High End Speakers

What different kinds of speakers do you offer?

• Purist two-channel audio system speakers and sub-woofers

  Our most popular category of speaker, two-channel audio system speakers, seek to obtain the very highest level of sonic performance within a given price range. These speakers are available in a very wide variety of styles, technologies, prices, and performance. Even in state-of-the-art, cost-no-object designs, speaker designers have not yet been able to achieve perfection. The sonic differences between similarly-priced speakers can be quite large. Therefore, the selection of the best speaker is highly personal. It depends upon your priorities, such as imaging, dynamic range, tonal accuracy, space considerations, aesthetics, price, "kid-proofness", and so forth. Usually, two-channel audio systems need to be set up away from the rear and side walls in order to sound their absolute best, although sometimes interior design considerations preclude this. Deep, satisfying bass response can be provided with the addition of a sub-woofer, either at the time of the purchase of the main speakers, or later. Most great-sounding two-channel audio systems can later be extended for multi-channel audio or video use just by purchasing additional speakers.

   

• Multi-channel audio and/or video speakers and sub-woofers

  Multi-channel audio or video speaker systems surround the listener with speakers, creating an incredible 3-dimensional effect.. Usually surround systems are installed in a 5.1 configuration so that there are two front speakers (left and right), one front center speaker (for dialog), two rear speakers (left rear and right rear), and  a sub-woofer (for deep bass response). The dialog speaker should be closely matched in sound ("timbre") so that as actors walk across the screen, the tone of their voice doesn't change. The rear speakers should also be closely matched. Sometimes, less expensive, similar sounding speakers from the same manufacturer are used in the rear, although it is preferable to use identical speakers in all four corners. To read more about surround audio systems click here.

   

• Custom-installed in-wall speakers

  In-wall speakers can be completely hidden, which is of great benefit in allowing the audio system to be visually unobtrusive. Some in-wall speakers can be painted to match the wall color. Sometimes a conventional speaker can be built into false walls made of fabric. This can achieve a level of performance for listening to music and watching movies that is higher than you might think possible, all without being seen. These false fabric walls can also conceal acoustical treatments, equipment, cabling and so forth. Custom-installed systems can be provided for just one room or a whole house, depending upon your needs and budget.

What are the pro's and con's of the different types of speakers?

• Full-range dynamic speakers

  Full-range dynamic speakers use cone and dome drivers to cover the audio spectrum, from low bass to high treble. These speakers can provide stunning dynamics, where the loud passages are properly loud and the soft passages are properly soft. This can contribute to the illusion of recreating a live performance in the living room. Full-range speakers tend to be larger, floor-standing designs. Some "full-range" design do not reproduce the very lowest bass, and may therefore be combined with a sub-woofer if so desired. However most people don't feel the need for an additional subwoofer with floor-standing speakers.

   

• Mini-monitors (with or without a sub-woofer)

  Mini-monitors are what used to be called "small bookshelf" speakers. Mini-monitors are usually mounted on rigid stands and placed out into the listening room. For technical reasons having to due with acoustic reflections and diffraction, mini-monitors can create an incredible soundstage, with the instruments spread out both left-to-right and front-to-back. The images of the instruments that they create are often pinpoint specific and astonishingly realistic. Because the small size of mini-monitors precludes the reproduction of very deep bass, listeners of some types of music may want to include a sub-woofer in the system. Although most listeners are satisfied with running mini-monitors full range without subs unless they are in a particularly large room.

   

• Electrostatic and Electrostatic/hybrid

  Electrostatic speaker use a large panel of a flexible, conductive membrane that is suspended in an electrostatic field. Because the membrane that reproduces the sound is so light, they are often very transparent. If you close your eyes, the music sounds like its coming from real performers right there in the room. Of necessity, electrostatic speakers have moderate to large sized panels, which are either visually stunning or intrusive, depending upon your taste. Electrostatic speakers usually reproduce sound out of both the front and the back of the panel. This is known as a dipole (dye-pole). Dipole speakers usually sound best when placed at least two feet from the rear wall. Electrostatic hybrids use a conventional dynamic cone woofer to handle the bass, which helps keep the panels smaller and still reproduce satisfying deep notes.

