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  1. Home
  2. Klipsch Speakers
  3. Passive Floor-standing Speakers
  4. Klipsch Capitol Heresy III
Klipsch Heresy III Review
Klipsch Heresy III - Front View

Compare To

Main Features

  • 1" Tractrix horn Tweeter
  • 1.75" titanium-diaphragm compression Tractrix horn Midrange
  • 12" Fiber-composite Woofer
  • 58-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 99 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range: 100 watts
  • Weight: 44.00 lbs / 20.00 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 23-7/8"x15-1/2"x13-7/16" / 607.0 x 394.0 x 342.0mm
MSRP: $1,173 (list price)
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Klipsch Heresy III Review
Klipsch Heresy III Klipsch Heresy III
Check price atAmazon›

Made by Klipsch · United States · since 1946 · sold through dealers

Klipsch Capitol Heresy III is a 3-way Passive Acoustic Suspension Floor-standing speaker by Klipsch. It was released in 2017. It features a 1" Tractrix horn Tweeter, 1 x 1.75" Midrange and 1 x 12" Fiber-composite Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 58-20k Hz and a sensitivity of 99 dB. Klipsch Heresy III has an MSRP of 2346$ per pair.

Klipsch's Heritage Series of Loudspeakers

Heresy III is a member of Klipsch's Heritage series of Passive speakers. The Heritage range are Klipsch's iconic hand-built American speakers, including the Cornwall, Heresy and horn-loaded La Scala, some in production for decades. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

See all 10 Klipsch Heritage models compared »

Klipsch Heritage Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Klipsch Cornwall IV
Compare
34-20k Hz 102 dB8Ω 1 x 15"
Klipsch La Scala AL6
Compare
40-19k Hz 103 dB8Ω 1 x 12"
Klipsch Forte IV
Compare
38-20k Hz 99 dB8Ω 1 x 12"
Klipsch Heresy IV
Compare
48-20k Hz 99 dB8Ω 1 x 12"
Klipsch Klipschorn AK7
Compare
34-19k Hz 103 dB8Ω 1 x 15"
Klipsch La Scala AL5
Compare
51-20k Hz 105 dB8Ω 1 x 15"
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6
Compare
33-20k Hz 105 dB8Ω 1 x 15"
Klipsch Heresy III
58-20k Hz 99 dB8Ω 1 x 12"
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion
Compare
60-20k Hz 95 dB8Ω 1 x 8"
Klipsch OJAS kO-R2
Compare
39-20k Hz 97 dB8Ω 1 x 15"
Klipsch Heritage Series Speakers
Klipsch Heritage Series Speakers

Frequency Response of the Klipsch Heresy III Speaker

Klipsch Heresy III has a Frequency response range of 58-20k Hz and Power Range of 100 watts. With a minimum frequency of 58 Hz, Heresy III delivers moderate bass depth so depending on your use case, you might want to consider adding a subwoofer to your system.

Here we have a comparison of how Heresy III's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Klipsch Heresy III
Min
Average
Median
Thinking about a subwoofer for the Klipsch Heresy III?
  • Work out the crossover setting - it follows from this speaker's 58 Hz low end
  • Powered subwoofers under $3,000 - a similar price range to these speakers
  • Every powered subwoofer we cover, whatever the budget

Among the speakers in our database with a max MSRP price of 3000$ (Pair), these are the 5 Passive Floor-standing speakers that have the deeper bass levels than the Klipsch Heresy III's 58Hz:

  • KLH Kendall with Low Frequency of 25 Hz (Compare w/ Heresy III)
  • GoldenEar Triton Five with Low Frequency of 26 Hz (Compare w/ Heresy III)
  • KLH Concord with Low Frequency of 28 Hz (Compare w/ Heresy III)
  • SVS Ultra Tower with Low Frequency of 28 Hz (Compare w/ Heresy III)
  • GoldenEar Triton Seven with Low Frequency of 29 Hz (Compare w/ Heresy III)

Impedance and Sensitivity

Klipsch Heresy III's nominal impedance level is 8 ohms and has a sensitivity of 99 dB.

Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Klipsch Heresy III
Min
Average
Median

8 Ohms is pretty much the standard nominal impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so Klipsch Capitol Heresy III is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

99dB of the Klipsch Capitol Heresy III is considered a high sensitivity compared to average stereo speaker which makes Heresy III an easy to drive from Sensitivity perspective. If you are planning to power your speaker with a Tube amp which are generally very low power, the Klipsch Heresy III will be a good choice. Work out how loud the Klipsch Heresy III plays in your room →

What amplifier does the Klipsch Heresy III need?

At normal listening levels in a medium room, about 0.9–60 W per channel into 8 ohms. Set your own conditions and we will rank every amplifier we cover.

We check power, impedance safety and current delivery - not just watts.

Prefer to browse? Integrated amplifiers under $3,000, or every amplifier we cover.

Input Type

Heresy III has 5-way post type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can enhance the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by using separate speaker wires for the low and high-frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping, on the other hand, involves using separate amplifiers for the high and low-frequency drivers, potentially resulting in a greater dynamic range and reduced distortion.

Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →

Klipsch Heresy III External Dimensions and Weight

Klipsch Heresy III has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 23-7/8 x 15-1/2 x 13-7/16inch (607.0 x 394.0 x 342.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of Klipsch Heresy III is approximately 1347.5cm2 / 208.9inch2.

To get a better perspective on the real life size of Klipsch Heresy III, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

Klipsch Heresy III Real Life Body Size Comparison
Klipsch Heresy III Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Here we place the Klipsch Heresy III virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a media center to get a better idea about the size.

