Jim Clements

Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver Review

Jim Clements

The Audioengine B1 is an easy to use add-on accessory that promises quality audio playback via Bluetooth technology for under $200. It uses the latest Bluetooth 4.0 technology with the aptX Codec. This extends the B1's range and gives you the best possible audio reproduction.

Receivers

Legacy Aeris Floor-standing Speakers Review

Jim Clements

Introduced in 2012, the Legacy Aeris speakers have become some of the most acclaimed speakers in recent memory. They are massive 4-way floorstanding speakers with dual powered 12" subwoofers in each tower. They are distinctive for many reasons with the most significant reason being their one of a kind room correction and time alignment capabilities.

Floor Standing Speakers

Induction Dynamics ID1 Floor Standing Speakers Review

Jim Clements

The Induction Dynamics ID1's are large 4-way Floor standing Speakers with dual subwoofers built in to each cabinet. The speakers are available in many custom finishes or they can be mounted in-wall if you are building a high performance custom home theater. The speakers measured well; low distortion and a full frequency response from 25 Hz all the way out past the limits of human audibility. But that was only one part of the story. Subjectively, these speakers had an articulate sound that remained smooth and non-fatiguing at all playback levels. And they showed excellent imaging properties, filling the room with all their lusciousness.

Floor Standing Speakers

JL Audio E-Sub E112 Powered Subwoofer Review

Jim Clements

JL Audio is best known for their no-compromise mobile audio speakers and amplifiers. That's where it all started for them. But they also made a name for themselves with a line of extreme powered subwoofers for the home market, the Gotham and Fathom. These first JL Audio home subwoofers were big and bold. Now JL Audio has released the E-Subs, which are scaled down subwoofers at more accessible price points…Read More.

Subwoofers

Update: PSB Alpha PS1 Bookshelf Speakers

Jim Clements

The Alpha PS1s are PSB's first powered speakers, and are bookshelf in size. Driven by built-in Class D amplifiers, they feature 3.5" metalized polypropylene main drivers and 0.75" aluminum dome tweeters in elegant ported enclosures. These speakers are the latest member of PSB's Alpha line which has been very popular and well received by the audio press and consumers alike. Late last year, PSB announced they would be releasing a super compact powered subwoofer. This new sub was designed to go along with PSB's incredible little PSB Alpha PS1 ($299) desktop speakers that I reviewed in July 2013. So I promptly requested a review sample as I wanted to write this quick follow-up to my earlier review.

Bookshelf Speakers

Krell S-550i Integrated Amplifier

Jim Clements

The S-550i is the larger of two new integrated amps from Krell. Both of these amps feature circuit boards that utilize surface mount components. This means they can pack more power into smaller chassis than ever before. The S-550i is rated at 275 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and that doubles to 550 wpc into a 4 ohm load. This being from a box that is less than 6 inches tall. So now you can get tons of Krell goodness in a small package and at a very affordable price.

Integrated Amplifiers

REL T-9 Subwoofer

Jim Clements

The REL T-9 subwoofer is the largest sub in REL's "Serie T" line. It is a solidly built sub with a 10" Ultra Long Throw main driver, a 10" front-firing passive radiator and a 300 watt Class A/B plate amp. In keeping with REL innovation (and tradition), theT-9 has a number of flexible hook up schemes, the most unique being by way of the included high level hook-up cable.

Subwoofers

Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Home Theater Speaker System

Jim Clements

This Sonus faber home theater speaker system is based on the new Venere 3.0 floor standing speakers, the flagship of the Venere line. The Veneres are designed in Italy and include drivers designed from the ground up specifically for this speaker line. The drivers are made exclusively for Sonus faber by some of the best suppliers on the planet. The Veneres even have the famous Sonus faber lyre-shaped cabinets.

Floor Standing Speakers

Revel Performa 3 M105 Bookshelf Speakers

Jim Clements

Revel has just released the third generation of their Performa speaker line. Dubbed the Performa3's, the new lineup offers nine models – two tower speakers, two bookshelf speakers, two center speakers, two subs and one surround. Revel touts the Performa3's as having an "Ultima2 Heritage at attainable prices". The Performa3's are all-new designs with all-new drivers. The M105's reviewed here are the smaller of the two bookshelf speaker models. They have a 5-1/4" ribbed aluminum mid/woofer and a 1" aluminum dome tweeter that was designed by the Untima2 team. These tweeters are mounted in a new waveguide that lends the speakers a sexy silhouette and a very smooth in-room response. Who could argue with that? As if this weren't enough, Revel decided to price the Performa3's on a very competitive level which makes these speakers a major value-for-money opportunity.

Bookshelf Speakers