Passive Speakers Reviews
26 November 2024
Driade Premium Model 9
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The Premium Model 9 is an advanced yet natural-sounding monitor speaker with a linear reproduction for the entire frequency range. While the famous Rogers LS3/5A has inspired some of its qualities, it also has a lot in common with the larger Driade Model 2S floorstander, topped off with a remarkable twist all of its own.
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1 October 2024
Velikinac Audio Lab Sirius
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The Sirius is a four-way speaker using a mix of compression drivers for treble and midrange and conventional drivers for the lower midrange and bass, designed to convey the soul of the music in the purest manner.
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6 June 2024
Clarisys Audio Minuet Plus
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Remember how smitten I was with the Clarisys Audio Minuet when I heard it one year ago (2023) at PUUR hifidelity? Now, go figure that the speaker company issued an improved "Neodymium" model called Minuet Plus that does everything the previous Ferrite model did but with higher efficiency and improvements across the board.
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4 March 2024
Diptyque DP 140 MkII
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With sleek and stylish new looks, improvements in structure and rigidity, optimized PPBM technology and higher tolerances across the board, the DP 140 MkII defines the sweet spot for Diptyque.
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1 August 2023
Marten Parker Trio
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Marten may be known primarily for its luxurious cost-no-object Mingus and Coltrane series, but fortunately for those with more modestly-sized wallets, the range also extends to the other side. The Oscar series is the starting point into the world of Marten. Positioned above is the Parker series which offers a considerably more lavish build with non-parallel walls, a so-called multi-diverse crossover technique, and more exotic drivers.
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31 July 2023
Goldmund Tethys
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The beautifully understated and elegant Tethys is the latest addition to Goldmund's portfolio and it marks the brand's very first passive loudspeaker. Given that all other Goldmund loudspeakers are active designs, that is a pretty big deal.
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19 July 2023
Originally, I had intended to limit this review just to a listening impression of the new 801 D4 Signature. However, during my visit to Bowers & Wilkins in Eindhoven, I was provided with such a wealth of information that I felt I could not just keep it all to myself and only focus on the review. As a result, what you can read below is a bit of Company History, a Factory Tour, and of course, a Listening Impression of the 801 D4 Signature.
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4 May 2023
Since its inception in 1983 by CEO Bo San, a practicing Korean Buddhist monk, Seawave Acoustic has sought the ultimate expression of horn loudspeaker technology. They aspire to reintroduce true horn loudspeakers based on original principles yet dramatically re-engineered for the modern era.
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8 April 2023
Recently, PUUR hifidelity moved from Oostzaan into a cozier and much more accessible shop on a main street in Zeist. In this article, you will find a showcase of the new showroom as well as a report of the Clarisys Audio show with a full listening impression of the entry-level Minuet model.
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20 December 2022
Børresen Acoustics Z1 and 01
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With the Z1 Cryo and 01 Silver Supreme Edition, Børresen has produced on the one hand a speaker that offers a truly great price/performance ratio and on the other hand, an extravagantly-priced speaker that nevertheless offers state-of-the-art performance along with an absolutely stunning aesthetic.
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5 July 2022
Driade Premium Model 2S
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It was a bit of a shame that I have reviewed various Driade cables but never any of their speakers. The recent Premium 2S provided the perfect occasion to rectify this!
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22 February 2022
Reviewed here are two very different models, one monitor/stand-mount model, and one floor-standing model. The speakers have some similarities and some differences but both models impress with a sound that is full-bodied and tonally saturated yet also well-paced and engaging.
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24 January 2022
Diptyque DP 107
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The Diptyque company is born from the meeting between two men passionate about acoustics: Gilles Douziech and Eric Poix. Among others what makes these speakers unique is their proprietary PPBM Push-Pull Bipolar Magnet technique that uses large section bipolar magnets located both at the front and the rear of the Mylar membrane. This makes it possible for the membrane's coil to remain in a constant magnetic field while it moves, allowing a much higher level of control than with a single-ended construction.
