Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

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.

Product Strengths

  • Delivers a much larger and more forceful energy field with an enhanced octave-to-octave tonal balance
  • High build quality with excellent fit and finish
  • The design allows the speaker to work well in a wide range of real-world listening environments, providing flexibility in placement
  • Produces soundstages that envelope the listener, immersing them in the music

Product Considerations

  • Requires beefy amplification due to its 4-ohm impedance and 85dB sensitivity

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The E1TX has a slightly more forgiving (warmer) signature and produces more bass, while the ME-1 emphasizes the treble, and the E1TX has a more balanced sound throughout the audioband
  • The Tondas can produce more impactful lows and go deeper in the bass, while the TADs put out larger bass than their size indicates, and the TADs also produced slightly more treble energy at the very top than did the Vimbergs, though they sounded more subdued in the lower treble and upper midrange
  • The Kharma is more flamboyant with a prominent top end, while the TAD has a more modest, measured sound profile, and the Kharma has more mid-bass emphasis, which can be a benefit at lower volumes but can become too much at higher volumes

Takeaway: The TAD Evolution One TX produces a loudspeaker that sounds bigger than it looks, enveloping the listener and immersing them in the music. It is an easy-to-listen-to speaker with great build quality.

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.

All

TAD-E1TX

reviews

[{"title":"TAD Evolution One TX Loudspeakers","link":"https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/897-tad-evolution-one-tx-loudspeakers","source":"Soundstage! Ultra","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"TAD Evolution One TX Loudspeaker","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/tad-evolution-one-tx-loudspeaker","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"TAD Evolution E1TX-K Loudspeakers, Wolf Audio Alpha 3 ...","link":"https://www.stereophile.com/content/tad-evolution-e1tx-k-loudspeakers-wolf-audio-alpha-3-server-audience-sx-cables","source":"stereophile.com","datePublished":""},{"title":"TAD Compact Evolution One TX Loudspeaker","link":"https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1214-tad-compact-evolution-one-tx-loudspeaker","source":"soundstageultra.com","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Model No: TAD-E1TX-K
  • Type: 3-way bass reflex floor
  • Drive Units: Woofer: 16cm cone x2, Midrange/tweeter: concentric 9cm cone/2.5cm dome
  • Frequency response: 29Hz to 60kHz
  • Crossover frequencies: 420Hz, 2.5kHz
  • Maximum input power: 200W
  • Sensitivity: 88dB (2.83V, 1m)
  • Rated impedance: 4Ω
  • Weight: 46kg (1 unit)
  • Dimensions: 350mm (W) × 1215mm (H) × 512mm (D) <with included cone spikes installed>
The long-awaited Evolution series floor type speaker system equipped with CST and Bi-Directional ADS port was born. Speakers that reproduce smooth bass by Double Woofer and ADS and realize natural sound spreading in wide frequency band by CST will produce glittery and sophisticated space with beautiful form.
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:

  • TAD utilizes a proprietary Coherent Source Transducer (CST) driver, featuring a concentrically mounted tweeter and midrange, designed for exceptional imaging and phase coherence.
  • They blend their professional audio engineering heritage with consumer-focused designs, aiming for a sound that balances studio-level accuracy with an engaging listening experience.
  • A key feature is the Bi-Directional Aero-Dynamic Slot (ADS) porting system, which minimizes port noise and allows for flexible speaker placement closer to walls.
  • TAD emphasizes the use of premium materials, such as beryllium for tweeters and meticulously crafted cabinets, resulting in products that exhibit exceptional build quality and fit and finish.

TAD Evolution Two

  • Positioning: The mid-range floor-standing speaker in TAD's lineup, offering a balance of performance and affordability.
  • Description: Features a beryllium tweeter and MACC diaphragm woofers, providing clear high frequencies and powerful bass. Compared to the Reference One TX, offers a more compact design suitable for medium-sized rooms, while still delivering TAD's signature sound quality. Its price point makes it accessible for those seeking high-quality sound without the premium cost of the Reference series.

TAD Evolution One TX

  • Positioning: Positioned as a high-end floor-standing speaker within the Evolution series, offering advanced technologies for audiophiles.
  • Description: Features TAD's CST Driver and Bi-Directional ADS port, delivering a wide frequency range and natural sound dispersion. Offers a more refined soundstage compared to the Evolution Two.

