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.
All
Pearl 20
reviews
Manufacturer details
You will receive all of the same advantages in Pearl 20, although the new set, with equally impressive spatial impressions, sounds even more detailed and colorful. This effect was achieved thanks to the use of new sub-woofer speakers, made especially to order. A better refined transducer allowed us to reduce harmonic distortion and any unwanted resonances. The new membrane, like the previous one is a glass braid cone. It produces a similarly clear character of the sound which has been maintained while giving it a fuller expression.
The high-end range is complemented by a new tweeter, which has a ring that reduces the diffraction phenomena and has a warm and dynamic sound. Finally, as with all Pylon Audio products, we paid particular attention to optimizing the crossover network through numerous listening sessions, measurements and readjustments.
The result is a sound unheard of at this price level. All the details and nuances contained in the music are reproduced i...
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:
- Pylon Audio emphasizes a holistic manufacturing approach, building their own cabinets and customizing drivers in-house for optimal synergy.
- The brand offers a high degree of customization, with a wide array of available finishes and the option for custom RAL colors, making their speakers uniquely adaptable to individual preferences.
- Pylon Audio's speakers are voiced with a well-balanced, natural, and coherent sound signature that caters to a broad range of musical tastes.
- They are praised for achieving high build and sonic quality while maintaining competitive prices, which stems from efficient manufacturing processes and a focus on in-house expertise.
Select products
Pearl 27
- Positioning: A compact, entry-level model designed for straightforward performance in small audio setups.
- Description: Offers a solid circuit design that delivers clear sound and reliable operation, setting a simple benchmark that is easy to integrate in limited spaces. Compared to Amber MKII and the higher-tier models, it focuses on ease of use and modest functionality for budget-conscious users with basic connectivity needs.
Amber MKII
- Positioning: A mid-range solution that bridges affordability with enhanced performance for dedicated listening rooms.
- Description: Features improved circuitry and refined build quality that enhances sound clarity and detail, making it a notable upgrade over the Pearl 27. When compared to the more complex designs of Jasper 25 MKII Active and Opal 30, it offers balanced performance and additional connectivity.
Zirkon 20
- Positioning: A product aimed at users seeking precise sound reproduction in compact environments.
- Description: Incorporates a high-precision signal path with an innovative layout that improves audio accuracy over the entry-level Pearl 27 and Amber MKII. In contrast to the fuller functionality found in the Jasper and Opal models, it focuses on delivering clear, no-frills performance.
Jasper 25 MKII Active
- Positioning: An active design that integrates preamplification and amplification, aimed at modern audio setups with digital connectivity.
- Description: Introduces a built-in active stage that enhances control and connectivity, offering a step up in versatility compared to Pearl 27, Amber MKII, and Zirkon 20. Relative to the more spacious and high-powered Opal 30, it targets users needing integrated digital functionalities in a more compact and efficient solution.
Opal 30
- Positioning: A high-end, premium offering designed for larger listening environments and advanced functionality.
- Description: Features state-of-the-art components and innovative circuitry that deliver a wider soundstage and richer detail, setting it apart from the simpler configurations of Pearl 27, Amber MKII, and Zirkon 20. When compared to the integrated approach of Jasper 25 MKII Active, it emphasizes high performance and expanded connectivity features.
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Used
Pylon Audio
What if you spend more?
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Product Strengths
- Build quality and sound exceed expectations for the price
- Beautiful lacquer finish, demonstrating mastery
- Natural, consistent, smooth, slightly warmed, dynamic, and resolving sound
- Very good dynamics and space, allowing for an immersive listening experience with proper positioning and equipment
- Extremely dynamic, natural, full, and versatile sound, particularly for the Jasper 23 Active
Product Considerations
- Stabilizing plinths are too narrow, making the speakers prone to tipping
- Matte finishes can be challenging to keep pristine, requiring regular polishing
- A powerful and high-quality amplifier is necessary to perform at its best, along with a high-end source and audiophile-grade cabling
- Two bass-reflex ports at the back require more distance between the speakers and the rear wall
- The Stereo Hub lacks a LAN jack for the active version (Jasper 23 Active)
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Jasper 23's bass focuses on rhythm, pace, dynamics and kick, whereas the Audiovector QR5 provides a subwoofer-type belly massage
- Both the System Audio Legend 60.2 Silverback and Buchardt Audio A700 are larger than the Jasper 23 Active, making placement in a medium-sized room risky
Takeaway: The Jasper 23 series offers beautiful design and great sound. It is well-built, versatile, and a good choice for those who prioritize audio quality.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The first generation of Diamond Monitor 18 set the standard in its category, making designing its successor a unique challenge. In the latest version, we have improved these speakers by equipping them with upgraded drivers, enclosures, and crossovers. Additionally, we have subtly updated their design to give them an even more refined appearance.
