Review: Earo Eight Loudspeakers
| Permalink | Speakers $20k and up | Posted by Josh Ray on Jun 20 '11
Newport 2011: Audio Salon Magico + Spectral
Maier Shadi is the man behind the exclusive appointment only Audio Salon in Los Angeles. He's not a hi-fi dealer per se, more audio sommelier, connecting his clients with the best hi-fi has to offer.
At the show Maier was running Magico Q5 speakers with Spectral amplification (roughly a $110k system not including cables). Pitch black speakers in a pitch black room -- while taking photos was close to impossible, the sound was impressive and turned many a jaded hi-fi fan the Magico direction. And unlike many of the demos suffering from Big Speaker in a Tiny Room complex, Maier's room was both the right size for the speakers and featured custom acoustic treatment behind those curtains. GIving such attention to the room is the mark of a true audio expert.
Update: Maier wanted to express that his Audio Salon, while exclusive, doesn't exclude all but hardened audiophiles. Even if you're new to the game and looking for an entry-level system, Maier is happy to give you the time of day (and a killer demo). We discussed the typical jaded dealer experience and, in fact, when Maier was in his 20's, the frosty reception he received when visiting dealers inspired Maier to launch the Audio Salon. I've met my share of terrible dealers and, let me say, Maier is a man who gets it. Either make an appointment to visit his showroom in Santa Monica or have him come to your own abode for a personal demo.
Additionally, Maier wanted to shout out Art Noxon and Chris Klein of ASC for their acoustic design and use of their Tube traps. Cabling by MIT. Maier's team built a staggered wall hidden behind the curtains with over 120 lengths of 8ft 2x4's made up the 16 huge 6ft x 8ft shrouded walls. Word is this acoustic room-in-a-room now resides at Maier's demo space.
| Permalink | Amplifiers $10k to 20k , Speakers $20k and up | Posted by Josh Ray on Jun 12 '11
Newport 2011: Ayon + Lumen White
The Ayon demo with Lumen White speakers was incredibly fast, precise and just begging for a bigger room to really let loose. Check out the pic next page for the speaker's incredible finish...
| Permalink | Speakers $20k and up , Systems $50k-$100k | Posted by Josh Ray on Jun 09 '11
Newport 2011: Earo
Earo is bringing a world of tech to the single driver speaker game. With built-in amplification, digital room correction and more, the Earo speakers performed tricks that make other full range backloaded horn speakers jealous.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up
Newport 2011: YG Acoustics
YG Acoustics demoed their Kipod speakers dressed in black on black with their new custom billet drivers. Tenor provided the amplification for one pretty stellar demo setup. Despite being in one of the larger rooms at the show, the YG exhibit was permanently packed with a line out the door.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up
Newport 2011: MBL
MBL of omni-directional loudspeaker fame debuted their new "120" monitors ($21k+) with all MBL electronics. Didn't have a chance to drop in my demo CD, but MBL is always an amazing listening experience regardless of music. The paint finish and craftsmanship seem to be improved, with a new white high gloss option for their speakers and amps (pic next page).
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up | Systems $100k+ | Systems $50k-$100k
Newport 2011: Focal Giants
Focal Grand Utopia EM speakers in the Digital Ear of Orange County room. Freakishly large, must be seen to be believed.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up
Newport 2011: Marten and E.A.R.
Marten with E.A.R. gear is a match made in heaven. The Coltrane speakers, with their bevy of ceramic and diamond drivers, are perennial favorites. The new Coltrane 2 speakers are sure to be an instant super-luxe classic.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up
Analysis Omega Speaker Review by Robert Learner
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up | Writer: Robert Learner
German Physiks & Vitus Listening Session
Permalink | | Posted to Shows and Expos | Speakers $20k and up | Systems $20k-$50k
Vegas 08: TAD
TAD, Pioneer's premier brand, showed off a new line of products by designer Andrew Jones. The new TAD products include a mega monitor (shown above) featuring the same beryllium mid/tweeter and custom drivers as the big daddy TAD Reference 1 speaker. Also new are a center channel and prototype monoblock amps.
While I didn't get a chance to hear the new gear, one TAD employee showed me shots from earlier in the day where the TAD room was packed with listeners sitting on the floor and smashed against the walls. Indeed, the large TAD room was one of the most popular at CES. If the traffic is any indication, expect to see and hear a lot more of the new TAD speakers this coming year.
Check out our gallery for more TAD photos.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up | Vegas 08
Vegas 2008: Sonicweld
What can I say about Sonicweld I haven't already said before? Actually, quite a lot. In Vegas, the Sonicweld complete super system had a larger room than at the RMAF and for great results -- there's nothing quite like judicious volume knob cranking for concert-level decibels. And yet, while the space was larger, I feel the Sonicweld system was just itching to peel the paint off the walls with 120dB blasts.