TAD GE1

  • Positioning: Part of the Grand Evolution series, positioned as a premium offering with advanced acoustic technologies.
  • Description: Features CST Driver and MACS II diaphragm, providing clear mid-to-high frequencies and rich bass. Offers a more sophisticated sound profile than the Evolution series.

TAD Reference One TX

  • Positioning: The flagship model in TAD's lineup, representing the pinnacle of their speaker technology.
  • Description: Renowned for its groundbreaking CST Driver and beryllium diaphragms, delivering unmatched clarity and soundstage. It surpasses other models with its expansive frequency range and precise imaging, making it ideal for large rooms and professional settings. Its premium price reflects the exceptional build quality and cutting-edge technology, offering the ultimate audio experience for discerning audiophiles.
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Avg. Product Price
$30,001-$40,000
Used For Sale
10
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Brand Popularity
197
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
17
Founding Year
2007

Our take on the brand

Technical Audio Devices is a hifi Japanese spinoff of Pioneer that focuses on highly accurate speakers, which reviewers widely regard as best-in-class. They're known for their unique vapor deposition technique for beryllium diaphragms, which provides superior strength and smooth performance up to 100 kHz. Their proprietary technologies include CST (Coherent Source Transducer) for controlled directivity from a single point.

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Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

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From our interview with
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What if you spend more?

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TAD
TAD-GE1
65000
65000
/
2
Reviews

For years, TAD has been pursuing innovation and authenticity in reproducing music in its truest form. In the TAD-GE1, you find innovation and authenticity are not contradictory to each other but are complementary to each other. The TAD-GE1 faithfully follows the tradition of TAD sound—which makes you feel as if you were “inside the music,” rather than just listening to it—and yet embodies the highest level of innovation. The merger of sound image and field creates a spatial three-dimensional sound field, in which intent of every artist is faithfully recreated, delivering an immersive and soul-stirring listening experience The TAD-GE1 is an engineering marvel that proves innovation drives authenticity.

Technical Audio Devices is a hifi Japanese spinoff of Pioneer that focuses on highly accurate speakers, which reviewers widely regard as best-in-class. They're known for their unique vapor deposition technique for beryllium diaphragms, which provides superior strength and smooth performance up to 100 kHz. Their proprietary technologies include CST (Coherent Source Transducer) for controlled directivity from a single point.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Physical appearance and bespoke build quality would enhance any interior decor
  • Truly a thing of beauty, with a gorgeous hardwood veneer applied to the top and front surfaces, highly polished to give "the illusion of a wet surface" and emphasize the grain pattern
  • Cabinet is fabricated from MDF with internal birch-plywood bracing—a construction that TAD has dubbed SILENT for Structurally Inert Laminated Enclosure Technology
  • Bass reproduction is a strong suit
  • Timbral quality of both voices and solo instruments was seductive and natural

Product Considerations

  • Dynamics could seem subtly softened with an associated reduction in coherence at the loudest and most complex moments of immense orchestral scores and big band blow-outs
  • Soundstage creation and imaging are quite good, but not necessarily to the degree of some transducers that can generate an environment that extends well beyond the walls of a listening room and localizes musicians with surgical precision

Takeaway: The TAD-GE1 is an exceptionably "listenable" loudspeaker that reliably honored the sonics of revered audiophile recordings and rendered the less remarkable ones to their best possible advantage. These loudspeakers always communicated the musical meaning of whatever they were asked to play.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Technical Audio Devices is a hifi Japanese spinoff of Pioneer that focuses on highly accurate speakers, which reviewers widely regard as best-in-class. They're known for their unique vapor deposition technique for beryllium diaphragms, which provides superior strength and smooth performance up to 100 kHz. Their proprietary technologies include CST (Coherent Source Transducer) for controlled directivity from a single point.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
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Bowers & Wilkins
801 D4 Signature
55000
55000
/
14
Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
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Product Strengths

  • Each detail of the Signature has been carefully crafted and sees numerous updates over the standard 801, including crossover upgrades and a modified cabinet with a refined downward firing port
  • The bass presentation on the 801 Signature was better across the board, it was tighter, a little more pronounced and forward, and definitely more defined
  • Bass goes beyond just hitting the low notes, the woofers showcase some of the clearest, most audible detail and texture
  • Vocalists and actors have better inflection, greater scale, and detail playing at low volumes
  • When properly set up, the Signature is one of the most holographic windows to music experienced
  • Speakers need power, the Arcam was impressive and even got the 801s to play loud, but the Macintosh MC312 made the Signature sound flow-like water

