Bass, smooth dispersion of the sound.

Older Hegeman''s are visually unappealing--disregard this.

This is for the original version of the Morrison, the Hegaman 1''s. If you see these used, snap them up. The crumbling foam on the grills can be replaced by grill cloth. The vinyl veneer will be peeling and pulling away at the seams. The lips on the cabinets will be chipped. These are all good things! This will keep other, less deserving people away from them. Buy them! Do it now! You will never forgive yourself if you don''t. These wonderful speakers will repay the paltry sum you will shell out for them. Forget any reviews--get them and listen to them and enjoy! PS--The Absolute Sound gave the Morrison''s a rave review quite a while ago. TAS should have created a "lifetime" rating, so that people would keep these little wonders in mind when they are shopping for speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Shahanian "Box", KEF 101, System Audio 1150

reproduction of sound: transparency, soundstage, imaging, tonality, dynamics, transient repsonse and frequency extension - does it all!

If you're a brand name or review motivated purchaser than these may not appeal to you. They are unique and often misunderstood even by those in the "know".

Beware this product. They are so neutral that some will blame the speaker for showing the inadequacies of their other gear, poor set-up or poor room accoustics. All of these can be fixed with an instrument as accurate as this, but it usually easier to blame the messenger. Those who have understanding and patience will find their reward great!

They are less speaker than anything else out there. I mean that I hear less speaker and more music than with anything else. Isn't that the goal of a speaker?

These have the clean neutral sound of the best small speakers available, but are more tranparent, coherent, dynamic and have bass down to 30hz. Although I like many other products, in my experience nothing comes close.

This product is for people who want to faithfully reproduce their recordings. This product is not for people who want the same sound from every recording. Remember, the musicality comes from the artist's music and the recording, the equipment should try to reproduce as much as possible without adding or subtracting anything, not add "artistry" or "musicality".

One last note: these are the easiest speakers in the world to drive. Thye are effiecient and a relatively flat 6ohm load. Even mass-marketed recievers will have no problems.

associated gear used with Morrisoon speakers (I've used several models over the years):
too many cd players and transports to list
Morrison amps, preamps
Stax amps, preamps, dac, cartridge
Spectral amps, preamps
Classe amp
Bryston amps
Grado cartridges, tonearms
ET tonearm
Audio Note cartridges
Counterpoint sa-5
Audio Research SP10
MFA Luminescence
Melco turntable

Similar Products Used:

I used to be an installer and have owned, used and set-up many of the familiar high-end products

This will be an update to my original Morrison 1.8 review back in August. First let me correct a typo in regard to Morrison Audio's phone number. It should of read 416 362-0523. Sorry if this caused any inconvenience.
In my original review I rated the product with a Five. Well, turns out that was a mistake since that leaves me with no room for improving the score. Shortly after posting the review I was informed by Don Morrison himself that he had made some more refinements to the woofer's construction which led to a slight improvement in midrange detail.

I’ve had the new version for several months now and I can confidently say that there is an improvement to midrange clarity as compared to the original version. I will also say that it is more than just a slight improvement, there is quite a difference when listening to choir or heavily complex material. With vocals it’s like every one has had enunciation lessons. Lyrics seem easier to follow now without having to concentrate on the details. In fact I find listening to music to be more relaxing now, maybe its because the brain isn’t having to work as hard to organize all the subtleties that make up music into coherent information. The speakers are that much clearer now, even when listening at very low volumes. It seems that the best of both dynamic and electrostatics have been combined into one speaker.

Well there you have it, an already excellent product is even better now. I think I will enjoy my speakers for many years to come.

Detailed, accurate sound. Beautiful to look at.

No need to spew a bunch of audiophile goobledygook. These speakers are a work of art. They do what they are supposed to do - move air as close to the same way as the musicians did when they recorded as possible. No gimmicks.

If you really love music (rather than fancy audiophile words), you just cannot go wrong with these loudspeakers. Darn if they don't make a bass drum sound like a bass drum.
When I put Louis and Ella on, and go in the next room I swear I suddenly think I have some very talented guests. In other words, the speakers themselves just disappear, and leave you with - the music. I couldn't be happier with any purchase I have ever made. Extraordinarily high quality - from a manufacturer that truly cares that you are nothing less than delighted with his product.

A rare rare item in today's overhype-marketing-instead-of-substance world.

recently upgraded from Morrison Model 1.5 loudspeakers to the new model 1.8.
My decision to purchase from the same manufacturer reflects my complete satisfaction in a product that has been the main-stay of my system for a last ten years. (This is my third generation of the product)

Originally developed as a uni-axial, point source loudspeaker by the late A. Stewart Hegeman more than twenty five years ago ( Hegeman was recently inducted to the Audio Hall of Fame ). The design was taken over by Don Morrison and continually refined to the present status of the Model 1.8 . The speakers are a two way design using metal drive units, mounted as a uni-axial point source firing straight up with a 360 degree dispersion pattern. ( omni directional ).

The speakers are finished in a high gloss piano black laquer finish with approximate dimensions of
29" H 14" W 13" D . Weight is over 105 lbs each.
Low end goes down to an amazing 31 Hz by use of 4 quarter wave tunned tunnels per cabnet.

The ability of speakers to produce a three dimensioal, natural sounding soundspace with an almost "Live" like clarity and transparency is unmatched by any other design that I've been exposed to. That includes designs from Wilson, Martin Logan, Totem etc. etc. (It's a long list).

Unfortunately Morrison products are not widely available since they are produced in limited numbers, by a one man company who's dedication to producing quality hand finished products precludes them from being a widely available commercial success.

So if you're looking for a speaker that will provide long term musical statisfaction and are lucky enough to have them available to you. (Morrison Audio can be reached at 416 363-0523) I highly recommend the model 1.8 loudspeakers.

Rating: an easy 5.

I would also love to hear from other Morrison owners out there.