RGA
09-03-2004, 11:59 PM
See page one for rating system.
Some typo glitches caused by Microsoft word for some reason - weird ? instead of dashes --. I don't know why. :(
Feel free to skip the Audio Note reviews as I am, after all, an owner and therefore am very partial to their sound.
Reference 3a MM De Capo (i) - $2950.00 CDN - $2250.00US
2 way Stand-mount speaker – 42hz – 20khz 3db 92db 8 ohm
Recommended
What this speaker lacks technically it makes up for musically. I have gone over the speakers nnumerously in the past(search to find it) - it was a favorite for a long while in the sub $3k price range and still holds up well.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________ 0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________6.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________8/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 8/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________7/10
Decay____________________________________ 8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 8/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8/10
Tonality___________________________________ 9/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 9/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________155.5/200 = 77.75%
B&W N805 - $2900 CDN - $2200.00US
2 way Stand-mount speaker - 56Hz - 20kHz ± 2dB on reference axis (-6dB at 42Hz and 30kHz)
Still an excellent standmount once my favorite. It has been eclipsed in recent years for me however and is being seriously nipped by lesser priced speakers. The Dane 52 SE version for instance with a few improivements to the 52 I could see surpass this speaker and the Audio Note AX-Two I would not mind listening to in direct comparison could conseivably eclipse the N805. I think it's time to hear what the N805 has to offer up. I would prefer deeper bass and more low level resiolution oin the bass - this one can be a bit thumpy.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________4/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________7.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 7/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________7.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 7.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 9/10
Tonality___________________________________ 8/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 7.5/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________141.5/200 = 70.75%
Audio Note AN-K/Spe ~$2,850.00 CDN - $2,250.00US
2 way stand mount speaker 50hz and 20khz -6db (36hz -6db if placed in corner 19khz -1db). -- 90db, 8ohm.
BEST BUY
For a full length review of this speaker go here http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=speakers&n=148241&review=1
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 8/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 8/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________9/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 8.5/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 8/10
Decay____________________________________8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)_________ 8.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage____________________ 8/10
Tonality__________________________________ 9/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)___ 9/10 X4
Overall__________________________________ 163/200 = 81.25%
JBL E-90 $1099.00CDN(Retail Canada) $900.00US
3-way four driver floor standing speaker - 36Hz – 20kHz -3db – 91db 8ohm
Not Recommended
You know I started in this hobby liking speakers with lots of big drivers and bass or at least mid-bass humps that I thought was bass. JBL has some serious speakers available but unfortunately they don’t give the masses those products and instead try and pawn these kinds of speakers onto us. Firstly the speaker is not terrible it even seems to hit some deep bass, but the problem is the cabinet makes too much internal noise as to be quite unlivable with acoustic music. There are fans of these no doubt – they do rock they hit harder than say comparable Polks or Bose speakers and will be a fine addition to the party speaker crowd. But the speaker has problems with cabinet noise that affects the decay of notes and you hear a smudged up midrange. The treble is unruly at any volume with a spitty sound and overly sibilant when pushed. There is a lack of integration here as well as I was thinking about it being similar to those sub sat systems with discordant thumpy bottom end. I would have far less problem with this speaker though if it were not for the price tag. What is on tap here for you grand is nothing more than an bigger louder version of sound offered by most boom boxes.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 1/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 3/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________5.5/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 4/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 8.5/10
Decay____________________________________4/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________4.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 5.5/10
Tonality___________________________________5.5/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)____ 4.5/10 X4
Overal____________________________________94.5/200 = 47.25%
B&W N801 $14,000.00Cdn $11,000.00US
3 way 3 driver Floor-standing Speaker - 37Hz - 20kHz ± 2dB on reference axis (-6dB at 23Hz and 30kHz) - 91db 8ohm
Not much to say that has not been said about the N801. Terrific high end loudspeaker - tough to drive tough to position but if you're a fan of B&W this is one to own. However, I personally prefer the Matrix version of the speaker. They're consistantly solid from top to bottom - you're results will vary - I have found they need at leat 6 feet from all walls and a large listening room to work best otherwise you can get some issues in the bass that don't go away. Some over empahasis on looks has driven the price above where I think they sonically should be, but that is just my taste.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________8/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________7.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________8/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8.5/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8/10
Decay____________________________________ 8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 7.5/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 9.5/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 8/10X4
Overall……………………………………⠀¦â€¦â€¦â€¦166/200 = 83%
Paradigm Studio 100V3 $2700.00CDN - $2100.00US
3-way 5 driver speaker - On-Axis (0°) ±2 dB from 44 Hz - 22 kHz - 91db 8ohm
Not Recommended
Paradigm I must admit has not been a favorite of mine but I had reason to hope in the V2 series that they were on the right path to making very good affordable loudspeakers. The V2 at $2200.00Cdn offered good value so with a significant price increase of ~$500.00 to the re-tooled V3 I was expecting a few of the nagging problems to be corrected. And while some will find that this is indeed the case the new 100 seems to create more problems than it fixes. The treble is smoother but strangely more laid back. The bass response in depth and tunefulness is not nearly as good in this series as the Version 2 and while the imaging and soundstaging are improved and perhaps the off axis response as well something has gone wrong within the mid-band and in the micro-dynamics department – there is a hollow sounding nature to the speaker that reminded me of a JBL Northridge E90 speaker – but the JBL is $1099.00 and somewhat one may accept it at the price point but not at the high end sticker price of $2700.00.
