ArtSound HPRE650 (pack of 2)
Overview
Integrating quality sound into a room without seeing the speaker: that’s the promise of the Happi range from Belgian manufacturer ArtSound. The HPRE650 model adopts a rectangular format and a design intended to disappear into your walls while delivering warm sound. With a water-repellent design, this speaker is just as at home in a living room as in a kitchen, bathroom, or covered terrace.
A 1 mm frame to blend into the decor
The HPRE650 is all about absolute discretion. Its ABS chassis has a frame thickness of just 1 mm, allowing it to sit almost flush with the wall once installed. The aluminum grille, held in place by concealed magnets, clips on with no screws or visible fasteners: the final result is clean and minimalist, with no visible mounting hardware. This grille can be painted, so it can match the exact color of the wall and become completely unobtrusive.
The rectangular 280 × 190 mm format (outer dimensions) is particularly well suited to spaces where ceiling height or partition layout calls for an elongated rather than a round shape. With a mounting depth of 70 mm and a cutout of 245 × 160 mm, installation remains feasible in most standard stud walls.
Aluminum drivers for clear, detailed sound
The HPRE650’s two-way system combines a 13.3 cm (5.25”) woofer with aluminum cone and rubber surround, supported by a 1.9 cm (0.75”) aluminum dome tweeter with neodymium magnet. Aluminum offers high rigidity for its mass, which promotes precise transient response and limits cone deformation at high levels.
The tweeter pivots to direct the dispersion of high frequencies toward the main listening area. This option proves useful when the speaker cannot be positioned directly facing the listeners: by angling the dome, you can partially compensate for an off-center placement and maintain a better-balanced soundstage.
The stated frequency response extends from 50 Hz to 20 kHz, with a sensitivity of 88 dB. These figures place the HPRE650 among speakers capable of reproducing a wide spectrum without external bass reinforcement, while remaining easy to drive thanks to a nominal impedance of 8 Ω. ArtSound recommends amplification between 20 and 120 W to get the best from the driver.
A water-repellent design for damp rooms
Speakers protected against humidity sometimes suffer from a nasal coloration due to the treatments applied to the cones and surrounds. ArtSound has worked on the HPRE650’s crossover and material selection to avoid this pitfall: the water-repellent coatings do not alter the sound signature, which remains open and natural.
This splash resistance makes it suitable for installations in environments where ambient humidity would be problematic for a conventional speaker. A kitchen near a sink, bathroom, pool house, or sheltered terrace all become viable locations. However, the HPRE650 is not fully waterproof: it must be protected from direct rain or immersion.
Simplified installation with a patented mounting system
ArtSound has developed a patented screw mechanism that speeds up installation. Once the cutout has been made to the specified dimensions, the speaker is quickly secured using clamping tabs operated by screws, without needing access to the back of the partition. This approach reduces working time and avoids tricky handling in confined spaces.
The low weight of 1.5 kg per speaker also makes handling easier and limits the load on the mounting surface. The specified coverage for areas under 50 m² corresponds to background sound applications or nearfield stereo setups; for larger rooms or critical listening at high volume, several pairs can be distributed.
Technical specifications
Acoustic performance
- Frequency response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Coverage area: less than 50 m²
- 2-way system
Electrical specifications
- Nominal impedance: 8 Ω
- Recommended amplifier power: 20 – 120 W
Transducers
- Woofer: 13.3 cm (5.25”), aluminum cone, rubber surround
- Tweeter: 1.9 cm (0.75”), swiveling aluminum dome, neodymium magnet
Dimensions and installation
- External dimensions: 280 × 190 × 70 mm (H × W × D)
- Cutout dimensions: 245 × 160 mm (H × W)
Construction and materials
- Construction materials: ABS / aluminum grille
General information
- Shape: rectangular
- Unit weight: 1.5 kg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the HPRE650 be used outdoors without cover?
No, the speaker is water-repellent but not waterproof. It withstands ambient humidity and occasional splashes, but direct exposure to rain or snow would damage the components.
Is a specific amplifier required for this speaker?
Any hi-fi or home cinema amplifier compatible with 8 Ω and delivering between 20 and 120 W per channel will do the job. A multizone amplifier or integrated model from the ArtSound range is a natural match, but there is no requirement to use one.
What partition thickness is needed for installation?
The required mounting depth is 70 mm. A standard stud wall using plasterboard on a metal frame generally provides this depth without difficulty.
Does the pivoting tweeter significantly change the sound?
Yes, the tweeter orientation affects the directivity of the treble. By aiming the dome toward the listening area, you get a more precise soundstage and better-defined highs at the main listening position.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: 00002596
- GTIN / EAN: 5420020103836
