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Page 2 of 2 Listening:
 The Geneva's versatility made it a pleasure to use. I liked being able to remove it from its base, if desired, and place it on a shelf or stereo cabinet in another room, as if it were a large tabletop system, and then replace it on its stand when done.
I've listened to a number of table-top audio systems – most designed for iPod dockage – and those systems have typically been limited by their size, plastic shells and cheap build. There's sound, but it's usually tinny, thin and lacking a sense of dimension and space. The Geneva's single-speaker system is based on EmbracingSound Technology, which strives to replicate the experience of a movie theater or recording locale from a single loudspeaker, and digital amplifier, capable of producing 100 watts, sets it apart from most of the competition.
Emerson emphasized that the Geneva systems are not just high-end iPod docks, but all-in-one “stereos,” and that's how I first listened – sort of. Even though the Geneva is a stereo, I wasn't sure that sticking everything into one box could reproduce good sound, let alone good stereo sound. I was wrong. But first...
Before playing anything on the Geneva, I'd recommend giving the sound check disc a spin. A guided tour provides background information along with a demo of how sounds move in stereo space. It also aptly and convincingly demonstrates the system's capabilities, beyond what you might play back on your own. The disc contains startlingly real and dynamic audio samples that often spring to life in “near surround.” One listen convinced me that the Geneva would be a solid choice for a bedroom home theater system, with the unit providing wide-field sound without the need for an array of five of more speakers. I hooked up a DVD player and played several chapters from The Fellowship Of The Ring. Howard Shore's remarkable score came to life through the Geneva; battle scenes have an eerie, you-are-there presence, to the point of nearly shaking the room.
I learned quickly that the Geneva did “big sound” well. What surprised me, then, was how well delicate or quiet passages of music were preserved. With an iPod connected, I listened to tracks from King Crimson's In The Court Of The Crimson King. Quieter tunes such as “I Talk To The Wind” and “Moonchild” retained their sparkle and nuance, even at lower listening levels.
 Former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips' solo works often bring the classical guitar or piano to the front, and on his CD Private Parts & Pieces II: “Back To The Pavilion,” delicate nylon-string numbers such as “Spring Meeting” and “Nocturne” had a real sense of presence, with the notes and chords tapering off and decaying the way a guitar sounds when played live. There, too, always seemed to be a “sweet spot” where the volume level brought out the most in each song on this and other discs I played through the Geneva.
Don't expect miracles. The Geneva won't turn bad-sounding CDs into audiophile discs, but it will reveal the individual qualities of a compact disc recording, good or bad. The better the disc, the better it will sound. One of my “reference” CDs that I use to test a system is Jade Warrior's 2008 release, Now. It's a remarkable recording, detailed, accurate and one where the fingers can be heard sliding across guitar and bass strings. It's a disc that sounds good on nearly any player, but can sound miraculous played on the right player. And the Geneva was adept at keeping the instruments in their own field and reproducing the music as a whole.
I doubt many consumers will use the Geneva for vinyl playback, but I was very curious to hear how a turntable would sound through the system. I plugged my Thorens TD-145 into a Parasound Zphono preamp and then into the unit's line in. The ‘table happened to fit nearly perfectly on the Geneva's top, which served as a handy temporary base.
Heart's Little Queen served as the opening LP, and 5 seconds into “Barracuda” I turned my head in surprise. The electric guitars, bass, vocals and drums sounded immediate and very full. As I played the album in its entirety, I realized that no matter what source I had played previously through the Geneva, this stereo record was kicking some digital butt. The ringing guitar arpeggios of “Kick It Out” hung like thread, hinting at the churning rhythm chords to come, and the song's finish was blistering.
Yes, the Geneva does vinyl and could easily serve as a secondary analog playback system, allowing users to move the turntable with the system around the house without bringing everything else along. If you have an old 'table gathering dust in the garage, get it out and hook it up to the Geneva. It's painless and a fun way to get reacquainted with the wonderful world of vinyl. Bonus!
I also had a great time with the Geneva's FM radio. First, its digital tuner is done right. So many digital tuners overscan and pass by stations before actually letting you tune to a specific frequency. With the Geneva, you can move through the FM band beyond the assigned center frequencies, into deviations of just 5 khz. So, if you want to tune to 102.5 FM, but for some reason the station is coming in better at 102.55 or 102.45, the Geneva has the capability to lock into that narrow band. For larger, high-watt stations that won't be an issue, but if you live in the country or listen to low-power stations, it can make the difference between static and reception. I listen to Milwaukee Brewers' baseball on a rural affiliate about 30 miles from my home. I've often had trouble dialing it in, even with a dedicated FM tuner, but the Geneva pulled off the job without fail, day or night, with nothing more needed than a quick adjustment of the antenna. As a long-time Tivoli Radio Model One user, it was great to find another reliable tuner and to be able to listen in stereo. Users also have the option to listen in mono, by pressing the “Stop” key while in FM mode.
Conclusion Throughout my time spent with the Geneva, every person who saw the system invariably asked about it. When I explained all the functions and demonstrated it to my brother, he said, “I need one of those.” Other friends who own Bose SoundDocks and think they sound good were very impressed with the Geneva, particularly for its looks, craftsmanship, versatility – and sound. Unlike a hunk of black plastic or a gaudy boom-box, the Geneva's wood cabinet makes a nice addition to any room in a house. It's more like a piece of furniture that can complement a living room, kitchen or bedroom without shame. The Geneva looks great, is simple to use and versatile. Though it will never take the place of a component-based stereo system – nor is it designed to – for the price, features and sound, there's a lot to like and recommend. Emerson told me, “We are trying to be the best balance of sound and simplicity while still being a versatile hi-fi.” A balance achieved.
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