Product Considerations

  • The Signature's impedance fluctuates wildly, ranging from a nominal 8 ohms and dipping lower than 3, so you need an amplifier that does more than just work
  • Placement matters: if placed too close to the wall, the bass response became too pronounced and even boomy at times
  • The Signature can come off as bright, and in extreme cases, it might be fatiguing to some
  • Poor recordings won't get a free pass, there's bound to be a track or two that's going to leave your playlist rotation

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the Klipsch La Scala, both speakers excel at the recreation of space in true-to-life dynamics
  • Compared to the Wharfedale Elysian 4, the Elysian doesn't play as deep, is richer in the mid-range, and nowhere near as extended up top, so it's not the Signature's equal
  • Compared to the Wilson Audio Want Puppy, the two speakers are similar in size, driver complement, build and finish quality, price, and target market
  • Compared to the SVS Titan, the Titans sound two-dimensional and fat, compared to the Signature's far more realistic and natural-sounding bass
  • Compared to the KEF R11 Meta, the Signature's beefy presence makes for a far grander statement

Takeaway: The 801 Signature is a speaker that elevates the listening experience to another level because it is designed with incredible attention to detail. It will be an emotional and immersive experience to own these speakers.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Bowers & Wilkins
801 D4
42000
42000
/
9
Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Powerful and deep bass with fast transient attack and rich tonal shades
  • Sweeter-sounding tweeter that integrates more fluidly with the midrange without sacrificing detail
  • Balanced and coherent presentation across the frequency range
  • Sounds are reproduced with clarity, detail, and dynamic contrasts
  • Impressive soundstage imaging with accurately-sized images, providing a wide, tall, and deep soundstage

Product Considerations

  • High-quality amplification with plenty of power is required, designed for use with amplifiers of up to 1000W
  • Due to its size and the power it requires, it needs to be placed in a large room
  • The weight of over 100 kg per speaker can make placement difficult—requiring assistance for lifting and maneuvering, especially on non-smooth surfaces
  • The grilles can be a tricky fit

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs 800 D3: Faster and tighter bass register with a sweeter-sounding tweeter and improved decoupling
  • Vs 802 D4: More bass, the 802 D4 had better blend

Takeaway:

The 801 D4 is a high-performance speaker known for its powerful and nuanced sound, exceptional imaging, and refined design, and it is capable of delivering a captivating listening experience. It is worth the investment for audiophiles who want detail and high-quality sound.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
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Wilson Audio
Alexia V
71000
71000
/
9
Reviews

Form Follows FunctionV-Material is nested in the top of the woofer and midrange enclosures for increased vibration mitigation and control. By using X-Material throughout all three modules, and methodically refining the internal bracing and panel thicknesses, Wilson Audio's Engineers have enhanced enclosure damping to a new standard for this product category.

Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
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Product Strengths

  • Alexia V brings many of the qualities of the Chronosonic XVX to a smaller and more affordable loudspeaker
  • Spectacular bass performance delivers powerful weight and muscularity without sounding thick or overblown
  • Midrange shares harmonic beauty and warmth with the XVX, offering smoothness and ease
  • The Alexia V presents real life to the listener in a way that previous versions cannot match
  • Every detail of the design and build exudes the highest level of quality and craftsmanship

Product Considerations

  • Premium-priced, putting it out of reach for many music lovers
  • Alexia V sounds a bit more forward, incisive, and "extraverted" compared to the XVX

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Alexia V shares many sonic characteristics with the Chronosonic XVX, but sounds a bit more forward, incisive, and 'extraverted', the XVX is more subtle, refined, darker in tonal balance, and 'bigger' sounding
  • Alexia V is unequivocally superior to the Series 2 in every way

Takeaway: The Alexia V brings many of the best qualities from Wilson Audio's top-of-the-line speakers into a more manageable size and price point. The sound is both powerful and refined, making listening to music an engaging experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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What competes at this price?

