Recent Floorstanding Speaker Reviews

Cambridge Audio's new 4th generation BMR driver (Balanced Mode Radiator) performs both tweeters and midrange duties allowing the woofers to concentrate on what they do best - bass. Cambridge has built two speakers around this BMR driver - the Aeromax 6 floorstanding and Aeromax 2 bookshelf speakers. Claiming low points in the 30-40Hz range, the $1500 a pair price for the Aeromax 6 and half that for the Aeromax 2's, the price to performance ratio seems pretty incredible. We're interested to hear how they sound and see how well they measure.

PSB's recently unveiled their new Imagine X loudspeaker lineup; consisting of four models ranging from the Imagine XB bookshelf ($499/pair) to the Imagine X2T three-way tower ($1,298/pair), PSB claims this new line packs the performance of their original Imagine lineup with pricing comparable to the lower tier Image line. Naturally, there is an important compromise: the attractive look of the Imagine series is replaced with basic cabinetry. Nonetheless, high end performance at a more affordable price is something sure to catch the attention of budget conscious audiophiles.

Bamberg Audio's new Series 3 TMW doesn't come cheap at $5,800 a pair. However, for that sum you get high end, full range performance in an attractive package, with a number of finishing options available. There's also one other small detail: the Series 3 TMW utilizes an active DSP crossover and packs 370W worth of amplification per side. Yeah, that bit got our attention too. Needless to say, we'd like to get our ears on a pair for further evaluation.

Apparently the folks at Martin Logan have been keeping a secret: their new statement loudspeaker, the Neolith. Technically speaking, they're still keeping quite a few secrets on that front; however, we've been able to cajole a few tidbits of information out of our contacts. Some highlights of the design include a 22"x48" electrostat transducer, a 12" midbass woofer, and a built in 15" subwoofer for extension down to 23Hz. Curious to know more? Click to keep reading.

The KEF Blade Two is just like the original Blade speakers except slightly smaller, slightly updated, and slightly less expensive. At $24,000 a pair, they give you most of the performance of the Blade speakers with a $6,000 savings. Sporting a new Uni-Q concentric tweeter/midrange driver and four new 6.5" woofers, the Blade Two drivers and technologies are already trickling down to the new Reference series from KEF. Like the Blade before them, the Blade Two speakers will be used to inform the designs of many speakers from KEF in the future.

The NHT Absolute Tower loudspeaker is small in stature but capable of playing loud and clear when coupled with a subwoofer. The Absolute Tower is built like a tank but is still slim and sexy with an extravagant piano black finish. Is this absolutely the best loudspeaker on the planet? Well, quite frankly no. Is it absolutely the best loudspeaker in this price range? We will let you decide. One thing is for sure, at $1,100 per pair you should definitely know what you are getting. With NHT, you're getting the real deal. Check out our new Youtube Video Review to get Gene and Hugo's listening impressions.

The Meridian Audio Special Edition line celebrates 25 years of Meridian creating digital speakers. The DSP8000 SE, DSP7200 SE, and DSP5200 SE have improved electronics and a semi-horn-loaded beryllium tweeter along with other improvements. The cost? $20k a pair for the DSP5200 SE, $46k a pair for the DSP7200 SE, and $80k a pair for the DSP8000 SE. Meridian offers a perfectly matching center channel in either horizontal or vertical orientation for half price of the pair. Meridian says these are the best sounding speakers they've ever made. At these prices, we certainly hope so.

At $14.5k, the Avantegard Zero 1 speakers are some of the least expensive speakers offered by the company. That said, they are packing a lot of technology. With a frequency response spec'ed to 30Hz, a three way design with independent amplifiers for each driver, and a wireless connection between the speakers, these are not your average self-powered speakers. With high quality 24-bit Burr Brown DACs, a focus on phase and time alignment, and all the digital inputs you'll likely need, they aren't just a pretty box. Check these out at a local high-end store near you soon.

The KEF Q900 floorstanding speakers are the flagship of the Q line, but they won't empty your wallet. At $900 each and deals to be found online, these speakers are in the perfect price point for those that want to step to speakers that, at the very least, look high end without having to mortgage their homes. Playing down into the 30Hz range, these are speakers for those interested in full range speakers on a budget. Highly recommended!

Bowers & Wilkins is at it again with a refresh of their bread and butter 600 series of loudspeakers. The new lineup naturally offers several technical advancements over their predecessors, as well as a slimmed down appearance to improve spousal acceptance. With prices ranging from $1,650/pair to $550/pair, B&W is hoping the improved aesthetics and sonic qualities will draw buyers in a hotly contested market. Keep on reading to see what the new line brings to the table.

NHT's Classic Four and Absolute Tower loudspeakers aim to challenge the notion that an attractive loudspeaker offering excellent build and sound quality must come with a premium price. With MSRPs of $2,700/pr and $1,260/pr respectively, their price points are firmly in the "affordable by normal people" category. Still, the market is flooded with companies claiming great sound for little cash. What sets the NHT's apart from the competition? Keep reading to find out.

With the performance Ocean Way Audio are promising of the Montecito speakers (24kHz to 30Hz +/- 1.5dB and matched pairs measuring within .5dB of each other), you can see why someone with a lot of money that wants the absolute best performance they can get out of a two channel system would consider these speakers. If all it took to make a great looking speaker was the best quality materials and phenomenal performance, the Montecito speakers would be the best looking speakers on the market. Our suggestion is to invest in some high quality outriggers to dress these plain-Jane, $48,000 a pair, speakers up a bit.

Meet Yamaha's latest and greatest loudspeaker, the Soavo NS-F901. This three-way 4-driver tower stands at a 41" tall weighing a hefy 67lbs. Priced at $5,000/pair, and finished using the same process seen on Yamaha's grand pianos, inquiring minds want to know: how do these beauties hold up to a first glance by the Audioholics? Keep reading to find out.

Fresh for CEDIA 2013, Monitor Audio released their new Silver series loudspeaker lineup. Consisting of 8 different models, the Silver range is priced from the Silver 1 at $875/pair to the flagship Silver 10 Tower at $2,500/pair ($2,800 with premium finishes). What do you get for your hard earned cash? Keep reading to find out and check out our video preview of this very impressive bookshelf, towers, center and subwoofer lineup of speakers.