Klipsch Heresy Series I Manual & Data Sheet

[Mike Weaver]

Hello, everyone. I hope I'm posting in the correct sub-forum, please excuse and move this message otherwise.

 

After years of procrastination, I've finally decided to set up my vintage HiFi system consisting of a Pioneer SX-727 receiver, Pioneer PL-50 belt drive, semi-auto turntable, Shure V15 Type IV cartridge and Klipsch Heresy speakers, which are Series I from 1979 (Serial 88T804, Type HWO).

 

I've collected the documentation for every unit except the Heresy speakers, for which I only received the sales receipt and product brochure when I inherited them back in the day.

 

I attempted to download the relevant Heresy material from HiFi Engine, as I've done for my other components in the past. Unfortunately, the site informed me that my account was deleted due to inactivity and new registrations currently aren't being accepted.

 

It also seems HiFi Engine only has documentation for the Heresy Series II, III and IV speakers. I've searched the web w/o any success so far, and Klipsch is presently reworking their Owner's Manual section. Consequently, I’d be grateful if someone could offer me a lead on where I could download the owner's manual and data sheet for my Series I’s.

 

Thanks very much.

 

Edited October 21, 2024 by Mike Weaver

[wuzzzer]

Took about three seconds to google and find this thread:

 

 

[Mike Weaver]

And it only took me a fraction of a second to realize how little I appreciated your passive-aggressive response...

But thanks for the Spec Sheet, anyway.

 

Would anyone happen to know where I can get hold of scans of a Heresy Series I owner's manual as well?

Edited October 12, 2024 by Mike Weaver

[Marvel]

Is this it?

Heresy-Spec.pdf

[Marvel]

A lot of the earlier spec sheets look very plain. Modern publishing and printing technology can allow for much nicer looking printed materials. It's easy to overlook that.

[Mike Weaver]

15 hours ago, Marvel said:

Is this it?

Heresy-Spec.pdf 535.44 kB · 7 downloads

 

3 hours ago, Marvel said:

A lot of the earlier spec sheets look very plain. Modern publishing and printing technology can allow for much nicer looking printed materials. It's easy to overlook that.

True. I remember, back in those days, speaker documentation consisted primarily of a few loose sheets in the retail packaging.

[Mike Weaver]

 

15 hours ago, Marvel said:

Is this it?

Heresy-Spec.pdf 535.44 kB · 8 downloads

No, I don’t think so. At least it doesn't resemble the other Data Sheets packaged with Klipsch speakers of the time period. But thanks for responding to my request.

 

In any case, I’m pretty happy with the Data Sheet wuzzzer supplied me up with.

 

Now all I need is the Heresy manual. Unfortunately, it seems that acquiring a facsimile of the original Series I owner's manual is proving more difficult than I thought.

Edited October 13, 2024 by Mike Weaver

[Mike Weaver]

Update: a forum member just messaged me that an owner's manual for the Heresy Series I speaker evidently doesn't exist.

So much for chasing phantoms, and thanks for all your help, everyone.

Edited October 19, 2024 by Mike Weaver

[M_Klipsches]

It seems you have your answer, but it sounds like you’ve got a nice vintage set up going. I envy your old semi-automatic turntable, I’ve not had a decent semi-automatic in years. The new ones are mostly either full auto, or manual. My vintage 2ch set-up, is more vintage “homage” than actual vintage, except for my Heresys (1.5). 

[Mike Weaver]

On 10/13/2024 at 7:58 PM, M_Klipsches said:

It seems you have your answer, but it sounds like you’ve got a nice vintage set up going. I envy your old semi-automatic turntable, I’ve not had a decent semi-automatic in years. The new ones are mostly either full auto, or manual. My vintage 2ch set-up, is more vintage “homage” than actual vintage, except for my Heresys (1.5). 

Hey, thanks for the compliment!

 

I'd squirreled away the components over the years and, now that I'm retired, finally have the leisure time to devote to my former hobby.

 

I used to be a hard-core HiFi enthusiast back in the 70s-80s, and a sales rep at local stereo stores during college. We mostly stared down our noses at semi-auto turntables. Manual direct drives, separate tonearms and moving coil cartridges were the gold standard. Anything less was considered amateur.

 

However, I’ve mellowed out considerably over the years. My hobbies and priorities changed, and my hearing isn’t what it used to be. I’ve gained a new perspective on High-End HiFi in general and semi-auto turntables in particular, and now truly enjoy them for what they offer.

 

I bought the PL-50 and those other units mostly to remind me of my High School days when I worked hard earning the money to purchase my first components: a Pioneer SX-626 receiver, Pioneer PL-12 Turntable with Shure M95 cartridge and JBL L36 speakers.

