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Posted (edited)

I sold my Heresy IIs years ago (to my eternal regret). I bought a pair of HBR's and I have the opportunity to purchase a pair of HWO's. I can't afford III's. Would the HWOs be noticeably better than my HBRs or not.

 

 

Thanks

Edited by doc1623
Posted (edited)

Hi and welcome to the forum! The HWO and HBR are the same speakers but a different finish. The code is: HWO- Hersey Walnut Oiled and HBR: Hersey Raw Birch. It is really a matter of taste which finish you like. I would make sure to ask the seller of the HWO if they have ever finished or oiled them. Check the conditions of the cabs on the HWO ones as well as they dont have as much moisture protection being raw wood. Personally, I love the look of the Raw Birch rubbed in mineral oil which I did to my LaScalas with great success. The HWOs tend to hold a slightly higher resale value if they are left unfinished though as they are a little more 'rare'. Anyway, good luck with the hunt and negotiations if you decide to buy!  Also, if you are building a HT system, a good sub with 2 hereseys as mains and 2 as surrounds is pretty incredible and you can hunt down a single for a center channel later down the road.

 

Also, both sets probably need new capacitors as they dry out and go bad over time. Bob Crites has a great aftermarket crossovers or can even replace the caps on your current ones. He does great work and is an upstanding guy:

 

http://www.critesspeakers.com/

 

Edit- If you can get the serial numbers and list them here others can give you more detailed info on the year they were made etc as there were some different versions etc.

Edited by twk123
Posted

HWO stands for Heresy Walnut Oil

HBR stands for Heresy Birch Raw (unfinished)

And is nothing more than a description of the exterior finish. It has nothing to do with the components inside, which could be exactly the same or different depending on how old the speaker is.

Depending on what you find visually appealing, the HWO's (assuming they're in nice condition) will generally look better.

If they're both original Heresy I's (and relatively the same age/condition) then they'll probably sound the same.

Posted

Personally, I think that HWO sound better.....I think there's just a better synergy between the walnut and the crossovers.....it's hard to explain, but that's just my opinion.   ;)

  • Haha 1
Posted

They are nice.. lol... but I like my Forte IIs better!  I forgot to mention I had those. I bought years ago in the military. The reason I sold the Heresy's. 

 

 

Not just down the road though... bout 5 hour drive but I do have family that lives closer. 

  • 9 years later...
Posted

Hello,

 

Have had a pair of Klipsch Heresy HWO’s for about 40 years.

Serial #172Y421. Anyone confirm what year these were made?

In 2021 I spent $280 to spruce them up…terminals replaced, caps replaced, pull out crossover.

They still sound great to me with an old NAD 3155 amplifier.

Anything else I need to do to speakers to maximize sound quality?

Are there different versions of Heresy…3 or fours? Do they sound better than my old HWO’s?

 

 

Posted

I personally think each iteration has been an improvement/refinement. I own Heresy IIs. The Heresy IVs are a big jump, now with a rear firing port. Placement is always critical. I've not heard the HIVs, but trust what friends have said who bought them.

Posted
On 1/4/2025 at 5:57 PM, William C said:

Hello,

 

Have had a pair of Klipsch Heresy HWO’s for about 40 years.

Serial #172Y421. Anyone confirm what year these were made?

In 2021 I spent $280 to spruce them up…terminals replaced, caps replaced, pull out crossover.

They still sound great to me with an old NAD 3155 amplifier.

Anything else I need to do to speakers to maximize sound quality?

Are there different versions of Heresy…3 or fours? Do they sound better than my old HWO’s?

 

 

 

the "y" means 1983.  sounds like you've done all you need to do to the speaker.  whether a heresy ii or iii or iv sounds better than you speakers is personal.  "most" would say the iv models sound the best -- personally i preferred by 76 heresys with new factory caps.  your heresys can sound quite good with the right amp and set up properly.  i'd sit back and enjoy.

Posted
On 1/4/2025 at 5:57 PM, William C said:

Hello,

 

Have had a pair of Klipsch Heresy HWO’s for about 40 years.

Serial #172Y421. Anyone confirm what year these were made?

In 2021 I spent $280 to spruce them up…terminals replaced, caps replaced, pull out crossover.

They still sound great to me with an old NAD 3155 amplifier.

Anything else I need to do to speakers to maximize sound quality?

Are there different versions of Heresy…3 or fours? Do they sound better than my old HWO’s?

 

To maximize the sound quality of the 1983 HWO .

 

- swap the K-53 for the K-55V 2 inch voice coil drivers 

- 2  plastic threaded 1 -3/8 horn adapters for the K-401 midrange horns 

-  Klipsch  / JEM capacitors for the crossovers with an E network configuration , if you want the Klipsch sound signature .

        https://jemperformanceaudio.com/capacitor-kits    (412) 401-6915  ▶️  theaudioroom@verizon.net 

 

Randy

 

 

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