Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower. It ranks #12 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $5,698. The Klipsch Heresy IV ranks #220, rated 2.3/5, at $3,599.98, $2,098.02 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel aluminum woofers in a 3-way, 4-driver bamboo tower measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension point with a nearly flat on axis slope of 0.05dB per octave, one of the flattest measured towers we list. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.97 against 2.27 for the Klipsch Heresy IV. Its bass reaches about 38.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 77Hz for the Klipsch Heresy IV. The catch: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some of the passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models in this same batch.
Why pick the Klipsch Heresy IV: Very high 94.5dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity in Erin’s anechoic measurement (well below Klipsch’s 99dB in-room claim, but still excellent) and strong short-term output from a 12-inch woofer plus horn-loaded midrange and tweeter. The tradeoff: Erin measured a 77Hz F3 and response rolling away near 100Hz in-room, so a subwoofer is required for modern full-range reproduction.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $2,098.02 with the Klipsch Heresy IV does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower | Klipsch Heresy IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,698 per pair | $3,599.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #12 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #220 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 1.75” horn-loaded midrange; 12” woofer |
| Dimensions | 43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm) | 24.8”H x 15.6”W x 13.3”D |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) each | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 94.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | Approximately 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 400W continuous, 600W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 50.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.97 | 2.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.42 | 5.02 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower (measured by the manufacturer) and Klipsch Heresy IV (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower compares with other leading options:
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower
- MoFi SourcePoint 888 vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Revel F328Be
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower: $5,698 per pair Ascend Acoustics $5,698 eBay
Same family: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon (center, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel aluminum woofers in a 3-way, 4-driver bamboo tower measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension point with a nearly flat on axis slope of 0.05dB per octave, one of the flattest measured towers we list. The bass alignment Q of 0.62 keeps the low end well damped rather than peaky. Backed by a 7 year parts and labor warranty and hand assembled in Orange County, California, with each pair matched within +/-1.5dB. Measured bass extension of 38.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some of the passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models in this same batch. At $5698/pair it is Ascend’s most expensive tower, well above the Titan dome tweeter version of the same cabinet. The manufacturer’s own claimed sensitivity (87.5dB) runs nearly 1.5dB higher than the independently measured average (86.1dB), worth accounting for when matching an amplifier.
Full Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Country | United States |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm) |
| Drivers | RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 400W continuous, 600W peak |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.42 |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Revel F328Be
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Revel F226Be
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL 4367
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL HDI-3800
- See all 24 comparisons
Klipsch Heresy IV: $3,599.98 per pair Amazon $3,599.98 Crutchfield $3,599.98 eBay
Same family: the Klipsch Forte IV (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4/5), the Klipsch Cornwall IV (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 2.8/5), the Klipsch La Scala AL6 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 2.8/5) and the Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3/5).
Pros: Very high 94.5dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity in Erin’s anechoic measurement (well below Klipsch’s 99dB in-room claim, but still excellent) and strong short-term output from a 12-inch woofer plus horn-loaded midrange and tweeter. The compact, furniture-grade Heritage cabinet is easier to place than most high-efficiency designs, and dynamics at moderate levels can sound lively. A stable four-ohm-capable amplifier can produce substantial SPL with relatively little voltage. Measured bass extension of 77Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 94.5dB.
Cons: Erin measured a 77Hz F3 and response rolling away near 100Hz in-room, so a subwoofer is required for modern full-range reproduction. The impedance dips to about 4 ohms, reducing the practical amplifier advantage implied by its sensitivity. Pronounced directivity mismatch at the driver transitions, impedance/response resonances and elevated distortion spikes around the crossover remain audible concerns that EQ cannot fully solve. At 102dB Erin measured roughly 1.5dB midband compression; at 96dB distortion rises around crossover. Performance is difficult to justify at the price, and Erin explicitly did not recommend it.
Full Klipsch Heresy IV review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 24.8”H x 15.6”W x 13.3”D |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 1.75” horn-loaded midrange; 12” woofer |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.02 |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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