There's been a good deal of prose about emerging audio cults here on the 'Flare: USB audio, pro drivers, digi EQ, class-D amps and open baffle speakers. But one company in Vegas combined these technologies like Voltron of yore. More than a speaker, Emerald's Nemesis is a vision of things to come. Here's the breakdown:

Audio Nemesis speakers rocked all high-efficiency, high power handling, low excursion pro drivers. BMS compression tweeter with a 10" horn, double Ciare 8" drivers with neodymium mags and, finally, triple 15" Eminence Alpha drivers. Total efficiency? 100. Total size? 60" with a 24" wingspan. $6475 including the DBX crossover below.

The digital EQ, room correction and crossover system is by DBX. The DriveRack 260 has more tech than you'll ever use: time alignment, 28 band EQ, parametric EQ and much, much more. Emerald provides the complete software settings for their speakers. $1500 if you're going to purchase one of these guys alone.

Because it's an active crossover, the speakers need to be tri-amped. You can see the stock ICEpower modules strewn about the floor. Each amp does 1000 watts (into 4ohms). Three a side and, well, that's a lot of juice. While you can't buy stock ICEpower modules, you can get a Bel Canto REF1000 for around $2000 a pop. Of course, that's a lot of bread when you need to get 6. PSAudio has a multi channel ICEpower system for around $8000. For the DIY set, the competing Hypex UCD700 runs only $749 from DIYcable.

Massive wattage is needed because the drivers weren't designed for open baffles and low, low crossover points. The mids crossover to the 15 inchers around 120hz. The bass digs down to a realistic 22Hz and hits amazingly hard. Even though these are high-eff drivers and the system has an extremely high sensitivity, quite a bit of the power is being used to EQ the system to the extremes.

Running preamp and USB DAC duty was the Mini dynamic duo: Apogee Mini and Mac Mini. Around $1000 for the Apogee DAC and $600 for the Mac.

So what did people say? This was probably the most talked about room in Vegas (from what I heard). With the open baffles, the sound stage was wide and deep and all around monstrous. Tons of snap and sizzle all through the mids and highs and, surprisingly, the bass was some of the best out there. Lots of hyperbole whenever Emerald came up in a conversation and many recommendations to go check it out.

All the different technologies meshed perfectly and provided an absolutely awesome demo. If it weren't for the biplane stylings and high priced triamp issue, this system would be a sensation. USB audio, pro drivers, digi EQ, class-D amps and open baffle speakers. Hats off to Clayton of Emerald for a vision of the future.

Photo avalanche next page.