Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
1723 S Series
- Positioning: Compact line designed for smaller spaces while maintaining high performance.
- Description: Offers a compact design with the same high-quality components as the larger 1723 Series, featuring a 6.5" driver instead of the 8" found in the full-size models. This makes it ideal for those with limited space who still want powerful sound, without compromising on the clarity and detail that the 1723 Series is known for. It provides a cost-effective solution for those who want to mix and match with the larger 1723 models, ensuring seamless integration and consistent sound quality.
1723 Series
- Positioning: High-performance line for serious hi-fi and home theater setups.
- Description: Built with custom components and high-density fiberboard cabinets, offering superior sound quality and durability. It features larger 8" drivers, providing a richer and more expansive soundstage compared to the 1723 S Series. This series includes THX certification ensuring top-notch audio fidelity.
1528 Series
- Positioning: Flagship line representing the pinnacle of Arendal Sound's engineering and design.
- Description: Crafted with advanced materials like a 28mm lithium-magnesium tweeter and a custom Carbon-Graphene midrange driver, delivering exceptional clarity and depth. It surpasses the 1723 Series in both build and sound quality, making it ideal for audiophiles who demand the best in both music and home cinema.
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1528 Slim 8
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Manufacturer's notes
The 1528 Slim 8 is the perfect all-rounder. Due to its slim dimensions, it can seamlessly adapt to any role—whether as a main stereo speaker, surround or height speaker, center channel, or desktop unit. With a shallow depth of only 19.8 cm and standard VESA100 mounting, the 1528 Slim makes it easy to install premium sound anywhere.
Manufacturer Specs
- Design: 3-way
- Dimensions (H/W/D): 55.5 x 29.0 x 19.8 cm (21.9 x 11.4 x 7.8 in)
- Weight: 23 kg (51 lbs)
- Enclosure: Sealed
- Break-in for optimal performance: 50 hours
- Recommended amplifier: Up to 400W
- Tweeter: 28 mm
- Midrange: 5"
- Woofer: 8"
- Frequency response: 57Hz-20kHz ±2dB
- F3: 55Hz
- F6: 48Hz
- F10: 36Hz
- Impedance: 4-ohms nominal
- Crossover frequency: 420Hz / 2800Hz
- Sensitivity: 84dB / 2.83V / 1m
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Average Price
$2,501-$5,000
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Brand Popularity
38
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Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products
28
Founded
2015
Our take on the brand
Arendal Sound is a Norwegian-designed hifi brand whose 1723 series is THX Ultra certified for rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet, featuring cabinets made from high-density fiberboard instead of standard MDF for better sonic performance. Their speakers use a distinctive waveguide-loaded tweeter design for controlled dispersion and lower crossover points, while their subwoofers feature the Avalanche 1200 IQ amplifier with an LCD control interface.
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What if you spend a bit more?
A25-M
6899
6899
/
2
Reviews
PSI Audio
A brand new and innovative midrange driver entirely developed and manufactured in-house brings the A25-M even closer to absolute perfection. Imagine hearing sound as naturally as in real life. The speakers disappear, you trust what you hear and let your ears work with total confidence. That's what you get with the A25-M!
Our Extended Dome Driver (EXD) keeps the advantages of both dome and cone construction types while eliminating the disadvantages. When applied to the midrange, dome drivers tend to become either unstable in the middle of the dome, or too heavy due to more rigid material being used, and they can only ever offer a very limited bandwidth in the low end. Cone drivers, on the other hand, pose a relatively large weight in their composition of membrane, dust cap, spider and suspension, which limits SPL and can cause distortion. They also restrict airflow with heavy basket designs. Even the dust cap can add distortion to the reproduction.
Our EXD midrange driver developed for the A25-M, however, combines a 4-inch, latex-and-graphite-infused paper cone membrane with a light polypropylene dome, both of which are directly connected to the voice coil. With the dimensions and weight ratio of coil and membranes optimised in this way, our EXD offers higher SPL at lower distortion, pushing the new A25-M even closer towards perfect accuracy. To further improve its performance, the new driver is built directly onto the rotatable baffle with no basket at all.
The A25-M is PSI Audio's flagship loudspeaker. It is a mid-field to main reference monitor with staggering precision and amazing stereo image. The dynamic behaviour, precision frequency and phase responses have made of the A25-M a true reference in the entire industry.
