Audiophilepure

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1198-perlisten-audio-s5t-loudspeaker

Perlisten Audio’s S5t loudspeaker manifests the no-nonsense, performance-first approach you’d expect from a decades-old company that is continuing to refine a winning formula. This process of refinement is still fueled by the desire to build something unique, which spurs technical innovation. Marked by its sterling neutrality across the frequency band, the S5t’s most distinctive feature is its DPC array, which produced one of the most convincing and holographic stereo images I’ve heard. While not quite full range in my listening space, the S5t, thanks to its well-controlled, linear bottom end, should be nearly full range in listening rooms of more typical dimensions. The S5t is built to a high standard, and the high-gloss finish of my review samples looked beautiful. It would complement any modern decor. All aboard the hype train: Perlisten’s S5t is the real deal.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/avalon-eidolon-speaker

This loudspeaker challenged what I knew about sound reproduction on multiple fronts. Designer Neil Patel has demonstrated an uncompromising attitude to the very essence of recorded performance and musical expression. His Eidolon could have been bigger, louder, and possessed greater slam, but it couldn’t have simultaneously demonstrated the most serious approach to perfection I’ve heard.

Summarising the technical performance, as costly speakers go, this floorstander has a moderate footprint, superb finish, average sensitivity and amplifier loading, but very good power handling. It delivered a very smooth, very extended frequency range with superb off-axis consistency and low distortion. Its build and technologies are essentially of the highest quality while self-noise and stored energy are at an all-time low.

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/4/1/paradigm-founder-40b-bookshelf-loudspeaker

So, Paradigm is two for two around here, and at both ends of the price spectrum. Bravo, for that. $2400/pair is not inexpensive, but for high-end, it’s a relative bargain. And when you take into account the quality sound, driver implementation, style and workmanship, the Founder 40Bs should be heard by all researching a sub $3000 speaker purchase. Recommended.

I didn’t have much in the way of preconceived notions about how the JBL system would sound. I haven’t heard horn speakers in many years and thought the mid to high frequencies would be inferior to my other speakers in the house from Ohm, KEF, and Focal. That wasn’t the case. JBL drivers have come a long way over the years, and they sounded smooth and extended. I moved some of my highly regarded ‘East Coast’ speakers into my living room and switched back and forth and did not find the JBLs wanting in any way. The JBLs lacked any form of equalization, something I missed because my other speakers had the virtue of Dirac or ARC but that wasn’t an option here. I’d like to see JBL offer some tuning options for room matching. There is a switch to adjust the low end for corner placement of the speakers.

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0721/Verdant_Audio_Blackthorn_1_Monitor_Speakers_Review.htm

The above suggest an ongoing commitment to growth and innovation in high-end audio, whose objective remains focused on developing speakers that deliver extraordinary listening experiences. One can of course argue the perspective and attainability of a $6000 to $10,000 speaker budget relative to the average audiophile consumer. Perhaps more relevant however is to note the impressive and over-achieving musical presentation offered within the context of this price range.

As the flagship model, the Blackthorn 1 is truly an over-achieving monitor design, offering a massive and articulated stage to musical performance well beyond its modest size.

With the integration of a fine subwoofer, they offer an amazingly full-range presentation with fantastic imaging, rivaling my Daedalus Athena v.2 full-range reference speakers. Anyone seriously considering monitors that will serve a variety of high fidelity applications (and even those who thought a monitor would not be enough) should make every effort to audition these fine speakers. Highly recommended!