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AUDIO FORUMS >> Reviews >> HDTvII
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Message started by charles hidalgo on 01/20/24 at 04:51:31

Title: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/20/24 at 04:51:31

Today was a special day. After listening to a pair of 6" Lii Audio speakers a while back I was really impressed. I feel very fortunate to have had a sneak peek session with these new fresh built amazing speakers. I took Sarah to meet with the pictured Decware HDTvII's and their 8” drivers and it was probably the best I have heard that room sound. That room belongs to my friend, and speaker builder Jon Anderson. I cannot wait to hear them in my main room next week. I love walnut btw.

Sarah+HDTv2=WOW!

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by JBzen on 01/20/24 at 06:45:13

Looking forward to your impressions in your room with the HDTs.
I listened to those a couple of times at Steve's place. Very impressionable with good bass and highly detailed pinpoint accuracy. Excellent imaging! A bit odd looking and probably the one thing that holds me back from a build from plans purchased.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/20/24 at 14:49:52

I realized photos definitely did not do these justice once I saw the final build. They are also heavier than I expected. I like the very solid and stable bases Jon built for these, along with the solid walnut corner pieces, and top plate. I am fairly predictable with my love of walnut also. These are absolutely beautiful.

Thank you also Steve for the design, and the communication with Jon during the building process. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with these.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by Tony on 01/20/24 at 15:38:26

Charles,

The speakers look fabulous. Your photography skills are outstanding, so it is hard to imagine how much better they would look in person.

I noticed the smaller speakers on top of the prominent speakers in this and other pictures of your room. Are those Aperion MKII Super Tweeters? I looked at those at once and could not decide to buy. Unsure what they would add to the experience.

If they are the Aperion's or some other speaker, can you say something about them and what they add to your listening experience?

Thanks,
Tony

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/20/24 at 15:44:39

The basic iPhone photos are good, but they really are stunning in person. The tweeters are indeed the Aperion tweeters. I bought a pair long ago when they first came out (I feel a great purchase btw) and I use them on many speakers, Jon had them on top during my visit yesterday. I'll try them when they are home in my room, and see.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by JBzen on 01/21/24 at 12:10:48

Charles, I surely did not mean to bash your build. Yours is a fine looking example. The design portrayed the oddity. Never the less, it is a great speaker and full of heavy MDF.

My ZP3 has a walnut base. I like it and going to change the other Decware component bases to walnut.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/21/24 at 20:38:01

Bashing never crossed my mind. :) Tomorrow they will be in my room. Can't wait.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by Tommy Freefall on 01/22/24 at 18:52:10

Charles, curious - what range are the Super Tweeters running?

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/24/24 at 16:52:14

I have only had about 6 hours with these as of this morning. I am not using the supertweeters as of now. I am guessing he had the tweeters wide open to keep up though.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/25/24 at 03:05:40

About 12 hours now. After finally getting them where they are to stay for now, toeing in them more than I originally had them, a few clicks here and there these things are .....

My goodness....... :o

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by JBzen on 01/25/24 at 13:54:01

Give those silvers time to blossom! Heard the HDTs at Decfest 2022. Was not impressed with a SE84UFO25 that just got back from a deep freeze and the silvers were just installed. So all was fresh.
Nine months later listen to the same setup at Steve's head to head with the Headwreckers. The Headwreckers had better bass but the HTDs just blew me away with image and pin point accuracy with very good bass.

Hang in there.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by JBzen on 01/25/24 at 13:58:53

Charles your HDTs seem to be a bit stout as compared to the normal tall slender square footprint. Is this an optical illusion or was the MDF clad with walnut planks?

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/25/24 at 17:28:04

These were built to exact specs with conversations between Jon and Steve when there were any questions. The only difference being the "wider than the cabinet" solid bottom plinth. That might be making them look a little chubby maybe? I have the opportunity ( I just found out) to use the underneath threads that Jon installed so I can play with any spikes or footers if desired.

Here's a quick snap of the bottom.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by JBzen on 01/26/24 at 12:43:15

That enlarged plinth along with the shooting angle might contribute to the handsome appearance. I really like what your cabinet maker did! Needless to say, I am searching for some walnut and may just build the HDT2 shorty.
From conversations with Steve, the only difference from 1 to 2 is the driver. The Lii 8" Silver requires a different cutout which required a new set of drawings. The HDT2 uses the same updated tuning that the HDT1 uses. The HD1 can be easily transformed to a version 2.

Looking forward to your thoughts as time passes.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 01/26/24 at 19:48:29

I have put my eggs in this basket.... I want to give the Sarah and HDTv2's time together. The amp has less than 250 hours and the drivers and brand new with maybe 30 hours on them as of this post. I am looking forward to the results.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 02/03/24 at 08:20:05

Well.... after a few configurations (mainly toe-in and out adjustments) I had them toed in to the point they were almost crossed in front of my face. It was amazing, but I felt I lost a bit of the ambiance so I brought them back out a bit, and I must say they have stayed in this position for the last several days. The cones are pointing just outside my ears if one can picture this. The sound is full and ambient, with imaging and staging being ridiculous.

Charlie

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by Kamran on 02/04/24 at 07:40:02

Congratulations on your new speakers Charlie—they look perfect in your room and beautifully built.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 02/05/24 at 16:19:45

My goodness things are getting good!

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 02/08/24 at 02:53:26

Today has been surreal.. I'm jittery still. It was just an incredible christening with Jon. We listened all day to these beautiful speakers
that he built. We discussed what we were hearing and it was just "another world experience for me. He felt the same. We do not bullshit anyone and certainly not each other. We have been at times brutally honest with each other and that's why it so fun we we listen.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by Lon on 02/08/24 at 08:46:40

Very glad you are having an amazing journey!

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by JBzen on 02/08/24 at 10:33:37

Quote:

"another world experience for me.

It is just amazing on what a good audio system can do with our psychic. I've experienced above many times. Those experiences keeps us looking for more material that perpetuates it. Don't matter the genre - It is the uplifting of spirit that it creates when all the players conven within our senses.

Hope you are on the ZP3 path Charlie.

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by charles hidalgo on 03/29/24 at 04:14:18

As of late all I can do is sit down and listen, and listen. My goodness.... it's been wonderful 8-)

Title: Re: HDTvII
Post by Tommy Freefall on 03/29/24 at 17:57:42

Charles, how would you describe the sound signature?
Detailed? Warm? Smooth? Fast?