Sixteen. That’s how many examples of Paul W. Klipsch’s original H8 bookshelf speaker were ever built after its 1958 debut. Klipsch has now brought that design back as the Klipsch Rebellion, the first bookshelf loudspeaker ever added to the Heritage Series, with full specifications confirmed following its world debut at High End Munich earlier this year.
PWK’s Original 1958 H8, Reimagined for the Heritage Series
Klipsch envisioned the original H8 as a center-channel companion positioned between a pair of Klipschorns in a three-channel stereo array, and built it as a smaller sibling to the Heresy, which had debuted the year before. “For years Heritage fans have been asking for a bookshelf option, and there was no more appropriate way to start than with an original PWK design,” said Andy Spalla, Klipsch’s Senior Product Manager, on the Rebellion’s launch. The Klipsch Rebellion carries that lineage forward as a compact, high-efficiency two-way loudspeaker hand-built in Hope, Arkansas.
A Two-Way Design Built Around Tractrix Horn and Mumps
The Klipsch Rebellion pairs a K-702 tweeter mounted to a K-703 Tractrix horn, fitted with Klipsch’s patented Mumps for distortion-free, crystal-clear highs, with a new K-81-EP woofer for deep, controlled bass. A rear Tractrix flare port, new to this design, improves air transfer to reduce port noise for cleaner, more powerful output from the compact cabinet. Klipsch rates the Rebellion at 115dB calculated maximum continuous output with a 200-watt power handling rating, backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, and pairs it with the purpose-built Klipsch KS-24 speaker stand. It joins the Heritage lineup alongside models like the Klipschorn AK7.
Three Finishes, Including a Limited Tigerwood 80th Edition
Like every Heritage speaker, each Klipsch Rebellion pair is grain-matched from the same timber, black cloth grilles included, so no two pairs look quite alike. Buyers can choose American Walnut or Black Ash as standard finishes, or opt for a limited-edition Tigerwood finish released to mark Klipsch’s 80th anniversary. Ideal for two-channel stereo listening or as part of a Klipsch Heritage home theater system, the Rebellion is designed to punch well above its compact size.
Pricing and availability
Klipsch has not yet published U.S. retail pricing for the Rebellion; interested buyers can check klipsch.com for availability updates as the model rolls out through Klipsch’s Heritage retail network.
Key specifications
- Design: Two-way bookshelf loudspeaker, based on the 1958 H8
- Tweeter: K-702 HF driver on K-703 Tractrix horn with Mumps
- Woofer: K-81-EP 8″ woofer with rear Tractrix flare port
- Power handling: 200W, 115dB calculated max. continuous output
- Finishes: American Walnut, Black Ash, limited Tigerwood 80th Anniversary
- Dimensions: 12″ W x 19.1″ H x 9.6″ D, 32 lbs (single)
- Warranty: 10 years
