|
Earlier this month, together with our UK distributor, Nexus Audio, we demonstrated our HRS-130 loudspeakers and Emperor integrated amplifier at HiFi Lounge. HiFi Lounge was established just over 10 years ago by Paul Clark and is now widely regarded as one of the best high-end audio dealers in the country. The business is located in a beautifully converted, former farm building and is surrounded by open countryside. They have 5 well appointed demonstration areas and their portfolio includes a large number of the most respected high-end audio brands in the world.
The HRS-130s and Emperor integrated were set-up in their high-end room, temporarily taking the place of a D’Agostino power amplifier and a set of Wilson Audio Alexx IVs.
It took about 30 minutes for the system to settle down. We stayed with Paul for about an hour while he listened to a few of his favourite demonstration tracks and then we left, as he had customers in other rooms whom he needed to take care of. Paul’s foot had been tapping while he listened, which we took as a good sign. The following Monday, Paul put up a very complimentary blog post on his web site about the system, which he titled, Like nothing else at HiFi Lounge. He had clearly liked what he heard a lot and he had also very quickly picked up on what was special about our HRS-130 loudspeakers. In addition, he made two extremely interesting comments about the HRS-130s. Here is what he posted. I've said it many times but speakers have always been my favourite part of the HiFi chain, the main reason being that they can make the biggest single change to the overall presentation of a system and I love all the different designs of speakers, from a traditional box, to panels to horns and all the different variations within each of those categories. Today I am pleased to say that we have the German Physiks HRS-130 speakers on demo along with their monster Emperor Extreme integrated amplifier, for a limited time whilst we assess their performance. As you can see these are a very different design again, being an omnidirectional speaker, meaning that the HRS-130 presents a three-dimensional stereo image as the audio radiates 360 degrees to give a room filling sound unlike most other speakers on the market. They are known for their DDD driver which sits on the top. It is a very advanced design made from carbon fiber with a really wide operating range of over 7 octaves, so there is no crossover in the midrange like a lot of speakers. This radiates the sound 360 degrees to give a very lifelike and concert hall feel. The DDD is matched with a 10-inch bass driver which integrates seamlessly to give a really full and natural sound. I listened to an earlier version of these here a few years ago and was really impressed, so when German Physiks asked if I would like to hear the new and improved version, I jumped at the chance. I had some free time Saturday afternoon so sat down to re-acquaint myself with the omnidirectional sound, as it is quite different to a more conventional speaker and does take a little adjusting. Two things I want to mention. First is that they have a very small footprint which makes them easier than some to accommodate, secondly, being that they fire the sound 360 degrees you don't have to worry about getting the toe in just right and thirdly there is no sweet spot that you need to tune your listening position to, as they are literally filling the room with sound. They are without a doubt one of the easiest speakers to set up: very unfussy. How do they sound? Well, what first impressed me was that in our high-end room we really struggle with width to the soundstage. I put this down to the room being pretty narrow, but with the HRS-130 the sound really did go beyond the walls, plus there was real depth to the image where you could place everything that was going on within the demo tracks I was playing. Although I hate saying this, I'm sure I heard things in Massive Attacks 'Teardrop' that I'd never heard before, which is saying something as I have played that on everything over the years. Maybe it was just the way that the music was presented so differently to the norm. Also, the balance is excellent between the treble, mid and bass. It is just a big overall sound that is captivating which you can get lost in. Vocals really are sublime. What is most impressive to me is the size and scale of the sound for such a small speaker that most people can accommodate. The HRS-130 is German Physiks’ most popular speaker I believe and at £19,500 a pair I can see why, but if you have a bigger room and bank balance, German Physiks do their Emperor MK II's at £239,00, but there are many levels in between. I should give a quick mention to the German Physiks Emperor Extreme Integrated Amplifier that we are using to drive the speakers. It really is a solid and beautifully built amp that sounds brilliant with the HRS-130's as you'd expect. I look forward to trying some of our other amps on them though. I have a feeling that our Accuphase amps will really sing on them. So yes, I am very, very impressed. I will have them here for a little longer, so if you'd like to come in for a listen, please feel free. I have to say that I think they will become a permanent feature in our showrooms soon though.” To get this kind of praise from one the leading high-end audio dealers in the UK is very pleasing. We were especially pleased with Paul’s comments on how well the HRS-130s imaged in what he regards as a challenging room, as well as his comments on the HRS-130’s ability to resolve hitherto unheard detail in one of his favourite and much listened to demonstration tracks. We are very much looking forward to working with Paul and his team.
The blog post with more pictures is on the HiFi Lounge web site Visit the HRS-130 web page Visit the Emperor integrated amplifier web page
|