Listening with Sarah McLachlans’ Rarities B Sides vocals were presented firmly in the center and instruments well spread across the stage. There seemed to be a lack of presence and deeper bass sounded polite and congested with a hollowness marring the performance somewhat. Treble response was smooth but somewhat laid back on cymbals creating a dark presentation. Double bass and violins were problematic as Leahy’s fiddle work seemed discordant within instrument textures – and began to get muddy and tiresome as one wants to turn the volume up to hear instruments in the background better.
Moving the speakers as part of the surround system aided by the matching center channel and Subwoofer things helped greatly and much of my problems disappeared in the context of home theater applications. This was also true of the Polk Audio which seemed far more suited to home theater than it did for 2 channel music. It’s as if the speakers require the center speaker to be able to present 2 channel music properly and requires a Subwoofer to be truly effective below 80hz. Perhaps with SACD and DVD movies you will enjoy the experience as it seems to fill in the presentation to an enjoyable listening experience. As a two channel speaker system given the high price tag I cannot recommend the Studio 100 which offers a sound one can purchase from the likes of Polk Audio or even the Paradigm Monitor series for less than half the price. If you must have Paradigm - get the Version 2 - IMO it's a better overall loudspeaker for less money.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________5/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________7/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________6.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 7/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________7/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 5/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 6/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 6/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 6/10 X4
Overall____________________________________130/200 = 65%
Audio Note AN E/L ~$3,000.00 CDN - $2300.00US
2 way stand-mount - 18hz and 23khz -6db (22hz -3db) 94db 8ohm
BEST BUY
Audio Note beats to a different drummer when it comes to the approach of loudspeaker design. Basically looking at the box it is just so wrong compared with what is supposed to be right. However the sound emitted by these rather large stand-mounts is anything but wrong. This will become abundantly clear on acoustic instruments almost immediately. The speaker’s roots go back to the 1940’s where Leo Beranek a pioneer in acoustics who built Sound installations, Opera houses and speakers came up with the original design. Peter Snell came along and made some pretty serious loudspeakers out of these and his original Snell models are considered some of the greats. Unfortunately Peter Snell didn’t have the quality of cabinetry or the parts to really allow for improvement.
When he died the accountants took over and made more fashionable and unfortunately worse sounding products. Peter Qvortrup, then a retailer, hated the new speakers and decided to buy the rights and set-up shop building his own under the AN name. He has done the same thing with his turntables purchasing the Voyd Reference (Largely considered the world's best table) - the wheel doesn't need to be re-invented. The design of the speakers has been greatly improved by tightening the tolerances, changing the ports and matching speakers to .2db of each other and Audio Note tests and calibrates their speakers and speaker kits, measuring differences of reflected sound in the order of 5 milliseconds.
The use of strategically placed damping allows the designer to select where the resonances will be dissapated in the cabinet rather than the throw a blanket damping effect over the entire sound to reduce all resonances. He argues that that sort of damping removes a large chunk of the music along with those nasty resonances. His approach is to shift the unwanted resonances to remove them from the box as fast as possible at alternate inaudible frequencies while not muddying or completely dousing the sound you want to hear. Resonances have to go somewhere - most all boxed speakers retain the resonance inside the box - where it bounces around for a while as it gradually dissapates from the box. Looking at the Nautilus tweeter explained you will get a good idea of what it is those companies are trying to do...make it smaller and eliminate it gradually etc. Whether his arguement holds water or not IMO will be revealed to you when you hear it. There is an openess in the midband unmatched by other boxed speakers that I have heard and a delicacy to astonish die hard stat owners. The treble is smooth and extended to 19khz-1db rolling down to 23db -6db.
What was great in 1970 has no reason not to be great today, people after all love Quad and Magnepan and they are hardly revolutionary. With a great basis for a speaker we enter Peter Qvortrup and crew. There is some interesting history but you can find that out for yourself. My audition with this, their cheapest, E speaker, and no longer being produced, uses Chipboard and copper internal wiring. First thing one notices after the Studio 100V3 and the 604S3 is bass micro-dynamics and an overall vibrancy and resolution of musical instruments across the stage. Deodato’s “Also Sprach Zarathustra is a jazz take on the 2001: Space Odyssey piece that has a remarkable amount going on given that it’s a synthesizer piece of incredible range. There is something delightful about not listening to a flat presentation, where instead the power of brass leaps forward when it should. Bass depth of course gets much discussion because this speaker with one 8 inch woofer and a smaller cabinet volume offers deeper more articulate bass than any of the reviewed floor-standers could muster.