Klipsch Heresy III placed next to a Media Stand
Klipsch Heresy III Floor-standing Speaker next to a Media Stand

Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →  ·  Work out where they should sit in the room →

Weight

The Klipsch Heresy III weighs 20.00kg / 44lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Heresy III's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Klipsch Heresy III
Min
Average
Median
Weight
Floor-standing Speakers under $3000
Klipsch Heresy III
Min
Average
Max

How does the Klipsch Heresy III compare to the Klipsch Heritage Heresy IV?

One of the natural alternative to the Klipsch Heresy III is the Heresy IV which is located one step higher in Klipsch's Passive Floor-standing selection.

Here is a scaled size comparison of these two speakers to give you an idea how their external dimensions compare:

Klipsch Heresy III vs Klipsch Heresy IV Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Klipsch Heresy III and Klipsch Heresy IV Size and External Dimensions

Check the Detailed Comparison of Klipsch Heresy III vs Heresy IV for more details.

Cabinet type and Materials

Klipsch Heresy III has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet and a MDF/Wood veneer finish. Acoustic Suspension loudspeakers aka Sealed speakers have no openings such as ports or slots.. They can be designed smaller, the bass is more accurate and tighter compared to ported designs but doesn't go as low on the lower end in general.

Speaker Feet

Klipsch Heresy III comes with the parts below which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on:

  • Base riser (installed)
  • 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet

It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.

Available colors

Klipsch Heresy III is available in Blonde Cherry.

Does the Klipsch Heresy III come with a Grille?

Heresy III comes with grilles. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible.

What's in the Box of Klipsch Heresy III?

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

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the Klipsch Capitol Heresy III.

  • Speaker Cable and Connectors
    • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
    • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
    • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
  • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators are our favorite isolators but you may find more affordable options too.
  • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.

Warranty

5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

Klipsch Capitol Heresy III Alternatives in Passive Floor-standing Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
Klipsch Heresy IV
Compare
3-way 99 dB 8 ohms 48-20k Hz
Klipsch Cornwall IV
Compare
3-way 102 dB 8 ohms 34-20k Hz
Klipsch Forte IV
Compare
3-way 99 dB 8 ohms 38-20k Hz
Klipsch La Scala AL5
Compare
3-way 105 dB 8 ohms 51-20k Hz
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6
Compare
3-way 105 dB 8 ohms 33-20k Hz
Wharfedale LINTON
Compare
3-way 90 dB 6 ohms 40-20k Hz
Klipsch La Scala AL6
Compare
3-way 103 dB 8 ohms 40-19k Hz
Wharfedale SUPER LINTON
Compare
3-way 90 dB 6 ohms 39-20k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about Klipsch Capitol Heresy III

What amplifier do you need for the Klipsch Heresy III?

Klipsch rates the Klipsch Heresy III for 100 watts of amplifier power. It is an 8-ohm speaker, the usual nominal load, so almost any amplifier or receiver can drive it.

Is the Klipsch Heresy III easy to drive?

The Klipsch Heresy III has a sensitivity of 99 dB. That is high: it goes loud on modest power, so it suits low-powered amplifiers, including valve/tube designs.

Does the Klipsch Heresy III need a subwoofer?

The Klipsch Heresy III reaches down to 58Hz (full range 58-20k Hz). That covers most music, though a subwoofer still adds the bottom octave for home theatre.

What drivers does the Klipsch Heresy III use?

The Klipsch Heresy III is a 3-way design using a 1" Tractrix horn tweeter, a 1.75" midrange and a 12" Fiber-composite woofer.

Is the Klipsch Heresy III sealed or ported?

The Klipsch Heresy III uses a Sealed enclosure. A sealed box trades some output for tighter, more even bass and is the more forgiving choice close to a wall.

Can the Klipsch Heresy III be bi-wired or bi-amped?

Yes. The Klipsch Heresy III has two sets of terminals, so it can be bi-wired or bi-amped: bi-wiring runs separate cable to the treble and bass sections, bi-amping gives each its own amplifier channel. It uses 5-way post terminals.

Can the Klipsch Heresy III be wall mounted?

The Klipsch Heresy III does not include a wall-mount bracket or keyhole, so it is designed to sit on a stand, shelf or the floor.

Does the Klipsch Heresy III come with grilles?

Yes. The Klipsch Heresy III comes with removable grilles.

How big and heavy is the Klipsch Heresy III?

The Klipsch Heresy III weighs 20.00kg / 44lbs each and measures 23-7/8 x 15-1/2 x 13-7/16inch (HxWxD).

How much does the Klipsch Heresy III cost?

The Klipsch Heresy III has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $2,346 per pair.


Klipsch Heresy III Detailed Specifications

General
BrandKlipsch
Full Model NameKlipsch Capitol Heresy III
Speaker Type3-way Floor-standing
Power Range100 watts
Sensitivity99 dB
Impedance8 ohms
Frequency Response58-20k Hz
Release Date2017
DRIVERS
Woofer Size12-inch
Woofer CompositionFiber-composite
Woofer SurroundTreated cloth
Tweeter Size1-inch
Tweeter TypeTractrix horn
Midrange Size1.75-inch

CONNECTIONS
Connector Type5-way post
Biamp InputsYes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height607.0mm ( 23-7/8-inch)
Width394.0mm ( 15-1/2-inch)
Depth342.0mm ( 13-7/16-inch)
Height607.0mm ( 23-7/8-inch)
Weight20 kg (44 lbs)
EnclosureAcoustic Suspension
FinishMDF/Wood veneer
Available ColorsBlonde Cherry
Mounting BracketNo
GrilleYes
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty5 Years
Labor Warranty5 Years
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