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[ Review ] Harmonix HS101-SLC

Harmonix, together with Reimyo,is part of the Japanese company Combak Corporation, manufactur-

ing top flight audio equipment. It may be well to add, that Harmonix has strong links with Japanese audio industry. The JVC recording studios where K2 remastering (the best recorded discs inthe world) is done, employ these cables.

HS101-SLC is situated at the top ofthe manufacturer's range. Apartfrom that, we can choose the cheaperHS101 and an interesting Super-Max model, designed for application withthe best tweeters. The last modelfeatures very low impedance, in order to open it up in the high-est frequencies and re-produce that range withunbelievable precisionand clarity. Of all theother interesting items from Harmonix, we wouldlike to mention special cable supports mimimizing vibrations transmitted through floors and isolatingfrom static electricity of carpets, broad-loom etc.

HS101-SLC is built with two separate conductors surrounded by elaborate screen – hence the big diameter of the whole cable. We can learn from manu-facturer's literature, that newly devised OFC copper was employed for this cable. Just like the analogue intercon-nects, the loudspeaker connection is also directional. The cables are termi-nated with perfectly finished spades made of PCOCC copper covered with gold and rhodium to minimize impe-dance.

Other termination types like pin con- nectors or WBT banana plugs are avail- able on order. From the outside, the cable is protected by mechanically resis-tant, dense and pretty hard braid; underthe braid we can notice a thin outer gro-und wire, which is part of the complicated screen system.

SOUND QUALITYThe Harmonix name has not come out ofnowhere – it depicts a brand striving toachieve full harmony of its cables. Labo-rious efforts and years of experience bro-ught the results in the shape of one of thebest sounding loudspeaker cables in the world. No matter what is the audio system,

HS101-SLC will prove itself as a perfect partner, introducing nothingof its own into the sound. The results we have got exceeded our wildest expecta-tions, and these expectations were quite huge, as is usual for such advancedand expensive designs. Harmonix com- bined with Tannoy Glenair 10 loudspea-kers was simply phenomenal. Pairingthis cable with high quality loudspeakersgives beautiful, harmonically rich presen-tation. We were highly impressed with stereo, as both the speakers and thecables cope well with rendition of spatial information.

The soundstage took realistic size, sound sources became sharply focused and articulate, with a lot of space bet-ween them. There was a sense of brea-dth and unconstrained creation of sou-rces both upfront and in deeper planes.The treble was free from any haze ordullness. There was no nervousness, percussive cymbals and triangles were completely free from any hints of agg-ression, and the sound of harpsichordseemed to have maximum resolution. HFC

FORPerfectly aligned cables. Theydo not impose any limitations - they sound as well as is pos-sible with partnering loud-speakers and amplifier.

AGAINSTIt is hard find any faults evenwhen someone deliberatleytries to do so.

SUMMARY : Its sound can be desribed as phenomenal, unique and free from anything unnecessary. They achieve what seems to be unachievable – they are free from any colourations and at the same time they expose melodic richness and timbre differentiation.

VERDICTSOUND

PERFORMANCE

CONSTRUCTION

QUALITY/PRICE

Perfect HarmonyPRODUCT Harmonix HS101-SLCTYPE Loudspeaker cablePRICE 3.120 Euro (2x2,5m) CONTACT www.mojeaudio.pl

The Japanese designers achieved an almost impossible feat while building the top of the line Harmonix loudspeaker cables

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WYBÓR REDAKCJI

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