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This Month's Featured Equipment Reviews |
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Loudspeaker Forum Topics: |
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Classic Speaker System Reviews |
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Speaker Systems
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Friday, 01 July 2005
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Written by
Tim Hart
Introduction
There is no question that flat and wall-mounted HDTVs are driving the
home theater market in 2005. Today, a consumer can invest in an
under-$2,000 HDTV plasma or fairly large yet thin HDTV and get one hell
of a picture. The problem is that the speakers historically best known
for recreating the best music and movie soundtracks are not necessarily
the best fit in rooms increasingly designed to make your system “out of
the way.” Leading the way in the Bose-killer category is Anthony Gallo
Acoustics. Their vast array of unique, round and colorful speakers
literally fit in places where traditional speakers don’t with a sound
that lures in even the most jaded audiophiles, thanks to some very
creative engineering, choice of materials and implementation.
The Anthony Gallo Nucleus Micro speaker system reviewed
here is a 5.1 surround sound system for movies and music, comprised of
five identical four-inch spheres to use for ...
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Wednesday, 01 June 2005
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Written by
Christopher Zell, Ph.D.
Introduction
Paradigm,
as well as their sister electronics arm Anthem, has long been known for
producing components that provide high-end sound at relatively
affordable prices. Until fairly recently, Paradigm has offered
value-oriented products, such as the excellent Atoms at under $200 per
pair, up through the Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.3 floor-standing
loudspeakers that favorably impressed me during my 2004 review. In the
tradition of Anthem and their new Statement Electronics, Paradigm has
taken on the risky and bold challenge of entering the ultra-high end
loudspeaker arena. I was very enthusiastic when, a few months ago, I
received a large pallet at my doorstep containing a full Paradigm
Signature 5.1 home theater loudspeaker. This included the
top-of-the-line Signature S8 main loudspeakers ($6000 per pair), a
Signature C5 center channel ($2800), two Signature ADP surrounds ($2300
per pair) and, finally, a Signature Servo subwoofer ($3200).
Description
The drivers utilized across
the Signature series are very similar to each other ...
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Sunday, 01 May 2005
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Written by
Tim Hart
Introduction
In
the heyday of hi-fi, it seemed like there was a wide gap between the
highest-end speakers and speakers the masses could afford. Today,
things are different in that the budget-minded audio-video performance
enthusiast now has the opportunity to buy speakers that can hang with
the high-end players at a price that is only fractionally more than the
speakers found advertised on TV infomercials, along with
noise-canceling headphones.
For
over 25 years, RBH has been producing a wide range of performance
loudspeakers that are designed and engineered from their Utah-based
facility. I first became aware of their work four years ago, when AVR
editor Bryan Southard invited me over to his home to get a second
opinion on the Signature series that he had installed for review. I
remember really admiring the fit, finish and workmanship. I was
impressed with the solidness of the enclosures and the smooth, refined
sound that they produced. One of the ...
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Sunday, 01 May 2005
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Written by
Brian Kahn
Introduction
Triad
Speakers have been around for more than 24 years, yet many consumers
are just starting to hear about the brand as they are primarily
marketed to the custom installation market. Triad speakers are quite
unique. Unlike almost all other major speaker manufacturers, Triad
produces custom installed speakers that are indeed truly custom. Need a
narrow center speaker? They can make it for you. Need bi-pole rear
speakers painted in sea foam green to match the Dunn Edwards paint
being used in the room? They can do it. Refreshingly, nearly every
speaker they produce is made to order within 72 hours of when the order
is placed.
Here's the basic idea behind Triad's lines of speakers.
The designs are application driven, with as many as four configurations
of each model, for specific installation applications without
compromise. Versions typically consist of an InRoom and at least one
InWall version, with some having OnWall and InCeiling versions ...
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Tuesday, 01 February 2005
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Written by
Thomas Garcia
Introduction
PSB,
established in 1971 by founder and chief designer Paul Barton, has
earned a reputation for manufacturing loudspeakers that offer
outstanding performance while incorporating effective cost engineering
as a design priority. Thorough in execution, slow in change, their
Stratus Gold (and subsequent “Gold-i” improved version) stood as PSB’s
reference loudspeaker for an unprecedented time, garnishing praise and
accolades from both consumers and press alike. But like all
technologies, new advancements in the industry inspired Mr. Barton to
put his decades of experience to work. The goal was to start from
scratch, creating a statement loudspeaker line for the new millennium,
designated as the Platinum Series. PSB employed comprehensive computer
design and sophisticated measurement techniques during the blueprinting
of the Platinum loudspeakers, including laser vibrometry and Finite
Element Analysis for driver and cabinet design. With extensive use of
the world-renowned Canadian National Research Council facilities, PSB
conducted extensive loudspeaker measurements and double-blind listening
tests to achieve their uncompromising ...
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