Herdio HCS-528 Ceiling Bluetooth Speaker System Review

Sep 12

Herdio already surprised us with their value-for-money HCS418 ceiling speakers and it got me curious enough to want to try other models in the catalog. Ceiling speakers are generally considered expensive and complicated to install but as it turns out the Herdio 5.25” 4 Ceiling speaker system with Bluetooth is neither. What I wanted to find out in this quick review is whether are they any good or is it something to lure you in and make a quick purchase.

The Concept

This one is pretty straightforward. Herdio is selling a 4-pack of their 5.25-inch HCS-528 ceiling speakers but has bundled it together with all the connective cables you need an amp and a Bluetooth receiver. It is essentially a simple all in one solution to your home audio needs. You don’t have to go out and figure out which amp can drive all four speakers and you don’t have to hook up a Bluetooth or input receiver system. It’s as close to plug and play and for people that just want good sound with little fuss, it really does work well.

Specifications

In the box: 4 Herdio HCS528 speakers, Speaker Connection Cables for connecting the speakers and amp x Bluetooth Amplifier Box x 2, Power adapters

With this, all included in the package all you need is the tools to install even though this is a more simplified DIY version I think it’s still worth the cash to get a professional to install them. Stereo installation specialists can make sure the job is done right and through their experience know where to position the speakers correctly to create the best sound space possible.

Speakers

Model: Herdio HCS528
Dimensions: Diameter 8.46 Inches (21.5 CM), Cut Out required 7.3 Inches(18.5 CM),Installation Depth: 4.33 Inches (11 CM)
Power: 150 each (600w for the set)
Drivers: 5.25-inch full range woofer with centrally mounted 0.75-inch dome tweeter
Colors: White only but the grills are paintable to color match your room

Amplifier

Inputs: Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm auxiliary input jack
Power: 150W per channel 600w total
Input controls: No

Build Quality and Aesthetic

A relatively short section here as like most ceiling speakers there is very little to say. The speakers are well made but do use some cheaper plastics in the mounting system. Due to the nature of the way such speakers are used, there is no real requirement for higher-end materials in the construction of cheap models. Once installed the speakers are protected from damage by the outer grill. The placement of the speakers in the ceiling means they are never prone to damage in the first place.

The aesthetic is also fairly standard. With the grill removed it just looks like a big speak poking out your roof. With the grills on they just blend into the ceiling. If you have a room you are installing that is not white you may want to color match them, this can be done with the same pain you used on your walls and no primer is necessary. I of course have to advise you to remove the grills and paint them separately rather than trying to paint them once installed. This isn’t as much to prevent damage to the speaker but to improve the finish as the grills are obviously porous and require painting from both sides.

Sound

I’m not going to go into great depth on the sound quality other than covering the basics. Nobody should ever expect ceiling speakers to be on the level of a separate free-standing HiFi system but they can sound good. The Herdio HCS528 sounds excellent, not very detailed but they get loud without distorting unless you are pushing the volume way past comfortable levels

Tonally they are slightly warm and display a roll-off on the highs that I think makes them comfortable to use over extended periods without sibilance fatigue. The bass is punchy and controlled, it’s not a boomy speaker and certainly doesn’t bleed all over the midrange. Sub bass would, of course, benefit from a separate subwoofer but I don’t foresee that as necessary unless perhaps you are using them for a home theater system.

Midrange lacks clarity against more expensive speakers like the Polk MC80 but I think that is to be expected when these cost less than half the price. Male vocals sound great and weight but female vocals perhaps would benefit from more clarity and extension.

Overall I’m really pleased with the sound. I find it hard to believe that you get 4 speakers and an amp that put out sound like this. If you were worried they would sound bad because of the low price don’t be. For the money, they sound great and are probably one of the best value propositions on the market right now.

Final Thoughts

Herdio shows once again that you don’t have to break the bank for decent sound. A lot of the value you get from them will be where you use them, as a kitchen, bedroom, or patio sound system this is right on the money. For me, I’m always going to have something a bit more premium in my living room. There is also the ability to use them as part of a home theater system, in conference rooms and atriums, in businesses as part of a PA system, and in shops for background music. They are versatile, they are well made and the sound is pretty good. At this price, we have to give them the thumbs up. Recommended.

Official website of Herdio HCS-528 Speaker: www.herdiotech.com

Herdio HCS-528 reviewceiling speakersreview

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