Audio
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Loudspeakers
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Monday, 25 February 2008 |
 Stereophile's John Atkinson has given some unusually strong praise to flagship floorstander in the KEF Reference line, the KEF Reference 207/2.
Normally I don't link to equipment reviews as they are so abundant and equipment evaluation is entirely subjective. Steophile's editor John Atkinson has heard a loudspeaker or two in his day, and when I saw last week's review of the KEF Reference 207/2 on Stereophile's website, it piqued my interest. In the review John states the KEF Reference 207/2 is "overall the best-sounding full-range speaker I have used in my current listening room", which is extraordinary praise considering the number of loudspeakers John has evaluated over the years.
Sounds to me like the 207/2 deserves a spot on everyone's audition list, and those of us fortunate enough to be able to plunk down $20,000 on a pair of loudspeakers should take special notice. |
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Loudspeakers
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Friday, 08 February 2008 |
 Canada's Focus Audio has updated their Signature series of loudspeakers, adding four new models for 2008. The have also rolled out a new line, the Prestige series, which for now consists of just one loudspeaker, the Focus Audio FP 90.
The new Signature models introduced have abandoned the familiar Eton hexacone drivers in favor of what appear to be Peerless nomex cone units with phase plugs. The tweeters appear to be modified Vifa ring radiators, or something very similar. The Focus Audio Signature FSC 1 center channel, FS 6 bookshelf and FS 8 floorstander all utilize a combination of this tweeter with 5 1/2" woofers. The 38" 2 way Focus Audio FS 7 uses a 7" nomex cone mated with the same tweeter, and will descend to 35Hz on the low end. The FS 6 bookshelf and the FS 7 floorstander are 8 ohm 86dB loudspeakers, whereas the FSC 1 center and FS 8 floorstander are 4 ohm loads, but a more efficient 91dB.
The 43" tall Focus Audio Prestige FP 90 is a 3 way floorstander that is practically full range, plumbing all the way down to 25 Hz. It's an easy load of 8 ohms, and has average efficiency of 87dB. Driver complement consists of 1 1/8" ring radiator tweeter, 5 1/2" midrange and 9" woofer. Power handling is a robust 500 watts.
No details are yet available on pricing or finishes for these new loudspeakers from Focus Audio.
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Loudspeakers
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Thursday, 07 February 2008 |
The Audio Insider is clearing out remaining stock on certain models in the Swan Diva .1 series of loudspeakers.
The Swan Diva 6.1 floorstanding loudspeakers, C3 center channel and R3 surrounds will continue to be offered, but the remaining models will no longer be sold via The Audio Insider. The Swan Diva 2.1 bookshelf loudspeaker is now available for $349 a pair, the Swan Diva 4.1 floorstanding loudspeaker is selling for $499 a pair, the Swan Diva 5.1 floorstanding loudspeaker is now $549 a pair, the Swan Diva C2 center channel $199, the Swan Diva R2 surround $249 a pair and lastly, the Swan Diva Sub10 is priced at $345.
Pricing on the remaining stock of these models in the Swan Diva .1 series of loudspeakers is limited to stock on hand.
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Separates
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Friday, 01 February 2008 |
 Krell Industries will soon be shipping their new 8.4 channel Evolution 707 pre/pro.
The Krell Evolution 707 is an HDMI 1.3 compliant device that supports all advanced audio codecs. The laundry list of features includes four HDMI 1.3 inputs, one HDMI 1.3 output, 7.1 channel analog inputs, four toslink and four digital coax inputs with one each for output, fully balanced and unbalanced outputs, analog bypass, 1080p video scaling, separate power supplies for digital and analog signal paths, RS-232, ethernet, 12v triggers, (1-in 4-out), a whopping 350MHz bandwidth for the video signal path, all packed in a brushed aluminum chassis.
The Krell Evolution 707 packs an impressive feature set, as a high end flagship pre/pro should. The status of owning a Krell Evo707 will only set you back $25,000. The Krell Evolution 707 pre/pro ships this quarter. |
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Loudspeakers
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Thursday, 31 January 2008 |
 French loudspeaker producer Triangle Industries has introduced a new line of loudspeakers. The Genese line sits right below Triangle's flagship Magellan line, and much of the technology used in the Genese line of loudspeakers was developed by Triangle for the Magellan line.
Presently the Triangle Genese line consists of three loudspeakers. The 50" 3 way, front ported Triangle Lyrr uses three 6.5" woofers coupled with a 6.5" midrange and Triangle's familiar tweeter, which features a phase plug and is either sitting in a shallow horn or a deep waveguide, depending who you ask. The Triangle Genese Quartet is a 46" 3 way, front ported floorstander that gets the job done with two 6.5" woofers mated with a 6.5" midrange and the Triangle tweeter. Bringing up the rear is the Triangle Trio, a 2 way, front ported bookshelf that utilizes a 6.5" woofer mated with the Triangle tweeter. Across the line the tweeters sit in their own housing, reminiscent of Usher and Swan, and the sides of the enclosures are rounded. Finishes appear to be of the piano gloss variety. Sensitivity is high, typical of Triangle, with the Trio claiming 90dB and the floorstanding Quartet and Lyrr at 92dB. Plinths have the familiar five-footed stance that is familiar from Triangle's Esprit line. The Genese line's ports split into a Y inside the enclosure, giving the port more volume without increasing the aperture. Triangle claims this lowers distortion and unwanted resonances.
No pricing details on the Genese line at this time. The Genese line sits between the economically priced Esprit and flagship Magellan lines. Triangle loudspeakers have gotten an unfair rap for being on the bright side. Paired with the right equipment their offerings deliver exceptional detail. They can definitely play loud, and may be just the thing for someone with a tube affinity.
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