Quick FAQs

Q: Why don't all high-end loudspeaker manufacturers publish a frequency
response graph?

A: A few reasons come to mind. One, it may seem hard to believe but many
so called hi-end manufacturers don't even have the test equipment required
to generate a frequency response graph. Of those that do they may not
publish graphs because if they did nobody would buy their speakers! Just
look at the results of the tests from the excellent and reliable publication
Stereophile... most of the speakers they test have very rough responses,
because most speakers are well, inferior. One other reason is the fear
that a tester will come up with different results than those published and
make that company look foolish. We don't have that fear, we know what
equipment the testers at magazines use, and ours is calibrated and locked
in just like theirs. Any difference would be negligible. So we're not afraid.
While most manufacturers do not publish graphs, we have a few available
for comparison with ours here.

Q: Does that even, flat frequency response graph really mean better sound?

A: Yes. Flat response is the very definition of sonic accuracy in a loudspeaker.
It is physically impossible for a loudspeaker with a poor frequency response
to reproduce the signal it is fed properly, it must, by the laws of physics- color
the sound. The ideal sounding speaker would have a graph that was a straight
line from 20-20,000HZ (the range of human hearing). Ours is the closest we've
seen anywhere, and we feel the HR-1s frequency response represents the
very best that today's technology can produce.

Q: Don't you need to have diamond-coated tweeters and other cutting-edge
stuff to have the best sound?

A: No. Many, though not all, of the so called "high tech" things you'll read about,
like diamond tweeters, etc have some kind or another of a theoretical
benefit. BUT, look at the sound produced by these speakers... Do they have a
nice flat frequency response? No. Do they do anything but appear impressive?
No. That, my friends, is the sole purpose of these high-tech buzzwords, to
make it seem as though that manufacturer has something special, something
you need. So, here we are on the very edge of what separates the music
lover/audiophile from the unknowing guy who spends $20,000+ on lousy
sounding speakers because of a name, and/or some dumb buzzword that he
thinks will impress his friends. Which one are you? Would you rather tell your
friends that you have a diamond tweeter and copper foil inductors? Or would
you rather see their jaws drop at the spectacular sound of your new BRSE
speakers, then watch them drop again when you tell them you saved enough
by not buying into name dropping and other hype to pay for that new plasma
big screen you've been wanting. Now that's smart!

Q: How can your speakers be so good if they are so inexpensive? How can
you sell high-end sound for a mid-fi price?

A: We keep our prices low by ignoring marketing trends and the silly 'false
technology' materials that sound great in an ad but not so great in your
living room. We simply choose the best materials and components for the job
heedless of any hype. We keep it real. We're out to build the best
loudspeakers money can buy, so that you, and we, can all enjoy the finest
sound available. By selecting and/or manufacturing components with
performance as the only measure we avoid the glitzy and insanely
expensive parts that add to the price and often detract from the performance.
Clearly, as you can see from the measurements, the very best sound
doesn't have to be expensive.

Q: Your HR-1s have pretty good bass extension by themselves, how will they
match up with my subwoofer?

A: The most important thing in mating speakers with a subwoofer is making
sure there is no "hole" or dip in response between the sub's range and the
speaker's range. The only way to ensure this is to have a speaker with
decent bass response to begin with so that you can use a low subwoofer
crossover to avoid sub localization and aid in a seamless transition. Thus,
the HR-1s are ideal for mating with a sub. In our demo room we don't use
our two 18" subs for music, but we fire them up with a 40HZ crossover for
movies. Since there are no overload/power handling issues with the HR-1s
we run them full range even with the subs on, this adds some extra snap
and impact to movies. This is our recommendation for you as well if you
choose to use a subwoofer.

Q: These are small speakers, what if I like to rock at high volumes?

A: This is the main reason we've included two midrange units, so that output
will not be compressed at higher volumes. There are some loudspeakers,
many of them horn loaded, that will deliver higher SPL's, but even hard-
core rockers (we have one on staff) will be surprised at not only the sheer
volume these speakers can generate (including bass you can feel) but also
the huge soundstage and sense that you're in a large auditorium at a live
concert. The HR-1 is rated to handle 105W of unclipped music material, at
anything over 2w we can hear the music outside this building. We're quite
confident that our speakers produce more undistorted output than anything
anywhere near their size, and more than most full-sized speakers as well.
Also, and don't try this at home, kids... We use a professional grade
400W/ch amp here at the design studio... can you see where I'm going
here? Yes, we wanted to know what would happen if someone got a little
carried away sometime. One of the pairs of HR-1 we kept for demo's
put out some incredibly loud and unbelievably undistorted sound with the
power meters pegged and the clipping indicators flashing every few
seconds. That's 400 watts my friends, you'd be hard pressed to find many full
size speakers that can swallow that without damage. Disclaimer: No, we
don't support doing this with our speakers, they are rated at 105W.

Q: Does it matter if I use stands or place them on a shelf?

A: The best sound will be heard with the top of the cabinet at or near ear level,
putting your ears just below the tweeter. They sound great even if you can't
do this, but this will provide the best imaging. Any means you use to raise
the speakers to this height will suffice as long as the support is stable and
relatively vibration free.

Q: Should only your stands be used? Are they better somehow?

A: Honestly, no. Any 24" stand that provides a stable surface for the speaker is
as good as any other. We have no interest in being in the speaker stand
business, we do it just for those who want their stands to match their BRSE
speakers.

Q: Any positioning issues or recommendations?

A: Our speakers are designed to integrate with the room by being positioned
with their backs close to but not quite touching the wall behind them. This
produces the best bass response and the most solid imaging. Each room is
different so I can't tell you just how to set them up but here's a general
starting point: Side woofers facing in with the speakers slightly closer together
than the distance from you to them. Toe in tward you so that you can just see
the woofer side of each cabinet, then experiment by slowly toeing outward in
very small increments until you have a good balance of image/wide
soundstage.

Q: What's your competition? What does the HR-1 compare to?

A: We have searched far and wide for a speaker that has a flatter frequency
response (better sound) than the HR-1, we wanted to know how they did it
so we could learn from them and improve our products. We found none
that surpassed us, at any price, anywhere. We did, however, find one that
is worth mentioning: the Magico Mini. This fine little speaker sounds nothing
short of nearly perfect, and this well-engineered, well-built product has the
measurements to prove it as well. See the review in the Aug 2006 "The
Absolute Sound". I refer you to this review so that you can read all of the great
things they have to say about a speaker with truly excellent frequency response.
Clearly, since ours is even flatter, you can apply the nice things they say about the
$22,000 Magico Mini's excellent response and sound to that of our $2,000
speaker as well. Remember, with any speaker- even (flat) frequency response
undeniably equals good sound. If the Magico Mini had a frequency response graph
that looked like a roller-coaster, (as most do) there would be nothing worth hearing
and nothing to praise. I encourage you, if you want to spend $22,000 on speakers,
to give the Magico Mini a serious listen.

Q: Can you describe the sound of your speakers?

A: Clean, clear and very open. With an unusual depth giving the sense that you can
hear into the music. Very good imaging, and overall a sound that is very close to
live. Extended bass. These are not my words, but those of our customers. I'd rather
have them tell you how our speakers sound than tell you myself.

Q: What's in the future?

A: First will be an entire surround sound suite to match the HR-1, using the same
drivers all the way around for the perfect timbral match, there will be a powered
subwoofer as well. Next will be a floorstanding full size speaker for those who
desire the utmost ultra deep bass without a subwoofer. I could go on, but
you'll just have to wait and see!

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