sound good. When in fact, they are listening to the speakers, cables, amp, pre-amp, source, etc. So if the other equipment isn't up to snuff, then, yes, the speakers will suck. maybe. Also, for horns, one doesn't need 250 wpc amps. Clean, low power amps work great. Snell Type A's took me to the audiophile level. I still look back at my Uncle's system and remember saying wow. Klipschhorns were at that level also. Martin Logan's etc. I've owned and do own Klipsch speakers and the new Forte III's with the right electronics sound pretty nice. For one of the very few companies that is still around after all these many years, you have to give them credit. Much like Audio Research and a few others. There are fan boys out there that swear that the products they have are the absolute best. For them maybe, but probably not really. If you haven't heard it in your system, in your home, just replacing that one piece and doing an A/B comparison, you really don't know. The second best way is long, extensive listening in comparable environment with comparable equipment, with your favorite music. Klipsch makes pretty decent equipment in all price ranges because in today's world, you can't survive in only the high price range. Also, not many people had dedicated corners that they could place Khorns in. To me, Forte III's and above are quite nice High end audio stores had to diversify into home theater some time ago just to survive. So Klipsch offers some mid fi and lower high end products. So what? I'm glad that company, like Audio Research, VTL, Manley, KEF, Martin Logan, Mark Levinson, Atmosphere, etc. are still around. Keeps people working and they make great gear. enjoy |
I own Audio Research electronics (purchased used on the Gon), Focal & B&W speakers — what most would consider audiophile gear that delivers a refined, transparent window to the studio recording. My wife and I moved into a new townhouse 1 year ago, and after considerable research/reflection, I purchased Klipsch Heresy IIIs and a Coincident Dynamo 8 wpc SET ($3500 new total cost) for a second system in a small 12x14x8 den/library for late night listening sessions. I chose the Heresy because I wanted something that could be placed close to the wall, has limited tweeter dispersion so as to limit interaction with the room, and sounds good at low volume. I like that these squatty fat boys won’t be knocked over by a dog or grandchild. I am thoroughly enjoying the music in this room! Such big dynamic live sound from fairly small speakers. For the type of music I listen to, 40Hz low end extension is all that is needed. The H-IIIs don’t get much below 50 Hz, but the bass they do provide is articulate, with low distortion. I haven’t decided whether to add a small subwoofer. I have however decided to part with my Audio Research and Focal gear and alternatively set up a home theater , and to get a McIntosh tube preamp with tone controls for my den to help compensate for poor/bright recordings. Perhaps the Heresy’s are not audiophile speakers. Don’t care. For this music lover, their shortcomings are far far outweighed by what they bring to this room. |
Overall, it can be said that “Horn” type speakers, such as Klipsch and JBL Synthesis offer a more vibrant, lifelike presentation that imbues excitement into the listening experience. Try to remember standing in front of the stage right before your favorite band is about to begin their concert...the thrill of waiting for that first note to be played! The energy that is about to explode from the sound system and envelope the audience...that is what a great system should deliver and that is exactly what Klipsch, JBL etc...offer. |
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While not a Klipsch fan and not really a fan of horns I do appreciate aspects of their performance. What I hope most understand that, as far as horns go, Klipsch is pretty much the bottom rung on the ladder. I guess my point would be that if you are a fan of Klipsch speakers you would be well served to check out other brands. Cessaro is the first that come to mind. |
jsautter, although " Klipsch might be at the bottom rung on the ladder ", at their respective price points, they do more of what the Cessaros or AGs do than any other design. And with tweaks and modifications, they are still amazing at their lower cost price points. Do your speakers ( system ) sound " live " ? Enjoy ! MrD. |
I never thought much about Klipsch stuff although I was aware it was around seemingly forever, and I did like some little KG2s I heard in a shop years ago...but that's pretty much it...I only got curious when I bought a little tube amp that begged for speaker efficiency, and having relatively high standards demanding coherence and clarity (from audio gear anyway) I was really surprised by how good the Heresys sound. Amazingly good, even relative to ultra high end stuff I've heard here and there. |
i've owned many speakers (PSB Synchrony Ones, Martin Logan Spires, PBN Montana EPS 2s, Revel F208, Sonus Faber Liutos and some high quality amplification, Simaudio i7). My friend has a pair of Heresy IIs in his apartment driven by a low priced Denon integrated. I've always been pleased and amazed with the sound of his Heresy setup, even at low volumes. They have a fantastic soundstage. Many times, sounds emanate far outside the speaker. Never felt they were harsh, just very lifelike. Admittedly, have not heard them at high volume in deference to his condo neighbors. Overall, was very impressed by such a modest priced speaker. Report this |
I am a fan of Klipsch speakers. I have Heresy 1 speakers with Crites upgrades and KLF-30's. I would not consider the Heresy to be better than my Harbeth Super HLF5 Plus in any way. The KLF-30's can play louder and are very dynamic, but they don't "see into" the music the way the Harbeths can and are not close in terms of detail. Klipsch speakers can be a great value for the money and do a lot of things right. They certainly aren't the worst, but there are much better speakers available, but at a price, often more than double the price for a small amount of refinement. |