PSI Audio is a Swiss hifi brand that builds all their speakers and acoustic devices without using DSP, focusing instead on pure analog technology to deliver accurate sound reproduction. Their standout product is the AVAA C20, a revolutionary active bass trap that eliminates low-frequency noise by creating a "black hole" effect for resonant frequencies, requiring much less space than traditional acoustic treatments while being effective across diverse environments from recording studios to subway stations.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- All three of the A25 speaker drivers are designed and handmade in-house in Switzerland to ensure low distortion, high precision, and the finest quality control
- Every A25 is sonically identical, meaning any two of the same model at any point in their production history will be a matched pair
- The A25M offers higher SPL at lower distortion
- Initial listening tests were very favorable, and the first things that stood out were the tight and controlled low end and super precise stereo imaging, leading to a huge sense of depth and space
- Mixes translated incredibly well to other systems, and when using them for mastering, the bass end was spot on, and the highs were incredibly detailed but not at all hyped or fatiguing
Product Considerations
- The A25Ms are very heavy, at 28.4kg each, and have the kind of proportions that make a one-person lift of such a weight risky
- The size and weight of the A25Ms mean they probably will not be considered for nearfield duties by the majority of potential users
- The overall tonal balance is a little prominent in the upper-mid band, and this sometimes adds a slight edge to some mix elements
- If considering a move to mid-field monitoring, room acoustics should probably be considered at the same time
- Enclosure color is an acquired taste
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ATC SCM45s, the ATCs just had that extra tiny level of detail in the mids—it comes down to personal choice
Takeaway: The A25M is genuinely revealing monitors that can provide great insight into the components of a mix and how they fit together. These are spectacular monitors with a tight, controlled low end and super precise stereo imaging, making them an excellent mid-field monitor for mixing and mastering.
Video review
Our take on the brand
PSI Audio is a Swiss hifi brand that builds all their speakers and acoustic devices without using DSP, focusing instead on pure analog technology to deliver accurate sound reproduction. Their standout product is the AVAA C20, a revolutionary active bass trap that eliminates low-frequency noise by creating a "black hole" effect for resonant frequencies, requiring much less space than traditional acoustic treatments while being effective across diverse environments from recording studios to subway stations.
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A25-M
page
Product Page
Cinergy 300
6500
6500
/
2
Reviews
Monitor
Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Huge soundstage that expands beyond the confines of the room
- Incredible flexibility regarding placement and orientation, including in-wall, on-wall, and floor-standing options
- Speakers reveal a level of detail that few other systems can match
- THX Ultra certified and built to achieve true cinema reference volume levels
Product Considerations
- System should be installed by a professional
- The HFT drivers that make the sound so revealing could appear a little bright if not correctly tuned
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Monitor Audio Cinergy comes dangerously close to dethroning Perlisten in terms of movie sound
Takeaway: The Cinergy series is a fantastic option for home cinema fans, giving the best possible sound quality with a design tailored to home theater needs. A well-planned and executed Cinergy system can rival many commercial cinemas, offering a truly immersive sound experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
Visit our
Cinergy 300
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Product Page
FR-2
6000
6000
/
1
Reviews
Lyngdorf
Lyngdorf Audio is known for its RoomPerfect technology, which learns and corrects room acoustics, and for creating the first fully digital amplifier that converts digital signals directly to PWM without a traditional DAC. The brand's unique Boundary Woofers are designed to be placed against walls to use room acoustics for better bass, setting them apart from traditional subwoofer approaches.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Designed and tuned specifically to stand or be mounted flush against a back wall for ideal room integration
- Lyngdorf says the FR-2 has an ideal low-frequency impulse response, resulting in a surprisingly tight and powerful bass unheard of with most freestanding speakers
- The FR-2 features 6.5-inch woofers that marry a lightweight aluminium cone with a vented die-cast basket and an extra-strong and large magnet to facilitate high volume and efficiency
- The FR-2's minimalist design with simple baffle and satin matte finishes allows it to aesthetically blend into the background
Product Considerations
- The FR-2 is designed to be placed against a rear wall, which may not be suitable for all listening environments
- The FR-2's shallow cabinet depth may be a limiting factor for some users
Takeaway: The Lyngdorf Audio FR-2 speakers are designed for those who need speakers placed against the wall. They are designed for tight and powerful bass, and to integrate well into a room.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Lyngdorf Audio is known for its RoomPerfect technology, which learns and corrects room acoustics, and for creating the first fully digital amplifier that converts digital signals directly to PWM without a traditional DAC. The brand's unique Boundary Woofers are designed to be placed against walls to use room acoustics for better bass, setting them apart from traditional subwoofer approaches.
