Echoes From 1985

Jim Chapin
Oct 20
3 min read

Music has a way of marking time. The same speakers that once blasted The Scorpions from the barracks in West Germany in 1985 are now humming in my North Carolina home — proof that some sounds never fade. The Klipsch Heresy’s have been with me through a lot: a few moves, more than a few decades, and maybe a few questionable mix tapes. But they still sound as sweet as they did the day I brought them home.

For the life of me, I can’t remember the town or the name of the plaza, but in 1985, a few of us in the barracks heard of a place that featured every brand of Hi-Fi on the market. It might have been near Frankfurt, but like I said, I can’t remember. What I do remember was the feeling I got walking into that warehouse-like plaza. A massive brick walled long hallway stretched before me, with rooms lining the left and right. Each store was dedicated to it's brand. Lit-up signs hung over each door like a candy store for a G.I. with a fresh paycheck converted to Deutsche Marks. Top Japanese, German, and American brands were all represented: Technics, Pioneer, Kenwood, Blaupunkt, Carver, Bose - and Klipsch.

I chose the Klipsch Heresy in raw birch to be the centerpiece of my system. Even then, I knew they weren’t just any speakers — these were the real deal. Klipsch has been making high-efficiency, horn-loaded speakers since 1946, and their designs — from the Heresy to the legendary Klipschorn, La Scala, and Belle — have been revered by audiophiles for decades. These aren’t just pieces of furniture; they’re crafted to let the music breathe, giving every note space and life in a way few other speakers can. Hand-built in Hope, Arkansas, by Paul Klipsch himself, they carried that unmistakable American pedigree: horn-loaded tweeters, high efficiency, and a sound that demanded attention. You didn’t need to crank the volume to fill a room; the Heresy’s made every note punch, every vocal shimmer.

Forty years later, they still hum with the same crisp, dynamic character that first hooked me. Beyond the sound, there’s the presence. Solid wood cabinets that I later spent hours sanding until they were smooth then stained them myself. Iconic horn shapes — like their bigger siblings, the Klipschorn, La Scala, and Belle, the Heresy carries that signature horn-loaded character and unmistakable American craftsmanship — they don’t just play music, they make a statement. Bringing them into my new spin room feels like reuniting with old friends, ones who know the soundtrack of my life and are ready to help me write the next chapter.

It’s really hard to hang on to collectibles that you love. Through moves. Cramped apartments. Impractical cars. Sometimes you just have to let things go. I’m so glad I didn’t. For me, these aren’t just speakers — they’re history, heritage, and a whole lot of heart.

Other elements I bought back then included a Technics component rack. It had everything I needed and fit nicely in the room. A few paychecks later, I added a TEAC reel-to-reel. That was amazing, and of all the components, I wish I still had that one.

These past components set the stage for today — and now it was time to bring a new player into the mix: a turntable worthy of the Heresy. After doing a ton of research, I settled on the Fluance RT81+. Pairing the Fluance RT81+ with my Heresy’s feels like reuniting old friends. The turntable’s craftsmanship and sound quality breathe new life into my burgeoning vinyl collection. Together, they create an immersive listening experience that honors both the past and the present. Unboxing it was a thrill. Packaged beautifully and with care, it was simple to assemble and ready to kick off the new groove den.

Now for the room arrangement and setup. This is my home office over the garage. I needed to keep the desk in place, but the room is large enough, and I had some spare furniture just waiting to be put to use. I also had an old receiver in storage from a home theatre set-up 10 years ago. A rainy Saturday morning and more than a few cups of coffee were all I needed to settle on this design. Pulling out a few collectibles from my radio days, and we’re almost ready to power the system up. Enjoy the pictures and let me know your thoughts!