Not thrilled with the Klipsch Heresy 1s

newbie308

After reading about Klipsch Heresy's on this forum and others, I decided to pull the trigger on a pair of Heresy 1s with Crites A crossovers and titanium diaphragms already installed. My first impression is, "I don't understand the love for these speakers!"

Maybe I need more time with them, but I really don't like the sound of male vocals I'm hearing.

A little about my system. Jolida JD502 amp with KT88s, JD9 preamp, Technics SL1200MK2 with SME3009 arm. Vinyl is my only source.

Until I plugged in the Heresy's, I had Polk SDA 1As

DaveHo

You're not alone.

daddyjt

Klipsch excel at home theater, and little else.

newbie308

daddyjt wrote: »

Klipsch excel at home theater, and little else.

I'm seriously considering doing just that with them and putting the SDAs back in the 2ch system until I find something better. I love the way my Polk speakers sound,but the look butt ugly. The boxes are beat to death with busted corners, water marks, and Nick's. The covers are gone, too.

Maybe it's time to build new cases with oak plywood or MDF...

jbreezy5

The Heresies aren’t listenable without room correction. Even then, with sub(s), they are the least favorite of all my speakers, and I have many.

The good news is you should be able re-coup what you paid if you didn’t pay too much yourself.

Planning to sell mine soon.

I do like Cornwall IV, however, those are $$$.

marvda1

great disco/party speakers

audioluvr

Give them time and you'll learn to hate them. Especially with the titanium tweets. If you can find the original ones, put them in and throw away the TT's they are harsh. Some people love them though.

F1nut

I suggest ear plugs.

VR3

Don't be knocking titanium tweeters, they can sound excellent

motorstereo

I had 3 pair come and go here. Their best quality is they sell quickly and for good money. I have no idea why some people like their sound.

mhardy6647

They are very aggressive, harsh and shrill loudspeakers, with very limited bass output.
They are sensitive, and can be fun and even rewarding with certain types of music (small combo jazz and some acoustic music), if excellently recorded & mastered. They are unforgiving of poorly recorded or mastered material (including most "pop" recordings).

They will be at their best (IMO and IME) with lower-powered vacuum tube amplification. A push-pull EL84 amplifier will work well with them, as will a single-ended direct-heated triode amplifier using, e.g., 2A3 or 300B power output tubes. Solid state amps tend to be extra harsh and gritty with them (again IME and IMO). A McIntosh MC-225 (PP 7591A) or Marantz 8B (PP EL34) would also be good, but pricey, choices for them. The popular Fisher 400/500C/800C receivers (PP 7591A outputs, like the aforementioned MC-225) work well with the "Heritage" Klipsch loudspeakers, tending to smooth off their rough edges. The Fishers are more reasonably priced than the aforementioned Mac, Marantz, and SE amplifier options -- if the OP wanted to try to rescue the Heresys.

I owned a pair of their big siblings, the Cornwalls, for a decade.
The vintage big Altecs of their era (and before) are much, much better sounding loudspeakers.

If the OP wants something like the Heresy in size and sensitivity, but easier to live with, seek out a pair of Electrovoice Esquires ("Esquire 200", the early version, with 8" midrange driver) from the early 1960s. Hard to find, but likely cheaper than a pair of Heresys and much smoother and more pleasant to listen to.

mhardy6647

F1nut wrote: »

I suggest ear plugs.

The redoubtable Tom Brennan used to say that the trick to get the best out of a pair of any of the "Heritage" Klipsch loudspeakers is proper placement. His suggestions include: face down, outside (with the house's doors and windows closed), or at someone else's house.

newbie308

mhardy6647 wrote: »

They are very aggressive, harsh and shrill loudspeakers, with very limited bass output.
They are sensitive, and can be fun and even rewarding with certain types of music (small combo jazz and some acoustic music), if excellently recorded & mastered. They are unforgiving of poorly recorded or mastered material (including most "pop" recordings).

They will be at their best (IMO and IME) with lower-powered vacuum tube amplification. A push-pull EL84 amplifier will work well with them, as will a single-ended direct-heated triode amplifier using, e.g., 2A3 or 300B power output tubes. Solid state amps tend to be extra harsh and gritty with them (again IME and IMO). A McIntosh MC-225 or Marantz 8B would also be good, but pricey, choices for them. The popular Fisher 400/500C/800C receivers (PP 7591A outputs, like the aforementioned MC-225) work well with the "Heritage" Klipsch loudspeakers, tending to smooth off their rough edges. The Fishers are more reasonably priced than the aforementioned Mac, Marantz, and SE amplifier options -- if the OP wanted to try to rescue the Heresys.

