In this review, we will be comparing R5 Meta and Heresy IV, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KEF and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF R5 Meta and Klipsch Heresy IV first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF R5 Meta and Klipsch Heresy IV compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both R5 Meta and Heresy IV are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
KEF R5 Meta |
Klipsch Heresy IV |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
1 x 1.75-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
R5 Meta features a 1" Aluminum with MAT absorber Vented dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2700Hz. 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
R5 Meta has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Heresy IV has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Heresy IV can go slightly deeper then the R5 Meta's min frequency of 52Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
R5 Meta 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 R5 Meta can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. R5 Meta sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Heresy IV's is rated at 99 dB. This 12 dB difference makes the Klipsch Heresy IV a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R5 Meta, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
R5 Meta can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Heresy IV has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the R5 Meta.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both R5 Meta and Heresy IV features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
KEF R5 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KEF R5 Meta's and Klipsch Heresy IV's external dimensions. KEF R5 Meta has external dimensions of 1074.0 x 274.0 x 343.0mm ( 42-1/4-inch x 10-3/4-inch x 13-1/2-inch) 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 443mm shorter and 6mm less deeper than KEF R5 Meta but it is also 120mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF R5 Meta and Klipsch Heresy IV in scale.
Comparison image of KEF R5 Meta 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 KEF R5 Meta is approximately 939.8cm2 / 145.7inch2 and base area of the Klipsch Heresy IV is approximately 1327.8cm2 / 205.8inch2. The R5 Meta requires 29% less surface area than the Heresy IV which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The KEF R5 Meta weighs 24.55kg / 54lbs and the Klipsch Heresy IV weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the R5 Meta 20% heavier than the Heresy IV.
Here is a comparison of how R5 Meta and Heresy IV's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF R5 Meta?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R5 Meta:
R5 Meta Microfiber grille Plinth and spike accessories Port bungs User manual and warranty information
What's in the Box of Klipsch Heresy IV?
Here are the items that come with the Heresy IV:
2 Floor-standing loudspeakers2 Detachable grilles (installed)2 Base risers (installed)8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps (installed)Owners ManualCongratulations letterKlipsch brochure
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
939cm2 (274x343mm)
vs
1327cm2 (394x337mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
631mm
vs
1074mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
3198USD
vs
3998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KEF R5 Meta |
Klipsch Heritage Heresy IV |
| Brand |
KEF |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
15-200 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
99 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
48-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Hybrid Aluminum |
Fiber-composite |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Treated cloth |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Vented dome |
horn-loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
1.75" |
| Crossover Frequency |
400Hz and 2700Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1074.0mm (42.3") |
631.0mm (24.8") |
| Width |
274.0mm (10.8") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
343.0mm (13.5") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
24.55kg (54lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
10 Years |