 

Naturally, as a HiFi nerd, many, many components followed in later years (Marantz, Phase Linear, Accuphase and McIntosh to name a few). Nowadays, my primary music source is a Denon Home Theater system. But I’ll never forget my first setup, how good it sounded to me and how proud of it I was.

 

BTW, I've often heard people using the term Heresy 1.5. Which Heresy Series I speakers distinguish them as such, and how can I tell if mine are of that type?

Edited October 21, 2024 by Mike Weaver

[Marvel]

I can't tell you exactly... there wasn't an actual named 1.5, but had to do with using up stock drivers as they moved to thw Heresy II (which I have). The ealiest heresy IIs still used the k55mid and so on.

 

This has a lot of dates when changes were made:

 

 

[Mike Weaver]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to diving into the history and lore of Klipsch Heresy speakers.

 

I remember the first time I heard them in the showroom of a local HiFi store and was blown away. I couldn't believe that such a great sound was coming from speakers that small. They truly deserve their name.

Edited October 13, 2024 by Mike Weaver

[mboxler]

1 hour ago, Mike Weaver said:

BTW, I've often heard people using the term Heresy 1.5. Which Heresy Series I speakers distinguish them as such, and how can I tell if mine are of that type?

 

If it has an E2 crossover, it's a Heresy 1.5.  That's my story and I'm sticking with it 😎

[Mike Weaver]

38 minutes ago, mboxler said:

 

If it has an E2 crossover, it's a Heresy 1.5.  That's my story and I'm sticking with it 😎

Thanks, good to know. I'll stop short of disassembling my Series I to find out, though. I thought I could perhaps identify the exact type via my serial number, but it's not an issue if that's not possible.

[M_Klipsches]

2 hours ago, Mike Weaver said:

 

 

BTW, I've often heard people using the term Heresy 1.5. Which Heresy Series I speakers distinguish them as such, and how can I tell if mine are of that type?

As others have noted H1.5 isn’t a Klipsch designation, but it is the bridge between H1s & HIIs, with old style plywood cabinets but different Xover (E2) and I think, different mid & woofer. Made from 83-‘85(?) To my ear they sound better than my other pair of 1980 HIs. I’d always thought that it was just my imagination, but after having them a while I finally got around to opening them up & make sure all connections were clean & no leaking caps; once opened I realized what they were. I snugged the connections & closed them back up.
I’ve always preferred the convenience of semi-auto, just lazy I suppose. 

[M_Klipsches]

5 minutes ago, Mike Weaver said:

Thanks, good to know. I'll stop short of disassembling my Series I to find out, though. I thought I could perhaps identify the exact type via my serial number, but it's not an issue if that's not possible.

Your ‘79s are HI for sure. It won’t hurt to open & them up, & clean & tighten the connections, plus make sure the caps aren’t leaking, or swollen. They won’t be, and will be just fine. 

[jcn3]

1 hour ago, mboxler said:

 

If it has an E2 crossover, it's a Heresy 1.5.  That's my story and I'm sticking with it 😎

 

i agree with that story!

[Mike Weaver]

41 minutes ago, M_Klipsches said:

Your ‘79s are HI for sure. It won’t hurt to open & them up, & clean & tighten the connections, plus make sure the caps aren’t leaking, or swollen. They won’t be, and will be just fine. 

Hey, thanks. I might just do that if and when they begin to drop off in sound quality. Otherwise, I'd prefer leaving them alone for the time being. I still need to find a reputable HiFi repair shop near my location should I need them in the future, and I'd rather entrust them with the job.

[jcn3]

19 minutes ago, Mike Weaver said:

Hey, thanks. I might just do that if and when they begin to drop off in sound quality. Otherwise, I'd prefer leaving them alone for the time being. I still need to find a reputable HiFi repair shop near my location should I need them in the future, and I'd rather entrust them with the job.

 

one of the great things about your heresys is they are very simple and were made with drivers and parts that last a very long time.  it's almost impossible to make a "fatal" error.  go ahead and crack them open -- it's a great way to take your relationship with your speakers to a whole new level! 

[Mike Weaver]

16 hours ago, jcn3 said:

 

one of the great things about your heresys is they are very simple and were made with drivers and parts that last a very long time.  it's almost impossible to make a "fatal" error.  go ahead and crack them open -- it's a great way to take your relationship with your speakers to a whole new level! 

Ha ha, that sounds like a dare... I may just take you up on that challenge. *Looks for a Phillips screwdriver*

 

By the way, since we're on the subject... which Heresy series do Klipsch enthusiasts generally consider the best? Are the current IVs better than previous versions, or are there merely nuanced differences between all of them?

Edited October 14, 2024 by Mike Weaver