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SVS Ultra Tower vs Klipsch Heresy III Comparison

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SVS Ultra Tower

Passive Floor-standing | 28-32k Hz

SVS Ultra Tower
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Klipsch Heresy III

Passive Floor-standing | 58-20k Hz

Klipsch Capitol Heresy III
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SVS Ultra Tower SVS Ultra Tower
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Klipsch Heresy III Klipsch Heresy III
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SVS Ultra Tower
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Klipsch Heresy III
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SVS Ultra Tower vs Klipsch Heresy III Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Ultra Tower and Heresy III, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from SVS and Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of SVS Ultra Tower and Klipsch Heresy III first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

SVS Ultra Tower Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1.0" Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Midrange
  • 2 x 8.0" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 28-32k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-300watts
  • Weight:34.27kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1159.0" x 13-15/16" x 17-1/2"( 1159.0 x 355.0 x 445.0mm )

Klipsch Heresy III Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix horn Tweeter
  • 1.75" Midrange
  • 12" Fiber-composite Woofer
  • 1.75" Midrange
  • 58-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 99 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:100watts
  • Weight:20.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 607.0" x 15-1/2" x 13-7/16"( 607.0 x 394.0 x 342.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the SVS Ultra Tower and Klipsch Heresy III compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Ultra Tower and Heresy III are 3-way speakers.

Driver SVS Ultra Tower Klipsch Heresy III
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 1.0-inch 1-inch
Midrange 2 x 6.5-inch 1 x 1.75-inch
Woofer 2 x 8.0-inch 1 x 12-inch

Ultra Tower features a 1.0" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 8.0" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 160HZ and 2000Hz. On the other hand, the Heresy III features a 1" titanium-diaphragm compression Tractrix horn Tweeter , a 1.75" Midrange and 1 x 12" Fiber-composite Woofer .

Frequency Response

Ultra Tower has a frequency range of 28-32k Hz whereas Heresy III has a frequency range of 58-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Ultra Tower can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Heresy III's min frequency of 58Hz.

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

Ultra Tower
Heresy III
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

SVS Ultra Tower
Klipsch Heresy III
Min
Average
Max

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

Ultra Tower and Heresy III have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Ultra Tower sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Heresy III's is at 99 dB. This 11 dB difference makes the Klipsch Heresy III a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra Tower, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

Ultra Tower
Heresy III
Min
Average
Max

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.

Ultra Tower can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Heresy III has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 200 watts less than the Ultra Tower.

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 Ultra Tower and Heresy III features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

SVS Ultra Tower Terminals
SVS Ultra Tower's Binding post 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 SVS Ultra Tower's and Klipsch Heresy III's external dimensions. SVS Ultra Tower has external dimensions of 1159.0 x 355.0 x 445.0mm ( 45-5/8 x 13-15/16 x 17-1/2inch) whereas Klipsch Heresy III has external dimensions of 607.0 x 394.0 x 342.0mm ( 23-7/8 x 15-1/2 x 13-7/16inch) .

Klipsch Heresy III is 552mm shorter and 103mm less deeper than SVS Ultra Tower but it is also 39mm wider.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS Ultra Tower and Klipsch Heresy III in scale.

SVS Ultra Tower vs Klipsch Heresy III Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of SVS Ultra Tower and Klipsch Heresy III 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 SVS Ultra Tower is approximately 1579.8cm2 / 244.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch Heresy III is approximately 1347.5cm2 / 208.9inch2. The Ultra Tower requires 17% more surface area than the Heresy III 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 SVS Ultra Tower weighs 34.27kg / 75.4lbs and the Klipsch Heresy III weighs 20.00kg / 44lbs. This makes the Ultra Tower 71% heavier than the Heresy III.

Here is a comparison of how Ultra Tower and Heresy III's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
SVS Ultra Tower
Klipsch Heresy III
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of SVS Ultra Tower?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Ultra Tower:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Cloth grille
  • 2 Metal grilles
  • Foam port plug
  • 4 Elastomer isolation feet (pre-installed)
  • 4 Spike feet
  • 4 Nuts
  • 4 Protective discs
  • 2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
  • Owners Manual
  • SVS brochure
  • Online Product Registration Card
  • What's in the Box of Klipsch Heresy III?

    Here are the items that come with the Heresy III:
  • Floor-standing loudspeaker
  • Detachable grille (installed)
  • Base riser (installed)
  • 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owners Manual
  • Congratulations letter
  • Klipsch brochure

  • Reasons to choose SVS Ultra Tower over Klipsch Capitol Heresy III
    Max Input Power 300 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Low Frequency Response 28 Hz vs 58 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 32k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Capitol Heresy III over SVS Ultra Tower

    Sensitivity 99 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 12 inches vs 8.0 inches Larger woofer
    Height 607mm vs 1159mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 1347cm2 vs 1579cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 2346USD vs 2600USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    SVS Ultra Tower vs Klipsch Heresy III Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General SVS Ultra Tower Klipsch Capitol Heresy III
    Brand SVS Klipsch
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 20-300 watts 100 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 99 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 28-32k Hz 58-20k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 8.0" 12"
    Woofer Composition Polypropylene Fiber-composite
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Treated cloth
    Tweeter Size 1.0" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Tractrix horn
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 6.5" 1.75"
    Crossover Frequency 160HZ and 2000Hz n/a
    Physical Specs
    Height 1159.0mm (45.6") 607.0mm (23.9")
    Width 355.0mm (14") 394.0mm (15.5")
    Depth 445.0mm (17.5") 342.0mm (13.5")
    Weight 34.27kg (75.4lbs) 20.00kg (44lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Acoustic Suspension
    Finish MDF/Oak veneer MDF/Wood veneer
    Available Colors Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White Blonde Cherry
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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