But more importantly than bass depth was the micro-dynamics and tunefulness offered up in the lows. Double bass had texture and/or shadings that are never lost site of even in complex passages. Stand-mounts typically suffer form gross compression under duress when attempting deep bass while also trying to realistically present the mid-band. Many floor-standers even good ones like the B&Ws seem to compartmentalize the bass drivers letting the bass handle the bass and the midrange do its thing. The obvious trouble with that is that it doesn’t sound remotely as seamless.
Microdynamics and low level resolution are critical to the harmonic structure of acoustic instruments. These speakers can play at extremely LOW volumes, like stats, and will present the entire musical spectrum with dynamic impact. With most any other boxed speaker I have come across, I listen to a piece of Jazz music or a complex classical passage and I feel the eedto go for the volume knob. There is more there but I can't hear it becuase something is getting on the way marring the production. I need to turn it up to bring the bruush workl of a guitar up. Obviously you can see why this would be disastrous. It's a lot like listening to home theater with a gutless center channel and a poor DVD where you always need to turn up the center channel to hear the dialog and then get blown out of your seat when the action starts up. You're always fiddling with the controls.
Are there weaknesses? Well they don't sound like most speakers in the market right now for a start. SO if you love what is out there then you probably don't need to look at this company and so you may as well skip them and move on. If you are like me and are generally dissatisified with the vast majority of speakers even those that get rave reviews, or feel like there needs to be something more to speakers than what you've been hearing then give these a try.
The entire presentation was glorious disc after disc LP after LP. Whether you’re an Aerosmith or Motley Crue fan or you like Ice-Tea, Madonna, Miles Davis, Acoustic Alchemy or Beethoven Sonata’s from Dawn to Moonlight, there is nothing the speaker can’t do that will leave it wanting. I can’t say that about many other speakers. There are speakers that will beat it in a given area but none at this price that I have heard that match it consistantly in every area - with the excpetion of the J/L (save low bass response).
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________8.5/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________9/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________8.5/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8.5/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 9/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 8/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 9/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 9/10X4
Overall____________________________________ 174.5/200 = 87.25%
Note: Speaker is no longer being produced with a chipboard cabinet. The entry level is now called the AN-E/LX but the price has risen dramatically to $4299US or $5600.00Cdn. This new version was awarded a Best Buy in Hi-Fi Choice. I've not heard it but the speaker is using a much better cabinet and internal wiring than this E so I should imagine it is superior to this version. I have heard the SPe version however which follows.
Audio Note AN E/Spe ~$6,250.00 CDN - $4,800.00US
2 way stand-mount - 18hz and 23khz -6db (22hz -3db) 94db 8ohm (May be purchased in a 98db version)
Reference
Basically this will be an add-on to the E/L because structurally the sound is quite similar. However, it really is rather striking what a change in cabinet material and internal wiring can make with these loudspeakers. Just when you settle into the beautiful sound you listen to the upgraded version and it is as if the product has gone up a whole other level. How fitting that the Audio Note calls them levels because the speaker like the J/L to the J/Spe makes quite a leap. The treble is more tranparent painting instruments on a darker black background.
Bass definition amd shadings is markedly improved here as well but more importantly the whole presentation seems even more in step than it already was. I spent most of a two days listening to this version of the E - which is basically the E vrsion of the speaker I own. You will finds speakers that win in certain technical areas no question of this - but to me the most criticalthing is presenting the integrity of the music event and make it sound like live music. This speaker is non fatiguing, offers exceptional top to bottome integrations, outstanding clarity and openness in the midrange and everything can be heard cleanly. Where some speakers may image better or have more bass impact thes sound musically rich and highly engaging. This is just shy of the Reference tag - given the price that is ridiculously high value and deserves a resounding BEST BUY.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________9/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________9/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________9/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________9/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________9.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 9/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 9.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 10/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 10/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________186/200 = 93%
Audio Note AN J/Spe ~$4,650.00 CDN - $3,575.00US
2 way stand mount speaker 25hz and 23khz -6db 93db 8ohm.
LLF REFERENCE
See AN-E/Spe as the J sounds virtually the same but LLF. The J/Spe may have a slightly superior mid-bass presentation but very close. The E also has superior drive so higher marks for the E in terms of Attack. Nevertheless they don't come much better in terms of musicality.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________7/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________9/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________9/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________9/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 9/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 9.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 10/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____10/10 X4
Overall……………………………………⠀¦â€¦â€¦â€¦184/200 = 92%
Rating = Best Buy
Audio Note AN E/Sec Silver ~$26,650.00 CDN - $20,500.00US
2 way stand-mount - 16hz and 23khz -6db (22hz -3db) 96db 8ohm
REFERENCE
This up-market version and currently third from the top of the line uses Balck Gate caps and Alnico magnets on the crossover along with silver voice coils. Rather than go further note that this maylook very similar to the lower modesl but that is where the differences largely end. Simply put the most musically satisfying speakers I have come across at any price. Don't know what Black Gate caps and silver and Alnico woofers do but whatever it is kudos to the designers.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 9/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 9.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 9.5/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________10/10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 10/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 9.5/10
Decay____________________________________10/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________10/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 9.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 10/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____10/10X4
Overall____________________________________ 196.5/200 = 98.25%
Note: Model has been replaced by a $30,500.00US version.
