High End 2013
Avantgarde are well known for their
well-regarded spherical horn hybrid loudspeaker systems, imposing and visually striking
designs that mate brightly colored trumpets with active bass bins. Sonically and musically
impressive, theyre also well equipped to leave a substantial impression on your
wallet.
What is less well recognized is the
companys innovative range of electronics (review coming) and a smattering of other,
equally inventive speaker systems, but few observers would have anticipated anything as
radical as the Zero 1 system launched in Munich. This three-way speaker presents a
distinctly different face to the market, but theres a lot more to it than that. The
broad, rectangular baffle is formed as a one-piece, braced Polyurethane molding, including
the wide midrange horn and smaller treble horn below it. In the bottom is a 12 bass
unit. The whole speaker is actively driven, using a 400-watt FIR-derived class-D amplifier
for low frequencies and 50-watt class-AB modules (based on the XA circuit) for mid and
treble.
Where things start to get really clever is
with the "master" speaker. The crossover is a DSP digital design, while the
speaker accepts four digital inputs -- USB, TosLink and S/PDIF on RCA. Connection to the
"slave" speaker is with a four-band wireless system, one band for each of the
drive units and one to control overall level.
Pricing for this "add source"
system? 9800
-- meaning that you can now own a genuine Avantgarde system for about half what they used
to start at. And make no mistake, this really is a genuine Avantgarde. The sound was
impressively dynamic, coherent and engaging, and if the looks proved divisive thats
nothing new for the brand. Shipping should commence in around six weeks, with black
(really a rather dark gray) and white as standard finishes -- although you could probably
order anything from Avantgardes extensive color palette, at a price.
Another interesting new product (new to us,
at least) was the Uno Fino. In essence, this is a reduced-scale Uno G2, using the same
midrange and treble array, same active bass amplification and similar form factor, but in
this case employing a slimmer woofer cabinet housing a pair of 8" drivers in place of
the G2s 10" units and built onto a pared-down base. At 12,900 per pair,
the Uno Fino saves a significant bit off the price of the G2, which makes it a pretty
attractive addition to the range, particularly for smaller rooms where its svelte profile
will make it easier to site and accommodate. Having said that, and although it gives away
ultimate bass level and power to its bigger brethren, the Uno Fino is still remarkably
comfortable in even quite large spaces. Combined with the imminent XA Integrated it should
make a seriously potent musical combination, one that offers exceptional dynamic
resolution, range and communication for the price. |