The most expensive speakers in the world top 10. Audiophile millionaire: the most expensive music gadgets

Home is our fortress, where we relax after a hard day at work. Some people like to spend this time reading, some watching TV, and some enjoying their favorite movie and listening to music. To truly enjoy the music, you need to carefully select your speaker systems, as the built-in speakers often have quite low quality. We'll talk about how to choose good acoustics.

Types of acoustics

Speaker systems come in different configurations, which are usually designated by numbers from 1 to 7 and above. How are they different?

Let's look at this question:

  • Systems 1.0- these are the simplest ones portable speakers, which, naturally, are not suitable as normal audio equipment. Their quality is usually poor, and the price is quite high.
  • Systems 2.0- such speakers are purchased to work with. Such systems are a simple design of two speakers with built-in volume controls.
  • Systems 4.0- consist of four parts, which will better correspond to the tasks we have set. The package includes two front speakers and two rear ones. Thanks to this, they can be placed in different parts of the apartment and create good and spacious sound.
  • Systems 5.0- used to create home theater. They contain everything the same as in 4.0 systems, plus a subwoofer is added to the package, which creates bass. Some variations may include two subwoofers (5.2).
  • Systems 7.1- modern acoustic systems that have the widest configuration - two front speakers, two rear speakers, a subwoofer and two more side speakers.

If you wish, you can purchase additional speakers for your speaker system, but do not forget that the number of connectors on the main unit is limited.

Advice: For lovers of excellent and high-quality sound You should pay attention to systems no lower than number 5.

Characteristics of acoustic systems

The speaker system must be selected based on its technical specifications. We will describe the main ones and what they affect.

Power. Measured in watts (W). This parameter affects the music volume and playback dynamics. Acoustics with a power of 60-80 W will be enough, but for more spacious rooms you need something more serious. For a room of 20-30 sq.m. the power should be about 100 W, and for a room larger than 30 sq.m. - acoustics from 150 W.

Sensitivity. It is measured in decibels (dB). Also affects the volume of your audio equipment. Sensitivity is considered low from 84 to 88 dB, medium - 89-92 dB, and everything higher (94-102 dB) is considered high sensitivity. The higher this parameter, the better it will be, but do not forget that too powerful amplifier may even damage the speakers.

frequency range. Measured in hertz (Hz). These numbers show the range of reproduced frequencies. A person can perceive a range from 20 to 20,000 Hz, so you need to select a system based on this knowledge. But it will be even better if this range is much wider, because for example, bass can be created at a frequency of 2-250 Hz. If you use a subwoofer, then the speakers can be selected at the standard frequency indicated above. This parameter can be considered one of the most important, which is responsible for sound quality.. Professional audio equipment can have a range from 5 to 60,000 Hz.

How to position speakers correctly

The question of correct placement speakers in the room. This is really a rather difficult question, since everything has its influence - from the characteristics of your system to the degree distance from one column to another. Naturally, the distance from each speaker to the listener will also have its effect. We will not go into details, but will talk about the basic principles of arrangement.

Let's take as an example the most complete system package - 7.1. Front speakers are usually placed in front of the listener on the sides of the monitor. Do not forget that each speaker reproduces its own channel, do not confuse them - left and right. Then we install the rear speakers. As the name suggests, they should ideally be located behind the listener, but not strictly behind them. For surround sound, it is better to place them, for example, in the corners of the sofa at some distance from it. In system 7.1. There are also side speakers. They need to be placed on the left and right ears - exactly on the same line, this is an important nuance.

The question of the location of the subwoofer can be difficult. In order for it to sound as high as possible, it cannot be placed close to the walls or floor. It should be installed at the center of the listener level, i.e. if you are standing, then the subwoofer should be at waist level, but most often we listen to music or watch movies while sitting, so the placement level should be correspondingly slightly lower. It is still better to place it in front of the listener.

The best speaker manufacturers

If you don’t like to waste your time on trifles, then you will probably want only the best for yourself, both the acoustics themselves and. If the price does not bother you and the main thing for you is quality, then we present you a list of several manufacturers who are most valued on the market.

