HSU MFL-6 Home Theater Speaker Review

[amirm]

I told them to contact Amir at ASR to arrange for a return of MFL-6.

They have reached out and I will be sending the speaker to them.

 

[5150]

Can anyone tell me what this means:
"I decided to measure the speaker rotated so that the measurement microphone is at 90 degrees to the baffle"
Or what this means:
"I did look at the response at ±40 degrees and it flattens fair bit"

It means the speaker wasn't measured in a way that reflects how it's actually intended to be used

 

[Mort]

Can anyone tell me what this means:
Or what this means:
"I did look at the response at ±40 degrees and it flattens fair bit"

Referring to off-axis response which usually tames upper frequencies. 'flattens' is confirming this.

 

[JLotts]

Sad to see these results coming from an HSU product. I've owned (and currently own) several of their subwoofers which have always measured very well in my own measurements and by reviewers. They clearly understand how to engineer a product properly and better than the price point would suggest, so I'm not sure what happened with this speaker.

I've spoken with Dr Hsu a few times when bringing in subs for repair or to trial a subwoofer, and he seems like someone that would see this review and want to fix the engineering. I imagine if Amir reached out, he would be receptive to the feedback. *Edit* just saw that they've already reached out to receive the speaker and perform their own measurements.

 

[DanTheMan]

I'm assuming we'll see them go on the Klippel again after it is remedied? I've had some degree of faith in Hsu products.

 

[amirm]

I'm assuming we'll see them go on the Klippel again after it is remedied?

Assuming I have good confirmation of what is going on and what happened in this case.

 

[amirm]

Can anyone tell me what this means:
"I decided to measure the speaker rotated so that the measurement microphone is at 90 degrees to the baffle"
Or what this means:
"I did look at the response at ±40 degrees and it flattens fair bit"

The first means the surface of the speaker is parallel to your face. To do that, I had to rotated the speaker enough for this to happen and then measured.

The second says if I didn't do that, the sound would be off axis and hence, have less treble emphasis.

In actual use, if you put the speaker to your right or left, it would respond as measured assuming its face points at you. Same if you put it above or below video screen.

 

[mcdonalk]

Every review for an Hsu product that I have seen has indicated excellence, including those reviews for Hsu subwoofers and speakers on Audioholics, another "scientific" audio enthusiast site. This site seems top be bucking that trend.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Every review for an Hsu product that I have seen has indicated excellence, including those reviews for Hsu subwoofers and speakers on Audioholics, another "scientific" audio enthusiast site. This site seems top be bucking that trend.

I am not aware of any site that has measured the Hsu MFL-6 loudspeaker - other than ASR.

ASR measured and recommends the (now discontinued) the Hsu HB1 MK2 loudspeaker.

 

[JohnBooty]

Since these things deserve praise I wanted to mention that Hsu's customer service is great. I've been happily using a Hsu subwoofer since 2008. Needed them twice and they were fast, kind, and knowledgeable. I really have never dealt with a nicer company.

 

[Matt_Holland]

My guess is that the elevated HF is to offset losses due to being placed behind a projection screen. It might also be to account for them being placed above head height which can happen in some cinemas so that the speakers are at the correct height relative to the screen, but that's a stretch. Also could be done in the understanding that any good cinema system will be calibrated and EQ'd so better to have more SPL than you need than to not have enough.

 

[Power Pop 23]

My guess is that the elevated HF is to offset losses due to being placed behind a projection screen. It might also be to account for them being placed above head height which can happen in some cinemas so that the speakers are at the correct height relative to the screen, but that's a stretch. Also could be done in the understanding that any good cinema system will be calibrated and EQ'd so better to have more SPL than you need than to not have enough.

Hsu Research says 'The MFL-6 is a multi-functional loudspeaker - it's the one speaker that fits all' (my 'bolding' of letters).

I am uncertain their primary target demographic is owners of acoustically transparent projection screens.

MFL-6 Speaker :: Dolby Atoms Speaker

The MFL-6 speaker by HSU has an angled front panel making it ideal for Dolby Atmos or as a left, front or right speakers in a home theater.

hsuresearch.com

 

[amirm]

My guess is that the elevated HF is to offset losses due to being placed behind a projection screen. It might also be to account for them being placed above head height which can happen in some cinemas so that the speakers are at the correct height relative to the screen, but that's a stretch. Also could be done in the understanding that any good cinema system will be calibrated and EQ'd so better to have more SPL than you need than to not have enough.

They are saying my measurements don't match theirs so clearly what we see is not intentional.

 

[NHL99]

@amirm, Have you visited any Korean audio café?

 

[kencreten]

That speaker is a little high.... ... sorry. heheh

 

[Mort]

That speaker is a little high.... ... sorry. heheh

Sounds like they aren't alone.

 

[amirm]

@amirm, Have you visited any Korean audio café?

No I have not. I have been to Korea many times for business but alas, all were for visiting Samsung HQ which is in the middle of nowhere. We stayed in Seoul but it was just overnight so no chance to look around anything.

 

[Sal1950]

No I have not. I have been to Korea many times for business but alas, all were for visiting Samsung HQ which is in the middle of nowhere. We stayed in Seoul but it was just overnight so no chance to look around anything.

Rumor has it you were spending a bit of time hooking up at a Geisha house ?

 

[amirm]

Just an update... Company reached out to me both on the forum and in email to get the speaker back for evaluation. I responded to them saying I will box it up and just need a label. Alas, nothing has come, nor any response from them.

I have another HSU speaker that is measuring now. Will see how this one does....

 

[ClaudeJ1]

Maybe they thought the older buyer who know the company well have lost their higher frequency hearing.

Yes. Being a part of that aging club, I can't hear past 12 Khz. now. Too many hours spent with garage bands in the rock days.