04/24/2026
Four principals established by Paul Wilbur Klipsch with the goal of replicating live music in the listener’s space.
1. High Efficiency=Low Distortion
2. Controlled Dispersion
3. Flat/Wide Frequency response
4. Wide Dynamic Range
Moving up the line:
Every step up you achieve greater levels of some (or all) the four items above.
Every time you step up in the Heritage line, you get Better Bass. Not always deeper bass.
Heresy IV – Forte’ IV: deeper bass
Forte’ IV to Cornwall IV: slightly deeper bass and lower distortion
Cornwall IV to LaScala: Distortion falls by 90% due to horn loaded woofer
LaScala to Klipschorn: one octave deeper bass
Klipschorn to Jubilee: lower distortion and one octave deeper bass
Amplification: Many people claim preferences regarding tube vs. solid state. The beauty of Klipsch Heritage is that they are efficient enough to be run to significant levels with single digit amplifiers, while still having the ability to handle high power conditions also. The result of this is the listener can choose virtually any amplifier they wish based on the sonic signature of that amp. Your local Klipsch Heritage dealer can not only recommend an appropriate amp, but can demonstrate it as well.
Placement and Listening Position:
There are many conflicting opinions on this topic. Based on what I learned from PWK and over 45 years of setting up Klipsch systems I recommend the following.
Width of speakers should be between 75-100% as wide as the listening position is back. Example; if seating position is 15 feet back, then the speakers should be 10-15 feet wide.
Toe in: My preference is to have significant toe in on the speakers. If they’re firing lasers, they should cross 1-2 feet in front of the primary listening position. Think of the speakers as Klipschorns in the corners at 45 degrees. This is my starting point. I’ll then tweak the toe in to satisfy my sweet spot and room acoustics as any additional listening positions if necessary.
Old vs. New
Old Klipsch heritage products can offer a great value in today’s market place. But don’t think that a pair of 40 year old Heresys are going to give the same performance as a new pair of Heresy IV. Think of a vintage Porsche 911 with a new model. Lots of changes internally have taken place and the result is a much better performing product. The current Heritage products offer upgraded drivers, diaphragms, phasing plugs, steep slope crossovers and horn designs. The net result is the latest generation of Heritage products provide all of the historic Heritage design parameters, but have taken the “audiophile” details to the highest levels ever. Smoother transitions from driver to driver energy, superior imaging and detail etc. Plus you get the Klipsch 10 year warranty on new items.
There’s also a cottage industry that’s grown out of modifying vintage Klipsch products. These modifications change the performance of Klipsch’s original designs Caveat emptor.
