In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers. JBL L100 Classic is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Heresy IV is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL L100 Classic and Klipsch Heresy IV first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | JBL L100 Classic | Klipsch Heresy IV |
|---|
| Brand | JBL
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" horn-loaded |
|---|
| Midrange | 5.25" | 1.75" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Pulp | 12" Fiber-composite |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40-40k Hz | 48-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 99 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-200 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 26.70kg / 58.7lbs | 20.45kg / 45lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 25.0" x 15.3" x 14.6"
636.5 x 389.6 x 371.5mm | 24-13/16" x 15-1/2" x 13-1/4"
631.0 x 394.0 x 337.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both L100 Classic and Heresy IV are 3-way speakers.
JBL L100 ClassicKlipsch Heresy IV
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
JBL L100 Classic |
Klipsch Heresy IV |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
1 x 1.75-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
L100 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 3500Hz. On the other hand, the Heresy IV features a 1" titanium-diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter, a 1.75" Midrange and 1 x 12" Fiber-composite Woofer.
Frequency Response
L100 Classic has a frequency range of 40-40k Hz whereas Heresy IV has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the L100 Classic can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Heresy IV's min frequency of 48Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
L100 Classic is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Heresy IV which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the L100 Classic can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. L100 Classic sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Heresy IV's is rated at 99 dB. This 9 dB difference makes the Klipsch Heresy IV a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL L100 Classic, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
L100 Classic can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Heresy IV has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the L100 Classic.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Heresy IV features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. L100 Classic has a Five-way gold-plated binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL L100 Classic's Five-way gold-plated binding posts terminals
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare JBL L100 Classic's and Klipsch Heresy IV's external dimensions. JBL L100 Classic has external dimensions of 636.5 x 389.6 x 371.5mm (25.0 x 15.3 x 14.6inch) whereas Klipsch Heresy IV has external dimensions of 631.0 x 394.0 x 337.0mm (24-13/16 x 15-1/2 x 13-1/4inch).
Klipsch Heresy IV is 5.5mm shorter and 34.5mm less deeper than JBL L100 Classic but it is also 4.4mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL L100 Classic and Klipsch Heresy IV in scale.
Comparison image of JBL L100 Classic and Klipsch Heresy IV Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the JBL L100 Classic is approximately 1447.4cm2 / 224.3inch2 and base area of the Klipsch Heresy IV is approximately 1327.8cm2 / 205.8inch2. The L100 Classic requires 9% more surface area than the Heresy IV which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of JBL L100 Classic?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of L100 Classic:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- Owner's Manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch Heresy IV?
Here are the items that come with the Heresy IV:
- 2 Floor-standing loudspeakers
- 2 Detachable grilles (installed)
- 2 Base risers (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps (installed)
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure