I owned Hales Sig 2's for about twenty years. In some ways they were a speaker that had few peers, yet they were also in many ways frustrating to own. I was never fond of the weight ( both in the bass and in their actual heft) and the lack of true bass. OTOH, once I sold them, I quickly realized the bass ( or lack thereof) wasn't the real issue, but how truly dreadful the MB Quart tweeter was. That tweeter was tremendously limited in its extension...and because of that, I believe the speakers were non-resolving in the highs. I only realized that after I heard a far more resolving and accurate tweeter...
Hales Transcendence 5 speakers endgame?
I have a pair of Hales Transcendence 5 speakers which I have been enjoying for the past 21 years. I redid the crossovers with high quality parts and put in Seas Millennium tweeters. I recently upgraded my entire system but I am keeping the Hales as I think they sound very nice. I’ve noticed that the Hales stock only have a resale value of a couple of thousand dollars but I don’t see them for sale often. I consider my Hales, especially modded as they are, endgame. Would you agree? Bottom line is that they sound awesome especially with my new digital,amp,preamp and cables.
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I think the T8s are end-game level speakers. I found a guy selling a great pair a few years ago and would have tried them out, but their size just didn't fit where I'd have to put them in my room. BTW, some Hales fans may be aware that just before Hales folded (and later went in to pro sound), Paul Hales produced a flagship Alexandra speaker, shown only once I believe at CES 99. You can see a photo of it in this report: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/wces99/speakers.htm I've always wanted to hear that speaker to see how far Paul pushed his design at the time. Some reports said "best I've ever heard."I actually know by acquaintance the fella who managed to scoop up that one existing model! (Never heard them, though). |
@prof I saw the Alexandra speakers at the Stereophile show that year, they were a static display. If I remember correctly, Paul was there and I briefly spoke to him about the speakers. I'm not sure that the Alexandra's would sound any good, particularly by today's standards...those aluminum drivers and the beryllium tweeter would be the problem, IMHO. |
Thanks daveyf, I would have some confidence in the sound of the Alexandra. Paul was really focused on timbral accuracy and smoothness at that period, and his transcendence speakers - all metal drivers - where a marvel. I can't imagine he'd suddenly stumble on this design. One or two who heard it raved. |
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