POLK AUDIO LEGEND L800 FLOOR-STANDING LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
July 29, 2021 Comments Off on POLK AUDIO LEGEND L800 FLOOR-STANDING LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
The Polk Legend L800s are a stone-cold bargain in the world of high-end loudspeakers. They deliver a true full-range sound from below 20Hz to above 20,000Hz. The soundstage brought forth by SDA Pro technology creates a unique listening experience. They can handle micro-dynamics with the finesse of a small monitor while delivering crescendos from a full-scale orchestra with ease. The L800s do not require an expensive amplifier to deliver a terrific performance, but if you want to power them with a five-figure amplifier, they are more than capable. For $5,998 per pair, I don’t know of any speakers that can deliver everything this Polk L800 system delivers. Highly recommended.
SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer Review
July 28, 2021 Comments Off on SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/svs-3000-micro-subwoofer-review
Next, up: How loud? My previous trials were just about as loud as I ever listen electively. But science demands more, so I powered down my left/right monitors and repeated the same track rotation, auditioning the subs “naked,” while gradually increasing level. With about 6dB added, the little SVS was still fine—solidly pitch-defined and free of rude noises—as was, of course, the big SVS tube. So too was the KEF, though it was noticeably less loud, its DSP dynamic/equalization being activated as the electromechanical system approached its limits. At about 10dB louder than my original level the SVS evinced the same sort of limiting: it still sounded clean and musical, but essentially stopped responding to higher signal input, getting little if any louder. It also produced a noticeable “tup” on the leading edge of the strongest/lowest notes, which was not present at the lower levels. Presumably, this was a mechanical artifact of the sub’s drivers and/or bass-dynamics brain probing their limits, though it was never audible in full-system listening at any level. The PC-12-Plus took the blue here, producing ridiculous bass levels, and simultaneously exciting many more previously unknown room rattles.
McIntosh MC1502 Power Amplifier Review
July 28, 2021 Comments Off on McIntosh MC1502 Power Amplifier Review
The McIntosh MC1502 Power Amplifier
You might be surprised at how much of the music you feel is unlistenable because you find it overly compressed, is actually running your amp and speakers out of power. Your room size, and speaker sensitivity will play a big part in this, but again, 82db isn’t exactly concert hall levels. Even turning the volume down lower to a 76db average level, is still generating 100db peaks on a lot of tunes. The 150 watts per channel that the MC1502 deliver comes in handy, and at much lower listening levels than you might think.
FIIO FH5S BA/DYNAMIC 4 DRIVER HYBRID $259 EVIEW
July 26, 2021 Comments Off on FIIO FH5S BA/DYNAMIC 4 DRIVER HYBRID $259 EVIEW
To complement the FH5s’ unique driver complement is a user tunable crossover network with three two-position switches for Bass, Midrange, and Treble offering eight different crossover settings in addition to the five differently tuned eartips (bass, vocal, balanced, foam, bi-flange), meaning the FH5s can be adapted to almost any listening taste or preference.
Monitor Audio Bronze 200 Loudspeaker Review
July 26, 2021 Comments Off on Monitor Audio Bronze 200 Loudspeaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/monitor-audio-bronze-200-loudspeaker
Mental housekeeping over, I settled back to admire what this loudspeaker could do, and that’s to deliver a wide, detailed, full-range sound from small cabinets, with little strain on partnering amplification. The rockabilly riff on Bryan Adams’ cover of Eddie Cochran’s ‘C’mon Everybody’ [Tracks Of My Tears; 96kHz/24-bit FLAC] enjoyed a solidity and warmth, the vocal had a lovely texture and raspy edge, and the guitar solo sliced through the midrange with ease.
The cabinet height means the Bronze 200 doesn’t lean its soundstage over you, but a wide-flung treble and good pair matching created a well-spaced image that easily expanded beyond the cabinets themselves. With The Police’s raw-sounding 1979 live performance of ‘Can’t Stand Losing You’ [Live!; 88.2kHz/24-bit FLAC], these floorstanders did a decent job of conveying the scale of the recording and the players on the stage.
Better yet was the swirling, fluid and expansive picture they painted with the title track from Carbon Based Lifeforms’ Interloper [Blood Music BLO154]. As this electronic composition ebbed and flowed, the speakers seemed right on song, offering plump bass, crisp percussion and rich synth chords.