B&W 705 $2400.00CDN - $1850.00US
2 Way Standmount 46Hz – 25kHz ±3dB on reference axis 89db 8ohm
Not Recommended
I have been a big supporter of B&W over the years but this speaker is just outmached by so many less expensive speakers starting with the Dynaudio Audience 52 and Audio Note AX-Two hat considerably less expensive price points. The problem starts with attack - there is little here as the speaker sounds incredibly shut in and constipated. Add to this anemic bass response cosnidering the price and well Huston we have a problem. You know there is a problem when I'm turning the volume way up on Bryston gear and nothing is coming out. Piano work turned me off the entire speaker. My advice is to stick with your CDM 1 SE or NT. Those speakers were not perfect but at least they were enjoyable. I don't exactly know what B&W has done here - the speaker doesn't even look as nice as the previous model and for all this the price has gone Up? Yikes. I want to stress that this is not a bad speaker - it is for $2400.00Cdn however.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________5.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________6.5/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 7.5 /10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________4.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 6/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 6.5/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8/10
Tonality___________________________________ 7/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____6.5/10X4
Overall____________________________________128.5/200 = 64.25%
B&W 703 $4600.00Cdn -- $3500.00US
3way 3 driver floor-standing speaker 38Hz – 25kHz ±3dB on reference axis (-6dB at 30Hz and 50kHz)
Not Recommended
Same as 705 but largely with more bass. I don't get what B&W is doing with this series. No doubt it will get great reviews - but musically these speakers are seriously lacking life.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________1/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________6.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________6.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)____________________ 7.5 /10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)___________ 6.5/10
Decay___________________________________ 6/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)_________ 7/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage___________________ 8/10
Tonality__________________________________ 7/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)____ 6/10 X4
Overall____________________________________131.5/200 = 65.75%
Wilson Audio – Sophia - $16,000.00CDN - $12,000.00US
3-way 3 driver floor-standing speaker. 29 Hz - 22.5 kHz +0, -3dB. 89db 4 Ohms, 3 Ohms min.
Well Wilson is a love it or hate it enterprise and there is no doubting that the speaker is highly musical if a bit dark. It has impressive scale and attack - standount Decay and is highly inviting in the mid-range. As good as it is I kept thinking there was just a little bit missing with the overall presentation. Madonna's Vogue seemed a little less exciting than it should but the piano on Beethoven's Moonligt Sonata seemed highly lifelike. The bass the speakers offer up is exceptional if a little less powerful than some others and I'm not sure it really seems to mesh with the midrange treble unit. I thinkt he price of entry is too high here but it does offer very accomplished musicality.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 8/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 8.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 8.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)____________________ 8.5/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 8.5/10
Decay____________________________________8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________8/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________9/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____7.5/10 X4
Overall____________________________________164/200 = 82%
http://www.wilsonaudio.com/products/sophia/index.html
Dynaudio Audience 52 ~$1500.00Cdn $1150.00US
2 way bookshelf 52hz – 24khz +/- 3db -- 4ohms 86db
BEST BUY
See review for Dane 42. This is sounds more open more dynamic and is my favorite speaker under $2kCdn. You get an incredibly smooth if a bit dark top end and excellent cohesiveness from top to bottom given the price.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 6/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________7/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________7.5/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8/10
Decay____________________________________ 6.5/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 7.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 7.5/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 7.5/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________141.5/200 = 70.75%
Note there is presently an SE version of this loudspeaker.
http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/audience/52/aud52spec.htm
Totem Arro - $1450.00Cdn - $1100.00US
Two Way two driver floor-standing speaker 40 Hz to 20 kHz ± 3 dB – 87db 4ohm
These Totems are a little less than what I would expect from Totem cosnidering some of their other models. I think speaker has pretty good tone but a bit lumpy and undefined in the are of decay and there is limited overall structure to the sound. I get the continued impression I'm missing large parts of the music. I think you can do better - but you could do worse. Sarah Mclachlan's Mirrorball album lacked the live feel and sounded quite shut in versus the lower priced Energy's. They are elegant to look at and are certainly solid - but sonically they left me wanting.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz_________________________ 6/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________6/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)____________________ 7/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________6.5/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)___________ 7/10
Decay___________________________________ 5.5/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)_________ 6/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage____________________ 8/10
Tonality__________________________________ 7/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)____5.5/10 X4
Overall___________________________________120.5/200 = 60.25%
Some typo glitches caused by Microsoft word for some reason - weird ? instead of dashes --. I don't know why. :(
Feel free to skip the Audio Note reviews as I am, after all, an owner and therefore am very partial to their sound.
