https://www.hifinews.com/content/elac-concentro-s-503-loudspeaker

This performance all comes together in a standmount speaker that isn’t without faults, but that on the whole sounds spectacular considering its size. Playing the iconic theme from ‘The Book Of Boba Fett’, composed by Ludwig Göransson [Walt Disney Records], it’s really all there. The epic scale, eye-opening wavefront when the massive percussion beats down, and the chants resounding away into the distance – it’s a magnificent, dynamic result.

For sure, the S 503 requires a bit of power, not that it bothered the Hegel Reference H590 amplifier [HFN Oct ’19] that I used. You just have to be prepared to give the volume knob a good twirl to realise a truly rousing performance. But trust me, you will.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/paradigm-founder-120h-loudspeaker

Here’s one more example of how satisfying the Founders are. On some systems, ride cymbals played with a brush sound like white noise, the drummer’s taps barely discernible as separate events. With these speakers, there’s a crispness to the treble, neither forward nor recessed, that renders delicate cymbal work without smearing. Chico Hamilton’s ride cymbal on his quintet’s “Passin’ Thru,” from the album of the same name (16/44.1, Qobuz), is all there.

My main criticism of the 120H, and it’s mild, is that with most recordings, I didn’t find them completely involving at lower levels. They need to be played with some oomph to make recordings come alive. Below 75dB at the listening position, there wasn’t always enough kick, excitement, or presence. For me, this wasn’t a problem: I like my music loud.

I didn’t know you could buy such a great sounding speaker at this price. I didn’t know a speaker at this price could scale into systems that are literally 10x-15x their price. The thing I think we need to remove is the term “at this price.” The Union 6 is an exceptional speaker at pretty much any price. Zu makes more expensive speakers, and they are better, but the Union 6 could easily be someone’s first and last speaker. They retain everything that I love about my Soul VIs in a more affordable package, and provide 80% of the performance in nearly every criteria. I wish more companies would build entry level products like Zu does. The Union 6 has my highest recommendation, and is easily the best passive speaker I have heard under $3000. It will scale easily into $15k or $20K systems, and sounds great with a modern well designed $2000 integrated.

e—the TD1.2 also projects out into the listening area in a way that includes a good deal of the space between the speakers and the listener. In a recording where the brass section plays loudly, for example, or a singer really sings to the balcony, that projected sound extends into the listening room in an approximation of what happens in live music. The effect allows for a greater sense of immediacy and listener involvement than a more ‘contained-box’ soundstage does.” I also included the following clarification: “I don’t associate this soundstage projection with ‘forwardness.’ For one thing, it only happens when the recording has an element that projects to the front as it would in real life. It is not a consistent characteristic across most recordings. And second, the TD1.2 is not at all hyped up or overly ‘hot’ sounding, as is often the case with forward-sounding speakers. On the contrary, the TD1.2 is remarkably revealing without sounding forced or aggressive. Its grain-free, detailed-without-brightness quality is one of its endearing attributes, actually.” If memory serves me, the larger TD2.2 does this “breathe into the room” effect even better than the TD1.2 did.

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2022/7/20/lu42g19hck98c7glxikj5f7p536war

My B600 review samples were well into their press tour so break-in was not a concern. Popping them on the stands for the first time the highs seemed a bit hot but I acclimated to this quickly. After swapping things back and forth I determined this was wholly attributed to my familiarity with my laid-back Wharfedale Diamonds. If the B600s were preceded by, say, a pair of Focal Arias which I reviewed recently the effect would certainly be negated. 

I found the B600 ($2799/pair) to be relatively easygoing in terms of their placement. The one major consideration is they need room to breathe. I have more notes on bass below but be warned, there’s plenty. The final presentation can be dialled in by briefly playing with toe-in. I preferred them firing just outside my shoulders but season the high-frequency energy to taste.  

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1736-atohm-gt1-hd-loudspeaker

Second, are standmount speakers your only option (or preference) over floorstanding speakers? If yes, then you should definitely audition the GT1-HD. In my opinion, the Atohm performs as well as many floorstanders. If you are not committed to the bookshelf format, then consider including floorstanding speakers in your audition. At this price point, there are some solid options out there.

Lastly, are you someone who appreciates a product that is designed and manufactured by an independent company, where the owner is also the designer, and there’s a story and a face behind the product? Or are you a diehard audiophile who feels that the end product is all that matters? If you are the former, then the GT1-HD just might check another box. The combination of all these attributes could make the Atohm GT1-HD an irresistible prospect.