Will HSU ever offer Inwall Speakers?

[Hans Gruber]

I realize that HSU is primary business is subwoofers. With the addition of the VENTRILOQUIST speakers, HSU could be poised to expand into Inwall Speakers as well. I say this because space is very limited in homes today. I've used Inwall Speakers before it was cool to do, since 1998. I have Energy bi-polars in the front and the biggest BIC center they offer. The rear surrounds and the surround back spekers are BIC and Inwall Speakers. With my VTF-3 MK2 the total is 7.1 surround. BIC is a value play usually used in new construction by builders. BIC has received rave reviews for their products even by consumer reports.

My next step is to upgrade my Denon AVR-3801 to separates, probably Outlaw Audio. I really like what HSU is doing to the market place. With the strong growth of popularity of Home Theater over the years how much a person spends on their equipment is somehow a sign of its quality. I disagree with this way of thinking and realize that marketing plays a huge factor in how a product is priced and received by consumers. Today you can read a copy of Home Theater Magazine and realize that every new electronic product is very good or excellent. This is of course due to the fact that products Home Theater Magazine reviews are usually advertised in the very same issue they are reviewed, coincidence?? I think not.

The Inwall Speaker market continues to grow very rapidly as the electronics gods have decided that Inwall speakers can and often do sound good. I think it would be a great benefit to consumers if HSU offered high quality Inwall Speakers to its loyal fan base.

HSU Research is doing to the Speaker market what Outlaw Audio has done to the receiver pre/pro amplifier market. Right now there are exotic Inwall Speaker manufacturers like www.triadspeaker.com (http://www.triadspeaker.com) but their products sell at suck a premium only the super wealthy would consider Triad Inwalls.

[Pete_Hsu]

This is a great question, Hans, and something that we may consider at some point down the road.

Our newest prototype horn bookshelf speakers are very slim in the depth dimension, so that they can be easily mounted next to plasma tv's and such.

Sincerely,

[jasonboulder]

Even more so than in-wall speakers, for a company like HSU is, how about in-wall subs?

I've yet to find an installer who would recommend an in-wall sub, yet for me personally, I dread spending a ton of money to outfit a living room with top shelf in wall speakers, a plasma tv, and then be forced to top off my thin, in (or on) wall home theater with a giant black monstrosity of a subwoofer that could double for the monolith in 2001 A Space Odyssey.


Is such an in wall solution possible? Phase Tech ( a very well respected speaker company) offers an in wall sub, but most custom installers won't touch them. I'd love to see a respected sub company like HSU pioneer the area.

[Backlash]

You know, the Danley Tower of Power could almost fit in between wall studs. If you don't mind moving a stud, and have a 10" deep wall you could probably work that in there.

[Dudley]

Subs are so large that you need a space larger than normal studs. It could work between floor joists though, or on a top floor in the attic space.

[Hans Gruber]

What I like about HSU Research most is the bang for the buck. Outlaw Audio has a great forum, but I still think their prices are a bit high for direct from the manufacturer pricing. This is where HSU differs from the competition. SVS also does a nice job on price. I do think that HSU offers more value than their competitors. Considering the reputation HSU has earned in the Seattle market, it would be nice to see Inwall speakers and even tower speakers offered by HSU. I realize that Dr. HSU expertise in in subwoofers but he has already started making bookshelf or satellite speakers.Many people don't have room for large speakers, subs don't count because they make good end tables.

Right now, my favorite Inwall Speaker is the Definitive S-95 or something 95 but they cost $800 each. I bought a DVD player in 1997 and people laughed at me. I put Inwalls throughout my house in 1998. Consumers are starting to move toward Inwalls for home theater. Manufacturers are answering the call with higher quality products. I just hope HSU Research expands into the Inwall arena someday.

[curious george]

Subs are so large that you need a space larger than normal studs. It could work between floor joists though, or on a top floor in the attic space.


Not necessarily. The current HSU lineup maybe. Others have done this though. Seen the new Sunfire in-wall sub?

[Hans Gruber]

Curious George,
I did see the Sunfire inwalls. Sunfire makes great products. Sunfire is right in my backyard. Unfortunately I have a bad relationship with Sunfire. Years ago I tried to buy a Sunfire Cinema Grand directly from Sunfire,which is 20 miles away from my house. I wanted the same price the dealers pay. They didn't think that was a good idea. I didn't think $3,000 was a good idea either buying from the local retailers.

That's why I now buy HSU products. With HSU products we pay what the dealers would pay without the middle man markup.

With these big brand name companies, you have to pay the middle man. The only other option which I am working on is finding contacts in China. If I can build relationships with the factory in China I could get a great deal. Unfortunately, my mandarin speaking skills is non existant.

My one success story is with my inwall speaker amplifiers. I got 2 Elan Home System Z-660's for $390 each from a distributor. The Z-660's go for $900+ each at your high end audio shop. I bought my inwall speakers from the distibutor as well. I have 12 speakers throughout the house with 60watts of power to each speaker.

Triad out of Oregon makes great inwalls as well. Sunfire makes great products that I consider to be cost prohibitive. The same could be said about any electrostatic speakers. Those would sound great with my VTF-3 MK2.