Klipsch Speaker Value Guide (2026)
Klipsch has been making horn-loaded speakers in Hope, Arkansas since 1946. The Heritage line (Klipschorn, La Scala, Cornwall, Heresy, and Forte) has been in continuous production with periodic updates since the originals. That matters for buyers: you can find a 1970s Heresy for $400, a current Heresy IV for $3,500 new, and they share the same design philosophy but are different speakers. Know which generation you're looking at before comparing prices.
| Model | Spec | Working |
|---|---|---|
| Klipsch Jubilee | — | $39,598 |
| Klipsch Klipschorn | — | $6,500 |
| Klipsch Cornwall IV | — | $6,444 |
| Klipsch La Scala | — | $4,500 |
| Klipsch Forte IV | — | $3,899 |
| Klipsch Cornwall | — | $3,750 |
| Klipsch Heresy IV | — | $3,599.98 |
| Klipsch RF-7 II | — | $3,300 |
| Klipsch Belle Klipsch | — | $3,000 |
| Klipsch Chorus | — | $2,200 |
| Klipsch RF-7 | — | $2,000 |
| Klipsch Forte | — | $1,745 |
The Heritage line: what each model is
The Klipschorn (1946) is the flagship and the only speaker that requires corner placement; the room corner acts as the bass horn. Originals from the 1950s-80s are collector pieces. Current production (AK6) retails above $16,000 per pair. Used vintage Klipschorns in good condition list from $3,000 to $8,000 depending on year, veneer, and condition of the crossovers.
The La Scala (1963) is a folded-horn design that doesn't require corner loading. The original production ran through the 1970s and 80s; the current AL6 retails around $14,000. Vintage La Scalas list from $2,000 to $5,000 for clean pairs, with industrial LSI variants sometimes priced higher among collectors.
The Cornwall (1959) is the most practical Heritage speaker for normal rooms. A 15-inch woofer with horn-loaded midrange and tweeter. Original 1970s Cornwalls list $1,200 to $2,500 per pair. The current Cornwall IV retails around $6,000.
The Heresy (1957) was originally designed as a center channel for Klipschorn systems. It became its own product line and is the entry point to Heritage. Vintage Heresy Is list $400 to $900 per pair. Heresy IIs and IIIs fetch a bit more. The current Heresy IV retails around $3,500.
The Forte (1985) is the newest Heritage classic: a three-way design with a 15-inch passive radiator on the rear. Vintage Forte Is and IIs are popular used buys at $600 to $1,500 per pair. The current Forte IV retails around $4,500.
Vintage vs current production
The Heritage line is not "the same speaker with a new badge." Each generation got meaningful updates: new crossover components, different drivers, revised cabinet proportions. Vintage Klipsch buyers are often seeking a specific generation; original Heresy Is with alnico drivers, for instance, are more sought after by some collectors than later versions. Know what you're buying.
The foam surround problem
Klipsch woofers from the 1970s and 80s used foam surrounds that degrade over 20-30 years. A crumbling surround means the woofer can't move properly and bass response collapses. Refoaming a pair of woofers costs $60-150 done professionally. It's a straightforward repair but one that almost every vintage Klipsch pair needs. Ask the seller specifically whether the surround foam is intact, and look for photos showing the woofer edge; degraded foam is visible on close inspection.
Crossover capacitors
The crossover capacitors in vintage Klipsch speakers drift with age and affect frequency response. A crossover recap on a Heritage pair costs $100-250 depending on the model and who does it. It's not urgent the way foam is; a crumbling surround is an immediate problem, drifted capacitors are a gradual one. But factor it in on older units.
The KG and Chorus lines
The KG series (KG4, KG 5.5, KG7) from the 1980s and 90s used conventional cone midranges rather than horn-loaded compression drivers. They're less sought-after than Heritage and trade at lower prices, but they're capable speakers. The Chorus is between the KG and Heritage in design philosophy. These are the Klipsch models for buyers who want the brand without Heritage prices.
As an eBay Partner, StereoWorth may earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page.