  1. Bowers & Wilkins (B&W)- this company produces the most modern and advanced home theaters and offers its clients the best speaker systems that will perfectly reproduce any music. Of course, these systems are expensive, but in return you will get almost perfect sound.
  2. Rotel- this company is very interesting with its history. The audio systems of this brand were originally the product of one small family business. However, today it is a reputable company that professionally deals with audio equipment. You will not regret if you purchase their speaker systems. They offer products at different price levels.
  3. Yamaha- affordable and high-quality acoustic systems from a Japanese manufacturer. This company knows a lot about music and sound, and not only electronic. Some Yamaha branches are engaged in the manufacture of classical musical instruments, which are considered to be among the best in the world. Everyone can choose an audio system to suit their needs.
  4. Jamo- a world-famous manufacturer of audio equipment. They have been doing sound for many decades, almost half a century. They present products in different price categories, but always approach their products as responsibly as possible.

It is also worth highlighting the following manufacturers: Magnat, JBL, HECO, Dali. These are proven brands that offer products that sound worthy.

Case materials and functionality

Any little thing can affect the sound quality. For example, the material from which the body is made. Some may think, what difference does it make? Whether the speaker is wooden or plastic, they do not in any way affect the speaker, much less the sound. In fact, everything is completely different. The best speakers have always been and are considered to be wooden case. This is because this material practically does not distort the sound. Just remember that all musical instruments are made of wood. If you cannot afford speakers made of natural wood, then you can choose speakers in a chipboard case. In addition, wood is more durable, no matter how high-quality the plastic is.

Some advanced manufacturers offer their customers audio systems with many built-in functions, for example, with a built-in MP3 player. Before buying such copies, think carefully - do you need such a system? You are going to connect it to a TV, home theater or computer. Therefore, it is better to abandon unnecessary wisdom in favor of simpler and more standard options.

Did you know: The more bells and whistles the technology has, the greater the chance that . In addition, the cost increases noticeably, but the quality, on the contrary, may deteriorate.

Choosing the right speaker system for you is a rather complicated and troublesome task. It is difficult to determine the quality of a system by eye, even by its characteristics; any little thing can affect the sound quality, as we have repeatedly mentioned. If possible, ask the seller to play music on the selected system before purchasing in order to fully appreciate its quality. Pay attention to the parameters, various abrasions (which indicate poor care of the equipment) and the functionality of the system.

Choosing a home theater, video

Almost everyone talked about the sound industry in the eighties of the last century. However, today this topic is discussed quite rarely. Publications about it can only be found in some specialized publications. But many of us are not even aware of the possibilities that modern audio technologies can provide.

Entertainment systems

For every person, home is a place where, after a hard day at work, he can relax by spending time reading books or watching TV. For many of us, it is no less pleasant to listen to our favorite music or enjoy watching a movie.

In order to get a complete feeling of comfort, you will need a good sound system. Of course, any technology has built-in speakers. However, they are usually of low quality. This is why many people strive to purchase additional devices to output sound. What are the best

Requirement Criteria

How to choose a speaker system for home use? First of all, you need to decide why it is needed. Of course, good for a sensitive music lover and for an ordinary housewife is far from being an equivalent concept. After all, their needs are fundamentally different from each other.

In addition, you will need to make a realistic assessment of the capabilities of the premises. Even if it’s good, but with high power, it’s hardly suitable for a small room of nine square meters.

That is why choosing speakers for your home is not an easy task. And when deciding this issue you will need to proceed not only from the parameters of the equipment that reproduces sound, but also from its key features. Don’t forget about your own preferences, as well as your personal financial capabilities.

Acoustic strips

Sound reproduction systems are divided into five groups. The first of them includes single-way acoustics, the second - two-way, etc. How to choose based on this parameter? For people who do not have any special needs or are simply deaf to music, it is quite enough to purchase a single-way system. All sounds from such speakers are emitted from only one speaker.

The best system is considered to be two-way. In it, one of the speakers reproduces the sounds of medium and low frequencies, and the second - high. This is a good speaker system for watching movies or listening to music, as it delivers deep bass separately. This uses a subwoofer. This is a speaker that plays low frequency range sound frequencies. It has a fairly powerful speaker built into it.

Good for people with more refined musical taste - three-band. In it, high, mid and low frequencies are reproduced in separate speakers. This system allows you to hear smoother sound and more intelligible speech.

