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
- Realistic voices, whether male or female, sound like the person is right next to you
- Beautiful build quality feels worth the price when you hold it
Product Considerations
- Significant flaw in dynamics—lacks detail in sound
- Performance makes you miss minor details in movies, preventing the feeling of being 'in' the movie
- Can feel 'dead' when other speakers are active, with only voices being audible
- Lacks punch and bass in scenes like fights
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Klipsch center speaker—the Klipsch reveals details missing
Takeaway: The VCC-1 excels at producing realistic voices, making it a potentially good choice if that's your priority. If clear and very dynamic sound is a priority, this may not be the best option.
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
VCC-1
reviews
[{"title":"Almost Perfect Center Speaker Vandersteen VCC-1","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DANwlIQEgZ0","source":"YouTube","datePublished":"2023"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Driver: Magnetically shielded, aligned coaxial design with a 6 1/2" die-cast basket polycone woofer and a 1" critically-damped, alloy dome tweeter
- Recommended Amplification: 30-200 Watts Into 8 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 80Hz – 21kHz +/- 3dB
- Sensitivity: 86 dB, 1 meter with 2.83 volt input
- Impedance: 8 ohms nominal 5 ohms
- Crossovers: First order/6dB per octave, 3.5kHz
- Input Terminals: Barrier strips, 7/16" max width
- Dimensions (WHD): 12 1/8" x 9 1/4" x 10 1/8"
- Weight: 23 lbs. Ea. Net
Description
The VCC-1 center speaker allows discerning music enthusiasts a path to a high-fidelity home theater system where all the speakers combine to create an expansive panorama of sound that enhances the emotional involvement and impact of the music video or movie experience. The VCC-1 is a two-way center-channel speaker built with a time- and phase-correct coaxial woofer/tweeter and a perfect companion for Vandersteen home theater systems built around the Model 1Ci+, VSM-1 and/or the VLR Wood.
Release Timeline
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:
- Vandersteen designs emphasize time and phase coherence through the use of first-order crossovers, which require drivers with exceptional linearity and bandwidth.
- They are known for their "form-follows-function" aesthetic, prioritizing sound quality over visual flash, often resulting in understated designs.
- Vandersteen loudspeakers often include user-adjustable controls, such as midrange and tweeter level adjustments or multi-band bass equalization, to optimize performance in different listening environments.
- They prioritize seamless driver integration, aiming to present a cohesive sonic presentation, rather than drawing attention to individual drivers.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Model 1Ci+
- Positioning: The entry-level speaker in the Vandersteen lineup, offering a taste of the brand's sonic excellence at an affordable price.
- Description: Praised for its incredible value, providing a sample of the Model 2's sonic excellence in a smaller, easy-to-drive package. Unlike the more advanced models like the Treo CT, it lacks the powered-bass system but still delivers excellent sound quality with its dual-chamber alloy dome tweeter and mineral-filled polycone woofer, making it ideal for budget-conscious buyers or those with smaller rooms.
Model 3A Signature
- Positioning: Serves as a bridge between the entry-level and high-end models, offering high performance with advanced components.
- Description: Known for its big sound and detailed musicality, features a dual-chamber metal-alloy dome tweeter and a unique midrange driver that reduces internal diffraction. While it doesn't have the powered subwoofer of the Quatro Wood CT, it provides a cohesive and smooth sound.
Treo CT
- Positioning: A mid-range model that offers high-end features in a more compact and affordable package.
- Description: Features the patented Perfect-Piston Carbon Tweeter, providing exceptional air and space in sound reproduction. It shares the same driver complement as the Quatro Wood CT but lacks the powered-bass system.
Quatro Wood CT
- Positioning: A high-performance model that incorporates advanced technologies from Vandersteen's flagship speakers.
- Description: Features the Carbon Tweeter from the Model 5A Carbon, offering exceptional resolution and imaging. It includes a powered subwoofer section with dual 8" subwoofers, unlike the Treo CT, providing powerful bass performance.
KēNTO Carbon
- Positioning: A premium model, offering advanced features at a historic price point.
- Description: Combines elements from the Model Seven MK II and Quatro CT, including side-firing Counterforce pistonic bass drivers. It offers a level of adjustment and integration not found in the Quatro Wood CT.
