Mach 1 vs Heresy

[lakegville]

I have them both and to me they sound very similar with the Mach being a little less efficient. Wondering which one everybody around here prefers. I think my vote is for Mach 1 but very close? Opinions...I would love to hear what others thought. Regards.....

 

[Hajidub]

I think you badly need to recap those Heresy's!

 

[motorstereo]

Having had several pair of both my listening choice would be the original mach 1 (4024). If I had to choose a pair to re-sell I would take the heresy. The mach 1's don't seem to get much attention for whatever reason. The heresys on the other hand are an easy sell for what I consider to be a very poor sounding speaker.

 

[savatage1973]

I can't figure out how you remotely find them similar sounding. Not knocking Klipsch in any way (I have owned a few), but IMHO the Heresy was not one of their better efforts (although they are part of the Heritage line). They are screechy under power and have NO bass below 60 Hz. The Mach 1 should have far deeper bass than the Heresys, unless something else in the rig is amiss. If I had both sitting in front of me, the Klipsch would be on the auction block--they have a much bigger "following", and can command a higher sale price, and I prefer speakers that don't require a sub. I think part of the reason that the Mach 1 does not get much attention is the Rat Shack stigma as being "inferior" for no apparent reason. Listen and learn and stick with what YOU like.

 

[RS Steve]

I have both, the Heresy has a better sounding midrange and tweeter, the Mach one deeper bass. Probably not a fair comparison since the Mach 1 is has a bigger woofer and cabinet. The Cornwall would be a better comparison, and to my ears better sounding than the Mach 1.

The Mach 1 with the VL mods done can hold its own against the Cornwall though.

The Heresy name comes from Paul Klipsch saying that putting these drivers in such a small cabinet, is pure heresy. They were designed to be a center channel speaker to be paired with the Klipschorn model, but became popular for their compact size.

 

[2020]

I prefer the Mach 1. If it were K Horns or La Scalas, that would be different.

 

[Hajidub]

I have both, the Heresy has a better sounding midrange and tweeter, the Mach one deeper bass. Probably not a fair comparison since the Mach 1 is has a bigger woofer and cabinet. The Cornwall would be a better comparison, and to my ears better sounding than the Mach 1.

The Mach 1 with the VL mods done can hold its own against the Cornwall though.

The Heresy name comes from Paul Klipsch saying that putting these drivers in such a small cabinet, is pure heresy. They were designed to be a center channel speaker to be paired with the Klipschorn model, but became popular for their compact size.

The Heresy name comes from implementing a 3-way speaker. The Mach 1's IMO (my opinion), though of course better bass, are not even in the same league as a Heresy.

 

[Brindabella]

I open with I have heard neither but I have been doing a bit of research on Klipsch Heritage products over the past few weeks - so bare with my ignorance and possibly perceived stupidity and crazy value judgements. Now I kinda thought (and I beg for forgiveness in advance) that the Mach One was from a bottom end manufacturer that got lucky and made a "a giant slayer" for a very cheap/reasonable price???????? Please don't go "OH NO HE DIDN'T JUST SAY......"cos I know there are a lot of Realistic lovers. It seems like it is always the STA2000 and Mack One's that get all the love which are the anomalies of the brand in general. The Hersey was a high end speaker and came with a high price tag from a pedigree company (new they retail $5000 here in OZ) and as rare as hens teeth used here

I just want to learn, understand and completely open to having my value judgement's challenged. So when I read the OP's post the first thing that popped into my head was 'what an unfair comparison' and then reading the subsequent posts it was clear I really didn't have a clue about either speaker or their position in history/price/pedigree/etc.

Rob

 

[RS Steve]

I open with I have heard neither but I have been doing a bit of research on Klipsch Heritage products over the past few weeks - so bare with my ignorance and possibly perceived stupidity and crazy value judgements. Now I kinda thought (and I beg for forgiveness in advance) that the Mach One was from a bottom end manufacturer that got lucky and made a "a giant slayer" for a very cheap/reasonable price???????? Please don't go "OH NO HE DIDN'T JUST SAY......"cos I know there are a lot of Realistic lovers. It seems like it is always the STA2000 and Mack One's that get all the love which are the anomalies of the brand in general. The Hersey was a high end speaker and came with a high price tag from a pedigree company (new they retail $5000 here in OZ) and as rare as hens teeth used here

I just want to learn, understand and completely open to having my value judgement's challenged. So when I read the OP's post the first thing that popped into my head was 'what an unfair comparison' and then reading the subsequent posts it was clear I really didn't have a clue about either speaker or their position in history/price/pedigree/etc.

