Early Klipsch Heresy - some advice please

[pbroido]

Hi

I have an opportunity to purchase a pair of what looks like early Klipsch Heresy in Oiled Oak. I don't have the serial numbers yet so I'm not sure of the details but they have the covers with the logo in the top corner rather than to the rectangular top centred plaque saying Klipsch. They are priced at ~£180 in fair condition (looks like they will need some cleaning up). The catch is they are in South Africa so need to figure shipping cost packaging and leg work around getting them back to London. I am off to SA next week so will see them before I get them.

Can I get some thoughts on what a decent pair of early Heresys would cost in the UK and any ones experience with them?

Thanks

Peter

[walpurgis]

They sound worth getting. I believe earlier examples are more desirable for some reason. Possibly driver quality. UK price for a decent pair can I guess be anything between £600 and £900. It seems to vary. The cost of shipping to the UK, properly crated up, is likely to be high though. The sound of the Heresy is an acquired taste for many, I'd definitely have a listen to them if you can.

[pbroido]

Thanks - shipping will be boxed and boxed again and travel as additional luggage in the hold on the plane back with me. Its either that or I leave my kids behind and they can have a seat. Its a toss up at the moment.
Not sure why I'm drawn to to them so.

Any thoughts on driving them with a Quad303 or are they strongly suited to valves.

Peter

[walpurgis]

Speakers come before children surely?

I reckon the more forgiving nature of the Quad 303 would suit them fine.

[Ninanina]

Peter up until very recently I owned a pair of Heresy II's and loved them, actually these were my second pair as I owned a pair about 10 years ago

The Heresy I was first introduced in about 1957, the Mk II was introduced in 1985, and then the Mk III much more recently. There were slight changes to the drivers used over time. All Heresys are VERY easy to drive; my first pair was driven by a 1.5w SET amp and believe me that is plenty, my second pair were driven by my Oto which is about 8w

I have not heard the Mk I or Mk III so I cannot comment on their sound compared to the Mk II's. I would suggest that valve amps are a better match for the Klipsch Heritage range, which includes the Heresy

If you can get a pair for £180 that's a bargain assuming they are working well

The way to tell the difference between the Mk I and Mk II is that the Mk I had the drivers mounted from behind the front baffle and the Mk II has them mounted from the front, here are a couple of pictures to see the difference:

Heresy 1


Heresy 2

[struth]

JEEZ BEV! how old are you?

[Ninanina]

JEEZ BEV! how old are you?

Actually quite old....

[walpurgis]

Actually quite old....

I bought my walking stick from Bev. She has no use for it since graduating to the Zimmer frame.

[struth]

It was the "The Heresy I was first introduced in about 1957" that caught my eye..... thinking that she first heard them 59 years ago

[Ninanina]

I love the Zimmer should have got one years ago