New speaker. Acoustics test Heco New Statement

Speaker systems Heco New Statement

The word “New” in the name of the systems that lead the modern Heco model range fully corresponds to their modern appearance. But underneath the luxurious finishes and sleek design forms, we find curious engineering solutions typical of a time when almost every speaker was the size of a small closet.

An audiophile familiar with the products of the German company will probably point out an inaccuracy here and will be right in his own way - The New Statement really cannot be considered top Heco models, since there are even more serious Concerto Grosso. But the company itself thinks differently: these acoustics are placed in a separate category due to their exclusivity. And the real flagship among other models produced by Heco is the New Statement. Which, by the way, you can’t argue with if you take into account the following facts. Firstly, the model was designed four years ago precisely as a future replacement for the previous audiophile Statement. Secondly, the new products contain almost all the same technological innovations as the Concerto Grosso. And there is something to talk about in detail here.

Let's go, perhaps, from the bottom up. The bass region from 18 (!) to 230 Hz is given over to a pair of 20-centimeter drivers with diffusers made of proprietary kraft paper, into which northern pine fibers are woven for greater rigidity. In addition to flat central caps, the speakers immediately note the presence of long-throw suspensions. The tandem operates in a total volume with three bass reflexes. The latter communicate with the outside world through cast aluminum ports with wide bells firmly attached to the back of the case. The intrinsic resonance of such structures is less pronounced than that of traditional plastic ones.

Above the woofer is a 30mm tweeter with a wide flange, a pronounced ring suspension and a soft dome made of synthetic textiles (polyfiber) and a polymer compound. In previous Statements, the classic inch impregnated silk was installed. The transition to a new design with a short-circuited turn in the magnetic system is due to the need to obtain a low resonance frequency and increased output.

It is important to note that the midband has developed its own acoustic design, and a very rare one - an aperiodic membrane.

The most interesting and, perhaps, the most old-school head is installed in the upper part of the body: a 17-centimeter midrange driver with a very light diffuser made of paper, to which about 5% wool fibers have been added for better internal damping. Other details are also noteworthy: a fairly rigid corrugated impregnated textile suspension, a small and light 25 mm coil and a massive AlNiCo magnetic system. This alloy is very expensive to produce, but provides better thermal stability, linearity and field symmetry.

It is important to note that the midband has developed its own acoustic design, and a very rare one - an aperiodic membrane. It is a mesh structure fixed to the back wall of the speaker with an inner layer of fibrous material. This decision harkens back to the old days, when many experimented with the so-called. acoustic resistance panels (ARP), damping the back radiation of the speakers. And since they were not always effective and practically impossible to accurately calculate, they were abandoned over time. But, as we see, not all. Obviously, Heco engineers have figured out the secret of PAS, since they use them in top models.

There is no point in describing either the quality of finishing of the New Statement cases, or the degree of damping of the walls, or the thoughtfulness of the entire design. You just can't dig in here. Everything is done with German meticulousness and a large supply. I draw your attention to the connection panel with... eight terminals. Not only are we given the option for tri-wiring or tri-amping, but there is also a choice of correction in the upper and midband. For HF, you can set a rise of +2 dB if the acoustics have to be installed in a muffled room. Or mute the mids by -2 dB in a ringing room with a modern minimalist design. Well, simple and smart...

Not only are we given the option for tri-wiring or tri-amping, but there is also a choice of correction in the upper and midband.

However, I do not rule out that it was precisely this ability of the systems to adapt to non-ideal conditions that gave an overly noticeable effect when working in an acoustically treated room. On the contrary, I wanted to slightly weaken the high-frequency response, and slightly raise the middle and midbass, since the tonal balance of the New Statement turned out to be noticeably brighter. A lot of sound information in the high band, a delightful abundance of timbres in the middle...