I guess I missed the part where the person I responded to mentioned that they were comparing to Heresy III. I have not heard the III’s and I do understand that most Klipsch users agree that they are a significant improvement over the I and II. The other obvious advantage of Klipsch is how easy they are to drive. |
I use harbeth Compact7 which I find easy to listen to for music and movies, dynamics are ultimately limited and bass is sort of 'woody' but I find them pleasant for moderately loud listening and not planning on moving them on, however I'm interested in listening to the heresy III as an additional set of speakers to use when I want to listen to something more forward, louder and dynamic when the mood suits, I like the idea of having two sets of speakers with very different sound signatures. It is interesting that some say they still give dynamics at lower dB levels. |
I have a medium-large room and my ears are maybe 8 feet of so from my slightly toed-in Heresy IIIs...perfect...and the sound level thing always seems funny to me as I don't know anyone serious about hifi that puts speakers in a really large room and sits 50 feet away...except myself when mixing live stuff. Before soundcheck I'll sit in a middle seat in a venue, put something on the system in stereo, and listen for my own amusement (the show's live sound is really dual mono so everybody in the room hears pretty much the same thing). Nothing quite like a multi thousand watt powered 18" subwoofered stereo in a 500 seat concert venue! |
Somehow OT, back there in the thread white elephant / red herring, there was a comment "easier to drive" listing sensitivity numbers. Can someone correct me because for me easier to drive is impedance presented to the amplifier, putting out more dB / SPL per watt at 1 meter to me is no measure at all of easier to drive. A high sensitivity speaker with nominal 4 ohm won't be easier to drive than a lower one with 16 ohms. I'm a noob in audio matters and just trying to learn. |
Further to my comment, the speaker nominal impedance across the entire full range of the drivers presented to the amplifier (I believe nominal means the average impedance across the entire range already but I'm not sure).I get the impression the sensitivity would be more of a marketing term of how loud a speaker will sound compared to another but this is somehow misleading IMO |
MJCMT...my ears have been subjected to being attached to a head that's been in the music biz for over 5 decades, and they work fine. I don't mix these small venue live shows to ear blasting loudness so that's not hard on my ears at all, and the styles of music have ranged from Jim Campilongo and Julian Lage to The Baltimore Consort and Bill Charlap (not on the same bill, but you get the drift). Decades of electric guitar likely did the most damage, but other than tinnitus that really doesn't bug me much and some very high frequency loss I can still hear better than most geezers. |
IF one can divorce oneself from opinion, the Klipsch originals attempted to solve one of the pillars of reproduction: dynamic range. At the time, there were very few large power amplifiers. Paul used walls and proper engineering to get inexpensive drivers/horns to work properly together and achieve some decent levels. I was a LaScala owner from the mid 70s who swore by them. It was a bit disappointing a few years figuring out they were using shockingly low cost OEM EV midrange horns and drivers and EV horn tweeters. It all goes to show that proper engineering and efficiency (wider dynamics) can win a lot of sonic arguments. Today I'd like to think the advances in speaker design are being accomplished by focusing on driver distortion, crossover improvements ["active"] on top of efforts to achieve realistic dynamic range, Brad |
I believe Klipsch has really stepped up their game with their Heritage line. Very competitive in the audiophile world. Their RP line is also making great strides as well. Klipsch heritage speakers are unique, if it's a live artist in your room experience you crave, there are not many speakers that can match Klipsch. It is great to see the progress Klipsch continues to make with their speakers and their product line. Currently I listen to both the RP-160m and the Klipsch Forte iii. Immensely enjoy what these speakers can do. |
Bought from Amazon, and told from an unauthorized dealer and refuse to providesupport. However, customer is following the Kliptch brand name, and from a reputable Amazon platform, - how can customer easily tell which one is authorized, even with trust of Amazon platform, and how can the unauthorized dealer get the product from Kliptch with a resale margin!? This is just absurd. Don't you think it's either Kliptch or Amazon that be responsible for regulating the market, and eventually it's still essentially Kliptch the company itself to protect and honor its brand credibility. this way you are damaging the Kliptch brand, market as well as trust of customer! It's still Klipsch product within warranty, and NOT a fake one! |
Opinions and ears do vary. Not to mention the blazing need to have a compatible unique set of kit to fit with the special demands of Klipsch heritage line. As a totally satisfied owner of Klipsch Lascala II I can tell you first hand they are simultaneously the most finicky speakers and the most satisfying. Most of the "down sides" of Klipsch heritage line is they won't lie to you and smear over system anomalies. They will not play well with many common solid state even top notch equipment. Paul Klipsch used tubes and with tubes they produce a lifelikeness you've only dreamed of. Check out the following review which explains why Klipsch fans are so loyal and satisficed. Andrew Robinson: WHY PERFECTION DOESN'T MATTER - La Scala Review!! Klipsch La Scala AL5 |
+1 @allears4u I am the happy owner of a pair of LS IIs myself. You are right, when it all comes together it’s sublime. Takes a little patience, but get the placement and the supporting cast right and they are hard to beat at any sane cost. |
