Is it the best speaker under $500? Let’s explore its features and performance together. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into this review.
Specifications:
| PRINCIPLE | 2 way bookshelf speaker, bass reflex |
| SENSITIVITY (2.8V/1M) | 90 dB, making it suitable for lower-powered amplifiers |
| EQUIPMENT | 170 mm woofer-midrange, 1″ dome-tweeter |
| IMPEDANCE | 4 – 8 Ohms |
| CROSSOVER FREQUENCIES | 3.300 Hz |
| POWER HANDLING (RMS/MAX) | 80 / 150 Watts |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 32 – 42.500 Hz |
| RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER OUTPUT | 20 – 150 Watts |
| DIMENSIONS | Cabinet: 195 x 357 x 315 mm Dimensions (wxhxd) incl. terminal and feet: 195 x 357 x 333 mm |
| CABINET SURFACE | Ebony Black, Ivory White |
| WEIGHT | 7.5 kg |
Equipment Used:
The Heco Aurora 300s were placed in my living room, serving as front channel speakers in my home theater setup. They were connected to an XPA Gen 3 multi-channel amplifier from Emotiva, driven by the RMC1L surround processor from Emotiva. The source was an Apple TV 4K, and I also tested them with a Wiim Pro streamer connected to the RMC-1L via optical input. Additionally, I used the Fosi Audio V3 amplifier for testing.
Sound Quality Analysis:
- Rooster, Allison Chains MTV Unplugged: Excellent center imaging, impressive bass, and clean vocals.
- Redemption Song, Bob Marley: Slight reverb missing, but rich baritone and forward vocals.
- Give Me One Reason, Tracy Chapman: Perfect match, warm acoustic guitars, punchy sound, and clean percussion.
- Something in a Way, Nirvana MTV Unplugged: Outstanding soundstage and separation, realistic guitar sound.
- Killing Strangers, Marilyn Manson: Powerful bass without muddiness, crisp upper mid-range.
Final Thoughts:
The Heco Aurora 300 is not just a performer; it’s also a beauty. Its modern design, elegant binding posts, and captivating port make it one of the best-looking speakers in its class. Its standout feature is the bass—plenty of it, yet not muddy. With a sensitivity of 90 dB, it’s highly efficient and pairs well with various amplifiers.
These speakers excel in home theater duties, offering impressive center imaging and versatility in placement. While they may lean slightly forward in the mid-range at times, they perform remarkably well with different music genres.
Overall, the Heco Aurora 300 is a compelling option in its price range, competing favorably with other speakers like the ELAC Debut Reference, PSB Imagine XB, and ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0. It’s visually striking, EQ-friendly, efficient, and affordable—a package that’s hard to resist.