Audiophilepure

https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/bookshelf/jbl-4312g-loudspeaker-review/

“Of course, there may have been more at play here than just the sound that was giving me the “warm & fuzzies” with these speakers. The overall look of the JBL 4312G was bringing on a healthy dose of nostalgia to these eyes. Memories came flooding back of similar-looking speakers from various Toronto Hi-Fi shops where I spent an inordinate amount of my time as a youth. The 4312G also looked like miniature versions of the monster-sized StudioLab speakers my college friend’s dad had in their rec-room so many years ago. We listened to tons of Pink Floyd, Genesis and Rush on those beasts and a very similar fondness returns to me when I turn up the volume on these JBLs”

“While manufacturers like ELAC and Magnepan offer a sense of refinement and harmonic complexity the Pinnacle lacks, the Prime Pinnacle counters with scale, rhythm, dynamics, and real low end extension. If you are looking for a speaker that does music and HT equally well, the Pinnacle is an absolute no brainer. If you’re building an audio only system and can’t fit a sub, yet want near full range performance at an affordable price, the Pinnacle may be your only choice. If you’re looking for an audio only speaker to convey the subtle nuances of a saxophone, the complex textures of a cello, or the harmonic richness of a French Horn, and can either utilize a sub or just don’t value what’s available under 40Hz, your options widen significantly. Considering the risk free trial opportunity SVS offers, it’s tough to pass up the chance to give them a try and see if they work for you.”

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/bowers-wilkins-formation-duo-wireless-integrated-loudspeaker/

“But beyond sound quality and appeal to the committed audiophile, the Duo expands the market for high-quality audio by reaching music lovers who might be intimidated by component audio, or who lack the space for separates. The Duo unobtrusively blends into a home, is easy to use, and can be part of a whole-house wireless audio system. The obvious downside, which may not be a consideration for many listeners, is that the Duo is a closed ecosystem that works only with other Formation products, and can’t be upgraded as technology marches forward.

It’s unlikely that the advanced new wireless technology that motivated a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to buy a 53-year-old British loudspeaker company will be confined to the Formation products. The Duo is just the beginning. Don’t be surprised to see Formation-like technology and integration in versions of Bowers & Wilkins’ upper-end loudspeakers. Those products will help answer the question of whether the undeniable advantages of integrated wireless systems are limited to relatively affordable products like the Duo and to consumers for whom convenience is a priority, or if integrated loudspeakers represent a transformation that will eventually pervade even the upper echelons of high-end audio. “

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/component/banners/click/247

“The Rockport Technologies Avior II is easily one of the finest loudspeakers I’ve heard in the last five years. It combines an expertly voiced tonal balance that I can’t imagine anyone disliking with the ability to resolve the finest details in recordings, from the top to the very bottom of the audioband. In fact, until you hear these speakers, you very well may never have heard genuine bass detail. When you combine an exalted level of sound quality with qualities of build and fit’n’finish that are in the top 5% of speakers in the high end, you also have a slam-dunk recommendation from me and an easy Reviewers’ Choice recipient. Skip the new car. Buy a pair of Avior IIs, and drive off into the sunset — in your old car — one very happy audiophile.”

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1360-audiosolutions-figaro-m-loudspeakers

“Starting at the low end — my primary complaint about the Figaro B’s sound — I cued up some hip-hop: “Practice,” from Drake’s Take Care (16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC, Cash Money). The bass drops at 0:54 in, deep synth tones pulsing and pounding through the woofers. The Figaro Ms handled the onslaught of low frequencies and maintained their composure even at high volume, providing me with deep, taut, detailed bass. I could easily distinguish the bass notes’ various pitches. The Figaros’ overall bass output didn’t overwhelm my room; in fact, for cabinets of this size, I was somewhat underwhelmed. The overall experience was satisfying, but bass-heads should know that the Figaro M is not the last word in bass slam and extension.”

https://www.stereophile.com/content/manger-p1-loudspeaker

“Our recommendation for setup is: The distance between speakers should be 9 feet maximum. The distance from the wall behind should be 2.3 feet or larger. It can be closer (however), as the speaker is sealed and tuned with a low Q, so the increase of bass with a closer distance works without getting boomy. Listening position can be very close as the Manger driver already radiates in far-field behaviors at around 0.45 feet. We recommend a toe-in with the drivers crossing about 1.6 feet in front of your listening position. This gives you a very precise three-dimensional image which is absolutely [stable].”