Reference 3a MM De Capo (i) - $2950.00 CDN - $2250.00US
2 way Stand-mount speaker – 42hz – 20khz 3db 92db 8 ohm
Recommended
What this speaker lacks technically it makes up for musically. I have gone over the speakers nnumerously in the past(search to find it) - it was a favorite for a long while in the sub $3k price range and still holds up well.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________ 0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________6.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________8/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 8/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________7/10
Decay____________________________________ 8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 8/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8/10
Tonality___________________________________ 9/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 9/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________155.5/200 = 77.75%
B&W N805 - $2900 CDN - $2200.00US
2 way Stand-mount speaker - 56Hz - 20kHz ± 2dB on reference axis (-6dB at 42Hz and 30kHz)
Still an excellent standmount once my favorite. It has been eclipsed in recent years for me however and is being seriously nipped by lesser priced speakers. The Dane 52 SE version for instance with a few improivements to the 52 I could see surpass this speaker and the Audio Note AX-Two I would not mind listening to in direct comparison could conseivably eclipse the N805. I think it's time to hear what the N805 has to offer up. I would prefer deeper bass and more low level resiolution oin the bass - this one can be a bit thumpy.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________4/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________7.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 7/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________7.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 7.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 9/10
Tonality___________________________________ 8/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 7.5/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________141.5/200 = 70.75%
Audio Note AN-K/Spe ~$2,850.00 CDN - $2,250.00US
2 way stand mount speaker 50hz and 20khz -6db (36hz -6db if placed in corner 19khz -1db). -- 90db, 8ohm.
BEST BUY
For a full length review of this speaker go here http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=speakers&n=148241&review=1
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 8/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 8/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________9/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 8.5/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 8/10
Decay____________________________________8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)_________ 8.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage____________________ 8/10
Tonality__________________________________ 9/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)___ 9/10 X4
Overall__________________________________ 163/200 = 81.25%
JBL E-90 $1099.00CDN(Retail Canada) $900.00US
3-way four driver floor standing speaker - 36Hz – 20kHz -3db – 91db 8ohm
Not Recommended
You know I started in this hobby liking speakers with lots of big drivers and bass or at least mid-bass humps that I thought was bass. JBL has some serious speakers available but unfortunately they don’t give the masses those products and instead try and pawn these kinds of speakers onto us. Firstly the speaker is not terrible it even seems to hit some deep bass, but the problem is the cabinet makes too much internal noise as to be quite unlivable with acoustic music. There are fans of these no doubt – they do rock they hit harder than say comparable Polks or Bose speakers and will be a fine addition to the party speaker crowd. But the speaker has problems with cabinet noise that affects the decay of notes and you hear a smudged up midrange. The treble is unruly at any volume with a spitty sound and overly sibilant when pushed. There is a lack of integration here as well as I was thinking about it being similar to those sub sat systems with discordant thumpy bottom end. I would have far less problem with this speaker though if it were not for the price tag. What is on tap here for you grand is nothing more than an bigger louder version of sound offered by most boom boxes.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 1/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 3/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________5.5/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 4/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 8.5/10
Decay____________________________________4/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________4.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 5.5/10
Tonality___________________________________5.5/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)____ 4.5/10 X4
Overal____________________________________94.5/200 = 47.25%
B&W N801 $14,000.00Cdn $11,000.00US
3 way 3 driver Floor-standing Speaker - 37Hz - 20kHz ± 2dB on reference axis (-6dB at 23Hz and 30kHz) - 91db 8ohm
Not much to say that has not been said about the N801. Terrific high end loudspeaker - tough to drive tough to position but if you're a fan of B&W this is one to own. However, I personally prefer the Matrix version of the speaker. They're consistantly solid from top to bottom - you're results will vary - I have found they need at leat 6 feet from all walls and a large listening room to work best otherwise you can get some issues in the bass that don't go away. Some over empahasis on looks has driven the price above where I think they sonically should be, but that is just my taste.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________8/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________7.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________8/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8.5/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8/10
Decay____________________________________ 8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 7.5/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 9.5/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 8/10X4
Overall……………………………………⠀¦â€¦â€¦â€¦166/200 = 83%
Paradigm Studio 100V3 $2700.00CDN - $2100.00US
3-way 5 driver speaker - On-Axis (0°) ±2 dB from 44 Hz - 22 kHz - 91db 8ohm
Not Recommended
Paradigm I must admit has not been a favorite of mine but I had reason to hope in the V2 series that they were on the right path to making very good affordable loudspeakers. The V2 at $2200.00Cdn offered good value so with a significant price increase of ~$500.00 to the re-tooled V3 I was expecting a few of the nagging problems to be corrected. And while some will find that this is indeed the case the new 100 seems to create more problems than it fixes. The treble is smoother but strangely more laid back. The bass response in depth and tunefulness is not nearly as good in this series as the Version 2 and while the imaging and soundstaging are improved and perhaps the off axis response as well something has gone wrong within the mid-band and in the micro-dynamics department – there is a hollow sounding nature to the speaker that reminded me of a JBL Northridge E90 speaker – but the JBL is $1099.00 and somewhat one may accept it at the price point but not at the high end sticker price of $2700.00.
