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Tag Archives: Golden Ear

World News

2022 Golden Ear: Magico M9 Loudspeaker

Posted on by Robert Harley

Magico M9 Loudspeaker

$750,000

This new flagship from Magico breaks fresh ground in loudspeaker design and performance. The M9 is a four-way, six-driver dynamic speaker in a sealed enclosure measuring 80″ tall. The drive complement consists of dual 15″ woofers, dual 11″ mid/bass drivers, a 6″ midrange, and a 1.1″ tweeter. The 120Hz crossover transition between the 15″ woofers and the rest of the speaker is performed at line level in an outboard analog two-way active crossover. This means the M9 must be driven by four amplifier channels. The M9 is astonishing in the way it completely disappears—in several aspects—as a sound source. First, it is tonally colorless in that it has no characteristic sound of its own. As a result, timbres are incredibly realistic—rich and dense in texture and completely free from any artificial patina. Second, the M9 disappears spatially, throwing a huge, continuous, and three-dimensional soundstage completely untethered to the speakers. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the M9 is the way it can effortlessly portray the most bombastic orchestral music with the power and impact of the huge speaker that it is, as well as the nuances and expression of small-scale music with the delicacy of a two-way mini-monitor. A landmark achievement. 

The post 2022 Golden Ear: Magico M9 Loudspeaker appeared first on The Absolute Sound.

World News

Wilson Audio LōKē Subwoofer

Posted on by Jacob Heilbrunn

Wilson Audio LōKē Subwoofer

$8750

There is, as the saying goes, no replacement for displacement. If your system goes low, you get the bottom octaves. But if it goes lower, you get the venue itself. Reaching those lowly depths, however, requires a subwoofer or two. Enter LōKē. LōKē, you could say, is not low key. Instead, it delivers the final frontier of space. This sonorous sub features a built-in 500-watt amplifier, crossover controls on the rear, and a 10″ woofer. It moves quite a bit of air, displaying remarkably precise pitch definition in the nether regions. LōKē can crank it out on bombastic pop and rock numbers. But it has a number of salubrious effects when it comes to less frenetic music, as well. The truth is that, in evening out the bass frequencies, it helps provide a smoother treble and richer midrange. Vocals sound fuller and brass more refulgent. Unlike the mighty Thor’s evil brother Loki, LōKē is always well behaved and helpful, at least when it comes to the spheres of musical reproduction. Daryl Wilson, who has succeeded to the helm of Wilson Audio, keeps producing winners and the LōKē, friends, is no exception. 

The post Wilson Audio LōKē Subwoofer appeared first on The Absolute Sound.

World News

2022 Golden Ear: PS Audio FR30 Loudspeaker

Posted on by Anthony Cordesman

PS Audio FR30 Loudspeaker

$28,500

I’d quietly sworn to myself that, after reviewing so many outstanding speakers for TAS, I wouldn’t buy any more and would stick with my Legacy Aeris. Well…chalk up one more resolution I’ve broken this year. The FR30 has amazing bass and far more realism and definition than mere room rattling. Its styling is ultramodern but so far has drawn almost universal praise. What really counts, however, is the smoothness and accuracy of its overall timbre and frequency response. It also offers truly superb soundstaging and a wide listening area. If you can audition it, do so but bring the most detailed and demanding recording you can and one with the most demanding midrange and treble possible. I should confess that I have kept part of my resolution. I set up my Legacy Aeris speakers in a second listening room. (Having your children get old enough to marry does have some benefits.)

The post 2022 Golden Ear: PS Audio FR30 Loudspeaker appeared first on The Absolute Sound.

World News

2022 Golden Ear Awards: Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Network Player

Posted on by Muse Kastanovich

Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Network Player

$1299

In my initial review, I was impressed by the CXN V2 network player but thought it a bit bright. Now, after adjusting cables, feeding it from a fiber-optic Ethernet link via Sonore’s optical- Module, and listening to it for months with many different speakers, I judge it genuinely accurate and very revealing. I have not heard a wide variety of recent DACs, but I have heard some, including several that are more expensive. The CXN V2 brings music to life in a way that is exciting and engaging. It provides plenty of detail, impressive micro- and macro-dynamics, a wide and deep soundstage, and very analog-like smooth and rich timbres, particularly on high-res tracks. It has no MQA decoding, yet MQA tracks sound wonderful on it as well (noticeably higher resolution than 16/44). Thanks to the superior sound of albums—high-res, MQA, and remastered—streamed through this attainable wonder, my CD collection is now just a backup (though you can play CDs through it, too). The free Cambridge StreamMagic app works quite well for browsing music and has been improved. A great-sounding and functional streamer/DAC at an affordable price, the CXN V2 has proven to be distinctly superior to less expensive options—and a good competitor with similarly priced units. 

The post 2022 Golden Ear Awards: Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Network Player appeared first on The Absolute Sound.

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