Horn tweeter question, Hsu vs Klipsch

[tsantsa]

So Klipsch is known for their horn tweets. Hsu has a pair of bookshelves that have horns as well. I have heard various different speakers from Klipsch with the horns and, while I like their sound, they are a bit bright for my liking. I happened on the Hsu bookshelves and noticed they have horns as well. (not so much noticed as was simply stated by Hsu Research!)

My question is are the Hsu bookshelves as bright and, well, tinny as what Klipsch is known for? I am rather interested in the Hsu speaks but since they have horn tweeters, I don't know what to make of them without a proper audition. Mind you, I am primarily a gamer with movies then music as a close third.

I am trying to make the best of three worlds here... (I am just asking as I am not yet close to any sort of decision.)

EDIT: Realized I needed to post my sub; a Klipsch SB-12. Maybe it helps with the question, maybe it doesn't, I dunno!

 

[shadyJ]

I have the Hsu speakers, and I don't really find them that bright with respect to other speakers. In fact I would say my Infinity Primus speakers are brighter, however positioning makes a difference with the Hsu speakers, more so than other speakers, so I think it's possible to adjust the sound of the Hsu's. Some people like them toed in to cross in front of the listening position, others like them facing the listening position. Some owners feel there is a big difference between the grill on and off, but I haven't been able to hear that difference.

I haven't heard enough Klipsch to really compare them, but what Klipsch speakers I have heard I would not describe as tinny at all.

I really like the Hsu's, they are a solid speaker, and you can't go wrong with them. They are great for music, awesome for movies, lots of slam, these are very powerful bookshelf speakers.

If you are interested in horn-loaded speakers, BIC Acoustech also makes some very affordable ones, although they don't have horn-loaded bookshelf speakers anymore, they do have some very nice looking towers.

If you want the hsu's though, don't wait too long, they are on sale right now, and I don't think that sale will last a lot longer.

 

[adwilk]

A lot depends on which Klipschs you have heard. As far as I'm concerned, if it wasn't the reference line, then we don't have a conversation, although those are going to be higher priced than the HSU's. I just don't care for the other klipsch offerings at all. The Palladium is a good speaker (horrible value) but I'm going to assume you're not commenting on those.

Also, if you heard the RF7 or RB75 with the 1.75" horn tweeter then you can expect those to be a bit bright. The stock xovers don't do the speakers justice in my opinion. Dean G makes a really nice xover upgrade that make these speakers really come to life...

If you've heard the 1" horn in the last couple models and thought they were too bright, then you'll just have to listen to the HSU. I liked the HSU but not as much as the RB61 or RB35 side by side by side. A lot of the brightness from the Klipsch actually comes from the midrange and not the horn. The horns have are very revealing, but I found them to be quite smooth overall. The HSU was a different kind of bright. I found them to not be as revealing, the soundstage more scattered and unrealistic at high volumes. But, the midrange seemed more laid back overall. I think the HSU performs fairly well for the price but I did prefer the Klipsch overall. The bottom end was considerably fuller both the RB61 and 81 perform very well without a sub. They also cost quite a bit more.

Comparing the HSU to the synergy line, HSU wins all day long. The ventriloquist betters the quintet stuff considerably as well.

 

[ErnieM]

Hsu

If you look at my signature, you'll see that my system is Hsu. I do not find these speakers too bright. For music they are really great! I've also appreciated their performance with movies.