Listening with Sarah McLachlans’ Rarities B Sides vocals were presented firmly in the center and instruments well spread across the stage. There seemed to be a lack of presence and deeper bass sounded polite and congested with a hollowness marring the performance somewhat. Treble response was smooth but somewhat laid back on cymbals creating a dark presentation. Double bass and violins were problematic as Leahy’s fiddle work seemed discordant within instrument textures – and began to get muddy and tiresome as one wants to turn the volume up to hear instruments in the background better.
Moving the speakers as part of the surround system aided by the matching center channel and Subwoofer things helped greatly and much of my problems disappeared in the context of home theater applications. This was also true of the Polk Audio which seemed far more suited to home theater than it did for 2 channel music. It’s as if the speakers require the center speaker to be able to present 2 channel music properly and requires a Subwoofer to be truly effective below 80hz. Perhaps with SACD and DVD movies you will enjoy the experience as it seems to fill in the presentation to an enjoyable listening experience. As a two channel speaker system given the high price tag I cannot recommend the Studio 100 which offers a sound one can purchase from the likes of Polk Audio or even the Paradigm Monitor series for less than half the price. If you must have Paradigm - get the Version 2 - IMO it's a better overall loudspeaker for less money.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________5/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________7/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________6.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 7/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________7/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 5/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 6/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 6/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 6/10 X4
Overall____________________________________130/200 = 65%
Audio Note AN E/L ~$3,000.00 CDN - $2300.00US
2 way stand-mount - 18hz and 23khz -6db (22hz -3db) 94db 8ohm
BEST BUY
Audio Note beats to a different drummer when it comes to the approach of loudspeaker design. Basically looking at the box it is just so wrong compared with what is supposed to be right. However the sound emitted by these rather large stand-mounts is anything but wrong. This will become abundantly clear on acoustic instruments almost immediately. The speaker’s roots go back to the 1940’s where Leo Beranek a pioneer in acoustics who built Sound installations, Opera houses and speakers came up with the original design. Peter Snell came along and made some pretty serious loudspeakers out of these and his original Snell models are considered some of the greats. Unfortunately Peter Snell didn’t have the quality of cabinetry or the parts to really allow for improvement.
When he died the accountants took over and made more fashionable and unfortunately worse sounding products. Peter Qvortrup, then a retailer, hated the new speakers and decided to buy the rights and set-up shop building his own under the AN name. He has done the same thing with his turntables purchasing the Voyd Reference (Largely considered the world's best table) - the wheel doesn't need to be re-invented. The design of the speakers has been greatly improved by tightening the tolerances, changing the ports and matching speakers to .2db of each other and Audio Note tests and calibrates their speakers and speaker kits, measuring differences of reflected sound in the order of 5 milliseconds.
The use of strategically placed damping allows the designer to select where the resonances will be dissapated in the cabinet rather than the throw a blanket damping effect over the entire sound to reduce all resonances. He argues that that sort of damping removes a large chunk of the music along with those nasty resonances. His approach is to shift the unwanted resonances to remove them from the box as fast as possible at alternate inaudible frequencies while not muddying or completely dousing the sound you want to hear. Resonances have to go somewhere - most all boxed speakers retain the resonance inside the box - where it bounces around for a while as it gradually dissapates from the box. Looking at the Nautilus tweeter explained you will get a good idea of what it is those companies are trying to do...make it smaller and eliminate it gradually etc. Whether his arguement holds water or not IMO will be revealed to you when you hear it. There is an openess in the midband unmatched by other boxed speakers that I have heard and a delicacy to astonish die hard stat owners. The treble is smooth and extended to 19khz-1db rolling down to 23db -6db.
What was great in 1970 has no reason not to be great today, people after all love Quad and Magnepan and they are hardly revolutionary. With a great basis for a speaker we enter Peter Qvortrup and crew. There is some interesting history but you can find that out for yourself. My audition with this, their cheapest, E speaker, and no longer being produced, uses Chipboard and copper internal wiring. First thing one notices after the Studio 100V3 and the 604S3 is bass micro-dynamics and an overall vibrancy and resolution of musical instruments across the stage. Deodato’s “Also Sprach Zarathustra is a jazz take on the 2001: Space Odyssey piece that has a remarkable amount going on given that it’s a synthesizer piece of incredible range. There is something delightful about not listening to a flat presentation, where instead the power of brass leaps forward when it should. Bass depth of course gets much discussion because this speaker with one 8 inch woofer and a smaller cabinet volume offers deeper more articulate bass than any of the reviewed floor-standers could muster.
But more importantly than bass depth was the micro-dynamics and tunefulness offered up in the lows. Double bass had texture and/or shadings that are never lost site of even in complex passages. Stand-mounts typically suffer form gross compression under duress when attempting deep bass while also trying to realistically present the mid-band. Many floor-standers even good ones like the B&Ws seem to compartmentalize the bass drivers letting the bass handle the bass and the midrange do its thing. The obvious trouble with that is that it doesn’t sound remotely as seamless.
