Short answer: the Klipsch Heresy IV for efficiency, the Focal Aria Evo X N°2 for in-room bass weight. The Heresy IV’s 94.5dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and horn-loaded 12-inch woofer give strong short-term output, but its 77Hz F3 needs a subwoofer. The Focal extends to about 40-50Hz in-room with a deliberate 80-120Hz mid-bass bump, though its tweeter sits 5-6dB above the midrange over a wide 1kHz-4kHz dip.
Buy the Focal Aria Evo X N°2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,600 with the Klipsch Heresy IV does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Heresy IV | Focal Aria Evo X N°2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,198 per pair | $4,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #72 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #57 of 74 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) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | 3-way, bass reflex (bottom-firing port, requires plinth) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.27 | 4.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.02 | 6.82 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 40-250W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch Heresy IV: $3,198 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
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 |
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Focal Aria Evo X N°2: $4,798 per pair Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.2dB.
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.7”H x 14.6”W x 11.6”D (1035 x 371 x 294 mm) |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.82 |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex (bottom-firing port, requires plinth) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Polk Audio XT60
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Polk T50
- Focal Aria Evo X N°2 vs Infinity Reference 253
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