They're supposed to be magical with Maggies.
Hegel owners - what speakers are you using
I just bought a Hegel H-190 for a second system in the basement. It’s 15 x 30 and semi-finished with full carpet. I use a H-95 in the living room for music and 2.0 home theater. I’m looking for something to pair with the H-190 for $2k - 3k new or used. I’m looking for either a stout monitor or smallish floor stander, not interested in large, heavy speakers anymore.
My listening down there will be classical, jazz, female vocals, and to a lesser degree rock and pop. My listening never exceeds 80 dB and usually it’s in the 65 - 75 dB range, so speakers that sound lively at lower levels are a big plus.
I prefer neutral to slightly warm speakers with my H-95, so the same for H-190. Because I listen to a lot of symphonic music, I need something that renders acoustic instruments accurately with realistic tone. I dislike horn speakers and anything overly bright sounding. I’m hoping you Hegel or ex-Hegel owners can share your experiences.
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I heard Joseph Audio Pulsars powered by Hegel at an audio show and the sound was mesmerizing. Either used Pulsars or their Prism monitors would be great choices given what you’re looking for. At their $1299 intro price the new LSA Signature 80 would also be excellent and save you $$$. For smaller floorstanders Totem and Silverline speakers are two worth a good look. Best of luck. |
RE the LSA 80. Rumor has it Walter is introducing an improved version in the next month or so. Hard to find a Pulsar for $3k. If you did it would be my first choice. Have not heard the Prism. The AZAVCLUB just had 17 standmounts under $3k for audition. Audience favorite was Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Monitor $1,900.
I too listen at 60-70dB. There are many good choices. ATC 11, KEF R3, Triangle 40th Anniversary Comete were also popular. The Buchardt S400 Mk2 sounds great in small rooms. The small Totem Sky -$2k- does some really good things I have not experienced in other brands. It made me want to hear some of the next tier Totems. Totems are a miniaturized speaker line.
Make sure to have a trial period in your basement before you are committed.
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I use an H190 with Bowers & Wilkins 704 S2s. I'm not a great judge of comparative speakers, but they are compact floor standers. Perhaps if you bought them from someplace where there's a chance of taking them back if you don't like them that would serve you best. They're said to be good with female vocals, but are sometimes criticized as bright in the upper ranges, and there might be something to that. Worth a trial if you can give them a trial. |
I went to that show. I thought the KEF R3 was the best speaker I heard and I also liked the Buchardts. It was a bit hard to tell because they played some wildly different stuff for each speaker even within the same genres. I was also impressed by the Totem Sky. I traveled from Tucson so it was my first time hearing most of these speakers. The Philharmonic Monitor didn't really knock my socks off but it is basically a full range speaker at that price and in these class of speakers (price-wise) it was unique. At the show they were using Parasound amps to amplify everything. I haven't heard the Hegel so I don't know if there is any sonic issues that would affect one's opinion on that. |
hegels (190/390) will drive any reasonable speaker (and some unreasonable ones) the tonality is neutral, with excellent bass control, excellent imaging and very clear midrange and treble... a tiny bit of midrange warmth with neutral (not rolled off not accentuated) treble... but very clear clean transients they will pair well with many many speakers, so pick speakers whose sound you like and will work well in your room - they will do great with magnepans, better than many other amps, but certainly not limited to those |
I have the h360 and got to listen to the h190 when it first came out. In comparison the 360 sounds neutral and the 190 manages to remove even another layer from masking the treble. The 190 never sounded bright but it does make cymbals and woodwinds slightly more audible, the 190 has a bit more resolution up top. |
pabs8542 posts I own the H390 and run it with Spendors, for your music type they’d offer a good few options particularly in the classic range. Otherwise like someone said, Harbeth is another good option.
YOU NEVER SAID HOW IT MADE THE SPENDORS SOUND. ??? |
Currently using a hegel h590 with a pair of kef Blades. and the results are satisfying. I thought I would need $20-25k electronics yet the Hegel is really, really good. I don't have a separate power supply or even circuit breaker so the background isn't the blackest, but I don't think the hegel is adding audible noise. |
