Clarus Series

Clarus Series We use the phrase "entry-level" rather loosely, as we think you'll find these speaker systems to outperform systems costing twice and three times as much. The Clarus systems contain speaker drivers and passive crossover networks that were developed and assembled with a significant effort in research and development, materials science engineering, an exhaustive level of sampling and prototyping, real-world testing, and obsessive attention to detail.
In our double-blind testing of the Clarus C51-2 and C61-2 sets (5 1/4 "component set and 6 1/2" component set, respectively), the Clarus was the clear-cut winner in all tonal and spectral balance categories! The Clarus line is a cost-effective approach to getting high-end Hybrid Audio sound in any car! Go here for the Clarus User's Manual and Car Audio Reference Guide.

Clarus Series - Two-Way Component Systems

Clarus C51-2

The Clarus C51-2 is our 5 1/4" component system that has won numerous awards and accolades.  The set begins with a pair of Clarus C1 tweeters, which accurately reproduce treble tones in the critical bandwidth of the set, in a small diameter 20mm soft-dome package.  Like its big brother the Legatia L1V2, the C1 tweeter's small diameter provides detail in the upper treble frequencies, and ensures easy installation with its nearly negligible mounting depth.  Three options for mounting are included with the tweeters.  The set is rounded out with one of the best 5 1/4" midbass drivers on the planet, irrespective of price, the Clarus C5.  The C5 is the point-source driver in this pairing; the C5's frequency range covers six full octaves for precise imaging and staging detail and placement, and vocal tonality unsurpassed with designs that filter the tweeter into the vocal bandwidth.  The set comes with an audiophile-grade passive crossover system using low tolerance, high-quality components, as well as grilles, a hardware pack, and connection wire.

Clarus C51-2 Images (High Resolution):

 

Go here for the Clarus User's Manual and Car Audio Reference Guide.


Clarus Series - Two-Way Component Systems

 

Clarus C61-2

The Clarus C61-2 is an exciting two-way component set which boasts a pair of 6.5" (O.D.) Clarus C6 midbass drivers, and a pair of Clarus C1 20mm soft-dome tweeters.  Like the C51-2 set, the C61-2 set once again utilizes the natural-sounding Clarus C1 tweeters, to cover the broad spectrum of tones above 5,000 Hz.  The C1 tweeter is perfectly suited in this capacity with its wide-bandwidth operation, and tonally correct character.  Three options for mounting are included with the tweeters.  The midbass for this set is our awesome Clarus C6 wide-bandwidth midbass driver, for the ultimate two-way component system package.  The Clarus C6 midbass is a wide-bandwidth transducer that effectively reproduces tones exceeding six complete octaves, without noticeable cone breakup.   For many users, the low frequency extension of the C6, combined with the wide bandwidth design of each driver, makes the Clarus C61-2 set all you may need to reach sonic nirvana in your car without a dedicated subwoofer system.  The set comes with an audiophile-grade passive crossover system using low tolerance, high-quality components, as well as grilles, a hardware pack, and connection wire.
Go here for the Clarus User's Manual and Car Audio Reference Guide. 

CClarus C61-2 Images (High Resolution):

Car Audio & Electronics Clarus Component System Review

(all rights reserved and are the property of Car Audio & Electronics Magazine)

In the July 2008 issue of Car Audio & Electronics Magazine, there is a review of the Clarus C51-2 set (5 1/4" component speaker set). The results of the evaluation were glowing.
 
The highest sound quality score ever achieved, using the new Car Audio & Electronics scoring criteria, went to the Clarus component system.  For example, near perfect listening test scores were achieved (9.5 out of 10 on the song "Spanish Harlem" as performed by Rebecca Pidgeon).  According to the reviewer, even despite being 5 �� midbass, they compared well to competitor�s 6 �� and 7� component sets!  Using a formularized Excel spreadsheet, which subjectively compared the old Car Audio & Electronics scoring criteria to the one adopted relatively recently, it was quickly determined by Hybrid Audio Technologies staff that this was one of the best component sets, if not THE BEST component set reviewed by the magazine in the past several years (as far back as we were able to take our research).
 
Reader Note: Clarus C51-2 is a $469.99 set of 5 �� speakers which was compared to, and found to exceed the performance of 6 �� and 7� component sets costing literally up to six times as much ($2,000+).

Notable quotes from the reviewer:

"What I found was one of, if not, the best owner's manuals I've ever encountered in my many years in this industry! It is a comprehensive description of the speaker system and a lengthy and very informative tutorial on sound quality system setup in general..."

"To adjust tweeter output, you select between different push terminals (a nice way to do this)...which eliminates the common selector switch that can degrade over time and affect the quality of the connection."

"It was a large sound...other components sets I've auditioned employ a 6.5-inch low frequency driver, so the fact that these diminutive speakers can hold their own against a larger driver is a feat in itself."

"When (Rebecca) Pidgeon's solo vocal starts it's as though she's in the room with me! The image is strong, at eye level, and perfectly centered with a life-like tone. I can even detect the size of the room and there's a feeling of air around the vocalist."

"There's a realistic, sweet sound to the strings...that I've rarely heard from even the most expensive component sets that I've auditioned."

"When (B.B.) King starts singing, his voice is stable and perfectly centered. It has all the rich, soulful character he's famous for and when Lucille (King's guitar) plays, she sounds totally life-like and robust."

"If you and/or your installer completely read the owner's manual that's downloadable for these components, and institute the damping and driver placement recommendations therein, you'll be able to realize the same excellent imaging and staging details these components are capable of producing."

"I wish more speaker manufacturers would take it upon themselves to educate their customers as to proper installation and placement of their products as Hybrid Audio has done."
"After listening to these speakers for literally hours on end, I didn't experience any appreciable listening fatigue."

"From the extremely complete user's manual to the construction and sound of these diminutive drivers, they're a class act by any standard, and they're probably one of the best bargains out there for a retail price of $469.99. It's obvious that the folks at Hybrid Audio did their homework and a lot of research, testing, and listening to perfect this product."

"If you're in the market for a component set for your car audio system, you'll be doing yourself a great disservice if you don't audition these speakers for your application."