Short answer: the Klipsch Heresy IV for better sound quality, the Focal Aria Evo X N°2 for the lower price. The Klipsch Heresy IV ranks #37 of 59 floorstanding speakers at $3198. The Focal Aria Evo X N°2 ranks #49 at $2399, $799 cheaper.
On the Klipsch Heresy IV side: 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. Set against that: Erin measured a 77Hz F3 and response rolling away near 100Hz in-room, so a subwoofer is required for modern full-range reproduction.
What the Focal Aria Evo X N°2 offers: Solid bass with a deliberate mid-bass bump (80-120Hz) that gives extra thump and weight, extending to about 40-50Hz in-room. The catch: Sounds very bright pointed directly at the listener - the tweeter comes in 5-6dB above the midrange with an unusually wide, roughly two-octave dip (1kHz-4kHz) leading into it, giving a laid-back, low-attack character even after toeing out ~20 degrees.
Buy the Klipsch Heresy IV if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Focal Aria Evo X N°2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Focal Aria Evo X N°2. It ranks near the bottom of the 59 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Heresy IV | Focal Aria Evo X N°2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,198/pair | $2399 |
| Ranked | #37 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #49 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 91.5dB Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (2.9 ohms minimum, Manufacturer specified; 3.4 ohms minimum measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" horn-loaded tweeter; 1.75" horn-loaded midrange; 12" woofer | Aluminum-magnesium inverted dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5" flax midrange, dual 6.5" flax midbass woofers |
| Dimensions | 24.8"H x 15.6"W x 13.3"D | 40.7"H x 14.6"W x 11.6"D (1035 x 371 x 294 mm) (40.25 x 14.62 x 11.56 in) |
| Weight | 45 lb each | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55 lbs) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | 3-way, bass reflex (bottom-firing port, requires plinth) |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 40-250W |
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- SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle vs Sony SS-CS3
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch Heresy IV: $3,198/pair Amazon Crutchfield
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 45 lb each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Focal Aria Evo X N°2: $2399 Music Direct
Pros: Solid bass with a deliberate mid-bass bump (80-120Hz) that gives extra thump and weight, extending to about 40-50Hz in-room. High sensitivity (measured 88.2dB) makes it easy to drive, and distortion is low throughout the range even at high output - the reviewer found only a minor compression “glare” around 4.5kHz at very high volumes, not a real concern. Directivity components (mid-range and tweeter) transition smoothly rather than abruptly, and the overall soundstage is wide and enveloping.
Cons: Sounds very bright pointed directly at the listener - the tweeter comes in 5-6dB above the midrange with an unusually wide, roughly two-octave dip (1kHz-4kHz) leading into it, giving a laid-back, low-attack character even after toeing out ~20 degrees. Fixing this properly requires real EQ (a mini DSP or similar), not just toe-out or absorption alone; without EQ, expect it to sound bright for stereo listening. A mild dip around 200Hz makes male vocals sound slightly subdued. Narrow vertical directivity (about +/-15 degrees) means you need to stay close to tweeter-axis height. Impedance dips to 3.4 ohms (EPDR 1.4 ohms), so it wants a 4-ohm-capable amplifier, and requires a plinth for floor clearance since it’s bottom-ported.
Full Focal Aria Evo X N°2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 40.7"H x 14.6"W x 11.6"D (1035 x 371 x 294 mm) (40.25 x 14.62 x 11.56 in) |
| Drivers | Aluminum-magnesium inverted dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5" flax midrange, dual 6.5" flax midbass woofers |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (2.9 ohms minimum, Manufacturer specified; 3.4 ohms minimum measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 40-250W |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner; 91.5dB Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55 lbs) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex (bottom-firing port, requires plinth) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Sony SS-CS3
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Polk T50
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Infinity Reference 253
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Klipsch RP-8000F II
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Magnepan LRS+
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