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
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
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Sopra Surround Be
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Product type: 2-way bipolar surrounding surround
- Medium: 2 x 61/2" (16.5cm) "W" cone bass/midrange
- Tweeter: 2 x 1" (27mm) pure Beryllium inverted dome tweeters
- Response at -6dB (Low frequency point): 59 Hz
- Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 72Hz - 40kHz
- Recommended amplifier power: 40 - 200 W
- Sensitivity: 91 dB
- Height: 350 mm / 13.75 in
- Width: 430 mm / 16.88 in
- Depth: 190 mm / 7.5 in
- Weight: 12.6 kg / 27.77 lb
Description
Manufactured in our workshops, these speakers are ideal for completing a 5.1 home cinema system or a multi-channel system (6.1, 7.1...). They reproduce surround effects as faithfully as possible, as well as loud, violent sound signals such as shocks and explosions. Discreet and easy to install on the wall, they reproduce the complexity of film soundtracks without cluttering up the back of your living room.
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Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Focal monitors are noted for their "mid-forward" sound, guiding users toward balanced mixes, particularly in the midrange frequencies, which aids in crucial EQ and dynamics decisions.
- They integrate an inverted dome tweeter crafted from Aluminum/Magnesium or Beryllium, optimizing high-frequency dispersion and minimizing distortion through back wave absorption.
- Focal frequently employs flax or "W" composite sandwich cones in their mid-bass drivers, providing a lightweight yet rigid diaphragm construction that delivers exceptional definition and controlled bass.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Theva
- Positioning: The entry-level series in Focal's high-fidelity lineup.
- Description: Features Focal's signature technologies like the TNF tweeter for clear treble. Compared to the Aria Evo X, offers a more budget-friendly option with simpler cabinet designs. While it lacks the advanced materials found in the Kanta series, still provides a solid performance for its price range, suitable for basic home audio setups.
Aria Evo X
- Positioning: Sits in the mid-range of Focal's lineup, offering a balance between performance and affordability.
- Description: Features flax cone technology, providing natural sound and excellent dynamics. More refined than Theva, offering better build quality and soundstage.
Kanta
- Positioning: A premium series, offering advanced technology and design.
- Description: Known for their innovative design and use of materials like the Flax sandwich cone and Beryllium tweeter, delivering precise and detailed sound. They offer a more sophisticated sound profile than Aria Evo X, with enhanced clarity and warmth.
Sopra
- Positioning: A high-end series, just below the flagship Utopia line, focusing on compactness and performance.
- Description: Excels in sound transparency and precision, featuring technologies like the Infinite Horn Loading system for improved treble. They offer a richer harmonic experience than Kanta.
Utopia III Evo
- Positioning: Focal's flagship series, representing the pinnacle of their speaker technology.
- Description: Renowned for their exceptional sound quality and luxurious design, incorporating technologies like the Beryllium tweeter and W composite sandwich cone. They surpass Sopra in every aspect, offering groundbreaking soundstage and detail, ideal for large dedicated listening rooms and those with no budget constraints.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
239
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
10
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
79
Founding Year
1979
Our take on the brand
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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Used
Focal
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What if you spend more?
Focal
1000 IWLCR Utopia
7999
7999
/
1
Reviews
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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Product Strengths
- True audiophile performance with pinpoint imaging and a huge soundstage from an in-wall footprint rivaling free standing speakers
- Reference-grade materials such as inverted beryllium dome tweeter and W Cone sandwich drivers
- Utopia models feature a slick, modular, expandable design to fit a variety of installations
- LFE signals can be sent to the IWLCR Utopia when used in conjunction with the IWSUB-Utopia
Product Considerations
- Dog ears are finicky and may have issues when installing multiple sheetrock layers near max thickness rating
- Connection plates adhering to the joints and ends of the grilles don't always sit completely flat
- An equally capable processor with advanced EQ and amplifier stable into low impedance loads is required to maximize performance potential
- IWSUB Utopia models lack a vibration damping suspension system
Takeaway: The Focal Utopia offers audiophile-grade sound with flexible installation, making it a great choice for those who want top-notch performance without taking up floor space. With its advanced features and high-quality components, it delivers an immersive audio experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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PSI Audio
A25-M
6899
6899
/
2
Reviews
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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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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Monitor
Cinergy 300
6500
6500
/
2
Reviews
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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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.
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Lyngdorf
FR-2
6000
6000
/
1
Reviews
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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What competes at this price?
Focal
1000 IWLCR6
2999
/
Released
2021
The IWLCR6 closed-back 1000 speaker can be integrated into your walls for an exceptional, discreet Home Cinema configuration. It is equipped with the best drivers and tweeters that Focal engineers have developed for uncompromising acoustics. Thanks to its sophisticated design and rotatable, directional mid-high plate, the listening point is perfectly targeted.
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- High sensitivity (91dB)
- Speaker bandwidth (+/-3dB): 48Hz – 40kHz
- Low-frequency cut-off (-6dB): 43Hz
Product Considerations
- Sibilance can be noticeable
- A resonance exists at 200Hz due to the speaker itself
- Data shows a +10dB high-Q peak around 100Hz relative to the midrange, so it can be very boomy
- Horizontal sound quality suffers beyond about 30 degrees
- Midrange sounds recessed
Takeaway: The Focal 1000 IWLCR6 has a wide bandwidth and high sensitivity, making it a potentially good choice for in-wall speaker systems. The -3dB switch may help with the sibilance.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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Perlisten
S4b
3995
/
Released
2021
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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Epos
ES-7N
2850
/
Released
2024
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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Perlisten
R5m
2995
/
Released
2022
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.
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Perlisten
R5c
2995
/
Released
2022
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.
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