Klipsch Heresy/Tube Amp Speakers

jcmjrt

Addicted Member
I'm looking at getting (or making if someone knows of a good kit) some decent speakers to go with a Fisher 500C that I'm rebuilding. I've heard a lot about Klipsch Heresy and they also seem to meet the reasonable (to me) size criteria. I don't want something that needs it's own zip code. So to a couple of questions:
- are all Klipsch Heresy speakers part of the "signature series" or is that some special edition of the Heresy?
- what other speakers should I consider given that I really don't want something larger than the Heresy (21 x 15 x 13)?
Thanks.
 
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Heresy's are part of the "Heritage" line. Supposedly they love tubes so it seems your combo would be great. I have a HK 730 (solid state) running a 1972 pair of Heresy I's and I can attest to them sounding great. Plus they are efficient. The Klipsch forums are a wealth of info on some great setups. But I'm sure someone will chime in here.

http://forums.klipsch.com
 
heresy

find a nice used pair of original heresys, then do some simple upgrades. the older heresys have removable back panels, replace them with MDF and damp the cabinet to improve bass. have the crossovers rebuilt by bob crites. then you have a world class speaker. used my heresys with a dynaco ST-70 and they sounded great. with my SS gear they are a bit bright. klipsch and tubes go together. cabinets are easy to refinish. klipsch and others still sell them so replacement parts are no problem. great combo in my opinion.
:thmbsp:
 
I keep hearing good things about the Heresy. I see one for sale that someone says is from the 80's and part of the signature series as they both have Paul W. Klipsch's signature on the back panel. I was wondering if that was something special or normal Heresy? I'll check out the Klipsch forum and see what people are saying and especially about rehabbing an old pair. Woodwork doesn't bother me.
 
jcmjrt said:
- what other speakers should I consider given that I really don't want something larger than the Heresy (21 x 15 x 13)?
Are you open to floorstanders without a large footprint? Where are you located -- planning to attend AK Fest? I'm asking because I have something you could audition there.
 
I keep hearing good things about the Heresy. I see one for sale that someone says is from the 80's and part of the signature series as they both have Paul W. Klipsch's signature on the back panel. I was wondering if that was something special or normal Heresy? I'll check out the Klipsch forum and see what people are saying and especially about rehabbing an old pair. Woodwork doesn't bother me.
 
Hi Tubino,
I'm afraid that I won't be at the AK fest this year. I'm new around here but hopefully that event is annual and moves around the country so maybe it gets a little closer to me next year...it sounds like it could be a lot of fun. I particularly liked the description of have a drink talk about speakers, have a drink talk about amps, have a drink talk about...
I could change my mind (it has happened many times before) but at this point, I'm not really looking at floor speakers
 
Okay, good luck in your search for speakers! If you change your mind about AK Fest, I think you'll get to hear some interesting speakers with tube amps.
 
I'm seeing them in the $400 - $500 range..so definitely not cheap. I'm open to other ideas
im not really sure if theres really anything else in the bookshelf size and less than $400 that will be efficient enough for the 500c to drive.the hersey's as others have mentioned seem to offer the best bang for the buck for the 500c or any other tube setup and i'll have to agree as im using a pr with my mx110 and fairchild 260's and dont forsee taking them out anytime soon.ive had the oppurtunity to try many different setups and this one sure clicks.if you have to save up to get some do it(i dont think you'll regret it)the fisher wil also thank you. :D
chris
 
Hereseys and Tubes

I have a pair playing through a Fisher 400 and am very happy with the sound.
They can be downright unlistenable through some ss gear.
 
jcmjrt said:
I'm seeing them in the $400 - $500 range..so definitely not cheap. I'm open to other ideas.
You mentioned that you are somewhere in the bay area. I have seen the Heresy's listed on craigslist locally for 250(unfinished), and usually 3-350.
Quality speakers will not be cheap, and Heresy's are a good bargain for what they are.

Carl
 
If you'd like a Klipsch, and something the size of the Heresy is OK, you might want to look at a pair of KG-4's. They're around 11x16x24 without the bases. They usually go for around $250 in good shape. I found a pair in walnut with a BIN of $180, so you always can get lucky.

I'm running a 500C through them and they sound terrific. I really love the sound.

If you'd rather stay with something more bookshelf-sized, I'm running my 400 through a pair of Paradigm Mini-Monitors. The quality of the sound from these speakers is the most jaw-dropping surprise I've had in a long time. The bass from a two-way this size has to be heard to be believed. I've had friends over to listen and they're looking around asking me where the sub is! Vocals just hang in the air. These frequently go for $200-225 on eBay.
 
The Heresy's do seem to have a major following and that's usually for a reason. I obviously haven't been searching for long but the two sets of Heresy's that are on craigslist now here locally are going for $425 and $450. There was a set listed for $50 on craigslist but it was snagged by someone else apparently looking to flip for a profit. Oh well, I'll catch the deal someday.

Also, thanks for the advice on some other potential speakers like the KG-4s and Paradigm mini monitors. I may buy something cheaper now and keep looking for a reasonable deal on Heresy's - something sub $400 would be nice. Other recommendations are still welcome as I haven't purchased anything yet.

Does anyone know anything about these speaker (hopefully a pic appears below)? The ad just says Advent and that they sound great and look perfect. Thanks everyone.
 
Depending on how loud you want the unit will drive almost anything out there. I've used the 500C on Heresys, Advents, Bozaks, KLH Nines, Mc ML2s, and enough headroom to play classical at a reasonable level without running out of steam. If you like classical and jazz as your primary music and limited footprint, try the Advent, KLH 5, KLH6, some of the vintage ARs such as the 2 or 5 series. I used it with my Heresy IIs but did not find magic in the combo. Did better with the Dyna SCA35 and the Heresys.
 
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the other speaker recommendations. I'm seriously considering those older Advents until I can get a reasonable purchase on a pair of Heresy's....but at this point who knows what I'll end up getting or liking best? I have rather eclectic tastes in music. I like at least some music in most basic genres with the exception of rap/hip-hop and heavy metal. So it's basically rock, blues, jazz, and classical in about that order. There are times when you want to hear Jimmy Page get down and other times when all that will do is Ashkenazy playing Rachmaninoff.
 
I got my 500-C from an owner who used it with the Smaller Advents. The Smallers did very well with it and possibly you could find these on the cheap since they don't go for as much as the originals. On the Fisher they will not go as loud as the originals since the power output is the same into 8 and 4 ohms and the Smallers are 4 ohms and 3db less efficient. Still not a problem getting them to sing.
 
KLH Model 5

I found a set of KLH Model 5 speakers for a reasonable price and purchased them. The switches on the back aren't working - they are "stuck" on high so I'll have to do a little repair work. I wonder if I should just go ahead and recap them? They have a couple scars and wear marks but over all aren't bad...and I got them for $50. :yes:
 
I just picked up a pair of Heresys for $150.00 at a consignment shop. Originals. not the II's. I used to own a pair about 10 yrs ago and have kicked myself eversince for selling. Not the greatest with S.S. but great with tubes. I have them hooked up to a pair of antique sound labs wave 8's and they kick butt.
Usually see for sale in the 300.00 to 400.00 range. When I saw these for $150.00 I thought that take my chances with out even hooking them up. They were fine.
 
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