Microdynamics and low level resolution are critical to the harmonic structure of acoustic instruments. These speakers can play at extremely LOW volumes, like stats, and will present the entire musical spectrum with dynamic impact. With most any other boxed speaker I have come across, I listen to a piece of Jazz music or a complex classical passage and I feel the eedto go for the volume knob. There is more there but I can't hear it becuase something is getting on the way marring the production. I need to turn it up to bring the bruush workl of a guitar up. Obviously you can see why this would be disastrous. It's a lot like listening to home theater with a gutless center channel and a poor DVD where you always need to turn up the center channel to hear the dialog and then get blown out of your seat when the action starts up. You're always fiddling with the controls.
Are there weaknesses? Well they don't sound like most speakers in the market right now for a start. SO if you love what is out there then you probably don't need to look at this company and so you may as well skip them and move on. If you are like me and are generally dissatisified with the vast majority of speakers even those that get rave reviews, or feel like there needs to be something more to speakers than what you've been hearing then give these a try.
The entire presentation was glorious disc after disc LP after LP. Whether you’re an Aerosmith or Motley Crue fan or you like Ice-Tea, Madonna, Miles Davis, Acoustic Alchemy or Beethoven Sonata’s from Dawn to Moonlight, there is nothing the speaker can’t do that will leave it wanting. I can’t say that about many other speakers. There are speakers that will beat it in a given area but none at this price that I have heard that match it consistantly in every area - with the excpetion of the J/L (save low bass response).
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________8.5/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________9/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________8.5/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8.5/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 9/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 8/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 9/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 9/10X4
Overall____________________________________ 174.5/200 = 87.25%
Note: Speaker is no longer being produced with a chipboard cabinet. The entry level is now called the AN-E/LX but the price has risen dramatically to $4299US or $5600.00Cdn. This new version was awarded a Best Buy in Hi-Fi Choice. I've not heard it but the speaker is using a much better cabinet and internal wiring than this E so I should imagine it is superior to this version. I have heard the SPe version however which follows.
Audio Note AN E/Spe ~$6,250.00 CDN - $4,800.00US
2 way stand-mount - 18hz and 23khz -6db (22hz -3db) 94db 8ohm (May be purchased in a 98db version)
Reference
Basically this will be an add-on to the E/L because structurally the sound is quite similar. However, it really is rather striking what a change in cabinet material and internal wiring can make with these loudspeakers. Just when you settle into the beautiful sound you listen to the upgraded version and it is as if the product has gone up a whole other level. How fitting that the Audio Note calls them levels because the speaker like the J/L to the J/Spe makes quite a leap. The treble is more tranparent painting instruments on a darker black background.
Bass definition amd shadings is markedly improved here as well but more importantly the whole presentation seems even more in step than it already was. I spent most of a two days listening to this version of the E - which is basically the E vrsion of the speaker I own. You will finds speakers that win in certain technical areas no question of this - but to me the most criticalthing is presenting the integrity of the music event and make it sound like live music. This speaker is non fatiguing, offers exceptional top to bottome integrations, outstanding clarity and openness in the midrange and everything can be heard cleanly. Where some speakers may image better or have more bass impact thes sound musically rich and highly engaging. This is just shy of the Reference tag - given the price that is ridiculously high value and deserves a resounding BEST BUY.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________9/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________9/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________9/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________9/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________9.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 9/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 9.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 10/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 10/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________186/200 = 93%
Audio Note AN J/Spe ~$4,650.00 CDN - $3,575.00US
2 way stand mount speaker 25hz and 23khz -6db 93db 8ohm.
LLF REFERENCE
See AN-E/Spe as the J sounds virtually the same but LLF. The J/Spe may have a slightly superior mid-bass presentation but very close. The E also has superior drive so higher marks for the E in terms of Attack. Nevertheless they don't come much better in terms of musicality.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________7/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________9/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________9/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 9/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________9/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 9/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 9.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 10/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____10/10 X4
Overall……………………………………⠀¦â€¦â€¦â€¦184/200 = 92%
Rating = Best Buy
Audio Note AN E/Sec Silver ~$26,650.00 CDN - $20,500.00US
2 way stand-mount - 16hz and 23khz -6db (22hz -3db) 96db 8ohm
REFERENCE
This up-market version and currently third from the top of the line uses Balck Gate caps and Alnico magnets on the crossover along with silver voice coils. Rather than go further note that this maylook very similar to the lower modesl but that is where the differences largely end. Simply put the most musically satisfying speakers I have come across at any price. Don't know what Black Gate caps and silver and Alnico woofers do but whatever it is kudos to the designers.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 9/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 9.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 9.5/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________10/10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 10/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 9.5/10
Decay____________________________________10/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________10/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 9.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 10/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____10/10X4
Overall____________________________________ 196.5/200 = 98.25%
Note: Model has been replaced by a $30,500.00US version.
