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REVIEW: Mackie HR 824 Speakers

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Model: HR 824
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $1600
Description: Active bi-amplified nearfield studio monitors
Manufacturer URL: Mackie
Manufacturer URL: Mackie

Review by analogmaster ( A ) on June 29, 2003 at 09:37:53
IP Address: 66.65.157.52
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for the HR 824


A number of inmates have asked me to write a review of the Mackie HR 824's, as they are rarely seen in domestic environments nor reviewed in the audiophile press. So here goes:

The Mackie HR 824 active monitors are relatively small-15.75" x 10" x 12.20"- nearfield active speakers designed primarily for professional application. A two-way bi-amped design, driver compliment is a 1 inch aluminum dome tweeter mounted in a short horn/waveguide; woofer is 8.75" polypropylene. Rear mounted passive radiator is a 6 inch x 12 inch elliptical aluminum/honeycomb flat piston. The amplifiers and controls are rear mounted. Controls include input sensitivity, acoustic space, low frequency roll-off @ 80, 47 or 37hz, high frequency attenuation/boost and power control. Inputs are XLR, 1/4" TRS and RCA connectors. A non-grounded two-prong IEC connector is also located in the rear. Frequency response is rated by Mackie as flat from 39hz to 20K, +/- 1.5db.
Although I normally use the Mackies in a two-pair stacked configuration, for this review I am testing them set up as a single pair.
Ancillary equipment consists of an Audio Research SP-14 preamp with upgraded power supply, newer caps, and DACT attenuator, a Technics SP-10 MKII turntable in a DIY Corian/lead plinth, Rega RB-600 arm, Shelter 501 cartridge; Denon DN-680 CD player. Cables are NBS Omega III from preamp to speakers. Speakers are mounted on 24" Sound Anchor stands.
The rear mounted controls allow a good amount of adjustment to compensate for room acoustics and taste.
For comparison purposes, I also tested the Mackies (in the same living room) against the Revel M20's, B&W 805's, Dynaudio 1.3 II and Reference 3A's, driven by a Bryston 4B power amp. (Thanks to the guys for the loaners!)
With Jazz and Classical LPs and CDs, the Mackies allow a great deal more musical information to show through when compared to the other tested speakers; subtleties in voice and acoustic instruments, the "consonant" and "vowel" sounds, are more noticable. Bass instruments such as upright bass and cello have greater clarity and texture, acoustic guitars sound more realistic and less "colored", more dynamic and focused, the tonal signatures of two different guitars are much more specific, compared to a somewhat generalized quality in the other tested speakers. Overall tonal qualities seem more "neutral" and "uncolored" and less "hyped". Large and small dynamics are more realistically portrayed, particularly noticable on classical piano. Large orchestral music "breathes" and "swells" better on the Mackies. Drum solos on Jazz recordings show better tonal and dynamic differences between different tom-toms; snare drums have a more specific "ring". Cymbals have a more realistic "cymbal sound" and resonance. Pipe organ shows the bass to be deeper and more controlled where the other speakers exhibit more "boom & bloom". Sense of pace and rhythm is better, subtle interplays between instruments easier to hear. Soundstage "imaging" is similar in depth, width and instrument location to the 805's and Revel M20's but better than the Reference 3A's. Vocals in opera and Jazz recordings are slightly more forward, allowing a great deal of insight into varying vocal techniques, without ever sound "bright" or "harsh".


Product Weakness: Not expensive or sexy enough for some audiophiles!
Product Strengths: Clarity, dynamic range, realistic portrayal of instrumental signatures.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: none
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audio Research SP-14
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Denon DN-680, Technics SP10 MKII
Speakers: Mackie HR 824
Cables/Interconnects: NBS
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz & Classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 24 x 14 x 9
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): DIY AC Distribution unit
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): main




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Topic - REVIEW: Mackie HR 824 Speakers - analogmaster 09:37:53 06/29/03 ( 3)