Speaker ReviewsSpeaker Reviews
Paradigm MilleniaOne Satellite Speakers (Set of Five)
- Written by Cory Potts
- Published on 07 April 2011
Paradigm has made a name for itself around the globe for delivering speakers that are consistently strong in accuracy, gigantic soundstage, very precise imaging, deep, powerful bass (which usually significantly increase the cost of other speaker manufacturers offerings) all while keeping the cost below the competition. They do all engineering in house, all speaker component manufacturing in house, all assembly in house and all testing in house. #1 Best Price/Value for 20 years in Inside Track Magazine and #1 Overall 6 times. The MilleniaOne is a satellite speaker that can be used in all five (or seven) channels, along with a subwoofer. Only the MilleniaOne satellite speakers (set of five) are reviewed here.
MartinLogan Ethos Hybrid Electrostatic Speakers
- Written by Jim Clements
- Published on 28 March 2011
MartinLogan has recently expanded its line to include the Ethos, which is a hybrid electrostatic speaker, meaning that it has not only an electrostatic panel, but a cone woofer. Using woofers to handle the bass is necessary in smaller electrostatic speakers because the surface area of the panel is not large enough to move much air at the lowest frequencies. In the case of the Ethos, the woofer has a built-in amplifier to drive it.
Earthquake Titan Tigris Floor-standing Speakers
- Written by Chris Groppi
- Published on 24 February 2011
Earthquake Sound is a company best known for producing knock your socks off subwoofers and amplifiers for home theater. They also manufacture several lines of speakers, including the Titans. The Titan Tigris weighs 89 pounds each and stands nearly 5 feet high, with an MSRP of $9,500 per pair. They are certainly imposing speakers that look the part, and are priced to compete with the crème-de-la-crème of tower speakers. In this review we'll see how they perform.
Velodyne DD-18+ Subwoofer
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 21 March 2011
Just when you think a product can't get any better, it gets better. Velodyne, renown manufacturer of subwoofers from the very small to the very large, has released its latest very large sub, the DD-18+. It has a 1,250 watt RMS power amplifier (3,000 watts peak) and a frequency response of 14.4 Hz -120 Hz ± 3 dB. The magnet, at 40 pounds, weighs as much as some small subwoofers themselves. The subwoofer uses a Windows software interface, via USB, for setting the room EQ, and the bench test results are the best I have ever seen from Velodyne.
Zikmu Wireless Speakers
- Written by Jim Clements
- Published on 03 February 2011
Parrot touts the Philippe Starck–designed wireless Zikmu speakers as "Next Generation Wireless Speakers". This all-inclusive powered speaker system features modern styling, efficient Class D amplification and flexible wireless connectivity. They look to be a progressive realization of current technology and style. Let us find out how they work and sound.
Phase Technology CineMicro One 5.1 Speaker System
- Written by Richard Stevens
- Published on 10 March 2011
I have no problem admitting that I like a certain type of manufacturer. I've always had admiration for companies that specialize in one area. I'm not saying that manufacturers who throw their hats into multiple rings don't make solid products, many of them do. If I'm being honest though, if my favorite brewery started manufacturing headphones I'd probably take a step back to evaluate the situation. There's no question that Phase Technology is a speaker company, one with deep roots at that; dating back to 1955. It's safe to say that they know a thing or two about high-fidelity. While not necessarily a household name, odds are you've probably come across their speakers in demo rooms, trade shows or publications. The CineMicro One is the company's attempt to pack their audio expertise into a compact, easy to use 5.1 home theater system. Knowing the company well and being a "big speaker guy" myself, I was interested in hearing how these little guys stacked up.
Paradigm Reference Seismic 110 Subwoofer
- Written by Ross Jones
- Published on 20 January 2011
I described the last Paradigm Reference sub I reviewed, the Reference Signature Sub 25, as the "Mother of All Subwoofers". Then Paradigm came out with the even more massive SUB 1 and SUB 2 models. So when I agreed to review the Seismic 110, a small barrel-shaped sub that measures barely 13" in any direction, my expectations were set accordingly.
Crystal Acoustics TX-3D12 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System
- Written by Ross Jones
- Published on 07 March 2011
It was five years ago that I first heard Crystal Acoustics speakers. Crystal is a British-based OEM speaker manufacturer that started making THX certified speakers under its own name. Because Crystal sells direct through the Internet without the costs of a distribution network, it offers very low prices for its products. I was quite impressed by the price/value proposition of its TX-3D12 THX Select certified 5.1 speaker system.
Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2 Subwoofer
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 15 November 2010
Paradigm, renown manufacturer of most catagories of A/V products, has released their latest subwoofer line, called the SUB 1 and SUB 2. These two subwoofers are part of their Reference Signature line of speakers and subs. Both are hexagonal in shape, with six drivers (8" in the SUB 1 and 10" in the SUB 2), having two drivers arranged vertically on three of the six sides, alternating sides with drivers and sides without drivers. They are sealed enclosures, and both have amplifiers with power heretofore not seen in any subwoofers. The amplifier can be powered by 120 V AC or 240 V AC. At 120 V, the amplifier outputs 3,000 watts RMS, and at 240 V, it will output a whopping 4,500 watts RMS and 9,000 watts peak. The SUB 2, which is reviewed here, weighs 230 pounds. Its performance is truly magnificent, with a price tag worthy of its design: $8,999 for Cherry or Black Ash finishes, and $9,499 for the Piano Black Premium finish.
Paradigm Mini-Monitor 5.1 Speaker System
- Written by Andrew Yang
- Published on 28 February 2011
Paradigm is increasingly becoming a unique entity in the world of audio equipment manufacturers. The industry continues to conglomerate itself into ever larger multinational corporations in the hopes of leveraging economies of scale, and optimizing cost of goods by outsourcing components and sub-assemblies. Paradigm, by contrast, remains thoroughly vertically integrated. With rare exceptions, the entirety of any given product, from the voice coil to the enclosure, is manufactured on-site at Paradigm's headquarters in Ontario, Canada.
Magnepan MMC-2 Speaker Blind Review
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 12 November 2010
Magnepan hosted a "Blind Review" event in on October 16, 2010, in Seattle, Washington. The Magnepan event was held at Definitive Audio, which is located just north of the University of Washington. Several dozen people heard a new product that is just now being released by Magnepan.