Bowers & Wilkins
802 D4
31000
/
Released
2021
Built to similar proportions as the flagship 801 D4, the 802 D4 offers much of the performance of its sibling, including the same Turbine™ Head enclosure for its midrange drive unit, yet is more affordable overall.
Check Amazon
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Exceptional build quality with meticulous sanding, polishing, and assembly
  • High level of detail reproduction with a clean and uncolored treble, thanks to the diamond tweeter
  • Stable and efficient design with a wide frequency range and high sensitivity
  • Iconic design with a teardrop-shaped cabinet to minimize diffraction and internal Matrix skeleton to reduce resonances
  • Delivers music with extremely low distortion, allowing complex passages to breathe freely

Product Considerations

  • Wheels underneath may mark parquet floors
  • May lack some punch and dynamics in the mid-bass for some listeners
  • Setup can benefit from careful physical adjustments for optimal performance
  • Grills may be compelling as toys for young children

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The 802 D4 is more musically compelling than the 802 D3
  • The 802 D4 delivers more accuracy, especially in the mids and highs, than the 800 D2/D3
  • The 802 D4 has an advantage in airiness, transparency and resolution, though the KEF Blade Two Meta has more brutal dynamics
  • The 802 D4 has less exaggerated sibilance, though the Focal Sopra No3 is more powerful in the midrange

Takeaway: The 802 D4 is an ultra high-end speaker that combines advanced technology and top-shelf materials, delivering exceptional detail and a clean soundstage for an immersive listening experience. It is a speaker that may fill the soul with music.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Focal
Diva Utopia
39999
/
Released
2024
DIVA UTOPIA combines the best of Focal Acoustics and Naim Electronics. This active bass-reflex speaker offers high-quality sound, the latest wireless technologies, and extensive connectivity for exceptional listening experiences. Whether it's music, movies, or video games, it revolutionises home listening and frees you from all constraints. With DIVA UTOPIA and its unique design, simply plug in, connect, and enjoy the pure sound of Focal.
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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

  • Excellent clarity, detail resolution, and agility in sound reproduction
  • Impressive bass definition and punch, delivering huge amounts of bass effortlessly
  • Combines muscularity, insight, scale, and attack for an engaging listening experience
  • Design is unique and striking, with impeccable build quality and a flawless finish
  • Offers extensive specification and numerous control options, all implemented expertly

Product Considerations

  • Sonic presentation might be a little too 'safe' or 'civilizing', potentially losing some of the vibrant energy in music
  • Lacks some features compared to competitors regarding connectivity and adjustability
  • Requires a large listening space to avoid overpowering the room
  • The provided remote casing feels cheap and insubstantial compared to the overall package
  • Room correction (ADAPT) is not as automated or precise as some other systems and the application may crash

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs KEF LS60 Wireless: KEF LS60 offers more flexibility, including a subwoofer output, but at higher volumes, Focal Diva is the clear winner
  • Vs Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90: Beolab 90 is in a league of its own and provides a more complete audio experience
  • Vs Scala Utopia Evo: Diva Utopia is cheaper in the long run, as the Scala Utopia Evo needs additional components, such as Naim Classic components
  • Vs Diablo Utopia Color Evos: The Color Evos may represent the ultimate Focal experience

Takeaway: The Diva Utopia is an all-in-one speaker with impressive sound that expertly combines performance and design. It offers a unique blend of luxury and high-end audio quality that can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a simplified audiophile 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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Kii
Three BXT
31155
/
Released
The Kii THREE BXT system is an exceptional upgrade designed to enhance any Kii THREE setup's acoustical accuracy and clarity. This system adds eight extra drivers and a powerful 2,000 watts of amplification per speaker (16 drivers and 7,000 watts total per pair) in a sleek floor-standing module. It extends the range and sound pressure level of the Kii THREE and preserves its unique room-friendly cardioid system for precise, proper directionality.
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Kii Audio's unique "Active Wave Focusing" technology creates a cardioid pattern that minimizes room reflections and directs sound energy forward, allowing their speakers to maintain consistent sound quality even when placed near walls or corners. Each Kii THREE speaker uses six custom Ncore amplifiers and multiple DACs with advanced DSP processing to deliver full-range sound from a compact design that outperforms much larger systems.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • When combined with the BXT module, the system delivers tight, dynamic, and nuanced bass reproduction
  • The addition of the BXT allows the system to reveal subtle details in the lower frequencies that are typically missed
  • The BXT system offers a balanced sound, with the midrange frequencies benefiting from the addition of the BXT module
  • Are relieved of some bass duties, letting them focus more on the mids
  • The combination with the BXT module creates a cardioid dispersion pattern, reducing reflections from side and rear walls—minimizing the influence of room acoustics
  • Ease of use is another strength of the concept

