Klipsch, America’s most iconic speaker manufacturer, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. As for every anniversary, the brand has organized many events and produced special limited editions of its most popular speakers. On the eve of 2022, the manufacturer is celebrating its 75th anniversary one last time by releasing a limited edition Klipsch Heresy IV speaker with a fabric finish made by the iconic French menswear duo Tonton & Fils.
Klipsch: a specialist in limited editions
Klipsch differentiates itself from any other Hi-Fi brand by putting a lot of work into the customization of its speakers. Thanks to a partner called AF CUSTOM, the American manufacturer frequently reissues its most popular speakers in limited editions that are more attractive than ever. Klipsch has the particularity of partnering with professionals from different backgrounds, but whose DNA aligns with the rock and vintage spirit of the brand. Some editions such as the Klipsch RB-81 MKII 75th and Klipsch The Fives Walnut Custom #2 feature unique laser engraving, while other speakers such as the Klipsch Cornwall LE III East India benefit from a revamped finish, in this case a rosewood veneer. The American music label Capitol Records is also among Klipsch’s partners with the Klipsch Heresy III Capitol Records speaker. For the 20th anniversary of Son-Vidéo.com, the American manufacturer even released an exclusive edition of the Klipsch The Fives active speaker which was limited to 20 numbered copies and featured a revisited design with an engraving produced in France and a vintage logo.
Klipsch Heresy IV Tonton & Fils: fabric finish
Klipsch’s vintage and unmistakable rock attitude is embodied like never before in this new edition of the Klipsch Heresy IV. For the latter, Klipsch called upon the young French brand Tonton & Fils, known for its clothing collections inspired by American fashion from the 50s to the 70s. The fabrics selected after careful research with French manufacturers replicate the materials of iconic American brands such as Filson, Levi’s, Redwing, Woolrich, Lee, Schott, etc. The result is a timeless speaker based on a Klipsch Heresy IV with a light cherrywood cabinet to which the famous boutique applies a fabric covering. This collaboration has created a musical speaker with a unique design that perfectly captures the spirit of rock and luxurious American style.
Klipsch Heresy IV Tonton & Fils: the most iconic
The customization of the Klipsch Heresy is a unique opportunity for the brand to give a new lease on life to one of the most longstanding speakers in its catalog. The first generation of this speaker dates back to 1957, more than 60 years ago. This early three-way model was originally designed to work with a pair of Klipschorns to provide center channel reproduction in a hi-fi system. This innovative idea did not find its audience, so it was quickly abandoned in favor of a more conventional stereo configuration. It then attracted the audiophile community and underwent many changes, including in 2020 with the Klipsch Heresy IV and more recently with this Tonton & Fils edition.
Klipsch Heresy IV Tonton & Fils: 3-way design
The acoustic design of the Klipsch Heresy IV Tonton & Fils speaker remains identical to the Klipsch Heresy IV. It maintains the original three-way configuration with a 12″ woofer as well as midrange drivers and tweeter with compression chambers, each mounted in an acoustic horn. The latter maximize sound diffusion and widen the sweet spot.
Klipsch Heresy IV Tonton & Fils: bass-reflex
While the Klipsch Heresy had always had a closed enclosure, Klipsch turned that design on its head in 2020 with the fourth generation of this speaker which featured a bass-reflex enclosure for the first time. The Tonton & Fils edition uses the same principle with a rear port adopting Tractrix technology to extend the bass response while promising to limit turbulence. This design allows the fourth-generation Klipsch Heresy to go 10Hz lower, that is 48Hz, compared to the previous 58Hz.
The Tonton & Fils limited edition Klipsch Heresy IV speaker is perfectly versatile and can be used both in hi-fi setups for listening to digital sources and vinyl records, and in home theater installations as a front speaker. With its new fabric covering, it benefits from an even more luxurious finish that makes this speaker a real collector’s item.
