Short answer: the Klipsch Heresy IV for output and sensitivity, the KEF Q11 Meta for its coaxial three-way layout. The Heresy IV measures 94.5dB/2.83V/1m with strong short-term output, but its 77Hz F3 and near-100Hz rolloff demand a subwoofer. The Q11 Meta is genuinely dark on raw on-axis measurement and needs sidewall reflections within about 6 feet/2 meters to sound properly neutral.
Buy the KEF Q11 Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch Heresy IV and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Heresy IV | KEF Q11 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,198 per pair | $2,499.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #72 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #44 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 1.75” horn-loaded midrange; 12” woofer | 25mm tweeter + dual 165mm drivers |
| Dimensions | 24.8”H x 15.6”W x 13.3”D | 43.8”H x 12.5”W x 15”D (1112.8 x 317.5 x 381.0 mm) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 106.9 lbs (48.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.27 | 6.72 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.02 | 8.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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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KEF Q11 Meta: $2,499.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Three-way tower design with a coaxial layout: a 3/4” aluminum dome tweeter (with KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology behind it) mounted at the center of a 4” mid-range, plus three 6.5” bass drivers. Extremely linear estimated in-room response when placed correctly, thanks to a deliberately declining on-axis response paired with well-controlled directivity: a technically sound design philosophy, even though it reads as “dark” in raw anechoic on-axis measurements. In-room bass extension to about 40-50Hz when placed near a wall, thanks to extended bass-shelf tuning. Sounds excellent whether pointed directly at the listener or toed out a full 30° parallel to the back wall: unusually flexible placement. More vertical listening leeway than standard non-coaxial two-way designs, thanks to the coincident tweeter/midrange. Distortion looks good at both 86dB and 96dB, and multitone distortion holds up well too. Comes with a plinth/outrigger kit for stability given its floorstanding height (about 43-44”). Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.6dB.
Cons: Genuinely dark-sounding on raw on-axis measurement, and needs a typical room with sidewall reflections (within about 6 feet/2 meters) to sound properly neutral: in a large room with little sidewall interaction, it may sound too dull for some listeners. Must be placed close to a rear wall (about 1 foot) to get proper bass: pulling it out to the “standard” 3-foot audiophile recommendation causes bass output to drop off noticeably. Horizontal radiation of about ±50° is narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60°, giving a slightly less enveloping soundstage than some rivals. Notably darker than sibling KEF models in the same product family: measures 2-5dB less top-end energy than the R3 Meta and a few dB less than the Q Concerto Meta. Minor lingering resonances appear in burst decay measurements between 500Hz-1kHz. The tweeter shows some strain at very high output volumes, a limitation the reviewer notes is common even among more budget-friendly speakers generally.
Full KEF Q11 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.8”H x 12.5”W x 15”D (1112.8 x 317.5 x 381.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + dual 165mm drivers |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.72 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.03 |
| Weight | 106.9 lbs (48.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons