HSL Model 9?

[Indepaudio]

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[Rckr5150]

Hello all, I am looking for anyone with information on HSL 11. Just picked up a pair and man these speakers are so clean sounding. I can not for thr life of me find any info on them.

 

[Rckr5150]

Not much on Google. Harms Sound Labs out of Fort Collins, Colorado? :scratch2: The link says they have been in biz since 1975. Looks promising. They even have a phone....Pull the drivers....Inquiring minds want to know !! http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_dsjzf3

I have a pair of HSL Model 11's and cant not for the life of me, find ANY information about them.
Does anyone have or had a pair of these and if so, what are your thoughts?
Thanks

 

[Dswankey]

I have a pair of HSL Model 11's ....and what would they be worth, if in PRISTINE condition?
Thanks

@Rckr5150

I see you're relatively new here but questions of worth belong in the Dollars & Sense forum.

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/dollars-and-sense.128/

 

[Rckr5150]

Another HSL model

:scratch2:If all goes well, I'm going to pick up a pair of this brand in the next couple of days. These have glass tops - and yes, I was hoping it was a typing error - and they were JBL's with the cat's eyes tweeters. Still for the $10 price, I've just got to check them out. Will post a follow up later.

 

[Rckr5150]

I had the opportunity to talk to the owner at Harms Sound Labs a few weeks ago. What he told me, was that they NEVER designed or made any speaker cabinets with the GLASS tops.
He said that they had to be Hollywood Sound Labs. Now I cannot find any Vintage speakers made by Hollywood, except

I'm resurrecting this thread as I picked up a pair of these today and am totally impressed with the sound of these speakers. Mine were professionally refoamed and I would suggest that you refoam and give them a listen. Give em' a chance They might surprise you.....If not all you will be out is a pair of surrounds and a little time. I haven't taken the grill cloths off mine and don't plan to unless there is a problem as they are glued on. I am going to try and contact the owner of the Company (They are still in business.) and see if I can pick his brain about their design philosophy. Since you have seen these with the grill cloths off, are they an infinite baffle design? The guy I got these from purchased them new in 1977 from a Hi End Audio Shop locally. They are still in business so I will get in touch with them and see if I can get some more info. I had Mr. Bill come over for a listen to verify that I wasn't going deaf and he was impressed with them too. Oh, I almost forgot. Here is a copy of the text that came from the ad on CL from the seller...I can't tell you the price as it is against the rules. (This is a pair of vintage floorstanding speakers. They were purchased at Independence Audio (a medium to high end store at the time) in 1977. HSL is the brand, I am not familiar with it but they were considered pretty good at the time, perhaps comparable with JBLs. The bass speakers in both were professionally replaced a couple of years ago and they sound great. They also look great with walnut cabinets and glass tops. I have kept lamps on them and often people have been looking around the room and asking where my speakers are as these look like fine furniture. Measurements: 24 inches tall, 17 inches wide, 12 inches deep.)

 

[Rckr5150]

These are NOT Harm Sound Labs speakers. These speakers were made by Hollywood Sound Labs.
Harms Sound Labs, according to the owner, whom Ispoke to a few weeks ago, NEVER made speakers with the glass tops.

 

[Rckr5150]

Fellow AKer OrionKC (Rick) was by tonight and really liked my HSL 9s. I've searched the net and have never found any information on HSL speakers.

In the 2 years I've had them, I never figured out how to get the grills off. Curiosity got the best of Rick and he got the grills off. These floorstanders, although of unknown origin, are well built. The woofer is 15" - tweeter 3.5"? - midrange 4". The midrange has a cone on the voice coil like a coax speaker.

I've attached some pics. For scale the first pic has an AR 4X and a Bozak B-301 Tempo sitting on it.

Anyone know anything about HSL or recognize the drivers? I don't tinker with equipment that works as I'm too busy enjoying the sound. So no, I haven't pulled the drivers to check for codes.

Any info would be appreciated,
Mr Bill in KC

I have a pair of HSL Model II, not sure if that stands for (Roman numeral two or Eleven). Anyway, I spoke with Mr. Harms last week and sent him pics of mine and he told me THEY NEVER made any speakers with any glass tops. He recommended checking with Hollywood Sound Labs, but they also didnt ever make this style either. Then this week I was talking to my Vintage Tech Guru and he said they sound like Steve Hoffman Speakers (HSL).
So now I'm trying to get some information on Steve's designs..
Ugh, this us getting ridiculous...

 

[MrBill_KC]

The model five and eleven with glass tops and the nine I had were house brand speakers made by Independence Audio in Independence, MO.

 

[Rckr5150]

I'm resurrecting this thread as I picked up a pair of these today and am totally impressed with the sound of these speakers. Mine were professionally refoamed and I would suggest that you refoam and give them a listen. Give em' a chance They might surprise you.....If not all you will be out is a pair of surrounds and a little time. I haven't taken the grill cloths off mine and don't plan to unless there is a problem as they are glued on. I am going to try and contact the owner of the Company (They are still in business.) and see if I can pick his brain about their design philosophy. Since you have seen these with the grill cloths off, are they an infinite baffle design? The guy I got these from purchased them new in 1977 from a Hi End Audio Shop locally. They are still in business so I will get in touch with them and see if I can get some more info. I had Mr. Bill come over for a listen to verify that I wasn't going deaf and he was impressed with them too. Oh, I almost forgot. Here is a copy of the text that came from the ad on CL from the seller...I can't tell you the price as it is against the rules. (This is a pair of vintage floorstanding speakers. They were purchased at Independence Audio (a medium to high end store at the time) in 1977. HSL is the brand, I am not familiar with it but they were considered pretty good at the time, perhaps comparable with JBLs. The bass speakers in both were professionally replaced a couple of years ago and they sound great. They also look great with walnut cabinets and glass tops. I have kept lamps on them and often people have been looking around the room and asking where my speakers are as these look like fine furniture. Measurements: 24 inches tall, 17 inches wide, 12 inches deep.)

These are House brand speakers, built at Independence Audio in Independence Missouri. The HSL medallions in the right lower corner, were designed with Steve Hoffman design, hence the HSL. I spoke to the owner 2 weeks ago and he said that his mother and aunt built the cabinets there in the back of the store and installed high end components. These are mid grade speakers and he is always looking for some to purchase, since they are rare today. He also has (Some) old flyers and information. Give him a call or email and he will answer your questions.
Many thought these were Harms Lab Speakers. They are not. Mr Harms, is still in business in Colorado, and told me on the phone that they never made any speakers with glass tops. He told me to try Hollywood Sound Labs and they never did either. They told me to try Independence Audio, and they definitely did make these speakers. I have the Model 11's and I absolutely love them. Powered with a Pioneer SX-980 and these thing purr..... think about also using a nice EQ within your system and you will find that perfect sweet spot.....

 

[scout4882001]

Hello there. I found you guys, by doing a search, fo my HSL 16s. I bought them from Independence Audio in 78, along with my Pioneer SX980. At the time, they were the best sounding speakers, on their floor. Yes, they were built in house and came with 5 year warranty. I believe mine have 15" woofers and are 5 ways. Beautiful walnut veneer cabs, with smoke glass tops. As you can see, I have owned for a long time and sill sound great. I have paired with Pioneer SA9800 Equalizer and Pioneer Dynamic Range expander. All purchased at the same time. The only thing I dont like about these speakers, is the grill isnt removable.

 

[GabeKC]

Time to necro this thread because wow I love these speakers. I live in Kansas City, and recently got a pair of what I think are 11s (a lot of the label on the back isn't there anymore) for insanely cheap. These things are absolute showstoppers to me, and I'm looking for more information on them.

 

[Rckr5150]

Time to necro this thread because wow I love these speakers. I live in Kansas City, and recently got a pair of what I think are 11s (a lot of the label on the back isn't there anymore) for insanely cheap. These things are absolute showstoppers to me, and I'm looking for more information on them.

You can go to Independence audio and talk to the owner anytime. His family were the builders and loves discussing these speakers. He even has a few models in the back area.

 

[IanT417]

Poor Steve over at Harms Sound Labs just got a call from me too! I came across a set of HSL-4 Speakers. After chatting for a bit on phone then emailing him pictures. His reply was that of a frustrated and crushed soul. All searches pointed to Harms Sound Labs in Fort Collins,CO
How many of us now have rang this poor guy. He'll of a nice guy that Steve is. I think he was on his way to hooking me up with a set of his. Until I sent pics of HollySL-4's. I still offered to buy a set of his. Because...well...because I'm intrigued as to what he's building.
I have to agree with others on the Sound quality. The HSL-4's are clean. Got em singing with the assistance of a Pioneer SX-990 after first connecting to a Pioneer SX-450. So does anyone have first hand experience with the Hollyweird Sound Labs-4? I daw these in a second hand storevpriced at 12 bucks. Near perfect condition! A quick once over and a knock on the rock solid cabinet instantly required rescuing and rehoming. Anyone have any info at all or a value?

 

[Sibley]

Time to necro this thread because wow I love these speakers. I live in Kansas City, and recently got a pair of what I think are 11s (a lot of the label on the back isn't there anymore) for insanely cheap. These things are absolute showstoppers to me, and I'm looking for more information on them.

Amen to that! I just got a pair of them this past week I love them.

 

[IanT417]

Just thought I'd drop a pic or two. I too now own 3 sets of these brands.
2= HSL-4 and HSL-5. First set I found in a thrift store. Second set I got for free when I purchased a set of JBL L166 horizons. I took did some research and even contacted the fella in
Fort Collins, CO as that's where the search lead me. I came up empty handed. Both sets of these need foam rings and I've put it in the back burner.

 

[Sibley]

They are great speakers my friend! Built near Kansas City as I'm sure you've found out by now.

 

[ReevesKC]

There's a pair of HSL 5 in KC right now. . . do they belong to any of you ?