The next level up from the Vantage, the floor-standing Hailey is one of the finest loudspeakers available today. On demonstration at Criterion Audio Cambridge.

The Hailey has now been upgraded further to the 2.2 specification. Below is a full list of those improvements:

BilletDome tweeter – the exact same tweeter that is used in Sonja XV. The mid and tweeter crossovers (filters) are also improved. The mid now offers better power handling, and the tweeter offers a smoother response all the way to ultrasonics.  BilletDome is a very “sweet”, extended tweeter with no harshness.

Voice-coil bass inductors – developed and manufactured “in-house” for Sonja XV. This is the exact same bass inductor technology as used in Sonja XV. The result of using Voice-coil in Hailey 2.2 is  that residual loss is reduced by 24% and linearity is improved by 60%. Bass impact and the preservation of fine detail are improved.

Improved internal bracing – an even further reduction of already extremely low cabinet resonance.

Hailey delivers the lifelike natural sound of YG Acoustics’ Sonja flagship, at a price that is accessible to a wider audience within the ultra-high-end. The technologies of Hailey mirror those of Sonja, using equally stunning industrial design, and the same world-class precision-manufacturing. The result is astonishing sonic performance – unequaled, with the exception of the flagship itself – in a gorgeous marvel of engineering and craftsmanship. Hailey – spectacular sonics, timelessly elegant form, pure harmony… handmade in U.S.A.

Hailey uses a fully CNC-machined construction and proprietary toroidal air-core crossover inductors. The revolutionary drivers, machined in-house for Sonja, make an encore appearance in Hailey, with a brand-new and remarkably lightweight 7.25″ (18.5 cm) mid-range driver that offers a phenomenal strength-to-weight ratio. These enhancements result in ultra-low distortion, while preserving the industry-leading frequency and phase response that YG Acoustics is famous for.

The bass and mid-range units are made in-house using YG Acoustics’ proprietary BilletCore technology: the drivers are precisely machined out of massive slabs of aircraft-grade aluminum. This unique process offers overwhelmingly superior dynamics, musical delicacy and low distortion due to industry-leading rigidity and accuracy (tight tolerances).

The tweeter incorporates YG Acoustics’ ingenious ForgeCore system: in-house CNC-cutting introduces sophisticated 3D geometries into the motor system. The resulting improvement is greatly reduced distortion and a sense of ease to the sound.

YG Acoustics crossover circuits are all created using proprietary software developed entirely in-house. DualCoherent technology provides the best frequency response and relative phase available. Competing speakers are optimized in either the frequency domain (most common) or time domain. Only YG Acoustics has the ability to optimize both domains simultaneously.

Hailey’s crossover uses ToroAir technology: in-house CNC-wound toroidal air-core inductors are unique in eliminating cross-talk (cross-contamination) common in crossover circuits. The result is preservation of high-frequency detail without harshness, brightness or sibilance.

Hailey’s exquisite cabinet combines visual refinement with over-engineering. It is constructed of precision-machined aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. This material, using vibration-free pressurized assembly, allows for the most acoustically desirable enclosures achievable. The structure is optimized for each module’s specific frequency range. This ensures freedom from vibration, even at very high volume levels.

FocusedElimination anti-resonance technology keeps mechanical losses lower than any competing speaker, by combining the minimized turbulence of a sealed design with the low friction otherwise associated with enclosure-free concepts.

YG Acoustics speakers are not voiced. All measurements are verified using extensive listening tests, but the speakers are not artificially manipulated. YG Acoustics™ speakers simply convey the recording – nothing more, nothing less.

The end-result: Hailey is a champion of transparency, 3D-soundstaging, dynamics, bandwidth, inner-detail, and the natural sound of a live performance that YG Acoustics is famous for. This is all presented in a refined, elegant speaker with an exquisite fit-and-finish that is the showpiece of the world’s finest listening environments.

Configurations

Hailey is available in two modular configurations, which can be expanded from one to the next at any time, without the need to replace existing modules:

• Hailey 1.1 – an ultra-high-end compact speaker.
• Hailey 1.2 – an ultra-high-end floorstanding speaker. Consists of Hailey 1.1 interlocked atop a matching bass module.

Hailey is fully compatible with multi-channel audio and home-theater systems. Hailey speakers can also be combined with speakers from YG Acoustics’ other lines for properly phase-coherent multi-channel systems.

Specifications

• Deviation: ±1 dB in the audible band. ±5° relative phase throughout entire overlap. Exceptional pair-matching. Usable output extends from 20 Hz to 40 kHz
• Drivers: BilletCore ultra-high-rigidity woofer and mid-woofer. ForgeCore ultra-low-distortion tweeter
• Filters: Hailey is fully-passive. Proprietary DualCoherent crossover at 65 Hz and 1.75 kHz. Designed using software developed in-house. ToroAir™ inductors eliminate cross-talk
• Sensitivity: 87 dB / 2.83 V / 1 m 2π anechoic
• Impedance: 4Ω nominal, 3Ω minimum
• Dimensions: Hailey 1.1 – 43x20x44 cm (17x8x17”) HxWxD. Hailey 1.2 – 122x33x54 cm (48x13x21”) HxWxD
• Weight: Hailey™ 1.1 – 27 kg (60 lbs) per channel unpackaged. Hailey™ 1.2 – 77 kg (170 lbs) per channel unpackaged