Power

How to select speakers based on this parameter? Some buyers believe that the most powerful speakers allow you to get maximum volume. However, it is not. The power of the acoustics does not at all indicate the strength of the sound it produces.

This parameter indicates the mechanical reliability of the system. The higher it is, the more durable the speakers will be. When choosing acoustics, one nuance should be taken into account. It will be of better quality when the power of the speakers is higher than the same amplifier parameter.

Active and passive

The loudspeaker systems available on the market are divided into two types. The first one is active. In such a system, the amplifier is located in the speaker. In the passive type it is located separately.

With an amplifier, you simply plug it into an outlet. At the same time, they immediately begin to produce sounds. Passive systems will not work this way. In order to hear sound from such speakers, you will need to connect an amplifier. Simply put, the active type of acoustics works like conventional ones. computer speakers. The passive system is similar in its principle of operation to headphones that are not plugged into an outlet.

Speaker systems with amplifier active type have a big advantage. It lies in the ease of use. In this regard, the entire system is quite mobile. It is easy to put it in another place or unmount it. Another plus active acoustics is that each of its bands, that is, the speaker, has a separate amplifier, at the output of which there are crossover filters. They are also active. This filter is easy to adjust. And this allows you to get high-quality sound.

An important criterion when choosing is a wider frequency range active system, as well as the presence of a volume control on the speakers, which is very convenient during operation.

The second type of system also has some advantages. First of all, they lie in their relatively low cost. Wherein passive systems, as a rule, are more powerful than active ones, and they can always be combined with an amplifier available in the house. In addition, such speakers do not need to be supplied with a linear signal and voltage.

Sensitivity

A good speaker system, capable of reproducing the loudest sounds, has high sensitivity. This indicator is measured in decibels. Their number determines the sound pressure that the speakers are capable of exerting on the surrounding space. The higher the sensitivity value, the louder the sound. Speakers with this value equal to 85 decibels are perfect for home use.

Frequency

This parameter is also important for those who are interested in a good speaker system. A person is able to hear only those sounds that are in a certain range. It ranges from 20 to 20,000 Hertz. In this case, the frequencies are distributed as follows:

Low, ranging from 10 to 200 Hertz;
- medium - from 200 to 5000 Hertz;
- high - from 5000 to 20000 Hz.

An acoustic system purchased for a home theater may have a frequency in the range of 100-20,000 Hertz. Speakers with a wide spacing are recommended for music lovers. The best for them will be speaker systems with frequencies from 20 to 35,000 Hz.

Type of shell

You should also pay attention to this parameter when choosing a speaker system. The most popular are closed-type and bass-reflex speakers. The body of the first of them is the simplest. It can have a variety of designs and suit the tastes of the most different categories buyers.

However, in a closed space, the lower resonance frequency increases significantly. This negatively affects the transmission of low frequencies. In this regard, most acoustic systems use a bass-reflex type housing.
It is an open box with perfectly selected dimensions. The body contains vent, which directs sound from the rear of the speakers to the front. This allows you to significantly enhance the bass volume.

Material

On sale you can find speakers made of plastic, wood and chipboard. Each of these materials has its own advantages. Thus, plastic allows you to implement the most daring design solutions. It is quite cheap and light. However, the sounds produced by such speakers are much simpler. This is due to plastic rattling at high frequencies. Such speakers usually find their use when using a computer. They are not suitable for watching movies. In such cases, the best option is an acoustic system made in a wooden case.

Those who have opted for plastic are recommended to select speakers without sharp corners, edges and wide panels, as well as having a high-quality, reliable assembly.

Formats

For a small room, ceiling speakers are suitable. They are quite compact, have a low cost and provide good sound. Their main disadvantage is shallow bass. In addition, ceiling speakers have low sensitivity. To play loud sound only 40 watts of power will be needed.

Good for the hall - rack-mounted. It is larger in size than the ceiling one, but at the same time provides sufficient depth of low frequencies.
Very convincing bass sounds thanks to floor standing speakers. It's also a great hall speaker system that can shake the floor of the room. These speakers produce good sound and do not require a super powerful amplifier.

However, the size of the speakers is the main reason why they need to be anchored to the floor to eliminate additional cabinet vibrations. In addition, when such speakers are moved away from the walls for better sound, the space they occupy increases significantly. Such acoustic systems can be quite massive and attract attention. And their cost is not so small.

