HSU Research HB-1 Bookshelf Speaker Review

[admin]

When a company like HSU Research with a reputation for making quality products (in this case subs) at extremely affordable prices announces a new product, we all sit up at attention. When they announce something other than a new model of a tried and true product in their current line, we raise an eyebrow. When the product is something new and different from anything they’ve ever offered before, well, we couldn't help but get excited. The HB-1 is a horn loaded bookshelf specifically made to fill large rooms (large enough to contain one or more of HSU Research’s top end subs I’d imagine). It is designed to be crossed over at 80 Hz (the THX recommended crossover point) which mean that it has the ability to seamlessly blend with a quality subwoofer or two (perhaps even an HSU model). What we have here is a very good speaker for an entry level system. And by entry level I mean would trounce nearly any other system that people would consider to be “entryâ€. Easy to place, easy to power, and easy on the wallet. Paired with one of HSU Research’s subs and you’ve got a winning combination. This should make the short list of all audiophiles-in-training looking for an affordable but impressive solution.

Discuss "HSU Research HB-1 Bookshelf Speaker Review" here. Read the article.

 

[j_garcia]

Nice review, thanks. Sounds like a solid set, as expected from HSU. The only thing is, in the initial paragraph is says "easy to place", yet more than once it was mentioned that they have a small sweet spot?? I saw that it says mainly for critical music listening, one needs to pay close attention to positioning. I find it interesting that it says they are about the size of M22s, since from all the pictures, they look quite small. Good to know.

 

[Tom Andry]

Yeah, that "easy to place" is from the conclusion. I was going for 3 "easy's" and that first one was bugging me. Basically, it refers to the fact that if you aren't all that concerned about getting the optimal imaging, you can pretty much set them up however you like. In a HT environment where you'll have multiple listening positions, this is an advantage (of a sorts). I'm open to another "easy" to replace that one if you've got a suggestion.

 

[j_garcia]

Maybe something like "easy to setup"? (which was mentioned). Easy to power sort of covers something like "easily fills even larger rooms".

 

[corey]

How about a horn loaded, 6.5" shootout. Hsu HB-1, Klipsch RB-61, Klipsch B-3, and Acoustech HT-64.

 

[westcott]

How about a horn loaded, 6.5" shootout. Hsu HB-1, Klipsch RB-61, Klipsch B-3, and Acoustech HT-64.

It would be hard to find a Klipsch model to compare it to. The RB -61 is almost double the price of the HSU and usually comes in cherry.

I would settle for more horn loaded speaker reviews, in general. I think people would be surprised at the advantages of a two way system and horns with controlled dispersion. The "Doc" is a smart man and I am sure that is why he went the horn route when considering a speaker design to compliment his subwoofer designs. I would have liked to have known what the crossover point and what type of horn is used. I would also liked to have known what horn angles are used in the vertical and horizontal.

I hope that Audioholics will someday mend the fences with Klipsch so that more reviews fo their products will be possible. The THX system review a year back was, I hope, a real eye opener for most.

 

[gene]

I hope that Audioholics will someday mend the fences with Klipsch so that more reviews fo their products will be possible. The THX system review a year back was, I hope, a real eye opener for most.

What fences need mending? We have a fine working relationship with Klipsch and provide them ample coverage as indicated by our most recent THX Ultra 2system review and the past trade show coverage.

 

[corey]

It would be hard to find a Klipsch model to compare it to. The RB -61 is almost double the price of the HSU and usually comes in cherry.

The HB-1's regular price is $160 + 14 s/h EACH, or $348 per pair. RB-61's MSRP is $448 (pair), and it's common to find them about 10% under that. The Klipsch B-3's MSRP is $330 (pair).

We haven't heard from Ray Adkins for a while. I think he should get busy on "Speaker Face Off V - Battle of the 6.5" Horn Loaded Bookshelf's"

 

[westcott]

What fences need mending? We have a fine working relationship with Klipsch and provide them ample coverage as indicated by our most recent THX Ultra 2system review and the past trade show coverage.

I knew I had read something relating to a fall out.

Here is the link.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434

It was in 2002.

 

[Tom Andry]

It was in 2003 and it is old news. Those fences have long been repaired. The fact that we've done reviews since then is a testament to that fact. You sound like my wife bringing up a fight we had 4 years ago.

 

[avliner]

Nice review Tom, was really expecting to see how they do perform though.

In other hand, if we compare the HSU against the SVS, the latter seems to have an overall advantage in every single respect (refer to AH review).
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks.

 

[maximoiglesias]

Klipsch

So how about a review of the budget Klipsch RB-51

 

[westcott]

It was in 2003 and it is old news. Those fences have long been repaired. The fact that we've done reviews since then is a testament to that fact. You sound like my wife bringing up a fight we had 4 years ago.

I am glad to hear that Audioholics and Klipsch are on good terms again. I did a search and I found three reviews. The iGroove HG iPod, The THX Ultra 2, and the RB35 Bookshelf speaker Face Off. Not exactly an overwhelming number since 2003. Nor, with the exception of the Ultra 2 system, a selection of their best products.

The fact that I remembered the fall out when Gene did not says something. The fact that I did not remember the exact date of the discussion in the forum is hardly unforgivable. Many would aspire to have recall as good. This general lack of coverage by Audioholics could lead one to believe that there were still problems, as my perception proves.

Your last comment was uncalled for and unprofessional.

 

[Tom Andry]

Unprofessional? "Professionals" steal millions from their companies retirement funds. "Professionals" extort their employees through financial and emotional abuse. "Professionals" rape the environment, cultures, and indigenous people for profit. Unprofessional? Thank you.

I fear that any more rebuttals from me will just result in more name calling and defensive feelings on your point. Feel free to joint the I Hate Tom club. I understand they are having their national convention this month. Registration is free but the hotels (that near the center of the earth) are hell to get into.

 

[westcott]

I fear that any more rebuttals from me will just result in more name calling and defensive feelings on your point.

Thats funny. I do not recall any personal attacks on my part but a pure statement of facts and that is what a professional does.

 

[audioalexander]

HB-1, then Klipsch problem rebutle thingy

Can't we just all get along? (Rodney King) lol

 

[Alamar]

Can't we just all get along? (Rodney King) lol

Obviously they can't ...

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Back to the topic though ... The only thing that confuses me a little bit is that the review makes the speakers sound as if they are quite good for the price. However they seemed to perform quite poorly in the bookshelf speaker shootout. It's not easy for a newb to get a good handle on exactly which perpsective to put more weight in.