Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I purchased 1980 heresy hwo on ebay for 300.00 theycame out of house in N.J. hanging on the cieling.
The sound and responce is fabulous I run it with 1978 Sansui 9090db.its hard to find anything digital that competes. I'm convinced tha analog is the true sound.

Boomzillas

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This review is for the Klipsch Heresy II model. Mine is probably a mid-80's set with the 4-ohm impedance. I have previously owned other Klipsch products including La Scala, Heresy 1, and Cornwall models. Because of the need for a smaller "speaker foot print" in my living room, I bought these Heresys via e-Bay. In addition to other Klipsch products, I have also owned Dahlquist DQ-10, AR, Magnepan, Kef, and JBL models.

I find the Heresy II to be a better balanced speaker (frequency response) than the other Klipsch models that I've owned. Of course, no Heresy goes very deeply in the bass. The Heresy 1 models were good down to about 50 Hz, the Heresy II to about 60, and the new Heresy III is supposed to be good only to 70 Hz. Of course, the intent is that the Heresy's (newer models, particularly) be used with a subwoofer.

To add the missing bass, I've hooked my Heresies up to a VERY good sounding Yamaha AV receiver and a M&K MX-350 subwoofer. With this combo, I get subsonics whenever they're desired (and with some classical organ music, I **do** desire them). Fortunately, my Yamaha AVR has a "low impedance" switch on the back that allows the circuitry to get the best out of the 4-ohm Heresies.

The Heresy II, despite the smoother frequency response, still has the "live" dynamics for which Klipsches are revered. Fortunately, the Heresy IIs lack the "nasal" or "honky" sound that some complain about. The built-in floor risers effectively tilt the speakers back perfectly for good imaging and smooth response. Having the bass handled by the subwoofer removes the room loading factor from the Heresies. My receiver crosses over to the subwoofer at 90 Hz. Works perfectly in my room!

With the high sensitivity of the Heresy II models, very little power is needed from the amplifiers. This seems to improve the sound even more. Even at movie levels, there is no distortion. The clean sound almost begs to be turned up even more.

Cosmetics are not the best. My speakers came in "stained birch" or something like that, and even with some tung-oil finish, they aren't very handsome. Next time, I'll buy in walnut or some better finish.

Heresy II speakers are IDEAL for most setups because they've a much smaller footprint than the other Klipsch heritage models, because they are able to work with just about ANY audio-video receiver, and because they work so VERY well with a good subwoofer. For music, the Heresy + subwoofer setup works its magic as well. Just don't go too heavy on the subwoofer levels!

For the price, there's absolutely no better value in audio, IMHO. If you've never heard the Heresy speakers, you're missing out.

Finally, the Klipsch products are made to LAST. If you don't abuse the speakers (blow diaphragms with excessive distortion, etc.), the speakers will last a lifetime. I plan to leave mine to my daughter.

underthevolcano

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $500.00 from ebay

Summary:
I have the Heresy II speakers. I used to own the original Heresy model for many years. I sold them a few years ago to "upgrade". I found myself missing them so I eventually got the present pair on ebay. These are the Heresy II model. I am using much better electronics on these-both solid state and tube amps/preamps and some mixing between tube preamp/transister amp, etc. If you set these up the right way you will love them on live music of any sort-I'm partial to acoustic jazz and live Grateful Dead-with wide dynamic range-you can crank them up and they stay clean with great detail and shimmering highs, terrific midrandge and adequate bass that is not real low, however-but low enough for me w/o subs. These speakers are forward-they arre not BBC style monitors, but to me they are not bright-just real immediate and in your face. Other Klipsch (Epic cf 1-3) are more laid back than these. If you use lousy electronics they will sound somewhat rough. You don't need alot of power, but I think you need 40 watts or more to really get the best out of them, although you can run a 2A3 tube for adequate sound level for near field.

Strengths:
Great live music, articulate and fun speakers to enjoy music. Big sound, little money. Keepers for the long haul.

Weaknesses:
Fairly big, need to be off ground or tipped forward and positioned. They will reveal crappy system components and crappy recording. You will have to hear every background club noise or comment on that jazz-club live recording because they reveal everything.

Similar Products Used:
Sansui SP-3000, Alon Lotus, Klipsch cf-3, Soliloquy, Vienna Acoustics, Spendor

mark thompson

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Ebay

Summary:
For years I had a friend who owned Klipsch speakers. One of the models he owned were an older pair of Heresy's. I did'nt like the sound of his system connected to them at the time (he owned a bunch of yamaha stero gear) So I never really hear their sound potenital while he owned them. When I was shopping for speakers, years later I was trying to match speakers for my tube Dynaco and Macintosh ampliers. After reseaching the forums I picked up a set of KG4's to match up my Dynaco with and I also bought a set of Heresy's months later for my MC-30's. They both match up well. My favorite is the Heresy. It sounds great on acoustic guitar sound ranges. One would think the musican was in the room with you as you listen to the music. I've read the other reviews about the weaker low end sound reproduction and I have to agree it is not their strong suit. If your looking for high quality low end that's what my KG4's reproduce very well.

Strengths:
Realistic presents of the music expereince at all ranges. Great cabinet and sound driver quality. Great sound delivery for size.

Weaknesses:
A bit weak in the robust bass that many people talk about with this model

Similar Products Used:
ESS AMT's

drichardson

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $150.00

Summary:
I have used Klipsch speakers before and always loved their sensitivity but hated that distinct sound that horns can make. I agree with another review that proper setup is needed for these speakers. Once placed properly and eq'd that nasal sound just goes away. One of the most dynamic speakers that I have heard...period! Bass on the series 1 is IMHO better than that of the series 3. Speakers can be fatiugiing if you listen to the at loud levels end on end (but you will damage your hearing then also). Keeping this speakerr at a comfortable level (unless bombastic special affects are needed) is the key to getting rid of fatuige.

I have heard may speakers that I like more than the Heresy, but nothing as fun as this speaker. And what it does - it does it very well!!! I was shocked that it could even image (soundstage can be veiled in the upper midrange). Overall a great speaker at buy I couldn't beat with a stick

Strengths:
Dynamics, size, durability, an sensitivity

Weaknesses:
Sound Staging, proper placement is needed but its worth the time to get it right.

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch Tanget 50, Klipsch KG 2, Klipsch La Scalas,
Non-Klipsch Speakers, Polk, VMPS, Velodyne, Totem, Martin Logan, Snell, Infinity, Paradigm