Rob

Well Rob, Realistic had some very good models from time to time, many rebranded with their logo. Companies like Fostex electronics, BSR, Miracord just to name a few companies making their equipment.

The Mach 1 was one of their main iconic speakers, many people loved their looks, and how they were able to pound out the music of their time. The originals had a very good warranty, and foam surrounds that did not rot out in 8-10 years like the later model. For their price at the time, they were better than some, as good as most, and really shined for piss off the neighbor party speakers. Do they classify as an audiophile quality speaker? NO! I know that many sets of the Mach 1 speaker were sold over the years, and to this day have a large following. Having been one of the many who did the VL modifications to them, I can honestly say that they can be brought to a much better, refined class of speaker. In the end, my opinion is that the Mach 1 needs a midrange that goes lower to match up better with the woofer and give better balance.

This can be said about so many other brands and models though, so what really matters in the end is how they sound to any individuals ears, and in their listening space.

 

[savatage1973]

I just want to learn, understand and completely open to having my value judgement's challenged. So when I read the OP's post the first thing that popped into my head was 'what an unfair comparison' and then reading the subsequent posts it was clear I really didn't have a clue about either speaker or their position in history/price/pedigree/etc.

I totally understand that the audio market in OZ is kind of crazy expensive, and a lot of stuff that we find "common" in the US market is "rare" down there, so don't feel "ignorant" of products that aren't available any day of the week in your backyard. The US is littered with Heresys and Mach 1s.

That said, Klipsch is a "pedigreed" speaker manufacturer, and PWK was pretty innovative back in the day--that's why the company still produces the "Heritage" line of products based very closely on the original designs from many decades ago. Radio Shack/Realistic/Optimus brands were "music for the masses" at substantially lower prices, but the Mach 1 was TOTL for what it was and when they were sold. But you are correct in assuming that you are comparing apples to oranges in this case.

 

[gbroot]

I sold an old Pioneer SX-990 receiver through a CL ad and we hooked it up to a set of Heresy's he had to test the receiver before the exchange of cash. The buyer thought they sounded great. There was nothing that impressed me about them. As far as RS products, I have a set of Nova 8b's and the smaller Nova 6's. Even the Nova 6's easily win out over the Heresy's including bass reproduction. I have never heard Cornwall's, La Scala's, or K Horns though so certainly withhold judgement on them. As far as the better RS gear, let them remain under valued and under appreciated so there's still some quality gear out there that is not over priced. You'll notice I did say "better RS gear". They had plenty that I would have had to been paid to take home.

 

[stereofanboy]

I started noticing Radio Shack stuff when I was a teenager in the early '80s. I would get the catalog every year and check out the flyers in every Sunday paper. My conclusion from that observation then, and from my much broader experience now, is that Radio Shack gear and especially speakers ranged from reasonable to a nice deal at their catalog prices. Nothing that earth shattering.

But.....(there's always a but) nearly every damn piece went on sale at least twice a year and the sale price ranged from about 25-35% off the regular price. That made their stuff a down right bargain.

Also, during the years I haunted Radio Shack, their product line changed often and when it did, all the old stuff went at progressive clearance prices. I remember getting a $200 pair of speakers (at catalog price) for $40. Sometimes the reason for a clearance sale was just stupid. When I paid less than half price for my Mach Twos, the only difference between my pair and the pair a few feet away that was full price was that pair had an Optimus badge and my pair had Realistic. That's when Radio Shack stuff was a great deal.

 

[Brindabella]

RS Steve and savatage1973 Thanks for the info.

I occasionally look through ebay US - so jealous - so much choice at such great prices. Sometimes I dream of filling a container in the US and shipping it back to OZ - I reckon there is a business model in that.

Rob

 

[RS Steve]

RS Steve and savatage1973 Thanks for the info.

I occasionally look through ebay US - so jealous - so much choice at such great prices. Sometimes I dream of filling a container in the US and shipping it back to OZ - I reckon there is a business model in that.

Rob

I had the pleasure of meeting a family from Iceland that was on vacation just north of me in Orlando, they drove to my home and purchased vintage stereo equipment to take back with them. We here in the U.S. take for granted how hard it must be for audio enthusiasts in other countries to acquire quality pieces of equipment. It's nice to see some of this stuff being appreciated overseas! AK is a wonderful forum to learn things from also.