The woofer is a transducer heavily modified by our engineers and made by the Norwegian company Seas. Its powerful magnetic circuit, reinforced with an additional magnet, works in conjunction with a lightweight aluminum-copper coil, resulting not only in greater dynamics but also better precision in reproducing bass and mid-bass. The injection molded aluminum chassis with an openwork design allows for accurate sound reproduction.
The Diamond Monitor 18 mkII also features a bass-reflex port with an increased cross-section, while maintaining similar enclosure tuning. As a result, the lowest frequencies are reproduced more efficiently, eliminating audible turbulence. Through these improvements, the quality of midrange tones has also been enhanced.
The aluminum-copper coil wire is an ideal solution not only due to better optimization of the masses of individual vibrating system elements but also due to reduced effects of so-called skin effect currents flowing in the speaker coil. The use of a 1-inch voice coil ensures excellent microdynamics in the midrange. Additionally, instead of a traditional dust cap, the woofer has been equipped with a phase plug, eliminating resonances associated with the volume of air under the cap. The coated lightweight cellulose membrane allows for a tonally balanced warm sound over a wide frequency range. The gentle decrease in level at the upper limit of the mid-bass speaker range also allows for smooth transition to the range reproduced by the tweeter.
In the high-frequency range, the iconic Scan-speak tweeter operates in a new version, characterized by exceptional microdynamics and detail due to the use of a stronger neodymium magnet, reduction of the voice coil mass, and elimination of ferrofluid. The high-frequency speaker easily integrates with the mid-bass through a new dual resonance chamber design, which has allowed further reduction of the tweeter's fundamental resonance. These changes allow for a clean reproduction of the full instrumental soundscape.
The advanced crossover network in the Diamond Monitor 18 MKII has been constructed using only linear elements such as air coils and polypropylene capacitors, contributing to improved sound clarity. In the latest monitors, we have opted for a 4-ohm impedance. This means that the second-generation eighteens are twice as loud and fully utilize the power offered by the amplifier. As a result, dynamics significantly increase, and the speakers can be dedicated to slightly larger rooms.
The Diamond Monitor 18 mkII features a greater front tilt, improving the transducers' performance in the time domain. The overall shape looks much better. The black cellular rubber on the tweeter gives it an exclusive character and increased aging resistance. Meanwhile, the vertical veneer grain adds sleekness to the whole.
Vibration of the enclosure walls is significantly reduced thanks to extensive internal ribbing. Undesirable standing waves inside the enclosure are dampened by sheep wool and a new sound-absorbing material, specially selected during tests in our anechoic chamber using a laser vibrometer. Hence, the monitor sound is free from tonal impurities.
