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HD80s


Guest balover

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Guest balover

I am picking up a set of HD80's (unheard). I love the A150's of the 1980's. When were the HD series produced and how are they regarded for their sound? Similar to the A series? Thanks, Scott

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I think you mean HD8's, not "80's," don't you?

The HD ("High Definition") series from BA was produced from the late '80's through 1994, when they were replaced by the CR ("Compact Reference") series.

The line consisted of the HD5 and 7(small sealed-box units with 1/2" hard-dome Tonegen tweeters), the HD8 (an 8" 2-way sealed box with BA's superb 1" polyamid soft-dome tweeter, made in Peabody MA), and the HD9 and 10, 6 1/2" 2-way designs with the 1" tweeter and 8" and 10" passive radiators respectively.

Interesting--BA's driver manufacturing was so precise and repeatable, that BA made runs of woofers for both Snell and Allison (when Snell and Allison were independent MA-based companies). Bet nobody knew that!

Both companies were absolutely incredulous over BA's ability to make such good drivers that they wanted BA to be their regular woofer supplier. However, BA didn't have the capacity to supply other companies on a full-time basis. BA did it for them as a professional "favor" a few times.

The HD's were all excellent speakers. BA's engineering and manufacturing were absolutely first-rate in this time period, and any of their speakers from then should be considered a valuable find.

Even if the "underground" press didn't have the same regard for the HD8 as they did for, say, the A60, the HD's were every bit as good if not better--in every respect.

Steve F.

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Guest balover

Yea, they are HD8's - Thanks for the info. They are one smooth sounding speaker with no bad habits. You do have to love those tweeters. I have always preferred the soft domes, most everything else tends to get too shrill and harsh sounding to me.

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