Model Seven XTRM
- Positioning: The flagship model, representing the pinnacle of Vandersteen's speaker technology.
- Description: Features Perfect-Piston drivers and a recalibrated internal amplifier. Unlike the KēNTO Carbon, it offers the ultimate in time-and-phase correct audio reproduction.
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Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
72
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
95
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
18
Founding Year
1977
Our take on the brand
Vandersteen Audio is distinguished by its time and phase coherence in speaker design, where all drivers move in unison through their first-order crossover design and Perfect-Piston drivers made of carbon-fiber and balsa wood. The brand's speakers feature a minimum baffle approach to reduce reflections, while focusing on high-quality internal components over elaborate cabinet designs, with models like the Seven XTRM offering precise bass response customization through adjustable trim pots.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
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Used
Vandersteen
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
Arendal Sound
1528 Center 8
2900
2900
/
8
Reviews
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.
Expand Details
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers clear, dynamic, spacious, full-range sound that reveals every detail in a recording
- Exceptional styling and build quality
- Outstanding dynamic capabilities and tonal balance
- Wide dispersion and seamless integration across seating positions
- Versatile sealed/ported design for multiple room configurations
Product Considerations
- Large and heavy, requiring planning and effort for installation
- Requires high-quality amplification to reach its full potential, AV receivers are not ideal
- Cannot be auditioned before purchase due to direct-to-consumer model, with returns being a hassle due to size/weight
- May dominate smaller listening spaces, requiring a recommended listening distance of 13 feet
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- It has better low bass than Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2 and Estelon Aura
- It holds its own against speakers like Perlisten R7t, Perlisten S7t, KEF Reference 5 Meta, Focal Kanta No.3, Focal Sopra 2, Sonus Faber Sonetto VIII, Paradigm Founder 120, and Revel PerformaBe F328Be
Takeaway: The Arendal 1528 Tower 8 loudspeaker is a great choice for people who want exceptional sound and build quality. These speakers are versatile for both music and movies, making listening a truly immersive experience
Video review
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.
Product Page
Product Page
Bowers & Wilkins
HTM71 S3 Signature
3300
3300
/
1
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.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Exceptional sound quality with unparalleled clarity and detail
- Cutting-edge driver technologies are used for superior performance
- Stunning aesthetics with premium finish options (Datuk Gloss and Midnight Blue Metallic finishes)
- Versatile performance in both home theatre and hifi applications
- Robust construction with high-quality components
Product Considerations
- Premium pricing may not suit all budgets
- Substantial size requires adequate space for optimal placement
- May require high-quality amplification to reach its full potential
Takeaway: The Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S3 Signature Centre Speaker offers exceptional sound and build quality, making it a worthy addition to any audio system. It is a great choice for those seeking the ultimate center channel experience.
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.
Product Page
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Perlisten
R5c
2995
2995
/
1
Reviews
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. Designed to be mounted on optional stand, or mounted to a wall with our tilt swivel bracket. Sharing “trickle-down” technology from our flagship S-Series, the DPC-Array here based on three 26mm domes, guarantees excellent directivity control and timbre matching with all R-Series speakers. The Silk diaphragms developed ground up, chosen specifically their smooth, effortless representation of midrange and treble. The 165mm woofers are made from our proprietary HPF pulp, two years in development, bringing new technology to one of the oldest materials used in loudspeaker design.
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
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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Wharfedale
Elysian C
4995
4995
/
1
Reviews
ELYSIAN Centre brings a new dimension to the ELYSIAN series performance, tuning the application for mind-blowing home theatre settings. Each component part is engineered to the very highest standard. The drivers, the crossover, the cabinet – every aspect has been developed in harmony and without cost constraint to push the project to its performance limit. This thorough and no-compromise approach has led the Wharfedale engineers to create a benchmark in affordable, audiophile-grade luxury loudspeakers. Cutting-edge design and class-leading technology are combined to deliver musical reproduction that will proudly challenge the world’s finest loudspeakers.