The Diamond Monitor 18 mkII is a speaker characterized by refined low-end dynamics, delivering controlled and subtle bass. Along with excellent balance of mid and high tones, it provides exceptional naturalness in both instrument and vocal reproduction. The acoustic space it creates allows for precise localization of individual instruments, resulting in clear and distinct sound for each note. The columns are dedicated to the rooms of 12 - 25 m2. The sets are provided with the branded stands that create an attractive proposition for people who would like to use the full potential of the columns in their spatial capabilities.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Discreet design, high-quality craftsmanship, versatile sound, seamless compatibility with a wide range of electronics, a rich variety of color options, and an affordable price
- Dynamics, speed, tangibility, transparency, and a three-dimensional, precise, perfectly organized space
- Bass-reflex tuning allows placement closer to the wall (25-30 cm) without creating major problems
- A balanced, neutral, and homogeneous sound with a slight warming in the midrange
- The drivers have been modified and improved with high-quality components in the crossover, which translated into clear qualitative progress
Product Considerations
- The oak veneer finish, achieved by coating with oil-wax, may appear cheap compared to lacquered versions or higher-end veneers
- The stands offered by the manufacturer are not the most stable construction
- May require higher-quality accompanying equipment to fully realize their potential
- The basic finish could be considered a flaw, suggesting opting for a RAL lacquer finish for a better aesthetic
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The bass performance triggered associations with Naim rhythm and punch
- The character of the bass is spiritually bonded with Spendor Classic 2/3s
Takeaway: The Diamond Monitor 18 mkII speakers offer a balanced and versatile sound suitable for various music genres and amplifiers, making them a solid choice for those seeking a well-rounded audio experience. With improved dynamics and bass response, they perform well even when placed closer to the wall, offering flexibility in room placement.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Wharfedale’s new EVO4 has grown out of the extensive research and development that produced the ELYSIAN flagship loudspeakers and borrows much of the technology involved in ELYSIAN.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent focus and separation, with the speakers 'disappearing' to create a natural soundstage
- Impressive low-end performance, adding authority to the music
- Cohesive driver integration, with no perceivable handover between the AMT tweeter, midrange dome, and woofer
- Remarkable neutrality in the midrange, with a detailed yet smooth treble—avoiding harshness even at higher volumes
- Clear and detailed sound reproduction, extracting nuances and levels of information outstanding for its price
Product Considerations
- Vertical off-axis performance of the AMT tweeter is not good, so correct speaker height and toe-in are important
- Soundstage is not super wide, with the presentation mostly between the speakers
- Some reviewers found the aesthetics or proportions to be awkward or not to suit all tastes
- Bass may be a bit polite for some listeners wanting subwoofer-type rumble
- The midrange can be fatiguing if the listener's ear is at the midrange driver level
Takeaway: The Evo4.2 is a well-rounded speaker that delivers excellent sound quality with impressive imaging, detail, and tonal balance. It is capable of providing an audiophile experience at an affordable price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ASC - Active Stereo Calibration | Cross-stereo | 30Hz -20kHzDevialet Mania, our first high fidelity portable smart speaker with 360° stereo sound translates our obsession for pure sound.Metamorphic sound.Devialet Mania, the portable speaker ushers in a liberated approach to sound: more spontaneous, more adaptable, more obsession-inducing than ever. Thanks to its adaptive cross stereo, Devialet Mania offers a soundstage that morphs and adapts to any physical space, eliciting expansive 360° stereo sound. Cue your favorite music and feel the emotional imprint it leaves on you and those around you.Devialet Mania edition package also comes with a complimentary Devialet Mania Station.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- One of the best-sounding portable Bluetooth speakers
- Built-in Alexa support eliminates the need for additional devices to control music with voice
- Solid design, IPX4 water resistance rating, and built-in handle
Product Considerations
- Insufficient loudness for large rooms
- Lacks some treble out-of-the-box
- Battery life can be short—around 4 hours in some tests
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Sonos is likely a better value for most users since it features a longer battery life and a more balanced sound out-of-the-box
Takeaway: The Devialet Mania is a portable speaker that redefines expectations with its impressive sound quality and bass energy. It offers a unique listening experience that's worth the purchase.
Video review
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What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Effortlessly detailed and balanced sound
- Excellent stereo imaging and dynamics
- High-quality Bluetooth streaming
- Simple setup and control
- Multiple connection options, including subwoofer output, digital input for TV, and analog inputs
Product Considerations
- No HDMI ARC for seamless control with TV remote
- No dedicated app for adjusting settings
- Bass output may be lacking for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer
- Grilles are non-removable
- Speakers power down after 20 minutes at rest, requiring manual Bluetooth pairing each time
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2, the Q Acoustics M20 sounds fuller, louder and less compressed
