Incredible Bang for the Buck Upgrade
Written: Apr 16 '07 (Updated Apr 16 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Benefits both audio and video tremendously on the cheap.
Cons: Very sticky the first couple of times used. People won't believe you until they try.
The Bottom Line: Transform your AV system for less than the price of a Starbuck's coffee. Eliminates all the hash and grunge to reveal the true recordings on your discs.
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| slbenz's Full Review: Herbie's Audio Lab - The Black Hole |
Here I am again reviewing another of the Herbie's Audio Lab products, "The Black Hole". A small black disc that is supposed to reduce the microphonic vibrations at the disc/clamp interface to create a fuller sound with better mids and highs. Like the other Herbie's Audio Lab product their Ultrasonic HAL-O which I reviewed here: http://www.epinions.com/content_349050539652, I wasn't sure if this little disc which you are supposed to stick in the center of your CD/DVD would make any difference. According to Herbie's web site, the disc is made of an unique carbon microfiber-filled elastomer 1.75" diameter x .021" thick. I was thinking, is this another one of those gimmicks like those green pens that is supposed to help CDs sound better? I put this "The Black Hole" to the test.
Instructions and Usage:
I noticed that The Black Hole comes in a small clear zip lock package with an instruction sticker on the outside of the zip lock package. Basically, it tells you to center the disc, adhesive side down over the center hole of the disc and press gently so that it lays flat. Also, it mentions the adhesive grip will weaken over time but no need to worry. It acts similar to Saran wrap over a container. The initial stickiness will be lost over several uses (first few times are fairly sticky) but after using it on over 60 discs, it is much easier to handle. On the web site, they suggest you may need only one but if you have several reference discs, you may want to purchase several so that you do not have to remove and refit The Black Hole every time you want to listen or watch a disc.
Sound:
Using the CD from Norah Jones called, "Not Too Late", I used the second track, "Sinkin Soon", to determine how well this product would be. As soon as I put The Black Hole onto the CD, I immediately heard a much greater balanced presentation, much greater detail of space and timbre around instruments with no harshness at all. The instruments were rendered as intended, life-like without any harshness getting in the way. It transformed this digital recording into an analog recording with all the clarity of digital. The banjo being picked on this track had much greater attack and delay just like you would hear in a live performance. Harmonics and recording details like Norah breathing between notes had greater clarity and impact with The Black Hole on. I was really surprised at this transformation with my system and said to myself, there is no way this product could do so much. Once I pulled The Black Hole off the disc and replayed the second track, it was much less engaging with harshness I didn't realize was there making the sound somewhat fatiguing. Putting The Black Hole back on, the recording was much easier to listen to, had greater detail, better timbre and produced a much greater sense of depth to the sound stage that it was almost too good to believe.
Next, I tried Yo-Yo Ma's SACD of, "Silk Road Journeys" and went to track two, "Byambasuren Sharav: Legend of Herlen", and again heard things that weren't present or easily heard without The Black Hole on. In particular, the cello of Yo-Yo Ma had a greater resonance typical of cellos that was lacking without The Black Hole. Also, the female voice out of the center channel sounded more deep behind my speakers while giving her voice a greater sense of immersion capitalizing on the 5.1 surround. Drums on this track were rendered with greater authority while capturing the attack and delay correctly. Again, I said to myself, how could this little disc much such a big difference in my system? The overall results on this track were greater holographic presence, pinpoint placement (including depth) of singer and instruments relative to each other, and correcting unperceived harshness that reduced the accuracy of the recording.
Last audio disc I tried was Fleetwood Mac's, "Rumours", DVD-A. There is a drum riff on this track that goes from the right front speaker to the left rear speaker. With The Black Hole on, it precisely rendered this riff where the drummer feels that he did that almost in your lap! Without The Black Hole on, this drum riff sounds like a typical right to left sweep but The Black Hole added that sense of depth and additional realism to the recording to thoroughly engage you within the music. Listening to track twelve, "Songbird" where Christine McVie's voice and piano sounds opulent, The Black Hole made this grand recording even more grand. There was a greater sense of depth and location of Christine compared to Lindsey Buckingham playing his guitar in the distance, highlighting the acoustics at Zellerback Auditorum at UC Berkeley. Without The Black Hole on, again the recording sounded less grand, anemic and less life-like.
Now for a test using a DVD-Video. I chose Walt Disney's, "Pirates of the Caribbean" because on my video monitor, there is still a bit of grain to the video presentation throughout this movie even though I have it upscaled to 1080i. With The Black Hole on, all remaining traces of grain were gone. The picture had a smoothness to it I have never seen before. It looks very similar to Blu-Ray and HD DVDs that I have seen before. Also, another benefit with The Black Hole was how it rendered the soundtrack of this movie. Better positioning of actors and instruments, more clarity, voice, instruments or special effects were more engaging. This movie seemed much easier to listen to than ever before. I am still in disbelief that such an inexpensive little item can have such an effect on my AV system.
On a lark, I thought I would try it in other AV systems. First I tried it in my brother-in-law's more modest system and he agreed that it had positive benefits that I described earlier. He was in disbelief that an inexpensive disc could make such a big difference. Then I tried it in my neighbor's $85,000 AV system. That's right, $85,000! Even he was shocked to hear and see the difference with such an inexpensive little item. The transformation is almost like a component upgrade. He is ordering some as I share this review with you as well as I.
Conclusions:
I think you realize by now that I am a big fan of the Herbie's Audio Lab, "The Black Hole". You have probably heard of all the various CD tweaks available but this one is the genuine article. If you want to inexpensively transform your system and get rid of all the grunge and harshness to really listen to what your system's real potential is, run to Herbie's and purchase a few of these. You can't go wrong, especially with the liberal return policy and his lifetime warranty with every product he sells. One of the best tweaks I have come across so far for so little money! Very highly recommended!
Pricing:
From $2.00-$4.49 depending on quantity ordered.
Warranty and Return Policy:
Lifetime warranty with a 90-day return policy if you do not like the product.
Customer Support:
Steve Herbelin, owner of Herbie's Audio Lab, answers the phone and will gladly answer any questions you may have on this product.
Web Site:
Here is where you can find more information on The Black Hole: http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/cdmat.htm
Associated Test Equipment:
Musical Fidelity x10v3 Tube Buffer
Yaqin Tube Buffer
Mitsubishi WD-52725 52" DLP HDTV
Parasound HCA-1205A 5-Channel Amp
Parasound AVC-1800 Pre-amp
Magnepan IIIa Front Main Speakers
Eminent Technology LFT-XII center channel speaker
Magnepan IIIa Rear Surround Speakers
Velodyne HGS-12 Series II subwoofer
Sony CDP-CX240 CD Player
Oppo Digital DV-970HD Universal DVD Player
Pro-Ject 1.2 Turntable with Sumiko Pearl Cartridge
Channel Island Audio VDA-2 DAC and VAC-1 Power Supply
Synergistic Research Interconnects and Speaker Cables
Signal Cable Power Cords
PS Audio Prelude, Plus SC, Statement Power Cords
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
slbenz
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Fremont, CA, USA
Reviews written: 98
Trusted by: 41 members
About Me:
Business consultant and volunteer mountain bike patrol officer.
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