AV Enthusiast

On Hiatus

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:51:51 +0100

I haven't thrown in the towel. I am testing for a promotion at the day job, and this is going to demand most of my attention for the next six weeks.

Updates during this time will be sporadic, if at all. I do have a couple of new interviews in the works, and if I am able to do one of them in June I will publish it.

Sorry for the lack of updates the last couple of weeks. I have a lot on my plate right now, in addition to my workplace becoming a no-internet zone a couple of months ago. I'll be back.

Interview: John DeVore of DeVore Fidelity

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:17:03 +0100

John DeVore is a relatively young guy, at least young enough that he hasn't lost his passion for life and what he does with his. He started DeVore Fidelity in 2000, and has been designing and producing loudspeakers that have garnered unanimous approval since the 90's. John isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, just produce loudspeakers that are truthful windows to the source material. DeVore Fidelity's product line isn't that deep, and he doesn't follow trends. John just makes good loudspeakers and let's them speak for themselves.

It's telling that John is a musician. Not that non-musicians should somehow be excluded from loudspeaker design, but for those of us who were driven from an early age to express ourselves through music, an ear for aural detail seems to be a common trait. His loudspeakers have a well-deserved reputation for reproducing that detail.

John's also a really nice guy and consented to do this interview some time ago when I contacted him out of the blue. He had a couple of hi-fi shows on his schedule, and I have had my hands full with things away from AV Enthusiast, but we finally reconnected. John was gracious enough to spend some time with us, and here is the result:

Monster Gets A Polite FU From Blue Jeans Cable

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:17:54 +0100

By now you're all aware of the Monster Cable-Blue Jeans Cable fiasco. If not, Monster's attorneys sent a cease and desist letter to Blue Jeans Cable over what Monster perceived as patent infringement. Normally I don't link to competing sites since I want you here instead of there, but you have to head to Audioholics and read President of Blue Jeans Cable Kurt Denke's response to Monster's lawyers.

Did anyone else giggle while reading this? Bravo Kurt. I imagine that Monster will not be pursuing this claim, and you should make a public statement offering to represent audio companies on the wrong end of a bogus legal action by Monster. That would likely make them change their strategy regarding bullying smaller audio firms into out of court financial settlements.

Monster already had a pretty bad name amongst audiophiles to begin with. Their cables are overpriced for what they are, and like service plans and extended warranties, Monster cables are a way for sales people in the big brick and mortar stores to squeeze that last dollar out of you before you leave the store.

Next time you need some cables or interconnects head on over to Blue Jeans Cable. I know I will, if only to show my appreciation to a company that refuses to be pushed around by greedy bullies like Monster.

LSA1 Statement Takes The Ribbon

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:10:19 +0100

Curved enclosures aside, LSA Group's LSA1 bookshelf and LSA2 floorstanding loudspeakers bear a suspiciously strong resemblance to the discontinued Von Schweikert VR-1 and VR-2 loudspeakers, both of which always garnered favorable reviews.

LSA has added a new variation of their LSA1 loudspeaker to their speaker lineup. The LSA LSA1 Statement uses the same 6 1/4" paper cone as the other models, but instead of the silk dome used in other LSA offerings, a ribbon tweeter has been implemented. Coupled with an entirely reworked crossover, LSA claims the statement betters the frequency response of the standard LSA1 at 30-32,000 Hz, as opposed to the base LSA1's 45-20,000 Hz. If true, 30 Hz is quite extraordinary for a bookshelf loudspeaker.

I have had the opportunity to audition a pair of LSA LSA2 floorstanding loudspeakers and found them to be competitive in the price tier they occupied. The LSA LSA1 Statement loudspeakers will set you back $3000/pair. If their frequency response claims are true, they deserve an audition if you are in the market for a higher end bookshelf that can fill out the lower registers like a floorstander.

Neat Acoustics Momentum Range Loudspeakers

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:57:48 +0100

British loudspeaker producer Neat Acoustics' Paul Ryder and Bob Surgeoner have a simple idea about the type of loudspeakers they would like to create, inspired by the fact that both Paul and Bob are musicians. The goal of Neat Acoustics is to come as close as possible to recreating the live performance.

The newest line from Neat, the Momentum range, consists of a bookshelf and a floorstanding model that look like just about any other 2 way design. The difference is that they are isobaric designs, utilizing internal passive radiators in conjunction with conventional ports. The Neat Acoustics Momentum 3i is a 2 way bookshelf loudspeaker that utilizes a 6 1/2" woofer with phase plug coupled with an inverted titanium dome tweeter, that despite appearances, is Neat's design and not a Focal unit. The Neat Acoustics Momentum 4i is a 2 1/2 way floorstanding loudspeaker that features the same driver configuration as the bookshelf, with an additional 6 1/2" driver aimed south in an isobaric configuration. Both speakers are average to good sensitivity at 88dB, and the floorstander is a slightly easier load to drive at 8 ohms vs. the bookshelf model's 6 ohms.

Neat's facility includes a recording studio, and each design is tested the old fashioned way; by ear with a variety of source material. Refreshing in a world of computer designed audio components. The Momentum range is available in maple, oak, cherry or rosenut finish. The Momentum 3i will set you back $3500/pair. No pricing on the Momentum 4i.

