Hales Design Group Concept Three, "Stone-Faced" Tower Loudspeakers

We have had a huge influx of heavyweight speakers lately. The Hales Design Group (HDG) Concept Three towers we have here are a perfect example. Founded in 1995 by 23 year old Paul Hales, HDG focused on making loudspeakers that sounded natural and full, but without interference from cabinet resonances. Paul Hales used his personal interest in motor dynamics and materials science to design speakers with that in mind.  Cabinet density became paramount and the signature Hales concrete front baffles were born...And with them a series of speaker systems weighing hundreds of pounds each!

From a construction standpoint, think of a Hales speaker as a cross between a Wilson and Thiel in both design and execution.

The Concept Three was developed in 1998 and follows all of these same principles.  Hi-end thought and development was brought into every inch of this speaker design. Starting with the drivers themselves which are custom adaptations from Scanspeak, Quart, and Focal - All specifically modified to meet Hales' requirements for this model.  As a 3-way design, the system uses fourth-order Linkwitz-Riley networks for the least amount of coloration from the crossover as possible.  However, don't mistake simplicity in design for lack of substance.  The crossovers are HUGE and employ only the highest quality mylar-film capacitors and foil wrapped inductors.  Each crossover weighs about 20 pounds on its own. 

The cabinet construction is equally over the top. The main cabinet itself is a beautiful adorned rosewood veneer 1.5" thick MDF, with copious internal bracing.  But the show stopper is the 4" thick plaster front baffle.  With few exceptions, there isn't a more inert way to design a cabinet. The sloped front and rear faces mean a reduction in internal standing waves, a prime design principle. 

These speakers deliver everything Paul Hales set out to accomplish.  They are full range, in that they produce the full spectrum of sound from top to bottom without hesitation or fatigue.  And despite their physical heft, they can deliver very delicate music with detail and nuance that is hard to match except from the most prolific audio brands. Comparisons to Wilson and Thiel are perpetuated with each listing session as one realizes that these speakers provide impact and slam with equal amounts of butterfly-wing accuracy. 

Condition is 8.5/10 on these speakers. with only one minor edge-rash on the back side of one speaker, about 1.5" in size, and a few minor snags in the grille cloth diminishing a full 10/10 rating. 

Shipping is possible only through freight, as each speaker weighs approximately 180 pounds.  

Demos are always available in our Massachusetts showroom. 

$1,899 (plus applicable shipping and/or MA sales tax)