Wharfedale is a speaker brand known for making high-end audio accessible to budget-conscious audiophiles, particularly through their Heritage Series and Diamond line which offer premium sound at affordable prices. Their speakers feature curved cabinets and are celebrated for their rich, full-bodied sound with excellent tonal balance, notably in their Linton 85s and Dovedale models.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Unrivalled audio clarity and detail across a vast frequency spectrum
- Dynamic three‐way design delivers immersive, lifelike sound
- Innovative AMT tweeter produces crisp, sparkling highs
- Robust bass reflex technology for deep, resonant low frequencies
- Exquisite hand‐polished finishes that double as statement décor
- Flexible placement providing consistent performance throughout the room
Product Considerations
- A premium investment best suited to the discerning audiophile, where professional setup is recommended to fully exploit its potential
Takeaway: The Elysian C delivers immersive, lifelike sound with clarity and detail. Its design will enhance any living space and provide consistent performance throughout the room.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Wharfedale is a speaker brand known for making high-end audio accessible to budget-conscious audiophiles, particularly through their Heritage Series and Diamond line which offer premium sound at affordable prices. Their speakers feature curved cabinets and are celebrated for their rich, full-bodied sound with excellent tonal balance, notably in their Linton 85s and Dovedale models.
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What competes at this price?
Vandersteen
VCC-2
2200
/
Released
The music lover's center speaker, the VCC-2 is an on-wall, three-way center speaker designed to be the perfect companion for home theater systems built around Vandersteen's floorstanding three- and four-way speakers, including the Model 2Ce Signature II, Model 3A Signature, Treo (CT) and Quatro Wood CT.
Vandersteen Audio is distinguished by its time and phase coherence in speaker design, where all drivers move in unison through their first-order crossover design and Perfect-Piston drivers made of carbon-fiber and balsa wood. The brand's speakers feature a minimum baffle approach to reduce reflections, while focusing on high-quality internal components over elaborate cabinet designs, with models like the Seven XTRM offering precise bass response customization through adjustable trim pots.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers better clarity and more detailed reproduction than any other speaker in its price range
- Impeccable build quality and flawless sonic performance
- Puts a strong emphasis on all the dialogues and music, making them clear and intelligible when combined with the right front speakers
- Delivers punchy, accurate, and textured bass, detailed and clear mids, and extended and smooth treble
- Improves the solidity and cohesion of the soundstage created by the front speakers
Product Considerations
- Lacks the proximity compensation switch that the VCC-5 has
- Care is needed if pairing with speakers made by other manufacturers
- Barrier-strip terminals are used instead of the more common 5-way binding posts
- Designed for wall mounting and shouldn't be placed on a TV stand
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Klipsch RC-64 II Center Channel Speaker, the VCC-2 delivers a more organic sound and a more enveloping soundstage, while the Klipsch has more brightness in the treble and is more directional
- The difference in performance between the VCC-2 and the Atlantic Technology 8200e C Center Channel Speaker is barely noticeable under ideal conditions
- The difference in performance between the VCC-2 and the VCC-5 is not a huge one
Takeaway: The VCC-2 is a high-performing center channel speaker with impeccable build quality and flawless sonic performance, making it ideal for home theater systems. The VCC-2 will be a great addition if Vandersteen floorstanding speakers are already owned.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Vandersteen Audio is distinguished by its time and phase coherence in speaker design, where all drivers move in unison through their first-order crossover design and Perfect-Piston drivers made of carbon-fiber and balsa wood. The brand's speakers feature a minimum baffle approach to reduce reflections, while focusing on high-quality internal components over elaborate cabinet designs, with models like the Seven XTRM offering precise bass response customization through adjustable trim pots.
Product Page
Product Page
Totem
Bison Center
1600
/
Released
2022
The Bison Center is a center channel speaker made entirely in Canada. It provides tremendous articulation, rhythm, and dynamics that bring lifelike vibrancy to multi-channel audio systems. Its convenient dimensions allow it to fit into just about any AV furniture. It can also be comfortably perched atop a console cabinet or table in rooms where the TV is installed on the wall.