2 New Speakers From Jean-Marie Reynaud

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:10:23 +0100

The "other" French loudspeaker designer, Jean-Marie Reynaud, has updated his catalog with two new offerings.

The Jean-Marie Reynaud Duet is a bookshelf model that uses a 7" paper/carbon compound driver to fill out the lower registers. At 3200Hz the duties are handed off to a 1.1" silk dome that utilizes a dual neodymium magnet system and a tuned rear chamber. The tweeter is mounted in what could be described as a very deep waveguide, or a shallow horn. A tuned slot is used for porting. The Jean-Marie Reynaud Duet is a 4 ohm load, with good sensitivity of 89dB. Frequency response is 45-25k Hz.

The 36" tall Jean-Marie Reynaud Euterpe is a floorstanding, transmission line version of the Duet. Particulars are similar to the Duet, except the Euterpe is able to coax a little more bottom end out of it's larger enclosure, going down to 40 Hz, and is slightly more sensitive at 90dB.

Continuing with the recent trend, neither the Duet or the Euterpe accomodate biwiring. The Duet will set you back $1525/pair, while the floorstanding Euterpe occupies the crowded $1995 tier.

Neeper Acoustics Perfection One Loudspeaker

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:05:50 +0100

Young Dane Kim Neeper Rasmussen cut his hi-fi teeth working for Thule, Avance and GamuT. In 2005 his desire to create loudspeakers regardless of whether they were too expensive to develop or produce in the eyes of management led him to start Neeper Acoustics.

The 39" 2 1/2 way Neeper Acoustics Perfection One loudspeaker is currently Neeper Acoustics sole product. The Perfection One uses two Scan Speak 5 1/4" drivers that were designed for Neeper, and appear similar to their larger Scan Speak Revelator cousins. These are mated with a 1 1/2" Scan Speak ring radiator for the upper frequencies. The Perfection One boasts an average sensitivity of 87dB and presents a 4 ohm load. Frequency response is quoted as 30-50k Hz. Amplifiers from 70-300 watts are recommended. The Neeper Acoustics Perfection One enclosure is tapered as well as curved, and rests atop a lovely aluminum plinth. No provision for bi-wiring/bi-amping is provided, which seems to be an increasing trend.

The Neeper Acoustics Perfection One loudspeaker is a statement speaker, and those looking for a statement loudspeaker shouldn't be put off by it's $20,000/pair price tag. The Perfection One appears to be a beautiful loudspeaker with solid technology behind it's design, and we'll be watching to see what new designs come from Neeper Acoustics.

Troels Does It Again: ATR25 Transmission Line

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:50:59 +0100

Everyone's favorite DIY loudspeaker designer, Troels Gravesen, has developed yet another appealing loudspeaker design, the floorstanding ATR25.

The ATR25 is a 41.5" tall transmission line design featuring two 7" mineral filled polypropylene Audio Technology drivers that are mated with a Danish Raidho ribbon tweeter. Troels says the combination of the more forgiving polypropylene cones with the electrostat qualities the ribbon tweeter provides a best of all worlds combination of compromises; one that serves music but that won't be as critical of your library of music as some would be. The ATR25 is a sensitive 90dB, and the impedance curve, while it does dip to 4 ohms in places, is a generally friendly load in the 6-8 ohm neighborhood through most of the frequency range.

Denmark's Jantzen Audio is offering the ATR25 as a kit. Those with a little skill in the wood shop and with a soldering iron need only shell out $2515 for the plans and components needed to build the ATR25, minus cabinet and damping material. The ATR looks like a fantastic loudspeaker for the money, and the specs indicate it would satisfy solid state and tube aficionados alike.

Look Familiar? Russ Andrews SP-1 Loudspeaker

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:15:51 +0100

These familiar looking bookshelf speakers aren't some new offering from Focal. British cable and interconnect retailer Russ Andrews has gone hands-on with some Focal Chorus bookshelf loudspeakers and is offering them as the Russ Andrews SP-1 bookshelf loudspeaker.

According to Russ Andrews the speakers have undergone extensive modification to the enclosure, crossover and driver wiring. The resulting loudspeaker is a very friendly load of 95dB at 8 ohms, perfect for those with an affinity for low power amplifiers. Kimber Cable is used for all wiring, and Kimber capacitors have replaced the stock caps in the crossover.

The Russ Andrews SP-1 loudspeaker will set you back $795/pair in either black ash or Amati finish, and are available for order on the Russ Andrews website.

D-Appolito's Latest: Snell B7 Loudspeaker

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:37:54 +0100

Joe D'Appolito has designed a loudspeaker or two in his day and has been associated with numerous loudspeaker makers. Of late he serves as chief engineer at Snell Acoustics, and his latest offering is the Snell Acoustics B7.

The Snell B7 floorstanding loudspeaker uses the familiar Seas magnesium drivers. Driver complement is two 4.5" magnesium mids coupled with a 1" Seas Excel tweeter configured in an MTM arrangement. The bottom end is filled by dual 8" aluminum side firing woofers, which Snell claims reduces cabinet resonance and provides more authoritative bass and detail. Snell will finish the B7 in your choice of stains.

The Snell B7 loudspeaker looks like an improvement on the already solid Snell C7. The Snell B7 will set you back a cool $10k/pair. Soon to be joined by the Snell A7, which we are awaiting more details on at this time.