Right.....they are fun and engaging ..... I miss my H3, I would have liked to keep them but ......
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I have owned the Heresy IV for about three weeks. I’ve had several pairs of speakers over the last few years and I am really enjoying the H4. They are forward, but in a good way. They are really fun to listen to and I think they provide a blend of detail and a natural sound that really works in my setup. I’m not a classical music listener, but these are the first speakers that I have owned that sound great with every genre and artist that I have listened to. From singer/songwriter to rock and roll to Tool, it’s all sounded great to my ears. For me, the H4 is a keeper. |
Last year, on a whim, I picked up an old pair of Forte II from Craigslist. At the time, my main speakers were Harbeth SHL5+. I was blown away by how good they were, this prompted me to acquire Forte III--which ultimately replaced my Harbeth. Contrary to everything I heard about them, the Klipsch are not overly bright, they are not fatiguing, but they are wildly enjoyable speakers. An immense bargain for the price I paid. I’d like to move up the CW IV at some point, their physical size is the only thing holding me back. I also don’t listen to classical music, so can’t offer any insight there. |
Klipsch company is bloated and their product subsequently overpriced. I defy you to point to a single offering in the current Heritage line that is overpriced when compared to similar performance from competitive designs. Just take the current Forte IV and Cornwall IV for example. At 4500.00 and 6000.00 respectively, there are not many that can offer this type of sound quality. And a Bob Crites Cornsacala is not going to give you the level of sound quality that the latest Cornwall offers. Sure it's more, but it's a finished product that need not apologize for any aspect of it's performance. Buy a Cornscala. Veneer it or finish it in a high quality stain. Replace the crossover, damp the tweeter and mid horn. NOW you have a finished product that unfortunately will still have a distinct cabinet resonance because of the removable rear panel. You will have spent less $$ than a CW IV, but not the same sound quality for sure. Oz |
I got the Heresy-IVs back in late November. When I started to go down the path of picking a new speaker, I had another speaker maker point out some of the issues with my room so I planned to treat the room around the same time that I ordered my IVs. The Heresy's came, and I had some of the same experience as @jwl244. Then I started to treat the room - I added diffusers on the ceiling spaced out between the speakers and the listening position. I added some diffusers to the front wall. I move the carpet. I replaced some flimsy window coverings with thicker, dual cell blinds. I added some art to the walls. Everything changed. I made a few other, small changes, moving some of my better (more neutral) cables back into the core system. Then, I really spent time positioning them. The difference between when I first put them in to now has been remarkable. I liked them at first but felt really unsettled about them. Now, I just really really like them to the point where I forget they are there and just find myself fascinated by the quality of the music. The ceiling diffusers moved the sound stage up, positioning made it wider and more engaging. I still have my LS50s - they scratch a different itch. And, like one of the other posters, I ordered a Decware a week or so after the IVs and in a few months will get to play around with that. I find that the IVs have done exceptionally well with the currently playing LTA Z40 (but what wouldn't), the Schiit Ragnarock, and the Rogue Sphinx. The Sphinx and Heresy combo is a little noisy for my taste, though, when nothing is playing. Music - a little of everything but not so much classical. Nick Cave's new 'Litanies' is playing in the background as I type this, and it sounds magical. |
The IV sound more open. A little less forward. I think the new mid driver is much better than the III driver , very detailed. Vocals are much more intelligible. Tweeter / Mid coherence is improved I did not spend much time with the III. They were unavailable so I just left a deposit to secure my trade on the IVs and they called me when they arrived ..... I bought the IV sight unseen. |
I had the heresy iv for a few weeks to audition and unfortunately was not happy with them. They are highly rated by the likes of Steve Guttenberg and Andrew Robinson on yt. I'm not saying those guys know what's the "best" but they have raving reviews if you have to time to watch. Personally I found the sound too forward and in your face. They are not a neutral pair. I actually found them very fatiguing which those two reviewers above both said the exact opposite. I found the midrange to be most lacking. I was also very distracted by them being placed floor level so I could not stop feeling like the noise was coming up from the ground rather than straight into my ears. The one big plus is their sensitivity which is just unmatched in the industry. |
@leahy said " Might be able to find a great deal on a III if I keep looking." Right here. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/197533-fs-mint-pristine-perfect-custom-cherry-heresy-... No affiliation. Bill |
Hi Wolf - so did you keep the III over the IV? Did your subs cover enough of the difference between the two? I have a pair of REL T5i - I almost pulled the trigger on your nice set of Cherry IVs, but I just wanted to sell one more thing. Might be able to find a great deal on a III if I keep looking. |
I have spent a little over a week with the Forte IV and it is quite good. I don’t listen to classical but they have impressed me with any material I’ve thrown at them. I don’t think they have the pitch definition of a Cornwall down low but I turned my sub off the first few nights of listening. They sound BIG, and with great material sound extends well beyond the speaker. I’m trying not to listen to them too critically because number one they are so fun to listen to and (2) I’m trying to get away from analyzing equipment and enjoying the music. I think these speakers will let me do that. The midrange driver is much improved, I listened to IIIs and liked them, I would have taken them home if they had them I Cherry. But I’m glad my timing, and luck allowed me to get a pair of IVs. |
I have a pair of 74 H-1's that were my brothers and rebuilt them with crossovers, and all drivers from Crites speakers. I am very happy with my modest system and these speakers. I listen mostly to jazz of all types, some rock, classical, new age, etc. Awaiting a Decware UFO to test the tube waters.... |
I e had Heresy’s and they are quite good and imo the gem of the lower priced Heritage line. They are like mini LaScala’s and with that tilt up fill the room better IMO then the other smaller horn speakers in that line gone are the harsh upper end of klipsch past. The new ones are smoother all around and much more detailed. Ive not heard a forte in any version so can not comment there sorry. |