Totem Acoustic is known for its unique approach to speaker design, using crossoverless woofers for more natural sound reproduction and producing an immersive soundstage despite compact speaker sizes. The Canadian-made speakers feature distinctive materials like borosilicate damping in their cabinets and CNC-machined driver components, appealing to audiophiles who prefer a unique voicing over neutral-sounding speakers.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Small compared to others in its price range, making it suitable for smaller spaces and those with aesthetic constraints
- Capable of expansive staging, creating a holographic presentation with good depth and dimensionality, regardless of the amplifier used
- Delivers refined treble regardless of the price of the amplifier connected
- Spacious sound space and large sound stage
Product Considerations
- The claws that come with the Totem Bison are not adjustable
- Totem recommends zero toe-in, and this seems to be a good recommendation
- Sound may vary, based on personal height
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Totem Bison has forward side of neutral treble versus neutral to dark treble of the Buchardt S400 Mark II; the Bison is slightly warm in the midrange versus the Buchardt being warmer overall; the Bison has tonally richer bass, but the Buchardt has more bass overall
- The Totem Bison has forward side of neutral treble versus neutral to dark treble of the KEF R3 Meta; imaging on the Bison can be the same or slightly better; the Bison has tonally richer bass, but the R3 Meta has more bass overall
- Both the Totem Bison and Focal Aria 906 are on the forward side of neutral with treble, but the Bison's treble attack is slightly soft whereas the Aria 906's is slightly sharp; the Bison has a fuller midrange sound and slightly warmer tone, and the Bison's bass is juicier, more organic, and richer overall
- The PSB Alpha T20s are very similar in size to the Totem Bison Towers (32.5 inches tall), thus they are smaller audiophile floorstanding speakers
Takeaway: The Totem Bison offers attributes found in many top speakers and is a good option for those with size constraints who still want great treble refinement and a holographic midrange. It can be paired with both expensive and affordable amplifiers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Totem Acoustic is known for its unique approach to speaker design, using crossoverless woofers for more natural sound reproduction and producing an immersive soundstage despite compact speaker sizes. The Canadian-made speakers feature distinctive materials like borosilicate damping in their cabinets and CNC-machined driver components, appealing to audiophiles who prefer a unique voicing over neutral-sounding speakers.
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Focal
Aria Evo X
1458
/
Released
2024
This center speaker is the perfect complement to the Aria Evo X line of floorstanding speakers for a home theater installation. Particular care has been taken in its design to match the timbres, guaranteeing uniformity and coherence of sound in all configurations. Focal innovations, compactness and elegant finishes come together in this speaker that's as discreet as it is powerful.
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
- Impactful bass moves air and adds visceral depth to music and movie effects, even without a subwoofer
- Seamless and engaging sound makes every album feel fresh and enthralling, maintaining consistent, pleasing audio without causing listener fatigue
- Vocal presence allows for relaxed listening and renders music in a way that encourages sharing with others
- Attractive design blends technical prowess with stylish aesthetics, with options for different finishes like Moss Green
- Wide dispersion offers a broad soundstage and an enveloping soundfield
Product Considerations
- Expense relative to its capabilities is a potential consideration
- In small rooms, performance could suffer due to the high-mounted tweeter and narrow vertical dispersion window
- When pushed, the 'No. 2' tower center channel model, being a 2-way, may run out of headroom before the No. 2 towers
- A slight lack of dynamics in the bass and high mids around the vocal sweet spot was noted
- Edgy, crisp, and definitive resolution evokes excitement, though these may not be the right choice for all listeners
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to RBH Sound 61-SFM/R, the RBH digs deeper and has its tweeter at a more typical listening height, however, the Aria Evo X No.4 is undeniably better looking
- Compared to SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacles, the Ultra Evolution Pinnacles have deeper and more powerful bass, although its overall frequency response isn't as neutral
- Compared to JBL HDI-3800, the JBL boasts a very wide dynamic range, having a narrower dispersion but more even off-axis response
- Compared to Arendal Sound 1723 Tower, the 1723 Towers have a bit more elevated treble on-axis, but the build quality is certainly a step above the Aria Evo X No.4 or pretty much anything at their pricing, and they can dig deeper in bass
Takeaway: The Focal Aria Evo X is a stylish speaker that sounds great, making it a good option for people who care about both aesthetics and audio quality. It offers powerful performance with seamless sound, bringing music to life.