I owned a pair of their big siblings, the Cornwalls, for a decade.
The vintage big Altecs of their era (and before) are much, much better sounding loudspeakers.

If the OP wants something like the Heresy in size and sensitivity, but easier to live with, seek out a pair of Electrovoice Esquires ("Esquire 200", the early version, with 8" midrange driver) from the early 1960s. Hard to find, but likely cheaper than a pair of Heresys and much smoother and more pleasant to listen to.

Thank you for the suggestions. I have a Fisher 600 receiver with 7591 output tubes. I can give that a try, but I am more inclined to relist these and look at alternatives. In regards to size, I would like something smaller. My current dwelling is 288 years old and has very small rooms with odd shapes. It's very difficult to place speakers correctly, so I think smaller is better in my situation.

mhardy6647

Yeah, you should sell them. As others have mentioned, they hold their value well -- which is puzzling, but true.

Smaller will be harder in terms of finding good sound and reasonable sensitivity (per "Hoffman's Iron Law"). You might get away with a pair of the new Polk R200 with PP KT88 amplification, but your amp might run out of steam with them. I quite like the R200s, FWIW, but I do use 'em with soiled state solid state amplification.

EDIT: Fisher 600 with 7591A? I am drawing a blank. I remember the 600T, but it's soiled state. ... and there was a 600 "tuner/amplfier" with separate AM and FM tuners to receive AM-FM stereo simulcasts, but it appears to have used 7189 outputs.
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/600.shtml
Now that I think about it, the 600 has a vacuum tube rectifier, doesn't it?




source: https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1960_radioshack_catalog.html

newbie308

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Yeah, you should sell them. As others have mentioned, they hold their value well -- which is puzzling, but true.

Smaller will be harder in terms of finding good sound and reasonable sensitivity (per "Hoffman's Iron Law"). You might get away with a pair of the new Polk R200 with PP KT88 amplification, but your amp might run out of steam with them. I quite like the R200s, FWIW, but I do use 'em with soiled state solid state amplification.

EDIT: Fisher 600 with 7591A? I am drawing a blank. I remember the 600T, but it's soiled state. ... and there was a 600 "tuner/amplfier", but it appears to have used 7189 outputs https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/600.shtml

This is a brass faceplate Fisher "The 600" with a compliment of 22 vacuum tubes. I think it is 1959 vintage with an external multiplexer.

newbie308

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Yeah, you should sell them. As others have mentioned, they hold their value well -- which is puzzling, but true.

Smaller will be harder in terms of finding good sound and reasonable sensitivity (per "Hoffman's Iron Law"). You might get away with a pair of the new Polk R200 with PP KT88 amplification, but your amp might run out of steam with them. I quite like the R200s, FWIW, but I do use 'em with soiled state solid state amplification.

EDIT: Fisher 600 with 7591A? I am drawing a blank. I remember the 600T, but it's soiled state. ... and there was a 600 "tuner/amplfier" with separate AM and FM tuners to receive AM-FM stereo simulcasts, but it appears to have used 7189 outputs.
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/600.shtml
Now that I think about it, the 600 has a vacuum tube rectifier, doesn't it?




source: https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1960_radioshack_catalog.html

I just looked at the R200's per your recommendation. Very attractive speakers, and a reasonable price, too! Based on their size, I presume a subwoofer should be included in the setup?

mhardy6647

newbie308 wrote: »

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Yeah, you should sell them. As others have mentioned, they hold their value well -- which is puzzling, but true.

Smaller will be harder in terms of finding good sound and reasonable sensitivity (per "Hoffman's Iron Law"). You might get away with a pair of the new Polk R200 with PP KT88 amplification, but your amp might run out of steam with them. I quite like the R200s, FWIW, but I do use 'em with soiled state solid state amplification.

EDIT: Fisher 600 with 7591A? I am drawing a blank. I remember the 600T, but it's soiled state. ... and there was a 600 "tuner/amplfier" with separate AM and FM tuners to receive AM-FM stereo simulcasts, but it appears to have used 7189 outputs.
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/600.shtml
Now that I think about it, the 600 has a vacuum tube rectifier, doesn't it?




source: https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1960_radioshack_catalog.html

I just looked at the R200's per your recommendation. Very attractive speakers, and a reasonable price, too! Based on their size, I presume a subwoofer should be included in the setup?