Professional equipment

According to some lovers of good music, such audio systems are of the highest quality. However, in reality everything is different. Professional acoustic systems do not get their name from their advantageous differences in certain parameters. They are simply used to carry out activities related to sound reproduction.

Professional acoustic systems do not have any design frills, and expensive materials are not used in their production. Their main difference from amateur speakers is the use of certain elements that can withstand constant load. After all, such systems operate in stores or fitness clubs constantly, during the entire working time. In addition, professional speakers have high power. It is this that allows them to voice a fairly vast space.

Manufacturers

Those who want to purchase the best speaker system and have sufficient funds should consider the equipment of those manufacturers who are leaders in the sound reproduction equipment market. And first of all, I would like to say about the company Bowers & Wilkins (B&W). On the list the best manufacturers acoustic systems, it rightfully occupies one of the first places. The company specializes in producing the most advanced home theater systems. At the same time, she only offers her clients better acoustics, perfectly reproducing any music. Such systems are not cheap. However, with their help you can hear almost perfect sound.

The ranking of the best manufacturers continues with Rotel equipment. It originated as a small family business, and today it is a reputable company that professionally deals with audio equipment. Reviews from consumers who bought its equipment for home use confirm the high quality of the devices. In addition, the company produces audio systems that are suitable for buyers with different levels prosperity.

Yamaha offers affordable and high-quality speakers. This Japanese manufacturer knows a lot more than just speaker systems. Some branches of the company also produce classical and other musical instruments, which are highly valued by consumers all over the world.

Jamo audio equipment is also well known to many users. The speakers it produces are of high quality and are in different price categories.

Brands such as JBL, Magnat, Dali and HECO also produce products that are worthy of their sound.

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Today we will tell you about the most expensive Hi-End audio equipment in the world. When we're talking about about a home sound system, many simply have simple combo speakers in their home, and with a poor sound quality flat screen TV, people feel rich spending about $200 on their modest upgrades. However, there are people in the world - billionaire music lovers and audiophiles - who are willing to spend exorbitant sums on their home sound systems. Many of them claim that this good sound is priceless, but the rest of the people often scoff and wonder at these beautiful, expensive, and carefully designed audio masterpieces.

Without further ado, I present the TOP 13 most expensive audio equipment in the world!

Dynamikks Ultima! $350,000

This “epoch-of-cool” system has a unique shape, occupying an entire square meter and outputs between 150 hertz and 23 kilohertz.

Dynamikks was founded in 1993 in Germany, but the company continues to develop in accordance with new methods. This speaker has a slightly more classic look than some of the other speakers in this one!

ACAPELLA Audio Arts ‘Sphäron “Excalibur”: $380,000

Another German audio company, ACAPELLA Audio Arts has been offering its audio solutions since 1997. The Sphäron "Excalibur" speaker combines one complex system sound.

This classic, horn speaker system must be placed in a room larger than 40 square meters in order for it to properly create a soundstage.

Player: AV Designhaus Derenville VPM 2010-1 - $600,000

This vinyl player. Moreover, the best in the world. In 2011, at the Analog Forum, they announced that they had made the world's best turntable. However, it is difficult to disagree with them. The turntable has VPM 2010-1, by the way,

2 motors with a belt drive and frequency control, as well as a powerful Corian chassis, which weighs 60 kg on 4 support legs with air suspension, has laser toe angle adjustment and digital indicators. That's not all - the world's best turntable has an HD camera and screen to make sure everything is working perfectly, and a powerful remote control with a cool touch screen.

California Audio Technology (CAT) MBX with a price tag of $500,000

is world renowned for its ability to customize sound systems for any space, creating and designing sound system solutions, businesses and private homes.

For this reason, it ranks high on our list; this custom system can be very expensive, over $14 million depending on. This system can include more than 100 subwoofers, 21 channels and more than 10 speakers per channel.

Cartridge: Koetsu Coralstone Platinum - $22,000

Any audiophile knows for sure that no matter how good and cool your vinyl player is, it needs to replace the complete pickup head.

And the Koetsu Coralstone Platinum is the best stylus for a record player. Its body is entirely made of coral, the needle holder is made of diamond, but the magnet is generally made of.