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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Sonus Faber
Sonetto Center G2
2499
/
Released
2024
At the core of the home theater setup, the Sonetto Center elevates the listener into a completely immersive experience. The Sonetto Center brings decades of technological advancements from the Sonus faber development team into your home theater system. It introduces a fresh approach to voices reproduction for a speaker that will not be overlooked.
Sonus Faber is an Italian hifi brand that designs speakers with unique lute-shaped cabinets inspired by traditional violin-making, featuring wood and leather materials to achieve a natural sound. Their speakers incorporate distinctive elements like cork chambers for midrange drivers and asymmetrical driver baskets that mimic natural forms, with each unit being individually tuned by ear to ensure tonal perfection.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Lute-shaped cabinets improve sound dispersion characteristics, and help them sonically disappear in the room
- Models like the Sonetto 5G2, 8G2, and Center G2 feature a Camellia midrange driver, which avoids resonances associated with round-shaped midrange drivers
- The woofers and mid-woofers feature a paper-pulp sandwich cone to ensure a natural tone, and a precise and dynamic bass response
- The DAD lens in the tweeter fixes phase issues, allowing the soft dome tweeters to perform linearly all the way out to 40 kHz
- The new concrete base provides more stability, and better vibration management
Product Considerations
- The Sonetto I G2 and Sonetto II G2 bookshelf speakers need good current to show their best, due to their sensitivity (86 dB and 87 dB respectively)
- High quality power amplification is recommended for all Sonus Faber speakers to showcase their improvements
- Careful attention to setup of the Sonetto speakers will reward the listener greatly
- Some models use a downward-firing reflex port, which provides placement flexibility, but careful attention to placement is still needed
Takeaway: The Sonetto speakers offer a smooth, musical sound with detailed clarity and tonal accuracy for both music and movies. They bring high-end design and technology from Sonus Faber's flagship models to a more accessible price point.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sonus Faber is an Italian hifi brand that designs speakers with unique lute-shaped cabinets inspired by traditional violin-making, featuring wood and leather materials to achieve a natural sound. Their speakers incorporate distinctive elements like cork chambers for midrange drivers and asymmetrical driver baskets that mimic natural forms, with each unit being individually tuned by ear to ensure tonal perfection.
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Paradigm
Founder 70LCR
1529
/
Released
2021
Precision. Control. Dynamics. These are the pillars the Founder Series was built on. Fire and ice, oil and water, Yankees and Mets fans. Some things just don't mix. But what if form and function could? Every once in a while, something special comes along and changes the rules. The perfect blend of technology, design, and performance. At the start of the development, we knew one thing, when Art Embraces Science anything is possible, and we exceeded our wildest expectations.
Paradigm is a Canadian hifi speaker brand that designs and builds their products locally, using advanced materials like beryllium in their drivers and their proprietary PPA lens technology for better sound dispersion. Their speakers are favored by audiophiles seeking high-end sound at relatively lower prices, and they integrate Anthem Room Correction technology to optimize performance in modern open-concept homes with challenging acoustics.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Vocals are rendered with rich detail and precise holographic imaging
- Excellent dynamic range and can handle a large room if given enough power
- Exceptional build quality with braced, inert cabinet construction
- Cutting-edge loudspeaker design, with proprietary technologies like the AL-MAC tweeter and CARBON-X woofers
- Gorgeous aesthetics and are available in various finishes, making them suitable for high-end interior décor
Product Considerations
- Some unevenness in its measured response, though this may not be readily audible in a typical listening environment
- Some upper treble raggedness, mostly in the on-axis response
- Needed to be positioned further back for the sweet spot to properly 'open up'
- Spiked feet can be hazardous to hard flooring if not handled carefully
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Founder Series draws on innovations from Paradigm's Persona range, but adds new technologies
Takeaway: The Founder speakers offer great sound quality and luxurious design, making them a worthwhile investment for audiophiles. The 100F is an excellent choice for larger rooms, while the 70LCR offers versatility as a center or front speaker.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Paradigm is a Canadian hifi speaker brand that designs and builds their products locally, using advanced materials like beryllium in their drivers and their proprietary PPA lens technology for better sound dispersion. Their speakers are favored by audiophiles seeking high-end sound at relatively lower prices, and they integrate Anthem Room Correction technology to optimize performance in modern open-concept homes with challenging acoustics.
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