Daniela’s words gave me permission to move the p1s closer to the wall behind them. As I inched the speakers back, the bass region began to fill in. In my final position, with the speakers about 6′ apart and only 12″ from the cabinet-backs to the front wall, Frank Sinatra’s voice (LP, In The Wee Small Hours, Capitol W581) and Vladimir Horowitz’s piano (44.1 FLAC, Horowitz at Home, Deutsche Grammophon/Tidal) displayed their proper tone. My Stereophile test CD and trusty iPhone dB meter verified that 50Hz, 100Hz, 1kHz, and 5kHz were all reproduced at the same level.
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/manger-p1-loudspeaker#HdJThS3Cx37y8BJS.99

https://www.hifinews.com/content/focal-kanta-no3-loudspeaker

“Other vaguely contemporaneous rock tracks flowed out from the Kanta No3 loudspeakers as my enjoyment of what they could do grew. The driving rhythm section of Genesis surged through the title track from Abacab [Virgin CBRCD 102], with all those keyboard stabs swirling and jangling through the mix. Meanwhile, the slow burn of Steely Dan’s ‘Babylon Sisters’ [from Gaucho; MCA 0602498605103] was wide open and slinky, with a lovely focus on the instruments and the backing vocals in particular.

This big, focused and layered sound was also very well-suited to the lush production values of a spot of yacht rock – well actually, perhaps the ur-yacht track, Toto’s ‘Africa’ from Toto IV [CBS 450088 2]. Forget the noticeable whiff of cheese and give up on trying to work out what on earth the lyrics are banging on about. Through the Kanta No3 the smiles begin with that opening percussion, grow with the great thump of bass, and continue throughout the taut gutsy sound, the synth fills beautifully clear, as are the vocals and those lyrics. Oh well, you can’t win them all!”

READ HERE

“As you will have surmised, then, this loudspeaker isn’t just a device for superior reproduction of scale, space and, yes, rich bottom octaves: it’s also a champion with vocals. The interplay between Rawls and Reeves has long been one of my aural litmus tests, and the ‘III sailed through it with aplomb. Detail, controlled sibilants, ideal contrast in the vocal textures – the title track oozed warmth and realism, even sounding valve-like when driven by the D’Agostino Momentum Stereo.

On to Keb’ Mo’s Peace… Back By Popular Demand [Okeh/Epic EK92687] to hear the twang of the bottleneck guitar, the sublime piano on ‘Imagine’ – the Electa Amator IIIs simply sang. I could surely live with these, concerned with only one downside: I’d be up every night until 3am, trying to hear my entire record collection just one more time.

Read Here

“As in many Monitor Audio loudspeakers, a threaded rod is fastened to the rear of each woofer; these extend through openings on the cabinet’s rear panel, where they are secured on the outside by large, decorative nuts. This not only eliminates visible mounting hardware on the front but also provides increased bracing. Not that the latter’s in short supply: The cabinet’s 18mm MDF walls are extensively braced.

Two HiVe (high velocity) reflex ports are around back; foam plugs are provided to block them if desired (I didn’t). Two pairs of input terminals offer biwire or biamp options. For single-wire/single-amp use, the Gold’s terminal shorting links are wire rather than the usual solid metal straps. The cabinet’s sturdy outrigger feet can be used with or without spikes. As is increasingly common, the provided spikes are neither long enough nor tapered sharply enough (likely due to safety concerns) to penetrate a carpet.”