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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.

dtapo
jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight
574 posts
 

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.

 

 

 

 

heretobuy
120 posts
 

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. 

bassdude
461 posts
 

I use the H590 to drive my Harbeth 30.1's and 40.2's - which sound superb with it!  It does a great job of controlling the bass, and adding clarity to the Harbeth's.  

dz13
204 posts
 

@jeffseight

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. 

headphonedreams
523 posts
 

Canton Ref 9K is in that price range and are very good with voices. They also go deeper than many other stand mounts so you may hold off or wholly skip subs.

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