If you like to listen to something chamber, jazz or acoustic, you will be delighted. On opera or symphony programs, this also gives a pleasant effect of airiness and openness of space. The correction described above will be useful even on well-mixed electronic trance, ambient or house. But as soon as you start playing traditional “electric” music, by which I mean everything from old hard rock to progressive electronic jazz, attention involuntarily switches from the rhythmic and driving lower middle to the higher region. Only after an hour of hearing adaptation does the reproduction picture begin to seem more or less linear.

Here I am obliged to make a remark: the components of the test path also contributed to this effect. Instead of bright and detailed Macintoshes, install equipment with a “colder” sound or one that is more stingy in terms of timbres and microdynamics in the mid/high frequency register, and the impression will be fundamentally different.

The acoustics are really responsive and highly sensitive. Even with a low-power amplifier, you can count on explosive dynamics and amazing speed.

But all this pales against the background of the merits of the New Statement, which are expressed much more noticeably. The acoustics are really responsive and highly sensitive. Even with a low-power amplifier, you can count on explosive dynamics and amazing speed. Confidence and strength in the bass band is complemented by a biting naturalistic attack. If there is a feeling that the lows are somewhere lacking in depth and density or, on the contrary, causing an excessive booming response in the room, you just need to adjust the installation locations of the speakers. Moreover, you don’t have to make compromises with the sound stage - there is almost no linking of virtual images to the emitters. It shows a clear focus combined with clear separation both in a narrow network and in a wide one. In the first case, the near plans are clearly separated, in the second, the depth is scaled, but in any case, the sound space has a real three-dimensionality.

But if you want to achieve maximum spatial accuracy and materiality in all images, you will still have to be patient in finding the ideal stereo width and directivity angle. Simply installing these acoustics so as to “catch” the optimal ratio of direct and reflected sound at the listening point is not enough. Don't forget that her back wall also works. Therefore, the presence nearby of any niches capable of concentrating sound waves or reflective surfaces will have a much stronger impact than in the case of any other floor systems of conventional design.

Heco New Statement

Manufacturer: Heco Audio GmbH (Germany)

www.heco-audio.de/en

Configuration: 4 emitters, 3 bands || Acoustic design: bass reflex, aperiodic membrane || Frequency range: 18 - 52,000 Hz || Sensitivity: 93 dB (1 W/1 m) || Resistance: 4 – 8 Ohms || Crossover frequencies: 230, 3200 Hz || Input power nom/max: 300/500 W || Finish: lacquered black, white or walnut || Dimensions with supports: 292 x 1245 x 450 mm || Weight 1 piece: 48.8 kg || Price per pair: 449,900 rub.

COMPONENTS

• Sources McIntosh MCD550 turntable
• laptop Apple MacBook Air A1465

It shows a clear focus combined with clear separation both in a narrow network and in a wide one.

share

Tags: AppleBlue DualHECOInAkustikMcIntoshNew StatementExpert's Choice

Review. Heco The New Statement. Expensive or cheap?

It's no secret that choosing acoustics is the most difficult and important step in building the system of your dreams. The correct choice of speakers can elevate a system of rather modest components to unattainable heights, and on the contrary, an error in choosing speakers can negate the value of an excellent amplifier and source. Considering that modern manufacturers offer almost nothing “at a normal price” (C), the task becomes almost insurmountable.

Of course, there are very successful vintage speakers, but the top examples of those years also cost quite a lot of money, and no one can guarantee that they will arrive from overseas intact and in really good condition.

In general, choosing speakers in the budget segment is still a challenge... Considering that the top models of famous companies cost absolutely ridiculous amounts of money, it seems like a complete dead end for an ordinary music lover who is not burdened with a hefty fortune made in the dashing nineties.
If we remember the common misconception among audiophiles that “the system must play everything,” there are practically no options left to solve the problem.

It’s easy to imagine with what enthusiasm I went to the Bonanza company to listen to the top-end Heco The New Statement speakers, with a stated price of only 450,000 rubles!

The Heco company dates back to 1949, which puts it on a par with the most reputable speaker manufacturers in the world! By the way, the company itself rates New Statement very highly, and, as it turns out, for good reason.

