MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS
System Type: Two-way, coaxially mounted.
System Components: 8-in. bass, 1-in. dome tweeter.
Crossover Frequency: 5 kHz.
Frequency Response: 30-20 kHz.
Recommended Amplifier Power: 20 watts.
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms.
Dimensions: 26" H. x 11" W. x 8 3/4" D
Price: $114.00 ea.
The name Hegeman has been almost a legend in the high fidelity world for many years and such items as the Model 4 corner speaker and the original Citation amplifiers are still remembered with affection by older enthusiasts. As an innovator, Stu Hegeman is not satisfied with putting two or three standard loudspeakers in a box, juggling with the crossover and calling the result A Revolutionary New System. His H-1 is a little different, as we shall see.
It is a floor-standing column type of system measuring on 26 in. high by 11 in. by 8 3/4 in. deep. The finish is a teak vinyl and at the top is a charcoal plastic foam grille. The two loudspeakers are mounted underneath on an angled panel so the sound is projected upwards and forward. The bass unit is an 8-in. model with aluminum cone and 1-in. dome tweeter which also acts as a loading plug and diffuser for the low frequency unit. A small wooden dome is mounted under the grille just above the tweeter to improve dispersion. Crossover is mechanical-the bass speaker rolls off from 2 kHz so a simple capacitor is used to couple the HF unit. Input terminals and a level control are mounted in a recess at the rear. So far, the H-1 is reasonably conventional-the unusual features of the design are concerned with the low frequency end. The enclosure is sealed, and it does not use a tube vent or any kind of port. In other words, it is not a reflex or an air-suspension system-it actually employs six stagger-tuned pipes which extend the low frequency response without introducing coloration. The principle has been used before but not, as far as I know, in a cabinet of this size.
Measurements
Fig. 1-Response measured with one-third octave pink noise, taken on axis
and 60 degrees off-axis.
Fig. 2--Showing the effect of the level control. Fig.
3--Impedance characteristics Note the influence of the tuned pipes.
Figure 1 shows the response measured with one-third octave pink noise. As might be expected, dispersion was very good indeed-the variation at 60 degrees off-axis being quite small. Figure 2 shows the effect of the HF level control.
Apart from a 5 dB dip at 3 kHz, the response between 100 Hz and 10 kHz was very smooth. There is a slight rise to 12 kHz, then falling off from 18 kHz. The impedance curve is shown in Fig. 3 and the influence of the tuned pipes can be seen quite clearly. Tone-burst responses are shown in Fig. 4. A is 100 Hz. B, 500 Hz, and C. 5 kHz. Figure 5 shows the low frequency distortion is exceptionally low for such a small enclosure. Power handling capacity was high-no less than 87 watts (continuous sine wave) at 40 Hz and 90 watts at 100 Hz. White noise confirmed the low coloration and wide dispersion.
Fig. 4--Tone-burst characteristics at A, 100; B, 1000; and
C, 5000 Hz.
Fig.
5--Low-frequency distortion and some SPL figures for 5 and 15 watts.
Listening Tests
Sensitivity is about average and a power of 15 to 20 watts per channel is recommended. The receiver used for most of the tests was a Pioneer 727, which delivers more than 35 watts per channel, so there was ample power to spare. Best positions for the speakers were near the corners, close to the walls which act as reflectors. Overall sound quality was rather distant and withdrawn due to the 3 kHz dip. Bass was solid and remarkably clean and uncolored for such a small enclosure and a useful output was obtained to below 35 Hz.
Stereo image was stable with a wide listening area. In short, the dispersion was an excellent compromise between directional systems with a restricted listening area and omnidirectional systems which tend to produce a diffuse image. A Soundcraftsmen 20-12 equalizer easily compensated for the 3 kHz dip and the sound then had a more forward, lifelike quality, at least to my ears, but it is only fair to say that at least two people preferred the more distant, back row sound without the equalizer. Chacun a son gout ...
Summing up: the Hegeman H-1 is an unobtrusive system with above average bass response and good dispersion. It will undoubtedly appeal to many people who want a floor-standing system of a reasonable size.
--T.A.
(Audio magazine, Oct. 1973)
Also see:
Hitachi HS-300 Speaker System (Equipment Profile, Mar. 1975)
Infinity 1001 Speaker System (Equip. Profile, Apr. 1973)
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