Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

NHT Xd active loudspeaker system

Kalman Rubinson Nov 19, 2005 First Published: Nov 19, 2005

NHT's Xd system is what audiophiles have been saying they want: a matched loudspeaker system that optimizes the performance of its components for a real-world domestic listening environment. But with their dollars they've voted against just such systems for years. If we put our money where our mouths are, active speaker systems such as Meridian's DSP or those used in recording studios would dominate the High End.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews Budget Component Reviews

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 loudspeaker

Robert J. Reina Nov 19, 2005 First Published: Nov 19, 2005

Following in the footsteps of my August">http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/805bw">August 2005 review of the B&W DM603 S3, the second stop of the Bob Reina British Invasion Tour is the latest revamping of Wharfedale's affordable Diamond series.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Diapason Adamantes II loudspeaker

Jack English Nov 06, 2005 First Published: Sep 06, 1996

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder—but all too often there is little of beauty to be found in high-end audio. In these aesthetic dark ages, we have been indoctrinated to forsake grace and elegance; we all know that every underlying penny should be spent only in the pursuit of superior sonic performance.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Boston Acoustics Lynnfield 300L Series II loudspeaker

John Atkinson Oct 09, 2005 First Published: Sep 09, 1996

Loudspeaker manufacturer Boston Acoustics made its name—and its fortune—building high-performance but low-cost speakers. Indeed, I recently set up a modest system for my mother-in-law that was based on Boston's classic A-40—a two-way design that sold for just $160/pair back in 1986—and was very pleasantly surprised at the quality these little speakers offered. Back in the early '90s, however, the Massachusetts-based company announced that they were taking a step into the High End with a new loudspeaker line, the Lynnfields (see Thomas J. Norton's interview with Boston's Andy Kotsatos elsewhere in this issue). These were designed by expatriate British engineer Phil Jones, previously responsible for the impressive Acoustic Energy speakers.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Totem Acoustic Tabù loudspeaker

Larry Greenhill Sep 10, 2005 First Published: Feb 10, 1997

I first heard the Totem Acoustic Tabù loudspeakers at HI-FI '96, Stereophile's Home Theater & Specialty Audio Show at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City last June. A startlingly realistic vocal recording drew me to Totem's sixth-floor demo room. Vincent Bruzzese, the speaker's designer, was playing Michael Jonasz singing "Si si si le ciel" from la fabuleuse histoire de Mister Swing (WEA 2292-42338-2, imported by May Audio Marketing). The small, two-way Tabù cast a holographic, palpable musical image with clear highs and sizzling dynamic pace. I was bitten, and set things in motion for this review. And two other things drew me to the Tabù: its capacitor-less crossover and its similarity to Totem's Model">http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/820">Model 1.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

ProAc Response Two loudspeaker

Corey Greenberg Sep 10, 2005 First Published: Jul 10, 1992

I have a theory about "showing off" systems. I call it Zen and the Art of Keeping Your Yap Shut. Think about it: what's the first thing that pops into your head when someone tells you how great their system sounds? "Yeah, right!"

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RadioShack Optimus Pro LX5 loudspeaker

John Atkinson Sep 04, 2005 First Published: Jun 04, 1995

It was a classic American tale: hearing that the head honcho of RadioShack was in town, the principals of Oregon-based high-end loudspeaker manufacturer Linaeum found out where he was staying and called him to see if RadioShack would be interested in marketing their speakers. They were rewarded for their daring by being given an introduction to the right RadioShack department head, and before you could say time-coherent, a deal was struck for RadioShack to manufacture a new line of three "audiophile" loudspeakers featuring a version of the unique Linaeum tweeter. The less-expensive Optimus Pro X77 and LX4 models use a baffle-mounted tweeter that radiates just to the front; the top-of-the-line Optimus Pro LX5 reviewed here mounts a bi-directional tweeter on the top of a diecast aluminum enclosure.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Harbeth HL-P3 loudspeaker

John Atkinson Sep 04, 2005 First Published: Dec 04, 1993

Back in the early 1970s, the BBC needed a physically unobtrusive, nearfield monitor loudspeaker for use in outside-broadcast trucks. Accordingly, they instructed their design department, which at that time featured such luminaries as Dudley Harwood (the "father" of the polypropylene cone, who went on to found Harbeth) and the late Spencer Hughes (the "father" of the Bextrene cone, who went on to found Spendor), to produce such a model. Thus, not only was what was then probably the finest collection of British speaker-design talent involved in its development, there were no commercial constraints placed on the design. The only limitations were intended to be those arising from the necessarily small enclosure and the absence of the need for a wide dynamic range under close monitoring conditions.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Wilson Audio Specialties CUB loudspeaker

Thomas J. Norton Jul 31, 2005 First Published: May 01, 1998

Scratch an audiophile and, chances are, you'll find a closet Wilson Audio fan. The Wilson">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/477">Wilson WATT/Puppy would probably make almost anyone's list of the most significant high-end loudspeaker designs. David Wilson first built his reputation with the custom-built WAMM loudspeaker—a monumental piece invariably included with products like the Infinity IRS, Genesis I, and Apogee Grand when the world's most awesome loudspeakers are discussed. But it was the WATT, followed by the WATT/Puppy—the latter now several">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/920">several generations improved over the original design—that really put the company on the high-end audio map.

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Paradigm Reference Signature S2 loudspeaker

John Atkinson Jul 17, 2005 First Published: Jul 17, 2005

Canadian company Paradigm has made a name for itself over the past 20 years with affordably priced, high-performance loudspeakers. Its Reference Series designs have garnered much praise from this magazine—I was well impressed by the floorstanding Series 3 Reference Studio/100 ($2300/pair) last">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/105paradigm">last January, my review following hard on the heels of Kalman Rubinson's enthusiastic recommendation of the smaller Studio/60 v.3 ($1600/pair) in December">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/1204paradigm">December 2004, while the bookshelf Reference Studio/20 ($800/pair) has been a resident of Stereophile's "Recommended Components" listing ever since Bob Reina's original review in February">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/628">February 1998.