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FR-2
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Product Page
Phantom S-280
7000
7000
/
1
Reviews
Dali
DALI is a speaker brand known for its unique hybrid tweeter module that combines a soft dome and planar ribbon tweeter, along with proprietary Soft Magnetic Compound technology that reduces distortion. Their speakers feature distinctive wood fiber cones and are designed to be used without toe-in, which creates a broader, more even spread of sound across the listening area.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Immersive sound quality
- Can handle a lot of dynamics
- Impressive shallow installation depth (approximately 10cm) despite its size
- Solid construction using high-quality aluminum, steel, and MDF to counteract resonances
- Easy to install with clamps and a supplied Allen key
Product Considerations
- Standard white covers may need repainting to match specific wall colors
- Some users may desire a little deeper bass for movies
Takeaway: The DALI Phantom 280S offers immersive sound and dynamic performance while being relatively easy to install within a wall. Its solid construction and good finish make it a worthwhile consideration for a home theater or high-end audio setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
DALI is a speaker brand known for its unique hybrid tweeter module that combines a soft dome and planar ribbon tweeter, along with proprietary Soft Magnetic Compound technology that reduces distortion. Their speakers feature distinctive wood fiber cones and are designed to be used without toe-in, which creates a broader, more even spread of sound across the listening area.
Visit our
Phantom S-280
page
Product Page
What else competes at this price?
S4b
3995
/
Released
2021
Perlisten
I am the overperforming little guy who will demand your respect after your first audition. I can be a serious 2 channel system with a subwoofer, an LCR, or a surround channel. Effortless dynamics and lightspeed transients remain the common thread of all Signature series speakers including the S4b.
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Solidly built with an inert cabinet, contributing to overall performance
- Crazy linear/neutral sound from about 100Hz upwards
- The beryllium tweeter provides nuanced, airy, and extended highs with a hint of shimmer for realistic metallic instruments
- It creates a three-dimensional soundstage, making the speakers disappear sonically
Product Considerations
- It does not have a great deal of bass on its own and may require a subwoofer for full-range playback, starting its roll-off at around 100Hz
- While placement is flexible, a solid amplifier is required
- The styling might be an acquired taste and could be considered overcomplicated by some
- The high gloss finishes may not appear different from less expensive speakers, making it harder to justify the luxury price tag
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4: The S4B is more neutral/accurate, while the 805 D4 adds bass and treble energy
- Vs Focal Canta No. 1: The S4B outperforms the Canta No. 1, which has chestiness in its bass and midrange due to its cabinet
- Vs Revel Studio 2: The S4B reminded the reviewer of the Revel Studio 2, though the Revels had more bass
- Vs Focal Diablo Utopia: The Perlisten are a great alternative if the Utopias are outside of your reach and are a more neutral and less bright speaker
- Vs EgglestonWorks Nico Evo: The EgglestonWorks presentation is a little more mid-forward and less 3D than the Perlisten
Takeaway: The Perlisten S4b is a high-performing speaker that offers excellent clarity and a neutral sound, making it a great choice for audiophiles and home cinema enthusiasts alike. The speaker's ability to create a detailed and immersive soundstage can bring music and movies to life.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
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S4b
Page
Product Page
ES-7N
2850
/
Released
2024
Epos
Many customers asked for a smaller speaker, so the development group created a smaller baby EPOS. This speaker should be a real bookshelf with a size small enough to go into typical IKEA designs for example.
Epos speakers, particularly the ES14N, feature non-parallel cabinet sides and a slanted front baffle to reduce internal standing waves and improve time alignment. The brand's unique approach includes minimalist crossovers, bespoke drivers mounted on metal plates that barely touch the cabinet, and a distinctive rear port design with gauze-covered perforations for cleaner bass response.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent separation within the soundstage conveys a lifelike image
- A switch on the rear changes the crossover to suit different speaker placements—optimizing the speaker for on-wall or free-standing positions
- Overwhelming, tight, dry, and dynamic bass with a detailed and room-filling soundstage
- A well-made compact speaker with high efficiency, especially on the shelf
- Lively and realistic music rendering creates an authentic listening experience
Product Considerations
- While the ES-7N looks neat, it isn't particularly luxurious in appearance
- Placement needs to be considered because of the speaker's asymmetrical design
- The manual provides a suggestion for the placement of the tweeter
- Clarity and precision of sound and stereo imaging are slightly diminished if not placed optimally
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Neat Petite Classic: It is good enough to make the Neat sound a little blurred and soft
- Vs Dynaudio Heritage Special: Epos' mids were wonderfully fine and tidy, while the Dynaudio had richer bass and more generous spatial imaging—the Epos seemed more lively and multi-faceted
- Vs BBC LS 3/5a: The 7N was much more balanced and precise in the bass with lively reproduction and higher dynamics
- Vs KEF LS50: They sound much more open and dynamic, even 'bigger', especially at low volume
Takeaway: The ES-7N is a small but capable speaker that is flexible in its placement options. If a speaker that sounds good in different spaces is desired, the ES-7N could be a good choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Epos speakers, particularly the ES14N, feature non-parallel cabinet sides and a slanted front baffle to reduce internal standing waves and improve time alignment. The brand's unique approach includes minimalist crossovers, bespoke drivers mounted on metal plates that barely touch the cabinet, and a distinctive rear port design with gauze-covered perforations for cleaner bass response.
