The Inpirations
KEF & Sonus Faber :: Both design employs WMTMW configurations and curved cabinet. The KEF comes with an additional super tweeter on top.
FOCAL Utopia BE & Profile :: Superb finish on the Utopia and look substantive in terms of build and size. The profile looks much better with the grill on than off. In fact the grill is design to be integral to the function of the speaker rather than just to protect the drivers.
Construction cut-outs :: Notice the practice of isolating the tweeter and mid in its own separate sub-enclosure. Bracing placement are set such that it directly couples the drivers (esp woofers) to the enclosure frame (1). Both these design elements will be adopted.
Pioneer S7EXW :: I simple LOVED this design *aesthetically*. Sonically, I heard the floorstander during the last hifi show. Brilliant! Heard some prejudice statements due to the less than impressive brand name. It is too much of a challenge to make the curved front baffle without expensive CNC machining. The concentric tweeter/mid-range looks exceptionally good. Had the opportunity to inspect this driver during the HiFi show last year. Build quality is without reproach. Actually wanted to get this unit instead of DIY-ing, turns out it cost a cool $6k locally.
Revel Performa C52
:: very conventional/boring looking with the sharp angles (though it does sport a slanting baffle). However in a HT setup, once the light dims and the action starts, you'll forget/forgive it's less than attractive look as the soundtrack draws you in and totally imerse you in the excitement of the movie.
Wilson Benech Center :: Personally have not heard any speakers under this brand, though have read a great deal in hifi mags. From pics alone, the quality is top-notch. The tweeter looks very much like from ScanSpeak.
Last update :: Saturday, May 6, 2006 9:34 AM