Bookshelf Shootout Poll

[Peter Marcks]

May I ask under what conditions you auditioned the HB-1? Was it in your home? Was a subwoofer used? It seems that something must have been amiss for such a negative reaction, since that is the polar opposite of impressions from most other people who have listened to the speakers (including all professional reviewers). I've never heard anyone say that the HB-1 is simply not musical and that's it. You must have been listening to a damaged pair of speakers.

We've demonstrated the HB-1's at several shows, and the female vocals from artists like Rebecca Pidgeon have always sounded great and very musical.

 

[Tomorrow]

That is why I stated IMO (In My Opinion) JMO (Just My Opinion).

Maybe for HT this speaker might be OK. But for music these speakers (Again In My Opinion) Sucked.

Mazer....

Just saying they "sucked" or "don't cut it" isn't very informative. Would you like to elaborate? I assume you heard them in your GTG...? How, exactly, did they present themselves and/or compare to like-kind?

Thanks.

 

[Peter Marcks]

I think that if something "sucks" when by most other accounts it does not or should not, we should ask ourselves "Why?", and "Is there something amiss?". Unfortunately there could be a lot of avenues for troubleshooting. Something amiss with setup? Something amiss with speaker? Both? Damage to any part of the speaker? etc We really can't tell unless a thorough investigation is done and the speakers in question are examined in-house.

 

[Peter Marcks]

Now, regarding this poll, I would say that no one would necessarily come out victorious. Some speakers would have advantages in some areas, and others would have advantages in other areas, whether it be treble/midrange/bass/music/movies/aesthetics/size/cost/etc.

 

[avaserfi]

Now, regarding this poll, I would say that no one would necessarily come out victorious. Some speakers would have advantages in some areas, and others would have advantages in other areas, whether it be treble/midrange/bass/music/movies/aesthetics/size/cost/etc.

I think for funs sake we will get an overall best/favorite speaker from each reviewer, but I can also see a more important category of the pros/cons of each speaker which would be extremely useful for people looking to purchase a new HT with a specific price range.

 

[Adam]

I think that if something "sucks" when by most other accounts it does not or should not, we should ask ourselves "Why?", and "Is there something amiss?". Unfortunately there could be a lot of avenues for troubleshooting. Something amiss with setup? Something amiss with speaker? Both? Damage to any part of the speaker? etc We really can't tell unless a thorough investigation is done and the speakers in question are examined in-house.

Personally, I'd just chalk it up to personal preference and let it go. Mazer didn't like them. That doesn't mean that they were broken or poorly placed, and it doesn't mean that others don't/won't love them.

Take Paradigm. Some people love them. Swear by them. I hated them when I auditioned them. I thought that my ears were going to bleed, or perhaps that was just wishful thinking because the blood would help dampen out the grating noise of those things. Do I think that Paradigm sucks? Nope, but I'll say that they aren't for me...at least that's true for the models that I heard.

 

[emorphien]

Personally, I'd just chalk it up to personal preference and let it go. Mazer didn't like them. That doesn't mean that they were broken or poorly placed, and it doesn't mean that others don't/won't love them.

Take Paradigm. Some people love them. Swear by them. I hated them when I auditioned them. I thought that my ears were going to bleed, or perhaps that was just wishful thinking because the blood would help dampen out the grating noise of those things. Do I think that Paradigm sucks? Nope, but I'll say that they aren't for me...at least that's true for the models that I heard.

Exactly. I also rather dislike most B&W speakers and while I like most Aerials their top model didn't fit my taste when I listened to them.

 

[Peter Marcks]

That could very well be Adam.

We had one person who came to our office with a set of good [non-horn] 2-way bookshelf speakers with 6.5" woofer to compare to the HB-1's. He and Dr. Hsu listened to these bookshelf speakers and HB-1. This individual felt that the HB-1 sounded more nasally in the midrange in comparison, while Dr. Hsu felt exactly the opposite way and felt the HB-1 sounded much cleaner and less nasally in the midrange. And I know that I've always really liked the HB-1, even compared to other very well regarded low cost bookshelf speakers, but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

It's just amazing how listening impressions can be so diametrically opposed between two different people listening to the same speaker!

