Klipsch Heresy iv...Your experience.

I have IIIs and listened to the Heresy IV a few weeks ago.  They are really nice ,  

Wolf,

Any more thoughts on your Heresy iv?  Just wondered how they were working out for you.

They were up for sale last I saw. 

I already had the IIIs, and was simply so curious about the IVs after the positive reviews that I just had to grab a pair. I noted someplace else that the IVs are far more sophisticated in their assembly, and compared to my IIIs, the finish is much better. My IIIs are the "Capitol Records 75th Anniversary" edition with an "ebony" sort of deep purple very thin (scrapes off easily) finish over some veneer. So...The IVs initially did what they’re supposed to do, deeper bass, new midrange tone. But there’s the rub...the mid horn on the 2006 designed IIIs is a far more complex (weird design with a the titanium driver blowing into a long pointy tube with 4 holes in the base where the diaphragm connects, but hey...it works) design with a titanium driver, and the poly driver horn on the IVs is a far simpler and shallower "bolted to the flare" design with a small phase plug...the mids on the IVs weren’t making me smile...even after a couple of months of break-in, certain tones (especially acoustic piano) on recordings I’m very familiar with sort of barked...upper mids. An acceptable sound if used with somebody else’s gear maybe, but I demand that speakers I live with make me instantly satisfied at all times or they’re outta here...the IVs are beautiful, well made speakers that just didn’t work for my ears, and they looked so good I figured a quick sale would ensue...it did (I priced them fairly though, and figured my small loss was an "extended audition fee.") The new owner seems to like ’em. My IIIs are likely to stick around, but I’m now curious about ZU stuff and a pair of Omen 2 "dirty weekends" will be in my room by Friday...it’s a risk of 100 bucks for a 2 month audition...what could go wrong?

I'm going to post my negative opinion about the iv's. I do see that everyone posting here seems to have really positive things to say. Pro is the high sensitivity so you don't really need a beefy amp (although it couldn't hurt). I did like the natural sound they provided. They are highy dynamic. Cons however made me return them. They take up a lot of room in terms of width. I didn't like the floor and tilt up sound. I prefer the tweeter ear level. The midrange was a bit leaner than what I prefer (I may just prefer more warmth in general). The bass was good but I wouldn't call it tight. Ultimately I wound up returning them. Most people that love them seem to comment that they are like listening to live music and so some of the "flaws" are acceptable. Ie if you criticize it on all the details you are missing the point. They are just meant to play. Hope this helps...

New Heresy IV review

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/klipsch-heresy-iv

The ZU Omen 2 "Dirty Weekend" speakers, at least compared to the Heresy IIIs I've owned for years, had a sort of midrange "veil" or lack of what I seem to need in ultimate clarity. I even swapped in a good MOSFET amp (to compare to my trusty tubed single ended pentode Dennis Had "Firebottle") I have for a second pair of deck specific speakers and had the same issues, so back went the ZUs...note ZU was great to work with...nice guys. My issues with the IVs could have been specific to that pair although unlikely, so my theory regarding the perhaps "better for me" last generation titanium mid horns still stands. I might be the only one who feels that way, but I do get some satisfaction from the fact that I now am even more happy with the IIIs.

Fair criticism of the Omen DW's... clarity is not their strong suit.  You have to go up the Zu line to get better clarity and resolution.

Perfecting this over time is largely what makes the newer Heresy’s pretty unique sounding especially at their price point, and especially at lower volumes.

Compression driver - Wikipedia

Kevin deal has a video, he says it’s a fun speaker but not for audiophiles that like good imaging. I feel the same way about my Heresy IIIs.

My Heresy IIIs have always provided astonishingly resolved imaging and meet or exceed my personal standards for clarity and coherence. They need good gear in front of them of course, but they reveal a tremendous amount of detail in good recordings and are simply great high end honest speakers. Used with my 2 REL subs anyway...the IVs didn't meet these standards for me in spite of others claiming some improvement over the IIIs, but I don't listen with any ears but my own and clearly take other's (especially an audio gear  dealers) opinions of speakers with a large grain of salt.

:... are simply great high end honest speakers..."

I found my H3s very neutral and better than expected but I don't think they ever appeared on anyone's high end list of speakers. BTW I have factory custom rosewood cabinets, serial number 1 and 2, so you know I'm a fan. 

I just came across this thread today and read it in its entirety. Very interesting and useful information. Wolf_garcia I especially appreciate your posting of listening impressions of the Klipsch Hersey III and IV as well as the Zu Audio Omen 2 speakers,.

No doubt you have good ears and much listening experience and you simply know what sounds right to you. I found your contributions very insightful and believe that the Dennis Had SEP tube amplifier gets to the truth of the matter. These types of amplifiers are high resolution and exceedingly natural in character. I’m certain that this pairing sounds wonderful in your home.
Charles

Just received my Heresy 4's.....Sound great right out of the box. I thought Nils Lofgren's audience was in my living room....Can't wait till they get 200 hrs on them.

I owned Heresy's for years. They are a powerful little loudspeaker and the newer versions are even better. If you cross to two subwoofers at 90-100 Hz you can create and extremely efficient, powerful, low distortion system capable of achieving stressless, realistic levels in a moderate sized room. 

Original  poster. Listen to me carefully or private  message  me. Save for the Forte IVs. They are on sale in Canada. They are worlds  apart from the Heresy IVs even with subs. Good luck!