Complete Audio Systems:
A:
Dynaudio Focus 10: $5500/pair (stands necessary)
Class A rating is as a Complete Audio System; class B (Restricted LF) as a regular loudspeaker. See Loudspeaker Systems. (Vol.46 Nos.2 & 11 WWW) JBL 4329P: $4500/pair (stands necessary)
Class A rating is as a Complete Audio System; class B (Restricted LF) as a regular loudspeaker. See Loudspeaker Systems. (Vol.46 No.10 WWW) Klipsch The Nines: $1499/pair (stands necessary) $$$
Class A rating is as a Complete Audio System; class B (Restricted LF) as a regular loudspeaker. See Loudspeaker Systems. (Vol.47 No.2 WWW)
B:
Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation: $1299 with standard grille fabric $$$
This slim, all-in-one, Roon Ready networked music system has a tweeter, a midrange unit, and an oval-shaped woofer for each channel, all powered by direct-digital, class-D amplification. The integral DSP offers three room compensation settings. There is also an alarm and a sleep timer. The major digital streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz, are handled natively, and the Mu-so also offers AirPlay 2 (iTunes and Apple Music) and Chromecast. There are analog, S/PDIF, USB, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, and wired and Wi-Fi network inputs, though other than the USB port, the physical inputs are inconveniently placed on the bottom of the chassis. The Mu-so can be controlled by a remote control, by its own touch controls, and by the Naim app for Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices. JMu was well-impressed by this app. She was also impressed by the sound, writing “a few sonic characteristics stood out: crisp clarity with more detail and dynamic output than I expected. Subjective impressions of bass extension seemed to exceed what’s possible from small drivers within a smallish box.” How did JMu conclude her review? “The musical Mu-so 2nd Generation offers serious sound and engineering from a respected maker, but it’s also built for fun. I wanted to keep on listening, and that speaks volumes.” Additional grille color options add $90 to price. (Vol.43 No.10 WWW) Sonus Faber Omnia: $1999
RvB was impressed by the sound of this single-box, Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi–enabled, DSP-optimized, active stereo loudspeaker system. It uses a single 6.5" woofer, two 0.75" silk-dome tweeters, a pair of 3" midrange drivers, and two 1.75" drivers that fire to the sides to widen the soundstage. The Omnia includes an analog line input, a MM-compatible phono input, an HDMI ARC input, and an Ethernet port. While there is a remote control, the Omnia can also be controlled by a web page or by Roon. As you might expect from a 6.5" woofer in a small enclosure, the lowest octaves were restricted, though RvB found that definition and timbre were still quite good. “Most music I played had a proper foundation, with enough bass weight to satisfy, even seduce,” he wrote. His conclusion: “The Omnia wireless speaker is beautifully designed, well built, and sonically gifted.” (Vol.45 No.8 WWW)
Class A rating is as a Complete Audio System; class B (Restricted LF) as a regular loudspeaker. See Loudspeaker Systems. (Vol.46 Nos.2 & 11 WWW) JBL 4329P: $4500/pair (stands necessary)
Class A rating is as a Complete Audio System; class B (Restricted LF) as a regular loudspeaker. See Loudspeaker Systems. (Vol.46 No.10 WWW) Klipsch The Nines: $1499/pair (stands necessary) $$$
Class A rating is as a Complete Audio System; class B (Restricted LF) as a regular loudspeaker. See Loudspeaker Systems. (Vol.47 No.2 WWW)
This slim, all-in-one, Roon Ready networked music system has a tweeter, a midrange unit, and an oval-shaped woofer for each channel, all powered by direct-digital, class-D amplification. The integral DSP offers three room compensation settings. There is also an alarm and a sleep timer. The major digital streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz, are handled natively, and the Mu-so also offers AirPlay 2 (iTunes and Apple Music) and Chromecast. There are analog, S/PDIF, USB, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, and wired and Wi-Fi network inputs, though other than the USB port, the physical inputs are inconveniently placed on the bottom of the chassis. The Mu-so can be controlled by a remote control, by its own touch controls, and by the Naim app for Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices. JMu was well-impressed by this app. She was also impressed by the sound, writing “a few sonic characteristics stood out: crisp clarity with more detail and dynamic output than I expected. Subjective impressions of bass extension seemed to exceed what’s possible from small drivers within a smallish box.” How did JMu conclude her review? “The musical Mu-so 2nd Generation offers serious sound and engineering from a respected maker, but it’s also built for fun. I wanted to keep on listening, and that speaks volumes.” Additional grille color options add $90 to price. (Vol.43 No.10 WWW) Sonus Faber Omnia: $1999
RvB was impressed by the sound of this single-box, Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi–enabled, DSP-optimized, active stereo loudspeaker system. It uses a single 6.5" woofer, two 0.75" silk-dome tweeters, a pair of 3" midrange drivers, and two 1.75" drivers that fire to the sides to widen the soundstage. The Omnia includes an analog line input, a MM-compatible phono input, an HDMI ARC input, and an Ethernet port. While there is a remote control, the Omnia can also be controlled by a web page or by Roon. As you might expect from a 6.5" woofer in a small enclosure, the lowest octaves were restricted, though RvB found that definition and timbre were still quite good. “Most music I played had a proper foundation, with enough bass weight to satisfy, even seduce,” he wrote. His conclusion: “The Omnia wireless speaker is beautifully designed, well built, and sonically gifted.” (Vol.45 No.8 WWW)
