Tower Speaker Reviews

Comparison & Conclusion
After listening to the HRS system, it was quickly apparent that the speakers do not exhibit a flat frequency response. In fact, the measurements confirm that there is a 6-12dB dip (depending on where you are with respect to the tweeter axis) between 1kHz and 3kHz, centered at about 2kHz for the satellites and center-channel speaker. This likely accounts for the highly detailed sound I observed, as a drop in level around 2kHz would tend to emphasize the higher frequencies. Interestingly, I noted no problem in dialog intelligibility.

It's also important to remember that my comments are subjective and the measurements are objective. The listening room, speaker placement, and the other components in the audio system influence my opinion of these—and all—speakers. From personal experience, a flat frequency response should not be the goal of speaker design—flat can sound very boring. In my view, designing a speaker that is pleasing to listen to for extended periods is the best goal, and the Sunfire HRS speakers achieve that nicely.

It's also worth noting that our measurements indicate a relatively low sensitivity of 84-85dB compared to the manufacturer's specification of 88dB. This suggests that an amplifier with at least 100Wpc is required, unless you listen primarily at moderate volume levels.

The most meaningful comparison I can make is with the Sunfire Cinema Ribbon speakers, which I used in conjunction with my review of the company's SubRosa subwoofer. The highlights of that review included the outstanding mid- and high-frequency clarity of the ribbon driver in the Cinema Ribbons and the strong bass performance of the stealthy SubRosa.

I have made no secret of my appreciation for the ribbon drivers in the Cinema Ribbon speakers. However, that system has a suggested retail price of $7500, and if I were thinking about spending that much on a home-theater speaker system, I would seriously consider the less-than-$4000 HRS system and spend the $3500 difference on a new AV receiver, flat-panel TV, or perhaps acoustic treatments for the room. This approach would sacrifice some of the extraordinary detail, definition, and transparency of the ribbon drivers, and I would probably miss the impressive SubRosa subwoofer, but I would be getting 90% of the performance while leaving some cash in my wallet to spend on other necessary components.

The Sunfire HRS speaker system offers a lot of bang for the buck, and it definitely tips the value scale in favor of the consumer. The 5.2-channel system in this review offers great performance for music and movies, has very contemporary styling, and can integrate easily with almost any room decor. The excellent sound and sleek styling of the HRS system will surely please the audiophile and the style-minded, fiscally conservative homeowner.

Highs
Clean, detailed sound for music and movies
Very stylish compact cabinets are easy to place and blend nicely with room decor

Lows
Optional speaker stands are difficult to use with large-gauge speaker cables
Magnets on grilles distort the TV picture if placed too close to a CRT