New Heybrook HB1 launched...

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savvypaul
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New Heybrook HB1 launched...

Unread post by savvypaul »

I had a soft spot for these back in the day, though the treble was a bit obvious, and the box sang along, they did communicate. There's an 'all new' version...

https://heybrookhifi.co.uk/product/hb1/
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CN211276 (Wed Jun 01, 2022 12:33 pm)
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Re: New Heybrook HB1 launched...

Unread post by CN211276 »

I bought these speakers in 1983 after comparing them with a number of similarly priced ones. They sounded so much better and cost around £180. I had them for over twenty years. Fond memories.
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Re: New Heybrook HB1 launched...

Unread post by Lindsayt »

I paid £127 for my HB1's back when they first came out in 1983. They are in use as surround speakers in my AV system. I refoamed the surrounds about 10 years ago.

Over time I think that the tweeters on mine have become less hot.

They're the sort of speakers that if you see a pair with rotten surrounds on the woofers selling for £50ish, they are worth buying as acceptable sounding ultra budget speakers. Along with a refoam kit.

Audio Note speakers - from what I've heard of them so far - seem to share a similar sonic signature to HB1's. The same strong points and the same basic weaknesses. A lack of bass extension and bass impact. Some crudeness in the midrange. A lack of in room authority in larger rooms. But overall listenable enough for a fairly small speaker.

Am I right in thinking that the new HB1's are sealed? The same as original HB1's? If so, I'd say that that was a sound design decision.
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CN211276 (Wed Jun 01, 2022 3:57 pm)

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Re: New Heybrook HB1 launched...

Unread post by CN211276 »

Lindsayt wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 1:42 pm I paid £127 for my HB1's back when they first came out in 1983.
That was probably about what I paid, it was a long time ago. :grin:
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Lindsayt (Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:06 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
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Re: New Heybrook HB1 launched...

Unread post by quickie2 »

Can't remember if they were £129 or £149 when I was selling them back in the late 80's.

A little rough around the edges, but very engaging, and revealing. One of my favourites.
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Lindsayt (Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:59 pm)
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Re: New Heybrook HB1 launched...

Unread post by CN211276 »

They were easy to drive. I partnered them with a NAD 3020 fronted by a Rega Planar 3. A modest system which sounded very good.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: New Heybrook HB1 launched...

Unread post by Lindsayt »

£127 from June 1983 is the equivalent to £500 today.

The new, 2022 version of the HB1 retails for £2750.
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slinger (Wed Jun 01, 2022 10:51 pm)

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