THE Show Newport 2012 • Hot Product

Nola's new KO speaker is part of a series with the Boxer and Contender -- all boxing references. It looked and, more importantly sounded, like it cost much more than its $9800-per-pair price would suggest. The sound was big and spatially unfettered with taut, powerful bass -- a knockout combination, as Nola would assert.

The KO uses uses four 1" silk-dome tweeters and four 4" midrange drivers in its open upper section. Like larger and more expensive Nola floorstanders, this part of the cabinet is open on the sides and rear, no doubt helping the speaker sound as open as it does.