Product Considerations

  • Some perceive it as sounding 'too digital' or 'too analytical' on its own, lacking the warmth of other speakers, but the BXT module helps to address this
  • The display on the Kii Control is considered small, making it difficult to read in poor lighting conditions

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Versus ATC speakers, ATC speakers have a warmer, more colorful sound

Takeaway: The system, especially when paired with the BXT module, delivers exceptional sound quality with deep, controlled bass and reduced room interaction. For those wanting a system with great clarity and power, this could be a good pick.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Kii Audio's unique "Active Wave Focusing" technology creates a cardioid pattern that minimizes room reflections and directs sound energy forward, allowing their speakers to maintain consistent sound quality even when placed near walls or corners. Each Kii THREE speaker uses six custom Ncore amplifiers and multiple DACs with advanced DSP processing to deliver full-range sound from a compact design that outperforms much larger systems.
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Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Klipsch
Jubilee
35998
/
Released
2022
The Klipsch Jubilee is founder Paul W. Klipsch's (PWK) final project. His dream was to create a loudspeaker to satisfy even the most ardent audiophiles. Originally intended to be the successor to the Klipschorn, PWK soon realized it was much more than that.
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Klipsch is renowned for its pioneering use of horn-loaded technology in speakers, which enhances efficiency and reduces distortion through their signature Tractrix Horn design. The brand's distinctive "Klipsch sound" is characterized by a bright, dynamic audio profile that some find exhilarating.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Extraordinary bass response that goes down to 18 hertz
  • They play quietly very well, maintaining detail and presence even at low volumes
  • The sound is dynamic and powerful, with an effortless quality
  • They don't sound like horns
  • Wide soundstage, and imaging is precise and focused

Product Considerations

  • At $36,000 a pair, the Jubilee speakers represent a significant financial investment
  • The DSP has the potential for problems
  • A larger room where the speakers can be placed further apart and further away would improve the sound further
  • The speaker is large, which may pose aesthetic or practical challenges for some rooms

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Jubilee is considered a step up from the Klipschorn
  • The Jubilee is a whole different thing than the Klipsch Cornwall
  • Jubilee tends to have better bottom end and better top end than the Klipschorn

Takeaway: The Klipsch Jubilee is a unique speaker that sounds great and can fill a large room with ease. It offers a powerful and dynamic listening experience that is different from other speakers.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Klipsch is renowned for its pioneering use of horn-loaded technology in speakers, which enhances efficiency and reduces distortion through their signature Tractrix Horn design. The brand's distinctive "Klipsch sound" is characterized by a bright, dynamic audio profile that some find exhilarating.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Wilson Audio
The WATT/Puppy
38500
/
Released
2024
Introducing a remastering to one of, if not the most, iconic loudspeaker designs: The WATT/Puppy. Inspired by the original WATT/Puppy's legacy, the development of this instantly recognizable design began with a hopeful vision: to create a WATT/Puppy that would honor the original designer by utilizing current technologies and innovations refined for more than 50 years. Simply put, to build a WATT/Puppy that Dave Wilson would have built if he had the resources then that Wilson Audio now possesses.
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Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Remarkable soundstage width and depth, creating a vivid and immersive listening experience
  • Excellent detail retrieval and clarity across the frequency spectrum
  • Powerful and controlled bass response
  • Evolutionary transmutation that embodies Wilson Audio's entire current philosophies and peak technologies

Product Considerations

  • The price point may be a limiting factor for some potential buyers, especially given the proximity to the Sasha V's price
  • Requires careful setup and positioning to achieve optimal performance
  • Bass response may be overblown at times

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Sabrina X: The WATT/Puppy clearly betters the Sabrina X
  • Vs Sasha V: Uses identical drivers but the Sasha V deploys larger cabinetry
  • The Wat Puppy is a little dog that is demanding of attention versus the Sasha—which is effortless
  • Vs Watt Puppy System 8: The WATT/Puppy outperforms the System 8 in every area, from low frequency extension and slam, to soundstage depth and width

Takeaway: The WATT/Puppy is a high-performing speaker system that combines advanced technology with a legacy design to provide a detailed and engaging listening experience. Its ability to create a wide and deep soundstage while maintaining clarity and control makes it a worthwhile investment for audiophiles

Video review

Our take on the brand

Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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