Kipnis’ Outer Limits Theater Priced at just $6 million

There are music lovers who love music, and there are those who love music, and there are audiophiles who love sound in movies.

Jeremy Kipnis is the creator of the world's most expensive home theater system. He made an 8.8 channel audio system and added shockers that create a realism effect on your buttocks and spine. This cinema will be cooler than the cinema in your city. Priced at only $6 million, this is the world's most expensive home system!

Amplifier: Pivetta Opera Only - $2,200,000

World famous industrial designer Andrea Pivetta decided to design the most... ideal amplifier in the world. The result was the Pivetta Opera Only amplifier.

Inside this monster, which by the way weighs one and a half tons, there are 6 transformers, the total power of which is 30 kW. However, as much as 12 is used as a cooling system. The output power of the Pivetta Opera Only amplifier is 80,000 watts per channel with the possibility of 2- and 6-channel connection. The use of aircraft aluminum, gold, and hand assembly was estimated at $2,200,000.

Moon Audio, Dark Star Opulence price $1,100,000

Only 10 pairs of this incredible system were made in extremely limited quantities in Florida by Moon Audio, making them out of reach for music lovers. The system weighs about a ton.

Acoustics: Shape Audio Organic Harmony with a price of $7,000,000

Five-way active speakers with an omnidirectional pattern have a body plated with 18-karat gold, although they weigh only 215 kilograms.

It is not simple expensive acoustics, these are true musical sculptures. By the way, the gold version is made in one!

Transmission Audio Ultimate - $2 Million

Moon Audio has excelled in the use of group driver acoustics, and these speakers have received numerous awards and recognition for their design and sound. Each column contains 40 speakers.

The system can produce very powerful sound - output power 31,000 W. They also come with a 10-year . For all of you who are interested, the speaker system only costs $2 million.

Cables: Siltech Emperor Double Crown - $57,000

Siltech offers a definitive solution - the Emperor Double Crown cable, 2.5 meters long. Inside, the conductor material is pure single crystal + silver-gold alloy G7 + they control the structure of the conductor alloy, you won't believe it...at the atomic level.

As a result, the manufacturer Siltech claims that the level of distortion in these cables is reduced by as much as 30 times compared to cables from other companies. And over time, after warming up, the parameters of the Siltech Emperor Double Crown cable become noticeable.

Headphones Sennheiser Orpheus HE-1 -$66,000

The most expensive headphones in the world are Sennheiser Orpheus HE-1. New headphones that replaced their predecessors are the legendary HE90 model.

By the way, it took almost 10 years to develop new headphones. The design of the Sennheiser Orpheus HE-1 uses special gold-plated electrodes, a platinum diaphragm, and the headphone amplifier housing itself is finished.

Portable player: Astell&Kern AK240 - $2,000

Astell&Kern AK240 is not just a portable player, it is an excellent Hi-End audio system in a compact aluminum box.

This expensive player uses a dual mono circuit, as well as a separate one for each channel. You may ask, why all this? For wider range and soundstage.

For any questions, write to me by email. mail: [email protected] or VK

July 25th, 2018

We discussed it once - everything is very strange there. Exactly like in these expensive speaker systems. Does anyone know how much quality they cost?

This selection does not cover speakers produced on special order in quantities of several copies. We are talking only about those acoustic systems that are mass-produced.

German Physiks THE GAUDI MK II – 276,000 euros

Branded omnidirectional DDD drivers with carbon diaphragms, frequency response 16 -24,000 Hz, separate bass modules - all according to the canons of the genre. To drive, you will need three amplifiers for each band (200 - 350 W), then the speakers will be able to develop sound pressure up to 120 dB.

Zellaton Statement – ​​300,000 euros

Absolutely resonance-tolerant housings, special drivers. The weight of one speaker is 300 kg, 11’ low-frequency woofers are used, the frequency response starts from 20 Hz. The amplification requirements are gentle - only 50 W.

Goldmund Apologue Anniversary – $550,000

Don't confuse these speakers with Epilogue (the latter are cheaper). Goldmund Apologue is equipped with built-in 3,600 W amplification and can receive a signal via Wi-Fi. In general, everything is fine (if you don’t look at the price).

