Audio Ideas Guide

Reel Acoustics RS-1 Home Theater Speaker System [AIG Archives]

"This system from a relatively new Canadian manufacturer combines value and performance in a very special way. Stylish in a contoured cabinet, the four satellites (6 1/2"H x 5"D x 4"W) are very small and attractive in silver or black, and the centre channel is almost identical except for its 10" width to accommodate an additional 3 1/2" woofer/midrange. The tweeter is a 3/4" soft dome that is slightly recessed with an anti-diffraction plate around it to optimize imaging. Mind you, there wouldn’t be all that much diffraction off a baffle this small..."

OX Box #4: Bob Oxley Delves Further Into The Aurum Integris System

"One of the hazards of being an audiophile is being honest about the sound of your own system. Some times it is hard to assess and, often, we make up things. The way we feel about our systems is almost always relative to what else we have heard. I am satisfied until I have the chance to hear something better. It's not easy, and you have no idea where it's going to end..."

Firestone Audio Korora MC/MM Phono Preamp

"Nothing terribly shocking in the basic description department, the Korora being a small metal box made in China, with RCA ins and outs, a light on the front to tell you it’s on and a small outboard power supply. What is a little more interesting, however, is the fact that the Korora can run off an internal rechargeable battery and/or off the power supply. Simply yank the plug and any AC power noise is history, at least for eight to ten hours, which is how long the charge is said to last..."

Sinclair Brighton Series SB 3600T Loudspeakers [AIG Archives]

"Sinclair is a relatively new name in speakers, developed in Canada by Erikson Consumer, who also distribute Harman/Kardon, AKG, and several other brands, including Sirius satellite radio receivers and accessories and numerous iPod-related items. The speakers are designed in Canada, and manufactured in China to Sinclair’s exacting specifications..."

Paradigm Reference Signature S1 Small Monitor and Seismic 10 Subwoofer

"The new v2 versions of the Reference Signature flagship models from Paradigm appear to push the limits of enclosure technology and construction, with just about everything die-cast in aluminum. The Seismic subwoofers (a small matching Signature is not yet available) also use this expensive fabrication technique..."

PSB Synchrony One B Bookshelf Speaker and SubSeries HD10 Subwoofer

"After a long history of Stratus top-of-the-line loudspeakers, through the Gold and Platinum series, PSB has recently renewed its flagship line with a new name: Synchrony. I think the intention is to bring together all the elements of acoustic design and mechanics in enclosures that employ completely new approaches to the physical and aesthetic aspects of dynamic speaker construction..."

The AIG HD Projector Project #2 - The Sanyo PLV-Z2000 LCD

"Can a projector that costs about the same price as a large-screen plasma or LCD set deliver a superior, as well as, larger picture? I suppose that's the first of quite a few questions posed in this review, and possibly answered. I guess I was spoiled somewhat by the Knoll DLP, which worked almost to optimum right out of the box, but this was not the case with the Sanyo..."

Shanling MC-30 CD Receiver

"The cynical, easy, and possibly common view of the Shanling MC-30 is that it’s a rather shameless attempt to separate trendy, design-conscious yuppies looking for an upscale iPod dock that stands out from the plastic rabble at the Apple Store from a thousand dollars. Not surprising, I suppose, given the MC-30’s dramatic looks and prominent iPod “cradle”, but, as I found out, quite unfair..."

OPPO DV-980H Universal DVD/SACD Player - Price/Performance PLUS!

"I should point out off the top that this is an audio review, though I may add a sidebar later about its video performance with one of our projectors. But it's so hard to even countenance its removal from my audio system that I can't even predict when it might happen, though when that time comes I'll probably also compare it with the 970HD predecessor model..."

ERGO 2 Headphones - True Earspeakers!

"The ERGO 2 is the middle model in the range, distinguished from the 1 by neodymium magnets, while the 3 AMT is a more elaborate and expensive Heil driver design that replaces the Jecklin Float electrostatic model. I've never been much of a proponent of electrostatic cans, the best in my experience being the short-lived Koss effort of a decade or more ago..."