The first thing you notice when meeting an AC is its impeccable appearance!

The impressive dimensions, the severity of the silhouette and the excellent quality of finishing, as they say, inspire! The weight of almost 50 kilograms also inspires optimism. It is immediately clear that behind the laconic lines lies a truly serious thing.

It is gratifying that German engineers do not follow fashionable technologies, but use traditional, time-tested solutions: low-density AlNiCo magnets, semi-open design of the mid-frequency range, long-fiber cellulose with wool fibers for the manufacture of diffusers.

In general, the preamble is very intriguing and it’s time to actually check whether there is life in German speakers?

Unfortunately, due to some organizational issues, the Bonanza company did not have time to rebuild the vinyl path, so I had to start listening to CDs, making a certain discount on this.
I announce the composition of the system: Acoustics – Heco New Statement Amplification – McIntosh MA7900 CD player – Denon DCD-2020AE Cables – Inakustik Referenz series.

The formal part of the test consisted of the obligatory listening to low-music audiophile tracks that set the teeth on edge at all exhibitions, with frantic drums scattering their beats throughout the farthest corners of the control room, bells flying in the air and suddenly materializing triangles, the localization of which was certainly fantastic...

In general, as one would expect, the bass was incredibly fast and clear, the top was airy and transparent, the voice of the soloists made you shudder with surprise. All this, of course, is very interesting, but has nothing to do with music. However, the lion's share of modern audio buyers listen to nothing else, therefore such audio attractions should be considered mandatory for commercial products and a necessary evil for visitors to exhibitions and audio salons.

My timid hint whether it was time to move on from the formal part to music was enthusiastically received by Alexander Shkalikov. The real discs were taken out of the treasured box and the fun began.

The magnificent Galina Gorchakova almost instantly took us from the cozy room into the shining depths of the Milky Way and carried us through outer space until the end of the aria from Adriana de Lecouvreur. An absolutely alive voice filled with strength and energy left no doubt about the reality of what was happening - we were at the opera!

Only the completion of the track brought us back to reality, but the break was short: the full power of the symphony orchestra carried us along the waves of Rimsky-Korsakov’s oriental fantasies. A large-scale sound canvas, no confusion on forte and fortissimo, the finest shades of pianissimo created the complete illusion of a concert hall. Although, no, not an illusion... it was a concert hall!

There is no doubt left: the gloomy German genius created truly musical speakers that can handle the most serious and large-scale musical works! After an emotional storm, we needed a little relaxation, so we smoothly moved on to jazz, but that was not the case: the soul-tearing saxophone left no chance to move on to background listening. Houston Person completely captured our attention with every note he blew, literally riveting us to his saxophone. Joe Williams came down from the stage, came as close as possible and sang with a mesmerizing velvety voice, just for us.

In the meantime, the company's specialists connected the vinyl player and my duty first press, Dark Side Of The Moon, lay under the Denon DL-103. Pink Floyd is a favorite theme for “testers”, so I couldn’t help but record this track. Let there be a reason for discussion.

When the music let go and the emotions subsided, I thought it would be extremely interesting to marry the Heco New Statement with a decent single-ended tube. The declared sensitivity of 93 dB and high resolution in the mid-frequency range practically guarantee an outstanding result. I would love to listen to such a combination.

In conclusion, I would like to say a few words about pricing in modern audio in general, and about the price of these speakers in particular.

To be honest, I don't remember a speaker with such a high price/quality ratio as the Heco New Statement. Even the products of domestic acoustic engineers are often several times more expensive than the top model of a German company. At the same time, the overall quality of workmanship from Heco is impeccable in German, which cannot always be said about the products of our craftsmen, and many other famous brands, too.

Would I like to put these speakers in my system? Absolutely yes!

Truly musical speaker systems at a reasonable price, what else do you need for happiness? Perhaps a good single-ended tube, but that’s another topic.

Test author: Nikolay Kazantsev (Umberto)

Discuss on the forum…
Tags: Heco new statement