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"Blown away by KEF/Hegel combo!!!!"

The other day, I visited my local Magnolia Home Theater at Best Buy.  At the far  end of a large room, was a very simplified audio system, which consisted of only one component and a pair of speakers.  The speakers were KEF Blade One Meta, and the lone component was the newer Hegel H600 integrated amp.  I have owned a Hegel H590 integrated for several years now (I us an outboard DAC with it), which drives an incredible pair of Revel Salon 2 speakers, with phenomenal effect, so I was fully aware of how wonderful Hegel products are capable of sounding.  But now, I got the chance to hear the H600 (as an all-in-one using it’s internal DAC) with a pair of the world-class, IMHO, KEF Blade One Meta speakers, and I was extremely excited about it.  The source was Roon/Tidal.  As I sat there and the music of  my choosing began to play, all I can tell you is that this was one of the most incredible sounding audio systems I’ve ever heard, and I've heard quite a few in my day!!!!  The sound was super dynamic, wonderfully detailed and transparent, the bass was phenomenal, the soundstage was tall and wide with much depth and separation and coherency, beautifully natural, smooth, lush and full sounding, and it was also easy on the ears, and not in any way bright sounding.  For me, it was pure heaven!!!  I could’ve sat there all day long and listened to that incredible system.  I was absolutely blown away by that simple (but expensive) audio system!!!!  Happy listening.                    

kennymacc
mark200mph
842 posts
 

Those who don't think hegel is not up to par need only read the reviews on hegel h 30 a as there are many. To each thier own and sound is perceived differently around our brains the cochlear the ossicles and the vestibular cochlear nerve as I have been doing it and working on all of that physiology for 40 plus years. Enjoy the music they way you like it and how you like it. Not everyone has an open mind to country music or classical or rock ect.stay healthy

dayglow
2,438 posts
 

Hegel has survived even flourished due to a need in the industry to drive difficult speaker louds at an affordable cost. Most importantly the clever marketing has convinced some that it’s a better product/value than what is factual. This is the true definition of selling "Snake Oil" that so many value conscious Audiophiles fear!

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,983 posts
 

Hi Kennymac, I've been using the Blades(non meta) for 4-5 years now and one source I tried was the H590. As impressive as the piece was my system sounded much better to me with the Mac mc611’s driving the speakers. The H590 had a very tight controlled presentation with an almost lean tone to it. The mac system has unlimited headroom and bass came alive and while the soundstage did give up a bit of that precise edge the hegel held overall I found the mac more musical in this system. Don’t get me wrong I’m a big hegel fan and still use a H360 with a pair of ns5000’s in my tv room, but a different perspective from a different room and slightly different components sometimes helps add context to reviews.

kennymacc OP
723 posts
 

@steve59 

Thanks for sharing a positive experience in your high-end audio journey.  You know what they say, different strokes for different folks Lol!!!   What works for some, certainly may not be the best option for others.  That’s the way is works in this wonderful hobby of ours.  I’m glad to hear you found something that works for you.  Happy Holidays!  Happy listening.   

kennymacc OP
723 posts
 

@dayglow 

It's understood that no component in high-end audio, on matter the brand or it's price tag, will be universally liked by all, and Hegel products are no exception.  But what's all this strange, weird talk about "Snake Oil," and marketing, and such Lol!!!!?  The reality is, Hegel has (as you stated)  "Survived And Even Flourished,"  because they make great products that many, many audiophiles desire (including myself Lol!!!).  Just that simple.  Happy Holidays.  Happy listening.             

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