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ES-7N
Page
Product Page
R5m
2995
/
Released
2022
Perlisten
The R-series Monitor is a culmination of S-series patented technology with materials developed from the ground up in every part of the design just like it's big brothers. The R5m is a true Chameleon with enough bass extension to offer an amazing 2 channel experience, the heart of a reference level 2.1 system, the LCR for a home theater, or surrounds in that monster R-series System.
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent coherence and homogeneity, achieving an even, wide radiation without being limited to a sweet spot
- Extremely agile display with excellent impulse fidelity and excellent resolution and transparency
- Impressive plasticity and presence, creating a superb—almost immersive—spatiality
- Voluminous, deep-reaching, yet contoured bass, even when placed close to the wall, thanks to its clever bass reflex tuning
- All speakers use a similar proprietary driver array, centered within a custom waveguide (DPC Array), just with different drivers in the R-series
- The Directivity Pattern Control (DPC) array results in excellent vertical and horizontal dispersion control
Product Considerations
- The impedance drops rather low, so the more quality power available to use with these speakers, the better
- A room resonance around 110 Hz was experienced with a large and unnatural peak in the response that needed room correction
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Mating a single or pair of the R212s subwoofers to the R5m monitors can get a large slice of the tower's sonic fun factor and might actually be preferable for certain installations
- Overall detail and tonality were very similar between the two speakers with the Revels having a touch more "zing" to cymbals and similar instruments, but the Perlisten wasn't considered soft by comparison
Takeaway: The R5m is an extraordinary monitor that delivers excellent performance in both hifi and home cinema. The monitor impresses with its spatiality, dynamics, and bass potency, making it a great choice for immersive listening and viewing experiences.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Visit
R5m
Page
Product Page
R5c
2995
/
Released
2022
Perlisten
The hardest working speaker in any home theater and yet the least appreciated. Natural, True vocals are never easy while maintaining super low distortion and extreme dynamics that movies demand is what sets the R-series apart. The same DPC control with clarity that make you forget you have speakers in your room at all and just enjoy yourself.
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The R5c center channel speaker allows dialog to be clear and intelligible amid layers of effects sounds
- The R5c maintains performance and clarity even when listening decently off-axis
Product Considerations
- Impedance drops rather low, so more quality power on tap to use with these speakers is better
- Too much bass or upper bass was present
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Revel F228Be towers: Revels tended to make vocals and some instruments sound strangely "tall," whereas the Perlisten was far more of a point-source presentation with vocals and instruments being centered to the speaker
Takeaway: The R5c is great for listening to music or for home theaters. It ensures all voices can be heard clearly, even when there are a lot of other sounds.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Visit
R5c
Page
Product Page
Double Impact Full Tower In-Wall
3570
/
Released
Tekton
Tekton Design is known for its patented tweeter array technology, which uses multiple tweeters in a concentric arrangement to act as a midrange driver, delivering high-impact sound with exceptional clarity. The brand's speakers, which are particularly well-suited for tube amplifiers due to their high efficiency, deliver high-end performance at significantly lower prices through their direct-to-consumer sales model.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Tonally rich and natural sounding
- Amazing detail that rivals the best electrostatics in terms of the pure level of detail and resolution
- They create an incredibly large, deep soundstage that will fill the room and place within that soundstage images as clear and precise as any speaker
- They handle pretty much every other aspect of what a speaker should do in an exemplary fashion
- Very easy to drive
Product Considerations
- These proved to be the most time consuming speakers to position that one has ever had in one's rooms
- Toe-in angle was critical, distance from the wall behind them was super critical, and all totally room dependent
- These are very directional speakers
- The bass response has to be looked at in conjunction with the room one is using them in
- They also require a relatively long 100 hour "break-in" period before they really start to loosen up a little and really shine
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Tekton Lore, they do everything better than the Lores
Takeaway: The Double Impact is a stunning achievement in speaker design that offers an immersive and detailed listening experience. If one appreciates natural sound, exceptional detail, and a wide soundstage, these speakers are definitely worth considering for an audio setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Tekton Design is known for its patented tweeter array technology, which uses multiple tweeters in a concentric arrangement to act as a midrange driver, delivering high-impact sound with exceptional clarity. The brand's speakers, which are particularly well-suited for tube amplifiers due to their high efficiency, deliver high-end performance at significantly lower prices through their direct-to-consumer sales model.
Visit
Double Impact Full Tower In-Wall
Page
Product Page
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
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