Tidal La Assoluta – 572,000 euros

485 kg of weight per speaker, diamond speakers are used not only on the high frequencies, but also on the midrange (unique drivers with a diameter of 135 mm are produced only for Tidal, with a circulation of only 20 pairs per year)! Frequency response in active activation from 20 Hz, low-frequency woofers 10’. A work of art, not a technique, that’s for sure.

Wilson Audio WAMM Master Chronosonic – from $700,000

keletonized housings made of proprietary X-Material and S-Material composites, an impressive set of drivers (paper diffusers!) and frequency response from 20 Hz. What more could you want?

This is a copy of the article located at

And so, you decided to buy class acoustics Hi-Fi budget level for home, but here a dilemma arises - either buy what suits you according to the budget allocated for it, and be content with the sound you get for that money, or choose something better, but in a more expensive segment. As usually happens in life, good and cheap rarely go together. In this review, we tried to collect those models that combine these two seemingly incompatible qualities. Of course, everyone can make the final choice only by direct listening, but we highly recommend taking note of these models.

Cambridge Audio S30


The front panel of the tweeter is cut out as such in order to bring the two speakers (high-frequency and low-frequency) closer together for their better integration. The design of the speakers allows a simplified crossover to be used between them, and for an even better effect, the speakers are connected separately with two sets of cables.

The volume of the cabinet (casing) is quite deep; the connection block and bass reflex are combined on the rear panel. The speakers are designed to be used at least 8 cm from a wall.

Victorious power and clarity. This is a wonderful speaker system that combines the winning power of the beat and the purity of sound. Bass doesn't become rumbly, even when the frequency range drops to 59Hz, it is impressive without being annoying, being fast and precise, infusing any music with energy, be it hard rock or classical music.

But the S30 is particularly good in the mids and highs, and this seems to have a lot to do with the minimum crossover used. Voices are open and clear, and instruments - from acoustic to electronic - sound excellent and powerful when required.
These speakers sit on fairly heavy stands at a slight angle towards the listener, and you get a well-focused audio cabin, with really good, spacious sound.

The S30 follows the famous Cambridge acoustic formula: it looks cool, sounds great, and offers an intriguing alternative to established favorites at its level.

pros
Powerful
Very decent bass for such a small speaker system
Beautiful design
Great price

Minuses
The design won't be to everyone's taste.
A case of significant depth is not suitable for all users

Specifications:



Number of lanes - 2
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Frequency range: 55 Hz - 20 kHz
Nominal resistance: 4-8 ohms
Speakers: Tweeter: 1 x 25 mm (1") Woofer: 1 x 115 mm (4.5") Midrange/Woofer
Recommended maximum amplifier power: 100 W
Magnetic shielding: Yes
Dimensions (H x W x D): 226 x 160 x 235 mm (including grill)
Weight: 3.75kg

Boston Acoustics A 25


Compact and slightly arched, the Boston Acoustics A 25 speakers feature magnetic, removable grilles and are expertly crafted from an unusual combination of cutting-edge (gloss black) and traditional materials (leather-look vinyl) - it feels like watching your granny in Nikes. .

The A-25 features a 25mm dome tweeter and a 13cm mid-bass cone on the front panel, and a bass port at the rear along with a movable suspension mount.

The system is completely free and unpretentious in terms of placement and can serve well as a suspended speaker, but in order for it to sound better, a small free space is required and this inevitably leads to the choice in favor of placement on special racks or shelves.

The sound is impressive. Firey but not overzealous, open but pleasantly focused, the A-25 sounds balanced and without excess. With its help you can appreciate how good First Aid Kit's are in the song When I Grow Up.

This model has excellent resolution upper level, it sounds just as balanced and confident at midrange, and has enough tonal variation at the bottom to make up for any slight lack of punch.

Decent item. The entire frequency range is perfectly integrated, and the Boston sound evokes a wonderful feeling - even the most complex recordings delight with a harmony of sound that can hardly be found anywhere else at this price.

pros
Surround, immersive, non-childish sound, with medium resolution

Minuses
Bass is not very convincing
Body made from an intricate mixture of materials

Specifications:

Type - bookshelf, passive, bass reflex type

Set includes: 2 loudspeakers
Number of lanes - 2
Recommended amplifier power - 10-150 W
Sensitivity - 89 dB
Impedance - 8 Ohm
Reproducible frequency range - 55-25000 Hz (±3 dB)
Crossover frequency - 2.4 kHz

Gold-plated connectors - yes

HF emitter - 25 mm, dome
LF driver - 133.3 mm
Removable grill - yes
Dimensions (WxHxD) - 183x271x225 mm
Weight - 4.58 kg
Price - 9,990 rub.

