Ferguson Hill: Design That Makes You Drool

Gear Review

I’m a total sucker for all things ‘design’. I’m also an avid music lover, a true audio-appreciator. Design, meet audio. Audio, meet design. Meet the classy, über cool mini speaker set from Ferguson Hill.
Truth be told, I had read up on these babies some time ago, following a wealth of rave reviews online. But recently I was lucky enough to welcome my very own FH007/FH008 set home, so now I have the chance to put my very own word out on the proverbial street as to how amazing they truly are.

The unopened boxes already get me excited (sad, but true). The slick packaging, presented in a very Apple-esque manner, would not look at all out of place in a Mac store. I could sit and stare all day, but whats waiting inside should warrant far more enthusiasm than I am already displaying for the cardboard vessels. Nip, untuck, and out come what I can only describe as some of the most interesting speaker designs I have come across in many years. Crafted from clear acrylic, what Ferguson Hill have created is a 4 piece set (not counting the amp), comprising of separate horn and bass units. Here, we have minimal interference from standard box casings, because, well, there simply is no box casing. The use of a transparent material gives the speakers a discreet look, cleverly ‘blending in’ with their surroundings, yet still screaming for attention with their unique design.

Only top notch components have been used in the creation of this mini system, and the proof is in the pudding, or shall we say, integrated amplifier...an A-B class integrated amplifier that is. With a bit of shuffling and sliding, using the provided hand gloves to eradicate nasty finger prints, I have everything up and running, all cables in the right places. Also connected is the FH008 Sub Woofer. Not strictly required, and basically not included with the speakers off the shelf, the sub is a must have for those who want more depth and bass in their sound. It is surprisingly large considering this is a mini speaker set, but the sub has been nicely tucked away, out of sight, out of mind...made to be heard, not seen, as is the general case for most subs.

Play, and music fills the room. The room becomes the music, and the utter clarity that is delivered by these babies is astonishing. It’s at moments like this that you realise just how much detail can be lost in music when played across bog standard speakers. All the notes are there to be heard and enjoyed - the highs, the mids, the lows. Close your eyes and you can be truly lost in music. And that is just the beginning, because the Ferguson Hills really come into their element after the first few weeks of activity. The sound opens up more, becomes more ‘real’, more life like.

Space is a virtue for some, and I won’t tell a lie - you do need what I would call considerable space to set these speakers up. Saying that, the Ferguson Hills are more than just speakers needing a place to sit, they are a total conversation piece, and freeing up some room for them is a rewarding task. They look amazing, sound superb, pack a punch, and yet, they won’t burn a whole too large in your pocket. I most certainly put my stamp of approval on the box, and cannot recommend them enough. If you are serious about sound and the quality thereof, and want something classy for your abode, don’t hesitate in finding your nearest retailer, give them a whirl, and hear for yourself what I have been raving about. Tidy.