PSB Synchrony T600 Loudspeaker $7,999 Review
July 25, 2021 Comments Off on PSB Synchrony T600 Loudspeaker $7,999 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/psb-synchrony-t600-loudspeaker-review
The performance of the PSBs higher up the frequency range—untouched by Audyssey EQ— left little to be desired, clearly fleshing out delicate and dynamic percussive elements, from the lightly struck ride cymbal on the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s “Take Five” (still a reference-quality recording decades after it was first produced) to the overtones of the opening bass riff on Toto’s “I Will Remember.” While my measurements showed the high frequency response tapering off above 3kHz, the sound was never dull. I did occasionally hit +1 on the Denon’s Treble control depending on the source, but both the objective and subjective effects of that tweak were at best subtle.
Audionet Humboldt Integrated Amplifier $55,000 Review
July 24, 2021 Comments Off on Audionet Humboldt Integrated Amplifier $55,000 Review
Forgive me if I exclude any others in the top-tier integrated category, but the Gryphon Diablo 300, Dartzeel CTH-8550 mk2, Constellation Argo, Ypsilon Phaethon, Vitus MP-I201 (significantly more expensive than the Humboldt) and SIA-030, Pilium Leonidas, Absolare Integrated SE, Soulution 530, CH Precision I1 are all world class. The mighty Vitus MP-I201 sits regally at around $120k and, sadly, I have never heard it, so I cannot comment on its performance or value. Price-wise, the Humboldt sits at the penultimate price position, with the others ranging from the mid-$20k’s to the high $40k’s. Sonically, the Humboldt offers pure neutrality, an insanely low noise floor, and supreme dynamic prowess, while conveying music with passion, soul, and energy. The other choices I listed are all damn good, and range in personality from warm and engulfing, to ultra-dynamic, to hyper-accurate and resolving. I’d put the $40k Leonidas and the $40k Vitus SIA-030 as the most comparable tonally. Your listening tastes, budget, and current equipment will help to define which direction you need to look in. As a reviewer, it’s not my job to tell you what’s better or worse, or what to buy. It is my job to tell you what the review subject sounds like, and what’s worth an audition, and if it’s something I would consider purchasing. Well, the Humboldt is unquestionably worth listening to and absolutely worth buying if you have the means. I was sad to see it go, and even sadder the following day when it was no longer in my room. Highly recommended.
Yamaha A-S3200 $7500 Review
July 23, 2021 Comments Off on Yamaha A-S3200 $7500 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/yamaha-a-s3200
While the phono stage’s 47ohm moving magnet input impedance will work well with pretty much any cartridge of that type, it’s a little odd that Yamaha has chosen to go with a 50ohm value for the moving coil option. While MCs vary in terms of their loading requirements, a 100ohm value would have suited many more cartridges. It’s not a make-or-break situation, but you’ll need to be careful with the cartridge choice if you want optimal results.
Siltech Classic Legend 680L Speaker Cables $4899 Review
July 23, 2021 Comments Off on Siltech Classic Legend 680L Speaker Cables $4899 Review
While I’m not generally into cables or tweaks, Siltech’s Classic Legend 680L speaker cables captivated me. Yes, their build quality is excellent, their materials clearly first-rate, and Siltech’s corporate narrative emphasizing measurements and iterative improvements in metallurgy is compelling.
But for an audio component to earn my highest recommendation, I must be able to hear its contributions to my system’s ability to re-create the sounds of the music I love. Siltech’s Classic Legend 680L speaker cables gave me a lot of such contributions to hear. Their ability to reduce low-level distortion and artifacts below what my lower-cost copper cables could manage was as enjoyable as it was surprising.
WESTONE ES80 CUSTOM-FIT IN-EAR MONITORS REVIEW
July 22, 2021 Comments Off on WESTONE ES80 CUSTOM-FIT IN-EAR MONITORS REVIEW
Westone ES80 custom-fit in-ear monitors
Another signature design element Westone’s ‘Deep Open Bore’, which is a deeply flared mouth that is moulded into the outer openings of the Flex Canals and into which sounds from the driver sound outlet tubes flow. Westone says the Deep Open Bore helps provide “a smoother transition between the monitor mix and the ambient sound.” My point in providing all this construction detail is to indicate that Westone assiduously works to address key earpiece design issues that most competitors have yet to address.
This same care and attention to detail has gone into the selection of accessories provided with the ES80. The CIEMs ship in a watertight, internally padded Pelican carry case whose lid sports a Westone logo plate, and a top surface etched with the owner’s name, the CIEMs’ date of manufacture, and the unit’s serial/model number. Within the case are found an owner’s manual, a padded microfibre cleaning cloth, a cleaning tool/brush, a small vial of Oto-Ease fluid (a gentle lubricant users can apply to earpiece shells to facilitate smoother insertion and removal), and a renewable desiccant-filled pod to help prevent moisture damage to the CIEMs.
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