DALI Zensor 1


At high quality This model and even some pretentiousness of compact, well-made cabinets, Dali speakers are quite consistent with their price tag - but the difference between the sound they produce and the numbers on the labels is quite significant.

The Zensor 1 handles the storm und drang of Kenny West's Power and the delicacy of Kate Bush's Flower of the Mountain with equal ease. Its sound is open and clear.

Amazing attention to detail. Clear, but not sterile sound, immersing you in the very core of music, where sounds merge and split - this sound quality is usually characteristic of acoustic systems that cost an order of magnitude, or even two, higher in price. They manage to combine meticulous attention to detail with ease of listening, making the longest audio session fly by in a flash.

Achieving the ideal balance between purity and sound power is very difficult in any price category, so the confidence with which the Zensor 1 walks this fine line is amazing.

pros
Quite sufficient height, sound clarity and drive
Great feeling of ease when listening

Minuses
Nothing significant

Specifications:

Type - bookshelf, passive, bass reflex type
Acoustic radiation - monopolar
Number of lanes - 2

Sensitivity - 86.5 dB
Maximum sound pressure - 106 dB SPL
Impedance - 6 Ohm
Reproducible frequency range - 53-26500 Hz (±3 dB)
Crossover frequency - 2.9 kHz
Connector for connecting to a power amplifier - screw
Gold-plated connectors - yes
Type of emitters - dynamic
HF emitter - 25 mm, dome, textile
LF driver - 133 mm
Removable grill - yes
Fastenings for installation - yes
Magnetic protection - yes
Finish options - black, walnut
Dimensions (WxHxD) - 162x274x228 mm
Weight - 4.2 kg
Price - 12,790 rub.

Mission MX1


The sound of this model is simply stunning: the Mission MX1 speakers attack any music with boundless enthusiasm, which creates an excitingly resonant sound. The key to this sound is synchronicity: James Blake's synth rhythms in The Wilhelm Scream start and stop with superb precision, and all frequency bands are clearly separated from each other, creating a seamless unity of the overall experience.
The MX1 sounds better with its removable grilles, achieving the best tonal balance when standing closer to a wall, where the rear-facing ports pump out bass without causing rumble. But actually it sounds good almost everywhere.
It's fair to say that the treble, while generally bright and pleasant, is unlikely to be the highlight of a high-quality recording, but that's more than worth it at a price that most people will be happy to pay.

pros
Impressive, clear and powerful sound
Free layout
Rugged housing

Minuses
Doesn't hide recording flaws
It is preferable to avoid atmospheric-sounding electronics

Specifications:

Type - bookshelf, passive, bass reflex type
Acoustic radiation - monopolar
Number of lanes - 2
Recommended amplifier power - 25-100 W
Sensitivity - 86 dB
Impedance - 8 Ohm
Frequency range - 58-20000 Hz (+/-3 dB)
Crossover frequency - 3 kHz
Type of emitters - dynamic
HF emitter - 25 mm, dome
LF/MF driver - 127 mm
Removable grill - yes
Finish options - black, cherry, mahogany, walnut
Dimensions (WxHxD) - 172x280x258 mm
Weight - 5.1 kg
Price - 8,890 rub.

Q Acoustics 2010i


The 'i' version has a new tweeter, a higher mid-bass cone driver and an updated crossover to match the changes made. The tweeter is now located outside to minimize the possible negative effects of any vibrations caused by the midwoofer.
The body remains unchanged, except for the new neat front panel; Considering that the system looks good, this is not a problem.
Connection is made through a pair of terminals on the bottom, each for a separate set of cables.

This system sounds a lot like its beefier, award-winning 2020 variant, which isn't surprising given the similar specs.

They are characterized by the same combination of purified sound and higher level aggressive sound, and the degree of immersion in the recording is the same.
It's not surprising that larger speakers have an advantage, but at this size and price, it's unlikely that any other model can compete with the 2010.

It's more powerful than you'd expect for its weight and will work great with a Denon D-M38, but if your budget stretches to something like Marantz's 6004, the combination CD player with an amplifier, you'll find that it can give you some amazing sound for your money's worth.

