My 2nd pair of Hyperion 938s

PaulFolbrecht · « **on:** 17 Jun 2008, 07:02 pm »

Hi all,

I thought I'd post about the fact that I just bought a pair of 938s - my second pair. I bought a new pair just under two years ago and sold them after six months. I sold them because I was still fairly new to the high-end game and very interested in playing - I could not settle down with gear for very long without getting the itch to try more stuff.

I've been all over the map since - I've owned more than a dozen pairs of speakers (still have five pair), several retailing for more than $10K, one topping out at $17K.

Why did I come back to the 938s? Because they are the most consistently-pleasant-to-listen-to transducers I've yet found. They serve all genres - I'm mostly into acoustic jazz, but I like rock too, and they serve both equally well, really. That is a rare quality. In fact, it is extraordinarily rare, in my experience, to find a speaker that is so well-balanced and has so many stand-out qualities with so few weaknesses - there are really *no* substantial "weaknesses".

I am running them with Consonance Cyber 211s which does truly make an incredible duo (disclaimer: I represent these amps as a Norvinz Field Rep).

That's about it. I may upgrade to 968s at some point but, honestly, when I listen I just feel no motivation to do so. In fact - having not heard them, I'm almost skeptical that they're superior. Like movie sequels, a 2nd effort following a stupendous production quite often does not hit the mark as squarely. I'm probably wrong, but other than a bit more bass reach and perhaps a bit tighter bass, it's hard to imagine them being much better.

Cheers,
Paul

carusoracer · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Jun 2008, 07:14 pm »

Congrats on the 2nd time around! That has always been a pair of speakers I would luv to take a good long listen

Dracule1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Jul 2008, 07:20 am »

Hi Paul, good to here from you again. I have to agree with you. I would always have the Hyperion around. Having a fling with your flavor of the month speaker mistress is also fun, but never lasts long. Hyperion is like an old girlfriend you wish you never broke up with.

Doubleblind · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Sep 2008, 05:25 pm »

I agree with you Paul.

Although I don't have the $$$ to play much with exchanging speakers (nor does the wife have the tolerance); the only complaint if at all, would be the in the bass region of these truley great speakers.

Brent

ndeslions · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Sep 2008, 09:58 am »

Paul you are already selling your second pair ?
What happened ?

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Oct 2009, 05:42 pm »

Quote from: ndeslions on 22 Sep 2008, 09:58 am

Paul you are already selling your second pair ?
What happened ?

Er, well, I sold them, but, guess what - today I am buying them back from the gent who purchased them!

haberr1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Nov 2009, 01:44 pm »

It could be inappropriate but interesting to ask, Mr Folbrecht, why you purchased the same speakers again??

watchemglow · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Nov 2009, 12:04 pm »

Because he wants to try malcolmsmith's re-wire upgrade of course!

I do too.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Nov 2009, 03:19 am »

Quote from: haberr1 on 1 Nov 2009, 01:44 pm

It could be inappropriate but interesting to ask, Mr Folbrecht, why you purchased the same speakers again??

Perhaps I like the 938 better, all things considered, than anything I've had subsequent to them?

chao · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Dec 2009, 08:00 am »

Hi Paul,

on your gallery, I see the Musical Affairs Grand Crescendo.
Did you compare the Gr. Crescendo to the 938?

Chen

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Dec 2009, 12:40 am »

Quote from: chao on 1 Dec 2009, 08:00 am

Hi Paul,

on your gallery, I see the Musical Affairs Grand Crescendo.
Did you compare the Gr. Crescendo to the 938?

Chen

You must have me confused with someone else as I have never owned that speaker.

I did have MA Sonatines briefly once and they could hardly be a more different speaker from the 938.

russ_l · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Feb 2010, 10:38 pm »

Not familiar with the Malcom Smith upgrade. Would someone please elaborate? Thanks.

Russ

Dracule1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Feb 2010, 03:10 am »

Russ,

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=69979.0

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Feb 2010, 03:19 am »

Quote from: Dracule1 on 24 Feb 2010, 03:10 am

Russ,

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=69979.0

I wrote them and they never wrote back.

On another note, I hear tell our facilitator may be sowing his oats in other pastures these days.

Dracule1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Feb 2010, 05:57 am »

Secrets out of the bag!

Almost feel guilty "cheating" on the 938s, but I'm a man whore. What can I say.

Unfortunately you have to spend several times more to improve upon the 938s.

malcolmsmith · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Feb 2010, 11:50 am »

Can you clarify whether you have bought another pair of 938s,or whether you have changed to another make of speaker.If so what? Thanks

Dracule1 · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Feb 2010, 06:11 pm »

Ridge Street Audio Design Sason Si with upgraded crossover parts from Dueland cost over $12k, but I felt there was enough improvement over the 938s to get them.

May be the upcomming Hyperion reference speakers may equal or surpass the Sasons.

russ_l · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Feb 2010, 11:05 pm »

Dracule1- thanks for the link; I read it previously but forgot about it. I was a 938W owner for several months two years ago; no longer have them. Thinking of picking up a pair of 938s very soon locally.

Russ

Dracule1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Feb 2010, 01:22 am »

Russ, why did you get rid of them, only to come back to them?

russ_l · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Feb 2010, 03:24 pm »

Quote from: Dracule1 on 25 Feb 2010, 01:22 am

Russ, why did you get rid of them, only to come back to them?

I paid quite a bit extra for the wood finish (with the upgraded woofers). The right channel ended up close to the den door leading to the deck. It was summer time; we were going in and out, in and out. I thought it was just a matter of time before the speaker got damaged or worse, knocked over. I could not handle that so I returned the speakers to the distributor even though I really liked them.

I recently purchased a new amp and preamp and would like to put better speakers in place over what I currently have. A friend has 938s he's not using; we're talking.

Russ