Audioengine HDP6 Speakers Discussions | Drop

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Audioengine HDP6 Speakers

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Audioengine HDP6 Speakers

HispanicPanic

Jun 22, 2019

These actually seem pretty nice. Any word how they would compare against some emotiva 6s's? Thinking in terms of sound clarity and low range extension.

mattris

1275

Keyboard Club Member

Jun 22, 2019

HispanicPanicThe HDP6 speakers look great, but unfortunately, are tuned poorly, with far too much emphasis on the lower-mids. I drove them from a powerful (older-model) Yamaha receiver, and directly compared them to my SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers. The HDP6 sounded thin, with no bass or treble extension, clarity... they just sounded boring. I suppose you could microphone-calibrate them and run them with a specific receiver, but for most people, using them without EQ will likely be quite disappointing. The powered Emotiva 6S would run circles around them... no separate amplifier required. I just bought a pair of Adam T7V... first impressions are highly positive. For passive speakers around $300, I recommend the upcoming A1.5 from a company called Chane (American-owned and operated, with superb customer service). I own their A1.4, and it's impressive, to say the least. As for speakers that I can recommend that have the appearance of wood, I'll have to get back with you.

postwarscars

1367

Jun 22, 2019

mattrisWas that a HT receiver or an integrated? I think this question is worth asking because, in my experience, HT receivers aren't as comfortable with music (and are usually rated for higher wattage than they truly put out). I only ask because you mentioned microphone eqing them, which is a strange proposition for a 2-channel stereo.

mattris

1275

Keyboard Club Member

Jun 22, 2019

postwarscarsThe Yamaha receiver I used was a HTR-5590, their main-stream flagship in 2003. It has gobs of power on tap... in practice, significantly more than their current line-up. So wattage to my speakers is not an issue. With 40 dB to go until maxed-out, most speakers are fairly loud on the 5590. At -30 dB, you'd need to be careful not to damage your hearing. I mentioned microphone EQ-ing them because, being run with no adjustments, the HDP6 sounds hazy and poorly tuned. In fact, of the dozens of speaker models I have heard in my home, the HDP6 was among the worst.

postwarscars

1367

Jun 23, 2019

mattrisSo yes, that was a hone theater receiver. I mean, flagship or not, I doubt the 100watts x6 spec is accurate. HT receivers (especially that era) weren't exactly amazing at being efficient. Not saying you're wrong about the sound, but the speakers may have benefited from a higher quality source. Anyway, I have their previous passive speakers and can't say enough good things about them on a decent stereo receiver. But also I know there's a LOT of competition in the price range and surely SVS Ultras are better, as they are excellent speakers.

mattris

1275

Keyboard Club Member

Jun 23, 2019

postwarscarsCorrect, HT receiver specs are often misleading, but I can assure you that the clean-sounding HTR-5590 is not lacking in power. I used it outside at a party with my 150 watt-capable SVS Ultras with the volume maxed-out, and the sound level was absolutely deafening. So I fully trust Yamaha's official "100 watts x 6 channels into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.04% THD" rating. The 5590 is, by far, the most power amplifier (receiver) I have ever used. Conclusively, a lack of power on tap or not a having "a higher quality source" was not the issue with my pair of HDP6. I understand that the SVS Ultras are in another league and price range then the HDP6, so that wasn't really a fair comparison. Having said that, I've owned at least a dozen passive speakers models under $400/pair (including the Polk S15, Chane A1.4, Klipsch RP-150M, and Jamo S803). While the HDP6 speakers looked and felt the part, honestly, they would rank near last in sound.