I had heard she was talented pianist. I had seen her in photos before, but I never expected the beautiful and statuesque director of Panasonic Technics, Michiko Ogawa, to greet me in person at the door of Technics' CES showroom.
What I did expect was that the sound quality of the new Technics C700 series components would be exceptional—and I was not disappointed. I hope it's a new theme or at the very least a smart new marketing ploy—but suddenly several companies' "trickle-down" products sound as good or better than their more expensive "statement" offerings. These new Technics C700 components are a perfect example of this phenomenon.
Based on technologies used in their Reference Series, the new "Premium Class" fully digital SU-C700 stereo integrated amplifier ($1600), the ST-C700 network audio player ($1100), the SL-C700 CD player ($1100), as well as (my favorites) the SB-C700 loudspeakers ($1700/pair), all played music with a type of charm and precise authority, that I would expect to cost several times the modest $5500 complete system price.
Everything about the all white SB-C700 loudspeakers declared meticulousness, intelligence, and quality. The DSB-CV700 showcase a super high-gloss white finish that not only covers the convex cabinet panels (which are 42mm thick at their apexes) but works as a stiffener to suppress cabinet resonance. The Coaxial drive unit consists of a 6.3"/160mm flat woofer with a triple-layered sandwich structure made of high-rigidity carbon fiber skins with an aluminum-honeycomb core—and, an aluminum-dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet. Michiko played a CD of one of her own recordings. The sound made me smile and desire review samples of these exceptional loudspeakers.
