Sound systems are getting cleverer and cooler. The year 2015 has seen some seriously exciting launches in this area. The Goldmund Logos Tower and Metis Tower speakers ($19,800 and $14,700) are departures from the traditional Goldmund philosophy, which was basically the professional level, avant-garde sound systems. These have been developed and priced with the casual listener in mind. Most notable are the machined-aluminum speaker cabinets, designed to eliminate resonance and reduce vibrations and add dimension and character to the quality of the sound, these are now conveniently wireless.
Meanwhile, the striking Phantom by Devialet wireless audio system might look like a tiny capsule lying on a shelf, but the air pressure inside the speaker unit is 20 times higher than that in a conventional speaker box, according to Devialet’s research. In decibel sound units, this pressure is equivalent to 174 dB SPL—the sound pressure level associated with a rocket at launch. The woofer faithfully reproduces the low range down to 16 Hz. Its makers call it the ‘world’s first cybernatic sound system’. These are priced between $1,990 and $2,390.
The new Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 17, 18, and 19 speakers feature what the Danish company calls Immaculate Wireless Sound, which takes advantage of the new WiSA standard. Because WiSA operates in the rarely used frequency range between 5.2 and 5.8 GHz, the system can deliver uncompressed 24-bit audio signals avoiding interference from other wireless devices. What’s more, the drawing room is decluttered of some ugly wiring. These are priced from $3,390 to $6,590.
The Wilson Audio Sabrina loudspeakers’ geometric design ensures that audio frequencies emitted from the individual drivers reach the listener’s ear precisely simultaneously for perfect sound clarity. These are priced at $15,900 per pair. Finally, Italian speaker maker Sonus Faber has launched Venere S. The three-way, floor-standing loudspeaker (from $5,000 to $5,500, depending on the finish) is hand-assembled and crafted in the shape of a lyre.
The sound of music, it seems, isn’t that simple a sentiment.