 

[Brindabella]

I had the pleasure of meeting a family from Iceland that was on vacation just north of me in Orlando, they drove to my home and purchased vintage stereo equipment to take back with them. We here in the U.S. take for granted how hard it must be for audio enthusiasts in other countries to acquire quality pieces of equipment. It's nice to see some of this stuff being appreciated overseas! AK is a wonderful forum to learn things from.

Oh absolutely, I often wonder if Americans are generally more genetically predisposed to hoarding or just hanging on to things - Australian's in general have reputation of adopting new technology, fashion, decorating, fads, etc and so so so much just gets thrown out. I collect vintage meccano and tonka trucks from the 60's; like audio there is zero, zip, zilch to be had here in OZ and when it does come up it hurts $$$$$. Go to US Ebay and my partner has to stop me clicking 'bid or 'buy now' with fevered foam frothing from my mouth cos of the choice and so so so cheap.

I often wonder if I should call a freight forwarding company to see what it would take to get speakers sent across - I suspect it is the logistics of getting from the seller to docks would be the real impediment cos LCL container shipping is not that expensive.

It would have been a nice feeling knowing something that you had appreciated and enjoyed for many years also holds value to that family from Iceland.

Rob

 

[savatage1973]

I often wonder if I should call a freight forwarding company to see what it would take to get speakers sent across - I suspect it is the logistics of getting from the seller to docks would be the real impediment cos LCL container shipping is not that expensive.

This is certainly not unheard of--the Asian market has been doing it for years already--packing up shipping containers full of vintage audio gear and shipping it across the pond. There are people here in the US that basically make a living scouring the country and filling containers to ship off to the Asian market. Same thing applies to classic cars, only most of those are headed for the Middle East/Arab market.

 

[biscuithead]

I have both, the Heresy has a better sounding midrange and tweeter, the Mach one deeper bass. Probably not a fair comparison since the Mach 1 is has a bigger woofer and cabinet. The Cornwall would be a better comparison, and to my ears better sounding than the Mach 1.

The Mach 1 with the VL mods done can hold its own against the Cornwall though.

The Heresy name comes from Paul Klipsch saying that putting these drivers in such a small cabinet, is pure heresy. They were designed to be a center channel speaker to be paired with the Klipschorn model, but became popular for their compact size.

I'm with you 100% ! Agreed that the Mach 1 is undervalued, Agreed that the Heresy is overvalued. But... I personally like the Heresy more for what I listen to. I like Cornwalls MUCH more. The boomy Bass of the Mach 1 isn't accurate kinda like a CV... The mids of the Mach1 would sound better if you were on the same side of the pillow that someone must always be putting in front of it...
I listen to Vocals, Brass, strings and cymbols... they are much more precisely reproduced through the Heresy than the Mach 1s.... But If I throw on some AC/DC.... I choose the Mach 1s...

 

[musichal]

Way back when, all my buddies seemed to like the Mach !s, but I could not abide them. I thought several of the Nova models sounded much better. I love Heresies. Rather have a pair than any speaker RS ever offered. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[reddog48]

Brindabella, that is an excellent idea - scour the US for good performing vintage stereo kit, load up a shipping container and off to the Oz it goes. Used to see this same business model in the "antiques" trade. Guys would "pick" all over Europe, with the emphasis on the UK, load the stuff into shipping containers and then schlep it on the streets of LA or Atlanta or wherever. Good money was made by all involved - not great wealth mind you, but good money.

 

[Kingshead]

Have heard both, cousin owned a set of Mach 1s, I have two sets of Heresys series I. The Machs are great party speakers, nothing accurate about them but lots of fun and I wouldn't mind having a pair. That said, as already stated by another member, the Heresy is in another league. If it's perceived lack of bottom octave bass is the reason to choose the Machs then add a set of inexpensive subs. I have one set with subs one without and never feel anything is missing when listening sans subs.

The set without subs sit on the floor and the reinforced bass will rattle the windows when the music content calls for it. The main system setup have the Heresys lifted off the floor putting the midrange at ear level for better imaging, without the floor to reinforce the bass I have two Dayton 1200 subs doing double duty as speaker stands and bass reinforcement. Believe me when I say movie night can be quite an experience. Not to imply this isn't a music system first and foremost, it is. The Heresy sound is preserved, IT JUST SOUNDS BIGGER.