Klipsch Heresy IIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 24 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment64%
PROS 64%
CONS 36%

Rank based on 24 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want loud, clear horn-driven mids and highs for jazz, classical, or vocals
  • You already own or plan to add a subwoofer to fill in bass
  • You're pairing with a warm tube amp like a Dynaco or Sansui

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need strong native low-end without adding a sub
  • You're sensitive to harsh or fatiguing horn sound without proper amp matching
  • You want a speaker known for smooth, laid-back dynamics

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' soundBig, effortless dynamicsRefined, clean bass and midrange after break-inQuestionable build quality for the priceHigh price relative to componentsLarge size and placement demands
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Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' sound
Big, effortless dynamics
Refined, clean bass and midrange after break-in
Questionable build quality for the price
High price relative to components
Large size and placement demands
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Beautiful build and finish
Deep, tight bass
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Attractive styling and finish
Good value versus pricier alternatives
Limited deep bass extension
Confusing/overlapping product line pricing
Narrowed dispersion versus older Motion-series speakers
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End-game musicality
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Bright or thin midrange for some
High price relative to sound for some
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5Premium
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Tight, defined bass
Attractive appearance
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Cheap-feeling build details
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Excellent value for money
Improves with placement tweaks and break-in
Strong bass for the size
Requires break-in and careful setup to sound best
Treble can be hot on some systems
Can be too much bass for small spaces
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Dramatically improves with separate power ampHigh power handling and bass outputAccurate, high-quality soundRequires significant amp investmentBi-amping benefit debatedSensitive to placement
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Life-changing, room-filling dynamics
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Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Precise, punchy bassStrong value for priceBalanced, warm British sound signatureRoom-dependent bass bumpSensitive to cables and positioningBasic spiked feet
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Precise, punchy bass
Strong value for price
Balanced, warm British sound signature
Room-dependent bass bump
Sensitive to cables and positioning
Basic spiked feet
You are here
31Mid
Klipsch Heresy II
Distinctive horn soundPairs well with tube ampsGood value usedWeak or absent bassHarsh or muddy sound reported by someCabinet design question raised
Klipsch Heresy II
Distinctive horn sound
Pairs well with tube amps
Good value used
Weak or absent bass
Harsh or muddy sound reported by some
Cabinet design question raised

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners love the distinctive horn sound and cabinet design. Many commenters describe the Heresy II's sound as 'one of a kind' despite its generic looks, with praise for the sealed cabinet and horn character on jazz, classical, and vocal material. One owner still enjoys a raw Birch pair playing Dark Side of the Moon decades after purchase, while another called the setup with a Klipsch pairing 'spectacular,' vowing never to part with them.

Bass is the most consistent complaint across listeners. Multiple commenters note the Heresy II lacks hard-hitting low end, with several explicitly saying a subwoofer is needed to round out the sound. One listener wished for a test using bass-heavy tracks like 'In the Air Tonight,' while another called the mids and highs great but questioned where the bass had gone, even while using headphones.

Amp pairing strongly affects perceived sound quality. Several owners report the Heresy II transforms with the right tube amplifier, with one saying they 'hated' the sound until plugging into a Dynaco ST70, calling the result 'wow.' Others praise pairings with Sansui and Fischer tube amps, suggesting the speakers reward careful synergy, while a few found them harsh or dead-sounding without it.

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