As for technology I didn't cover in my RMAF analysis, one of the interesting elements of the Sonicweld Puserod speakers are the six titanium midrange drivers. The magic happens in the mid, as we know, and these 2" drivers with all of 1 gram of moving mass and neodymium magnets make the mids pop like almost nothing else out there. Simply, the Sonicweld system is, if nothing else, a speed demon that, with such tiny decay between the notes, lets you "hear into the music" with 1080p-like detail.
This super accuracy means the Sonicweld system has a prototypical Precise-type sound. Tube junkies will think it needs more warmth and may get scared off by the hyper real dynamics. Then again, I heard comments from tube heads who couldn't get enough of the Sonicweld sound. When you're at this level, tonal characteristics are simply a matter of personal taste.
One element everyone can (or should) agree on is the Sonicweld bass. I'm a firm believer that only a powered, EQed sub can truly handle the monster lows and Yello's "Planet Dada" track over the Sonicweld system was just worlds of sternum-pounding fun. While other systems were able to bang out the deep notes, the Sonicweld double 15" subs are truly in a class of their own if, for no other reason, than they integrate seamlessly with the rest of the system via the central DEQX processor. This digital EQ combined with two of the most serious 15" aluminum cone drivers ever devised created a bass experience that allowed you to feel the subsonic notes without bloat in the other frequencies. Absolutely wild.
Hear these speakers if you get a chance and ogle more Sonicweld pics here.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up | Systems | Vegas 08
Vegas 08: Acoustic Systems
If you're familiar with the the brand Acoustic Systems and the mad scientist Frank Chang, well, forget everything you know. The story from CES isn't the stick 'em tweaks, but the new Acoustic Systems Tango loudspeakers ($20k, big pics here). The speakers combined with 1200 watt (yes, into 8 ohms) monoblocks by Karan Acoustics simply blew me away and provided one of the very best Vivid style sounds at the show.
I last heard the Acoustic Systems Tango speakers at RMAF and wasn't thrilled. Same Karan equipment, but at CES the Tangos appear to have new midrange and bass woofers. While at RMAF the sound was nice and laid back, at CES it became lively and exciting and just made me want to get up and dance. Vivid sound is defined by a warm tone with in-your-face precision and attack. The sound isn't laid back or mellowed for everyday listening, but big and full and tons of fun.
While the magic is in the midrange and treble, the bass is in another world entirely. I put on the loudest, most annoying hiphop track I had then took a gander at the triple 8" drivers -- no movement. The system was hitting in the low 20s and the drivers were barely breaking a sweat. I asked Frank Chang about the driver technology and he was either coy or confused by my questions. I'm a junky for driver specs but I could find out a thing.
What he did reveal is a unique "pressure releasing" port system in the form of a little notch the size of a fig newton. A few other companies have used tiny pressure ports (typically in subs) with great results and the new Acoustic Systems Tango really takes it to the proverbial 11. Fantastic job and I can't wait to hear the speakers and amps again.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up | Vegas 08
Vegas 08: Hansen Audio
Every time I walked past Mr. Hansen of Hansen Audio and asked him how the show was going, he would say, "Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic." The reason, it seems, is the Asian markets can't get enough of his super expensive and fantastic sounding speakers.
The Price V2 speakers ($39k) with a lineup of CAT equipment where running tunes. I did get a chance to play my demo disc, and would say the sound fit roughly into the Refined category, but I didn't get too much good listening as I spent most of my time talking to Hansen's Wes Bender about photography, cameras, flash angles and the occasional speaker product.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up | Vegas 08
Vegas 08: Magico
Magico's V3 speakers ($25k) did duty on the main system with a monster Boulder amp while Magico's new speakers (roughly $60k, shown above) were on static display by the door. When I came into the Magico room, Harry Pearson of TAS was taking in the tunes and talking up Alon Wolf of Magico about a review pair. Alas, I didn't get a chance to hear the setup with my demo disc (Harry educated me on astrology instead) but I did snap some pics of the bigger Magico super ply speakers which, when I first saw them, made me whistle at their amazing looks and construction.
While I was taking my shots, everyone who walked by made some kind of flattering exclamation. Indeed, the new Magico is one of the most original and unique examples of industrial design ever to hit a box-type speaker. The new Magico will be ready for prime time with the completion of new nano-tec dedicated bass woofers.
Check out our gallery for more Magico CES pics. One shot shows the new speaker's 80lb baffle milled from a 300lb block of aluminum. Wild.
Permalink | | Posted to Speakers $20k and up | Vegas 08
