In this review, we will be comparing Heresy IV and BW 603, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Klipsch and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Heresy IV and B&W 603 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Klipsch Heresy IV Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" horn-loaded Tweeter
- 1.75" Midrange
- 12" Fiber-composite Woofer
- 48-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 99 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:up to 100watts
- Weight:20.45kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 631.0" x 15-1/2" x 13-1/4"( 631.0 x 394.0 x 337.0mm )
B&W 603 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 6" Midrange
- 2 x 6.5" Paper Woofer
- 6" Midrange
- 48-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 88.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-200watts
- Weight:24.14kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 985.0" x 7.4" x 13.3"( 985.0 x 190.0 x 340.0mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch Heresy IV and B&W 603 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 Heresy IV and BW 603 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Klipsch Heresy IV |
B&W 603 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 1.75-inch |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Heresy IV features a 1" titanium-diaphragm compression horn-loaded Tweeter , a 1.75" Midrange and 1 x 12" Fiber-composite Woofer . On the other hand, the BW 603 features a 1" Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Paper Woofer .
Frequency Response
Heresy IV has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz whereas BW 603 has a frequency range of 48-28k Hz.
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
Heresy IV and BW 603 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Heresy IV sensitivity is rated at 99 dB and the BW 603's is at 88.5 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch Heresy IV a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 603, 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.
Heresy IV 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 BW 603.
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 Heresy IV and BW 603 features dual binding post speaker terminals for 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 Klipsch Heresy IV's and B&W 603's external dimensions. 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) whereas B&W 603 has external dimensions of 985.0 x 190.0 x 340.0mm ( 38.7 x 7.4 x 13.3inch) .
Klipsch Heresy IV is 354mm shorter and 3mm less deeper than B&W 603 but it is also 204mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch Heresy IV and B&W 603 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch Heresy IV and B&W 603 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 Klipsch Heresy IV is approximately 1327.8cm2 / 205.8inch2 and base area of the B&W 603 is approximately 646.0cm2 / 100.1inch2. The Heresy IV requires 106% more surface area than the BW 603 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Klipsch Heresy IV weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs and the B&W 603 weighs 24.14kg / 53.1lbs. This makes the BW 603 18% heavier than the Heresy IV.
Here is a comparison of how Heresy IV and BW 603'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 Klipsch Heresy IV?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 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
What's in the Box of B&W 603?
Here are the items that come with the BW 603:
Floorstanding loudspeaker Grille Plinith (base) 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed) 4 Rubber feet 4 Spike feet 4 Hex-nuts 4 Screws 4 Washers 4 Lock-washers Two-piece foam port plug Hex-key Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochure Warranty Information
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
631mm
vs
985mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 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 |
646cm2
vs
1327cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage Heresy IV |
Bowers & Wilkins 603 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
99 dB |
88.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-20k Hz |
48-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber-composite |
Paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Treated cloth |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
horn-loaded |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
1.75" |
6" |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
631.0mm (24.8") |
985.0mm (38.8") |
| Width |
394.0mm (15.5") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
337.0mm (13.3") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
24.14kg (53.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black, White, Oak |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |