Paging through audio magazines over the years Computer Audiophile readers have likely noticed something not quite right about many advertisements. That something is a look that's far too clean for a functioning audio system. Advertisements rarely show all the cables required to connect components to each other and to loudspeakers. Dynaudio on the other hand doesn't have to show this unsightly necessity when advertising its new Xeo wireless speaker system. The speakers cabinets contain nearly everything required for great sound such as amplification and digital to analog conversion components. A single power cable for each speaker and a wireless transmitter connected to a computer is all that's required to complete a Xeo system. The Xeo 3 speakers wirelessly connected to either my MacBook Pro or CAPS v3 server sounded great. The Dynaudio Xeo 3s aren't the type of ear splitting speaker that can only be tolerated for 30 minutes at a time. Rather the smooth sound and surprisingly deep but
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The name Philips is not mentioned all that often in computer audio circles. Philips technologies on the other hand are mentioned all the time even though audiophiles might not put two and two together and attribute some technologies to Philips. The Sony / Philips Digital InterFace (S/PDIF) comes up in nearly as many conversations as USB. I'm willing to bet the market penetration of DACs with an S/PDIF interface is over four nines (%99.99). Then there are Philips retail products. These products are more likely to be in an audiophile's kitchen or bathroom than listening room. Last week I was invited to the Philips Winter Media Event in Barcelona, Spain. The event was like a miniature CES with only Philips products presented. Engineers for every Philips product were on hand to answer just about every question. Although the 21:9 3D HDTV on display was stunning it, and most other products, fell outside the scope of Computer Audiophile. Two products that caught my eye and may catch CA readers' eyes are the Philips Fidelio SoundSphere with AirPlay® and the Philips HiFi Multiroom System. Neither product is what I call high-end but I see many scenarios where either product could satisfy the needs of computer audiophiles for a reasonable price.
Over the last year I participated in a few computer audio seminars around the country with Peachtree Audio’s David Solomon. During the events I spent a fair amount of time listening to the Peachtree Design 5 loudspeakers. Every time I listened to these speakers I commented positively about either the aesthetic design, build quality, or impressive sound quality. The one thing left to do was listen to the D5 speakers in my own listening room where familiarity with the environment would lead to much more accurate judgments. Fortunately David offered a pair of D5s for review while we discussed my review of the new iNova integrated amplifier. I accepted the offer to review the speakers and the amplifier as a complete system. There was no hiding the fact I liked the D5s based on previous experience. That also meant I had high expectations for these speakers. On the other hand I hadn’t listened to the iNova enough to leave a lasting impression in my mind. That said I still had high expectations because of its lineage. I liked the original Nova very much. In fact I liked it too much according to some Computer Audiophile readers. It was time to find out if the Design 5 speakers were as good as I previously thought, if the new iNova was anything more than an original Nova with an iPod dock, if Peachtree refined the highly regarded Nova into something better, or simply sat on its laurels riding the previous wave of success.
I’ve used the Sonos S5 ZonePlayer for the last several weeks and have really grown to like the unit. At first I was skeptical and thought an Apple Airport Express based system would easily equal or better a Sonos system. After setting up the Sonos S5 a couple times and using it via the desktop and iPhone interfaces, not only do I like the all-in-one system, but I am certain the S5 is perfect for its target market. The simplicity and comparatively good sound quality of the S5 make it a luddite's luxury.
Immediately upon arrival the Focal Electra 1007 Be loudspeakers transformed my listening room into a mini Louvre Museum. OK, maybe that's a stretch but the Electra 1007 Be bookshelf speakers are truly a thing of beauty. Quality endlessly oozes from the 1007 Be's design before a single note is even reproduced. These substantial two-way speakers not only look fabulous they reproduce music as veraciously as the source material and components can supply it. The external structure of the Electra 1007 Be speakers will add glamour and color to any room while the inside components won't add glamour or color to any music. As Paula Abdul articulated so well back in 1989, opposites certainly do attract.
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Many audiophiles are very familiar with the Focal brand and its legendary Utopia series loudspeakers. Now it's time to introduce everyone to the new Focal XS Multimedia Sound System. Don't be fooled by the iPod integration that has permeated everything from running shoes to bathroom accessories. This is not your father's desktop audio solution. Focal designed a very nice looking 2.1 desktop system with great features and sound quality to match. iPod sync and playback, internal USB DAC, and an analog input are all part of the new Focal XS Multimedia Sound System.
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