   

• Planar Magnetic/hybrid

  Planar magnetic speakers use a flexible membrane with wires imbedded in it. The membrane is suspended in a magnetic field. While this sounds very similar to electrostatic speakers, the engineering principle is completely different. If the membrane is tall and narrow, it is sometimes referred to as a "ribbon" driver. Whereas electrostatic speakers cover the entire musical spectrum with a single membrane (called a diaphragm), planar magnetic speakers use multiple drivers of differing sizes to do the same. Planar magnetic speakers have some of the same sonic virtues as electrostatic speakers.

• Horn speakers

  Horn speakers use a horn to increase the acoustic efficiency of each driver and therefore are usually highly efficient. Normally a compression driver feeds the horn, and the larger the horn the lower in frequency it can go. Horn speakers excel in dynamics, though many times the drawback is a kind of horn coloration which is instantly audible for some sensitive listeners. It is possible to design a horn speaker without that "horn coloration" but it is rare to hear one. The best example of a horn system without any discernable horn coloration is the Magico Ultimate II, though it is beyond the reach of all but a lucky few.

   

Note: While this listing is representative of what we carry it is not always completely current. So for the most up to date information please call us at 781-893-9000 

● Avalon Acoustics

In 2019 Avalon introduced a new speaker line that we now have on demo in the store. It has been a four year-long R&D project--the fruits of which we are very much enjoying!

● DeVore

DeVore makes a line of high value audiophile speakers. With 5 different models they offer a range of speakers from small to large, so they can match up well with a variety of rooms and systems.

The Silverback Reference is pictured at the left.

For up-to-date model information please visit the .

● Dynaudio

Dynaudio makes a wide range of loudspeakers ?from moderately priced monitors to top of the line. Their designs are (generally) moderately sized, slim, and (of course) excellent sounding. The Dynaudio Confidence C2  loudspeaker is pictured at the left in maple without the included grill installed.

 For up-to-date model information please visit the .

● JL Audio

JL Audio makes a line of powered subwoofers for home audio and home theater applications.

● Linn

Linn makes three ranges of products: high performance audio/video products, including speakers, custom installation products which allow house-wide music, and one-box music or movie components.. Within these ranges, Linn makes phono components, digital components, preamplifiers, amplifiers, speakers, surround sound processors, cables, and tuners. The Linn Espek is pictured at the left.

● Magico

Magico makes very high performance speakers, ranging from the room-friendly S1, to the Q3 (above), to the state-of-the-art Ultimate III.

● MartinLogan

MartinLogan is one of the oldest and most successful manufacturers of electrostatic and electrostatic/hybrid speakers. Their decades of experience have allowed them to refine the materials and technologies that they use to make their speakers sound so incredible. They invented and hold the patent on the curved diaphragm that increases the listening area and prevents "hot spots". With the exception of the CLX, all of their speakers are hybrids, with dynamic woofers. The Summit X is pictured at the left.

In 2003, MartinLogan also introduced a line of "Advanced Thin Film" speakers which use a planar-magnetic driver instead of an electrostatic panel.

For the most current model line-up here is the .

● PSB

PSB makes speakers for those seeking value. The PSB T6 speaker is pictured in black at the left.

For more information click .

● Quad

We sold Quad speakers for many years, however they are no longer available here in the US.

● REL

REL makes a full line of high-performance subwoofers for use in two-channel audio and home theater systems. REL subwoofers can be driven by a pre-amp, an amp, or both (which is important in many home theater installations). They mate extremely well with a wide variety of speakers. Ideally, the main speakers that they are used with should not have any exaggerated bass or the overall effect with the subwoofer will be bass heavy.

For info here is a link to their .

● Rockport

Rockport Technologies makes very high performance speakers, ranging from the surprisingly diminutive floor-standing Mira (left), and even more compact Mira Monitor, to their top model the Arrakis.

● Verity Audio

Verity Audio makes high-performance speakers. The Parsifal Encore is shown at the left.

● Wisdom

Wisdom makes high performance in-wall and on-wall and free-standing speakers.

Here is a link to the

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