JamesD1957

I have the RP280f's.....the previous iteration of your 8000's. I use them in two channel for music only using a Yamaha A-S500 integrated amp. Plenty of low end, no sub necessary, and to me, this combination works very well together. Someone up thread suggested the A-S701 - and I would heartily concur. It also falls right in your price range. As they say, your mileage may vary. Enjoy those new speakers!

What are you trying to accomplish? I have the 280's and run them with no sub and they sound full and great to me. I really can't see how the speakers you're looking at could improve on that, other than possibly gaining "that midrange magic". Although I love the idea of getting into Heritage loud speakers, when I think with my brain instead of my heart I just can't justify it. I have a feeling I would be left lacking, especially since I really don't want to add a sub which would probably be necessary with the Heresy IV's. Anyhoo, not criticizing or trying to start something, I am just interested in what you're looking to improve.

The other 99%? Try the other 99.9999999999999999999999% Yep, you are indeed spoiled. You should ease your conscience by shipping your Khorns to me. 😉

I didn't really know about them until I started my teaching career in 1984. We had Heresy speakers mounted in the band hall. During conference periods I would play some records that I brought from home and started to really notice some mid range that I hadn't heard before. I was also surprised that a speaker with a woofer that large would have so little bass. Still, I appreciated them for what they were. I've never purchased any Heritage model speakers because I just can't justify the cost, but I do really enjoy my RP-280f's.

Well, if space is truly an issue I would consider the RP-8000F's. Granted, they are not Heritage, but they just might fit the bill. I have the older RP-280F's, and they are basically the same speaker as the 8000's. I run them without a sub, which might be a consideration for you with floorspace limitation, and they sound great. I use them for 2 channel music listening, and I listen to a pretty wide range of music, but pretty much no opera or rap. My 2 cents.

I tend to be frugal (cheap), but I do want great sound from my records. I use the Spin Clean and have gotten great results with it. One thing I do different from the instructions is allow my records to air dry instead of drying with the provided towels. I just put them in a rack designed to hold document files and find that it works well for holding records while they dry. Drying usually takes about an hour, but I tend to let them go two or three. Before I play, I'll use an anti static brush lightly. Sometimes after cleaning, the first play might have a small amount of static. It disappears by the second play. If it's a new record, and the static continues, it's bad vinyl. It happens.

I have the A-S500 with RP280f's. I have mine set on high because they're 8 ohm, and I'm not using a "B" set of speakers. They sound great!

I don't own Cornwalls, but my two cents.......experiment with placement. When you find the sound that YOU like, leave them alone! If someone tries to tell you you're doing it wrong, tell them they can shove their opinion where the sun don't shine! In a polite way of course!

85w per channel at 8 ohms. I wanted an integrated amp instead of a receiver (especially for the THD), and this one was about the top of the price range that I wanted to go. I listen to everything from classical to classic rock. I've driven 'em pretty good, but not to the point that the paint is peeling, and so far, no issues at all with the amp. Doesn't even seem to head up that much, just gets a bit warm. When I purchased the amp, I was a bit concerned about whether or not it would drive the speakers, but I asked a lot of questions, and all answers came back that it would be fine, no problems. They were right. I will say this, if you are listen to music with a LOT of bass, this amp might not be for you. It's one of their "natural series" amps, and tends to be pretty neutral. Of course, that's why you have tone controls! Good luck with your search.

Enjoy! I've had mine (cherry finish / 2 channel set up) for a couple of years now and love 'em! I'm running mine off of a Yamaha A-S500 and it has no problem pushing them. Let us know what amp you decided on.

I'll be 60 in couple of months and have seen quite a few changes in speaker technology and design in my years. But I've never really tried to "look under the hood" too much so to speak. Thing is, I really like the heritage series for what it is, and when I was a teacher (band director, retired after 30 years) we had some Heresy's in the Band Hall. They sounded good for what I needed from them, but like most have observed, they seemed to be lacking in the bass department. Really obvious when the kids weren't in the room and I was listening to classic rock! But I guess what I would be looking for is some really convincing proof that I'm missing out on something by not having heritage line speakers. To me, the ones I'm most interested in are the Cornwalls and the Fortes. But, price is a consideration, so here I sit happily listening to my RP 280'fs. This thread caught my attention because the OP lives in Houston, and I live in a suburb of Houston. Stores just don't exist where someone can go and listen to this level of speaker. Sad state of affairs.

