Starting in 1984, Anthony H. Cordesman and Martin Colloms filed several reports on the Magnepan Magneplanar MGIIIA loudspeaker. Cordesman wrote, "In a world which seemed doomed to finding out just how small and dull it could make acoustic-suspension boxes, the Magnepans reminded me that speakers could produce a large open soundstage, real dynamics, and musical life."Next, from April 1993, Larry Greenhill reviews the B&W Matrix 805 loudspeaker. Greenhill notes, "Although the price is high for a two-way minimonitor, the 805 fits right into a growing high-end marketplace for such designs, one which emphasizes high quality in a small enclosure which will fit into most living-room environments without calling much attention to itself."From the same issue, Greenhill then moves on to the Sonus Faber Minima FM2 loudspeaker. "These 13lb minimonitors are the [Italian] company's smallest model," writes Greenhill. With the right music, LG discovers, "they are among the most musically involving minimonitors I've heard."
Jonathan Scull turned to the Balanced Audio Technology VK-P10 phono preamplifier to see what it could do for his vast collection of vinyl. Quite a bit as it turns out. "The P10 was clearly a device that remained transparent to its purpose at all times," remarks Scull.Finally, the newest installment in our "Recording of the Month" series for the online archives, Recording of October 1994: Officium, from saxophonist Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble. Les Berkley opines, "At its best, this recording is a fascinating approach to early music—a tonescape as well as a vocal performance."