I guess it depends on one's expectations.
I do (usually) use one, but they're good sounding full range in my roughly 25 x 25 foot space.
Compared to the Heresys' LF -- naaaah, no subwoofer needed!

mhardy6647

That Fisher 600 receiver is a cool piece. They're not common.

tophatjohnny

They aren’t for everyone! In the 70’s I lived in an old church that was turned into something of a hippie style building for wayward teenagers! Those were the speakers that were planted there and I remember them being played so long and loud nobody could sleep! I lasted almost 3 months there and swear it was the speakers that drove me to my own nice little apartment 😊

mhardy6647

in fairness to Klipsch (EDIT: and to old churches! ), the pro version of the Heresy (KP201 or KP250) played the part of Margo TImmins for the Cowboy Junkies famous "live" Calrec mic recording that we know as The Trinity Sessions.

To record her vocals, Margo was actually not in the circle with the boys when that epochal recording was made. You can see the Heresy on the right in the photo below.

She was, of course, close by!





https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/cowboy-junkies-sweet-jane

BlueBirdMusic

They might sound better if you order takeout from Chipotle while listening to them.

mhardy6647

^^^ Yes, and painfully so IME. Chipotles (or is that Chipotleses?) tend to be noisy, "hot" acoustic environments as is. I did indeed notice the speakers when further assaulted by (to me) agonizingly metallic sounding music atop the intrinsic, steely din (not tot be confused with Steely Dan).

audioluvr

VR3 wrote: »

Don't be knocking titanium tweeters, they can sound excellent

I was referring to a horn.

mhardy6647

Yeah, the Crites upgrades -- aren't exactly my cup of tea for these already-edgy loudspeakers.

Darkscience

Never heard them, Cornwall IV are my favorite speaker though.

TEAforONE

Life is to short to keep trying to make yourself like something you don’t like. You bought,you tried,and they’re not for you. If you can sell them with no loss, that is a free lesson. Free lessons don’t happen often.

newbie308

mhardy6647 wrote: »

newbie308 wrote: »

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Yeah, you should sell them. As others have mentioned, they hold their value well -- which is puzzling, but true.

Smaller will be harder in terms of finding good sound and reasonable sensitivity (per "Hoffman's Iron Law"). You might get away with a pair of the new Polk R200 with PP KT88 amplification, but your amp might run out of steam with them. I quite like the R200s, FWIW, but I do use 'em with soiled state solid state amplification.

EDIT: Fisher 600 with 7591A? I am drawing a blank. I remember the 600T, but it's soiled state. ... and there was a 600 "tuner/amplfier" with separate AM and FM tuners to receive AM-FM stereo simulcasts, but it appears to have used 7189 outputs.
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/600.shtml
Now that I think about it, the 600 has a vacuum tube rectifier, doesn't it?




source: https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1960_radioshack_catalog.html

I just looked at the R200's per your recommendation. Very attractive speakers, and a reasonable price, too! Based on their size, I presume a subwoofer should be included in the setup?

I guess it depends on one's expectations.
I do (usually) use one, but they're good sounding full range in my roughly 25 x 25 foot space.
Compared to the Heresys' LF -- naaaah, no subwoofer needed!

I've decided that I'm going to relist the Heresy's and purchase something else (Polk audio) instead. To that end, I just saw a pair of Lsi M 703's for sale locally on marketplace. Now I need to choose between the new R200's or the used Lsi M's. They are very similar in price, so that's not a factor. I really like the Jolida JD502 and I'm not inclined to purchase a solid state amplifier, and I'm not sure about the efficiency of the R200 or how well the R200 will perform with KT88's driving them, but I understand that the Lsi M 703 pairs well with tubes from reading reviews on here... Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

txcoastal1

I’d be inclined to say R200
As for the 703’s …6550’s in the Jolida have better bass response than the 88’s

dromunds

LSiM 703’s are better than the R200’s. I don’t know what they are asking for the 703’s but I bet you could get them to come down a bunch. If not, wait awhile.

K_M

mhardy6647

Yup -- based on the Chipotles I've been in with them... the worst imaginable combination. The steely acoustics of Chipotles + the upper MR/treble screech of Heresys, I believe, violates the Geneva convention.