B&W 705 $2400.00CDN - $1850.00US
2 Way Standmount 46Hz – 25kHz ±3dB on reference axis 89db 8ohm
Not Recommended
I have been a big supporter of B&W over the years but this speaker is just outmached by so many less expensive speakers starting with the Dynaudio Audience 52 and Audio Note AX-Two hat considerably less expensive price points. The problem starts with attack - there is little here as the speaker sounds incredibly shut in and constipated. Add to this anemic bass response cosnidering the price and well Huston we have a problem. You know there is a problem when I'm turning the volume way up on Bryston gear and nothing is coming out. Piano work turned me off the entire speaker. My advice is to stick with your CDM 1 SE or NT. Those speakers were not perfect but at least they were enjoyable. I don't exactly know what B&W has done here - the speaker doesn't even look as nice as the previous model and for all this the price has gone Up? Yikes. I want to stress that this is not a bad speaker - it is for $2400.00Cdn however.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz___________________________5.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________6.5/10X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________ 7.5 /10X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________4.5/10
Decay____________________________________ 6/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 6.5/10X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8/10
Tonality___________________________________ 7/10X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____6.5/10X4
Overall____________________________________128.5/200 = 64.25%
B&W 703 $4600.00Cdn -- $3500.00US
3way 3 driver floor-standing speaker 38Hz – 25kHz ±3dB on reference axis (-6dB at 30Hz and 50kHz)
Not Recommended
Same as 705 but largely with more bass. I don't get what B&W is doing with this series. No doubt it will get great reviews - but musically these speakers are seriously lacking life.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________1/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________6.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________6.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)____________________ 7.5 /10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)___________ 6.5/10
Decay___________________________________ 6/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)_________ 7/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage___________________ 8/10
Tonality__________________________________ 7/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)____ 6/10 X4
Overall____________________________________131.5/200 = 65.75%
Wilson Audio – Sophia - $16,000.00CDN - $12,000.00US
3-way 3 driver floor-standing speaker. 29 Hz - 22.5 kHz +0, -3dB. 89db 4 Ohms, 3 Ohms min.
Well Wilson is a love it or hate it enterprise and there is no doubting that the speaker is highly musical if a bit dark. It has impressive scale and attack - standount Decay and is highly inviting in the mid-range. As good as it is I kept thinking there was just a little bit missing with the overall presentation. Madonna's Vogue seemed a little less exciting than it should but the piano on Beethoven's Moonligt Sonata seemed highly lifelike. The bass the speakers offer up is exceptional if a little less powerful than some others and I'm not sure it really seems to mesh with the midrange treble unit. I thinkt he price of entry is too high here but it does offer very accomplished musicality.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________ 8/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 8.5/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________ 8.5/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)____________________ 8.5/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________ 8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)____________ 8.5/10
Decay____________________________________8/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________8/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________9/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____7.5/10 X4
Overall____________________________________164/200 = 82%
http://www.wilsonaudio.com/products/sophia/index.html
Dynaudio Audience 52 ~$1500.00Cdn $1150.00US
2 way bookshelf 52hz – 24khz +/- 3db -- 4ohms 86db
BEST BUY
See review for Dane 42. This is sounds more open more dynamic and is my favorite speaker under $2kCdn. You get an incredibly smooth if a bit dark top end and excellent cohesiveness from top to bottom given the price.
Ratings are in absolute terms rated against all speakers of all price ranges and ratings are not inflated because they are deemed budget speakers.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz______________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz__________________________ 6/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)______________________7/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)_____________________7.5/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)___________________8/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)_____________8/10
Decay____________________________________ 6.5/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)__________ 7.5/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage_____________________ 8.5/10
Tonality___________________________________ 7.5/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)_____ 7.5/10 X4
Overall_____________________________________141.5/200 = 70.75%
Note there is presently an SE version of this loudspeaker.
http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/audience/52/aud52spec.htm
Totem Arro - $1450.00Cdn - $1100.00US
Two Way two driver floor-standing speaker 40 Hz to 20 kHz ± 3 dB – 87db 4ohm
These Totems are a little less than what I would expect from Totem cosnidering some of their other models. I think speaker has pretty good tone but a bit lumpy and undefined in the are of decay and there is limited overall structure to the sound. I get the continued impression I'm missing large parts of the music. I think you can do better - but you could do worse. Sarah Mclachlan's Mirrorball album lacked the live feel and sounded quite shut in versus the lower priced Energy's. They are elegant to look at and are certainly solid - but sonically they left me wanting.
Deep Bass 10hz – 30hz_____________________0/10
Bass 30hz – 80hz_________________________ 6/10
Midbass (80hz – 200hz)_____________________6/10 X2
Midrange (200hz – 3khz)____________________ 7/10 X3
High Frequency (3khz – up)__________________6.5/10 X2
Attack (including macro-dynamics)___________ 7/10
Decay___________________________________ 5.5/10
Resolution (including micro-dynamics)_________ 6/10 X2
Imaging and Soundstage____________________ 8/10
Tonality__________________________________ 7/10 X2
Cohesiveness (integrity of the musical event)____5.5/10 X4
Overall___________________________________120.5/200 = 60.25%