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16 January 2022
Qln Prestige Three
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The Qln Prestige Three is a 2-way floor standing speaker, based on the classic Qln Signature 3 design. Several parts have been sourced from the earlier design, such as the time alignment leaning baffle, and the minimized baffle area around the dive units. The crossover has been redesigned and major parts have been improved.
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29 November 2021
Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4
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After the D4 range was released, the new model was said to be not only the best incarnation of the series but actually the best that Bowers & Wilkins has issued. Of course, this is more often said with the introduction of a new reference series. In order to find out, I went to hear the speakers in the SoundUnited demo room.
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16 November 2021
Last month, I published my first experiences with the Wilson Audio Alexx V loudspeakers paired with Dan D'Agostino Momentum pre-and power amplifiers at Ducth Distributor Reference Sounds. At the end of that initial experience, I was informed that a second event was planned, showcasing the Audio Research Ref 6 SE preamplifier and Ref 160 mono power amplifiers. This is my report of this second event.
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19 October 2021
When I received an email from Michael Huigen of Dutch Distributor Reference Sounds with the subject "Invitation for the Wilson Audio Alexx V Listening Session", it only took one look at the first image to decide right away to come and listen to these magnificent beasts. In this review, I will explain all the design changes and will of course share my listening impressions.
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27 June 2021
Pylon Audio Jasper 25
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With their curved enclosures and available in any RAL color, the Jasper 25 looks refreshingly different. Sonically, as well, it is far from anonymous.
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18 December 2020
Wolf von Langa SON
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Hearing the Wolf von Lange Sons for the first time at Callas Audio immediately primed me for something special. But it wasn't until I had heard them in my own system that I truly and deeply understood the extent of their superlative performance.
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11 December 2020
Qln Prestige One
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Being great communicators and musical omnivores, the Prestige Ones always put the music first with an energetic, vibrant and involving rendition of anything that you play.
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11 September 2020
Xavian Premio Esclusivo
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The Premio Esclusivo is a superbly natural-sounding speaker that always brings the maximum in engagement.
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27 July 2020
The LS3/5A a world-famous mini-monitor that is loved by many. But what not many may know is that this was not actually the first incarnation of the model. In this article, I will describe the audible differences between the LS3/5's and LS3/5A's. In addition, I will listen to the SUB3 stereo subwoofer system that is designed by Derek Hughes specifically to work with these speakers.
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23 July 2020
Qln Sonora
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The Qln Sonora loudspeaker is equipped with a highly efficient, crossover-less, full-range driver (with a Whizzer/tweeter-cone) and a tweeter that mainly adds resolution at higher frequencies above 10kHz.
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19 May 2020
Analysis Audio Epsilon
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The Analysis Audio Epsilons produce a sound so clean, clear, open, transparent and so utterly uncolored that many traditional cabinet speakers can only aspire to.
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7 May 2020
To celebrate their 7,5-year anniversary of the PUUR showroom they have paired the Kharma Elegance S7 Signature with the Goldmund Telos 7.
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14 April 2020
As part of the "Private Sessions", PUUR audio, video & domotica is currently demoeing the new Goldmund Telos 7 integrated amplifier together with the Kharma Elegance DB7 loudspeakers.
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3 March 2020
The Wilson Benesch Precision Series uses trickle-down technology from the reference line to capture a large part of the essence of the Wilson Benesch sound at a more accessible price point.
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2 February 2020
On Saturday, January 25th, PUUR audio, video & domotica demonstrated the MBL 116F Radialstrahler loudspeakers along with the N31 CD player/DAC and N51 amplifier combo from MBL's Noble Line.
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23 November 2019
The Graham Audio loudspeakers have an absolutely fabulous midrange. Vocals sound incredibly natural and highly convincing and there is a superbly lyrical and immediately emotionally involving quality to the delivery. It's not only that the midband is superbly liquid, it is also highly faithful to the source, much more so than most other cabinet speakers.