It's not easy to find speakers that can boast the same harmonious and clear sound, while - thanks to a beautifully thought out and improved balance - remaining so unpretentious in terms of connectivity.

pros
In an improved form it is even more interesting
Impressive resolution
Thoughtfully built frequency balance

Minuses
Big 2020 is more tempting if you can afford something more substantial

Specifications:

Type - bookshelf, passive, bass reflex type
Acoustic radiation - monopolar
Set includes: 2 loudspeakers
Number of lanes - 2
Recommended amplifier power - 15-75 W
Sensitivity - 86 dB
Impedance - 4-6 Ohm
Reproducible frequency range - 68-22000 Hz
Crossover frequency - 2.8 kHz
Type of emitters - dynamic
HF emitter - 25 mm
LF driver - 100 mm
Removable grill - yes
Additionally
Dimensions (WxHxD) - 150x235x203 mm
Weight - 3.5 kg
Price - 16,340 rub.

Tannoy Mercury V1


The fifth model is certainly one of the best on currently, thanks to many updates, including more hard case and a lightweight cone-shaped midbass diffuser.

Just listen and you will see how easy it is to succumb to Tannoy's charm. The sound platform is larger than others in this class, and this system manages to combine the effects of space and proximity better than any other.

The fusion of flexibility and strength makes the instruments sound delightfully rich and dynamic transitions beautiful. You might evaluate it and find no fault with it, but comparison with other top speakers also shows that the Tannoy is unlikely to be inferior to anyone in terms of power and punch.
It has a slightly convex dome high-frequency driver, and although this assumes the most sharp sound, believe me - it's worth it.

pros
Excellent tonal balance
Flexible, well-synchronized and dynamic
Detail-filled sound

Minuses
The drive of some competitors will be heavier

Specifications:

Type - bookshelf, passive, bass reflex type
Acoustic radiation - monopolar
Number of lanes - 2
Power - 50 W
Maximum power - 100 W
Recommended amplifier power - 10-70 W
Sensitivity - 86 dB
Impedance - 8 Ohm
Reproducible frequency range - 45-25000 Hz (-6 dB)
Crossover frequency - 3.2 kHz
Connector for connecting to a power amplifier - screw
Gold-plated connectors - yes
Type of emitters - dynamic
HF emitter - 25 mm
LF driver - 130 mm
Case material - MDF
Removable grill - yes
Magnetic protection - yes
Finish options - maple, walnut
Dimensions (WxHxD) - 170x300x255 mm
Weight - 4.5 kg
Price - 10,800 rub.

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1


The driver integration is almost perfect, with the 13cm Kevlar mid-bass cone and 25mm textile tweeter working in unison to create a wonderful, balanced sound. It's remarkably clear - although some rivals may have an edge in this department - but the speaker is quite capable of rediscovering a touching track like Nina Simone's Tomorrow with an impressive amount of detail.

The same confidence exudes from the Wharfedale speaker system when performing the alt-rock band Camper Van Beethoven's Take the Skinheads Bowling. Academic and thoughtful in its focus and attention to detail, the 9.1 model nevertheless retains everything necessary qualities to make not only your head work, but also your legs.

From the top (recognizable and solid) to the bottom (robust and reliable), Diamond performs well in even the toughest materials. She can set the pace, easily return when needed, and balance the voices on her own. Exactly.

pros
Sleek design at an affordable price
Transparent, clear and rhythmic sound

Minuses
Small size for the money

Specifications:

Type - bookshelf, passive, bass reflex type
Acoustic radiation - monopolar
Set includes: 2 loudspeakers
Number of lanes - 2
Separate connection of LF and HF (Bi-wiring) - yes
Recommended amplifier power - 20-100 W
Sensitivity - 86 dB
Impedance - 6 Ohm
Reproducible frequency range - 50-24000 Hz (-6 dB)
Crossover frequency - 2.3 kHz
Connector for connecting to a power amplifier - screw
Gold-plated connectors - yes
Type of emitters - dynamic
HF emitter - 25 mm
LF driver - 125 mm
Removable grill - yes
Magnetic protection - yes
Dimensions (WxHxD) - 194x296x278 mm
Price - 7,200 rub.