HL1's - well worth a punt!
HL1
hope that it may inspire others.
I recently moved to a valve based setup using an aging Glenn Croft amp/
pre combo (micro A and series5) and this prompted a move into horn
designed speakers that I must confess I had little previous knowledge
of.
After seing a set of HL1's online (more details can be found under
catmans posts here) I took a gamble and bought Catmans' rebuilt pair.
First of all many thanks to him- most helpful man and he even had a
copy of the original sales brochure to go with the speakers!
I had previously done several searches online and found a mixed
response of reviews for the HL1 varying from positive to downright
awful so was crossing my fingers when I got them home.
On initial listening I had mixed feelings - they were less focussed
than my previous speakers but after several minutes became quite
relaxing to listen to-just different. Positioning as expected was
important and after many experiments the corner placement toed into
the room and tight into the corner is the best position by far.
Mid range and vocals were clear albeit a little sibilant on some
female vocals but bass was loose and not as punchy as I had hoped
(although this was a common criticism it seems). On balance nice
speakers but limited, more or less as reviews had intimated. So far,
so good though - overall I had enjoyed the speakers although it had
only served to whet my appetite for a better pair of horns!
I then changed cables - a braided copper stranded pair of unknown
origin - what a difference! The bass was tighter and altogether the
characteristics of the speaker seemed more grown up. Following this
and in the spirit of DIY HiFi I decided to make a pair of cables using
solid copper (ring main electric cable stripped and doctored)
following a very intriguing article by a guy called Clem- (just google
Clems Speaker cable). As a preliminary test I replaced the braided
cable with the 2.5mm ring main cable straight off the reel and
couldn't believe the improvement- more detail, no sibilance, basslines
were distinct and solid and an altogether coherrent sound.
It just shows how vital it is to match the right cables and
amplification to get the best from a highly underated speaker. I
shall post results of the new cables when I get around to making them.