Blue Ridge Sound HR 1

Category: Speakers

Audio equipment is my hobby and I am not a professional reviewer or have any affiliation with Blue Ridge Sound, a direct seller of speakers. Blue Ridge is run by Carl Halling who has an extensive background in engineering and audio design and who is pleasure to deal with.

I was in the market to replace the front channels of my HT system. I currently have KEF 103.2s and a B and W center channel, but all are quite old. The set up was tricky as my wife agreed a HT system in the family room as long as the components were placed either on enclosed racks or in cabinets (which she designed) with the plasma below the center channel.

After doing some research on Audiogon, Audio Circle and Audioasylum, I found very few "true" bookshelf speakers. By happenstance on ebay I located Blue Ridge Sound Engineering on the internet www.blueridgesoundeng.com.

I corresponded with the President of the company via email and his forthright answers and willingness to work with me put me at ease so that I bid on a pair of HR1s on ebay. Carl has an engineering degree and extensive experience in speaker design. The business model of the company is to sell directly and to use ebay and paypal.

On to the important stuff. I have never written an equipment review so bear with me. After winning the ebay auction the speakers arrived as promised. Carl provided the necessary support (placement, acoustic foam treatment etc.) through numerous emails back and forth. He also provided a phone contact,as well.

The speakers are beautiful right out of the box with high quality mahogany cabinets. The tweeter is mounted on top with two woofers and a port in front and on the side. I believe there is a port in the back as well, but the speaker can be placed fairly close to the back wall.

The aesthetics of the speaker are important, but since they will be enclosed in a cabinet, not the most important item. The sound was amazing right out of the box. The speakers produced bass at least an octave lower than the KEFs. (I shut off the center channel so they I could perform a true A vs. B with the KEFs). The clarity and balance of the speaker was also outstanding and I felt that I was really "hearing into the music." The speakers at comparable sound levels on the amp played much louder than the KEFs. There was depth and pinpoint focus. My wife, who enjoys good music, but is not an audio buff, walked into the room and said this is closest to a live performance she had ever heard from one of our speaker systems. The size and finish also met the wife acceptance factor (WAF), although she was curious about the top mounted tweeter.

Carl has suggested that the speakers require only 10-20 hours of break in, but after last nights first taste of the sound, I think these are "keepers." Carl provides a 10 day home try out period.

I cannot say what is the absolute best bookshelf speaker, but I have tried and own some very fine speakers (KEF 101s and 103s, Von Schweikert VR1s, North Acoustic Spirit, Sound Design 3000). I have auditioned many more that I do not own. The Blue Ridge Sound HR1s, at this stage of the audition process and my particular application are the best I have come across. At the current price for these speakers they are an outstanding value ( and I am not given to hyperbole). Finally, I liked them so much I have discussed with Carl building a matching center channel. Delivery is expected sometime in Fall 2006.

Associated equipment Denon 3802 AVR, Sony 900ES DVD, McCormack DNA 225 and preamp, Luxman turntable.