Not trying to threadcrap, and not trying to start something. But I'm wanting to learn what the heritage fans think. I've got a pair of RP 280f's that show specs from 32 to 25. The Forte III"s show specs of 38 to 20. Being the relative newbie that I am, it would seem that the RP's have a greater range than the Forte's. I've had my RP's for over a year, love them, and certainly don't need a sub for anything that I listen to. I hear plenty of mid range, and the highs are crisp. So, $1200 a pair vs $3800 a pair. What am I missing that would warrant an additional $2600? Is it that they are American made? Cabinet material? I'm in it for the sound, so where would the advantages be for the Forte's over the RP 280f's? If I've offended anyone, please accept my apologies. Again, I just want to learn something here.

When I purchased my RP-280f's it came down to them and the CV SL-12's. I had some D9's back in the day and LOVED 'em. I think it came down to the Klipsch having a better mid range and the fact that my listening preferences may have matured a bit. Not to say that I don't crank these RP-280's, because I do.......and they sound GREAT!

I had Heresy's in the music room where I taught. Had them for 30 years. At home, I've had RP-280f's for over a year now. The Heresy has a better mid range than the 280's, and that's about where the advantage ends, at least to my ears. The RP gets a slight advantage in the highs, and a BIG advantage in the lows. If you listen to rock, and you want to go with the Heresy, you're going to want to add a subwoofer. With that, the advantage goes to Heresy because of the superior mid range. If I had to choose between the two without adding a sub, RP 280 wins every time, but I listen to mostly rock. This is my opinion only!

Go for the 280's and don't look back. I'm using them in a 2 channel system, no sub. I listen to classic rock, jazz, classical...many genres. Haven't missed having a sub. Not even once.

I have the RP 280f's. As an earlier post suggested, if you have tone controls on your amp, no shame in using them. I keep treble just left of center, about 11 o'clock so to speak. My listening room is smallish, 12 X 15, and I have hard wood floors with an area rug. Windows are not treated with any drapes. Even in that "bright" of a room, that little bit of adjustment worked wonders. My two cents.

Read your post. Looked at your avatar. Burst out laughing! No offense intended of course. Just seemed to fit together perfectly!

Just a thought here, but you might want to try turning the treble back a bit. I say this because the speakers may not be fully broken in yet. I haven't experienced any headaches with my 280's, but I do remember during the break-in period that the treble would occasionally feel a bit harsh. Just my 2 cents.

All I have in common are the speakers, but I think you're in for a great time! Enjoy and report back. Remember to allow about 90 hours or so for speaker break in. It may be mythological to some, but mine seemed to open up a bit at around that point. There's nothing special that you need to do, just saying don't judge too quickly if they don't blow you away right out of the box. Having said that, mine were such an improvement that I loved 'em from day one!

I have the RP-280F's running in a 2 channel setup. The amp I'm using is a Yamaha A-S500, and I love the setup. The 700 you're looking at would be more than sufficient to do justice to these speakers. In my opinion, a sub is not necessary. I listen to classic rock, jazz, and classical for the most part and these definitely dig low enough for me. If you're into hip-hop, or whatever they're calling it these days, you probably would want a sub. Anyway, like one of the above posts mentioned, maybe slow down a bit and just start with these, your amp, and a CD player or turntable. Give 'em a break in period of about 90 hours and I think you'll be pleased!

Another vote here for the 280's. I've had mine for over a year now. I listen to classic rock, jazz, and classical for the most part. I've got them set up in a 2 channel setting, no subwoofer, and frankly, none needed in my opinion. I chose these over some of the comparable Klipsch models because of the new tweeter surround. It takes just the slightest bit of edge off of the high frequencies. I believe this change was user motivated because of many using a putty modification to achieve the same result. Doesn't take much power to drive 'em, and they sound great at most normal volume levels. I've never cranked 'em to the max because that's not me. But my normal volume levels are fairly loud. Glad I'm in a house and not an apartment! The detail is very good, but probably not Cornwall good. In short, best speakers I've ever owned.

If you like jazz, see if you can get your hands on the RSD (record store day) Miles Davis - "Kind of Blue". Another would be the Analogue Productions repress of Dave Brubeck's "Time Out". If you like the Beatles, all of the mono reissues (with the exception of "Help!") sound great. Should also add that if you're a Beach Boys fan, the new reissues (also Analogue Productions) sound amazing, especially Pet Sounds.

I would like to see a vinyl sub forum as well.

Since you like the Miles Davis try "Miles Ahead". I purchased the RSD version of it, and when I'm in the mood for jazz I tend to listen to that and "Kind of Blue" back to back. Another I like is Dave Brubeck's "Time Out". Just a magnificent album, but as the title suggests, nothing in common time. It is however a jazz combo, no trumpets here. Sipping a nice 12 year old scotch while you listen doesn't hurt either! Of course, your mileage may vary.

I have the Yamaha A-S500 paired with my RP280f's and it sounds great. I would think you would be VERY happy with the 801 if that's the direction you choose to go.