At the same time, something could have been wrong with the HB-1 that mazer listened to. I know that something was amiss with Tom Andry's first HB-1 pair that he reviewed for Audioholics (maybe shipping damage, or something else), and when he received the properly working pair he said that they sounded and imaged much better.

Note that the current shipping HB-1 has a significantly upgraded tweeter compared to the first run of HB-1's too.

 

[Adam]

It's just amazing how listening impressions can be so diametrically opposed with two different listeners!

So true! Very interesting story, BTW. Thanks for that.

At the same time, something could have been wrong with the HB-1 that mazer listened to. I know that something was amiss with Tom Andry's first HB-1 pair that he reviewed for Audioholics (maybe shipping damage, or something else), and when he received the properly working pair he said that they sounded and imaged much better.

Agreed, you're absolutely right. There's always a chance that Mazer listened to a bad pair. However, unless he listens to at least one more pair, we'll never know.

 

[Peter Marcks]

Yes, definitely Adam, I completely agree with that.

I think I'll ask mazer more about the speakers via private messaging so as not to hijack this thread any more.

 

[mazersteven]

Mazer....

Just saying they "sucked" or "don't cut it" isn't very informative. Would you like to elaborate? I assume you heard them in your GTG...? How, exactly, did they present themselves and/or compare to like-kind?

Thanks.

Your right, it was at my house during my GTG. In all fairness the HB-1's where surrounded by much nicer, and higher priced speakers.

AV123 Strata Mini's
AV123 Rocket RS250MkII
Polk LSi9's
Usher S-520's

Maybe I shouldn't have used the turn "Sucked". Because they don't suck. They do seem to have a decent build quality. Light weight (Didn't open one up to look inside). And also not the best finish of any speaker by any means.

I don't know how to describe the sound other then flat. And when I say flat I don't mean neutral, or uncolored (like Mackie HR824's). They sounded lifeless. Like they where muffled. They also lack clarity, and detail.

 

[mazersteven]

Peter I would be glad to sit, and audition a pair of HB-1's, and give them my full attention if your willing to ship me a pair.

 

[Peter Marcks]

Peter I would be glad to sit, and audition a pair of HB-1's, and give them my full attention if your willing to ship me a pair.

I will definitely consider that mazer, thank you very much for the offer!

 

[emorphien]

Peter I would be glad to sit, and audition a pair of HB-1's, and give them my full attention if your willing to ship me a pair.

I'd jump at opportunities like that as well. I'd be very curious how they'd compare to my Axiom M3Tis (which have been relegated to second system in the dining area). I auditioned a lot of speakers around $1000 before getting my Totems, but I think there are a lot of interesting speakers in the $200-400 range from shops and internet direct and it would be fun to line them up and test them.

 

[Audioholics]

Subscribing to this thread. PM sent to Peter Marcks.

 

[jcPanny]

Av123

Onix Ref 1's. Because I own them and they sound great to my ears.
I suspect that the RBH and Ascends will do very well also. I didn't see it on the list, but it would be interesting to see the new Outlaw bookshelf speakers in the shoutout.

 

[rumonkey2]

Didn't Vote....

...because, first & foremost - which models??? And then, I've only "auditioned" 3 of these.

How many peeps will "judge" the shootout??? And will the scorecard be something similar to Audioholics rating system???

All I know is I love my Xls - especially at their pricepoint
("upgraded" from Version 1 Titans)

 

[Davemcc]

Boy, where was this manufacturer interest when I posted my impressions of the Ventriloquist system. Or were my results what one might expect of the system?

 

[majorloser]

Boy, where was this manufacturer interest when I posted my impressions of the Ventriloquist system. Or were my results what one might expect of the system?

I guess they like you.

 

[mazersteven]

Boy, where was this manufacturer interest when I posted my impressions of the Ventriloquist system. Or were my results what one might expect of the system?

It was inappropriate words of the HS-1's on the open forum. Which I edited on post #31.