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers offer detailed, balanced sound and are easy to set up with various devices. They're a versatile audio solution for upgrading sound, whether for music, movies, or gaming.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Good ability to get loud, clean sound without distortion or compression issues above 80 Hz when paired with a subwoofer
- Really good build quality cabinet
- Very clear, immediate, vivid sounding speaker
- Ultra-focused sounding, clean, and nicely balanced vocals
- A lot of treble liveliness combined with quality clarity and crispness
Product Considerations
- Treble is a little bit bright
- Not the most neutral speaker
- Leaner sound in terms of bass delivery
- Very tight, tuneful, and on-point bass, but the perceived amount of bass is less substantial than other speakers reviewed
- Some port noise or chuffing can be heard when setting the speakers to deliver as much bass as the Klipsch RP600M
Takeaway: The SVS Prime bookshelf is a sweet little speaker that delivers clear and vivid sound and has great build quality. It's also versatile, as it can be used in a stereo setup or as part of a home theater system.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Improved stereo sound compared to the original Move, due to the addition of dual tweeters
- Significantly longer battery life—advertised up to 24 hours—making it suitable for extended use indoors and outdoors
- Designed with portability in mind, featuring a built-in handle for easy carrying and an IP56 rating for dust and water resistance
- The speaker benefits from the Auto Trueplay feature, which automatically optimizes the sound to the unique acoustics of your space, delivering a balanced audio experience
- Versatile connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2, and can even stream Bluetooth audio to other Sonos speakers
Product Considerations
- Considered hefty and not as easily portable as smaller options like the Sonos Roam
- Google Assistant is no longer supported, which may be a drawback for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem
- It cannot be used as a speakerphone for calls
- Despite being a stereo speaker, channel separation isn't always very distinct, and it can sound more like an expansive mono speaker
- An adapter is needed for a line-in connection, and a carrying case are sold separately, which increases the overall cost
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonos Move: The Move 2 offers stereo playback—as opposed to mono—longer battery life, and more connectivity options
- Vs Sonos Roam: The Move 2 sounds better and gets louder, but the Roam is smaller and lighter
- Vs Sonos Era 300: The Era 300 has Dolby Atmos support, but is not portable or water-resistant like the Move 2
- Vs Sonos Era 100: The Move 2 can be taken on the go unlike the Era 100 and is rated for dust and water resistance
- Vs Bose SoundLink Max: The Sonos Move 2 sounds a bit more balanced out of the box, and its battery can even be replaced down the line, while the Bose has a longer-lasting battery and doesn't require an adapter to connect to analog line-in sources, but it can't connect to Wi-Fi
Takeaway: The Sonos Move 2 is a versatile and improved portable speaker, offering great sound and battery life for both indoor and outdoor use, and its integration with the Sonos ecosystem makes it an easy choice for existing Sonos users.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Simple Bluetooth speaker connects and pairs easily without needing an app
- Rated IP67 against water and dust, making it durable for splashes and rain
- Can be used to charge other small devices via USB-C
- Lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around with a removable lanyard
- Plays nicely with both iOS and Android devices
Product Considerations
- The soft touch rubber coating is a dust magnet
- The Beats app is barebones, with no EQ controls
- Can't playback stereo content without pairing another speaker
- Audio can get muddy and lose detail at high volumes
- Some controls have a learning curve
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Beats Pill+: The 2024 Beats Pill is lighter, has better build quality, a more balanced sound, and support for voice assistants, but lacks Bluetooth multipoint support and stereo playback without pairing
- Vs JBL Flip 6: Has a more balanced sound out-of-the-box, a longer battery life, and voice assistant support, but JBL is better built and offers a graphic EQ in the companion app
Takeaway: The Beats Pill is a simple, portable, and durable Bluetooth speaker that sounds good, especially at its price. It's easy to connect to devices and take anywhere.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive spatial audio delivers a more immersive and 3D soundscape compared to traditional stereo, when playing Dolby Atmos content
- Wide, room-filling sound projects further and more confidently than other similar wireless speakers
- Can be used as Dolby Atmos surround speakers, delivering multi-channel rears for the first time
- Includes both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6) connectivity
Product Considerations
- The spatial audio experience is heavily dependent on the quality of the Dolby Atmos mix, and some mixes can be disappointing
- Touch controls don't provide the tactile feedback of physical buttons
- The Sonos app can be slow and not always intuitive to use
- Spatial audio tracks can only be played over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth
- No Google Assistant
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Era 300 offers a more refined sound, with a deeper bassline and better wraparound sound, compared to Amazon Echo Studio
- The Era 300 has better dynamics, and supports Dolby Atmos, compared to Sonos Five—the slightly larger Five can reproduce a more extended low bass and offers superior stereo music playback
- Era 300 gets slightly louder and has slightly better directivity and features both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, whereas the Apple HomePod (2nd generation) can only connect via Wi-Fi
Takeaway: The Sonos Era 300 excels at spatial audio playback, and the spatial audio from a single wireless speaker feels detailed, engaging and accomplished. It's a great addition to any home, offering immersive sound for both music and movies.
Video review
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