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8 November 2019
Paradigm Persona B
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with the Persona B's, Paradigm has got a superbly performing pair of stand-mounters that deserve very serious attention!
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28 October 2018
Kroma Audio Carmen
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Careful: after hearing these speakers, there is no way back!
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8 October 2018
Xavian Perla Esclusiva
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Pure and natural sounding beauties that also know how to rock!
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Amplifier Reviews,
HFA Audio Setup History,
Passive Speakers Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
18 August 2018
Finding my next reference speakers and amplifiers - part 3
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Amplifier Reviews,
HFA Audio Setup History,
Passive Speakers Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
18 August 2018
Finding my next reference speakers and amplifiers - part 2
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12 August 2018
I had started a quest to find the perfect amplifier, for my Diva situation at least. By now I knew that there were amplifiers that are more expressive and lively than my precious Rowlands, but so far none of them was a match in terms of treble refinement and low-level resolution.
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31 March 2018
Gustavson Audio LS-One
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When hearing the Gustavson LS-One at the X-fi show in Veldhoven 2017, I noticed how easy it was to relax into the music and not worry about traditional audiophile technicalities.
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12 February 2018
Franco Serblin Accordo
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By always allowing the listener to focus on the emotional message, not the technical details, the Accordo's encourage to stop the upgrade process and just enjoy the music.
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10 December 2017
Wilson Sabrina
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Shapely and compact, the latest Wilsons are a visual treat and sound way bigger than their small dimensions would suggest.
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4 December 2017
Aurum Cantus V30 M
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Lots of quality in a small and very attractive package that is priced very reasonably.
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26 August 2017
If all my experiments over the years have taught me one thing then it is that amplifier and speaker performance is highly relative.
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4 June 2017
Installing Graz’s latest KLM5 MRTW ribbons with new interfaces and wired returns This is a follow-up review of the initial Duetta Signature review. When one of the Duetta Signatures’ channels started sounding less energetic and darker than the other, and no amount of crossover-, cable- or component swapping could fix this, I sought advice from […]
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6 May 2017
Diamonds are a man's best friends, too
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23 December 2016
Martin Logan Ethos
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These speakers play music with such a high level of coherence and such utter transparency that they might make it hard for you to return to normal dynamic speakers.
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6 June 2016
Highly revealing speakers that are capable of pure magic when matched with the right cables and electronics
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28 March 2016
Apogee Scintilla – rebuild
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Dismantling and rebuilding the Apogee Scintilla
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27 March 2016
Apogee Scintilla
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Apogee Listening Sessions: Scintilla at Stanley's place.
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20 November 2013
Apogee Diva
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Apogee Listening Sessions: Diva in my reference setup, and comparisons with Duetta Signature.
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14 September 2013
Apogee Duetta Signature
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Apogee Listening Sessions: Duetta Signature in Toine's listening room and in my reference setup, and comparisons between refurbished and original models.
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8 July 2013
Avalon Eclipse
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The original Eclipse is a long time Avalon favourite and one of the first Avalon designs by Charles Hansen, who started the company with a partner
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4 May 2012
Synthese 2 – Mini Review
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Disclaimer Any loudspeaker is highly interactive with its environment, the room that it is placed in. In all but the most perfect rooms, you are listening to a mixture of direct speaker sound and your room, reacting to the speakers. My room is far from perfect and even though I have heard a large number of […]
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3 May 2011
B&W 800D
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The iconic 800D is compared to its smaller brother Nautilus 804, the Magnepan MG3.6R, and the Synthese Floating 2
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29 June 2010
Audio Physic Caldera
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The Caldera's belong to my friend Jeroen who has them set up in quite a small room and he long wondered what they would sound like in a bigger room
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20 September 2009
Magnepan MG 3.6R
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MG3.6R Planar Magnetostatic Speakers, compared to Martin Logan SL3 Electrostatic Speakers
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