Chinese manufacturer King Sound has to make among the most affordable loudspeakers on earth. Their large King series electro-stat retails for $7k (photo top). The new Prince model II ($5k), sported a new grille that gave a different look and sound. I was taken by the amount of tight and articulate bass these 'stats were capable of, driven by all VAC (new Beam series) electronics no less.

YG Acoustics demonstrated once again their magnificent series of loudspeakers. Personally I cannot vouch for "Best" loudspeaker but I'll be damned if they're not among the "Most Accurate!" This time however, his Anat Reference did not match the unbelievable sonic excellence it achieved last fall at the Denver's Rocky Mountain Show. Yoav Geva admitted the $130k FM Acoustics amplifier driving his loudspeakers did make a noticeable difference. I love it when manufacturers hear exactly what's going on and in this case Yoav Geva was dead on. That did not mean this sound was chop-liver either. It simply didn't possess that "once you listen, you're under my spell" type situations. Heck, with those velvet ropes, I kept looking over my shoulders for the ushers. My bad.

Here's Sal (photo left), of Chesky Records, caught on camera telling Norman Chesky what time his long legged date's arriving and why he's "outta here!" 

Tact Audio's usual suspects with one exception....

Tact Audio's Radomir "Boz" Bozovich (above) sported that sly "I told you so" smile with respect to his all-new Tact-Ambiophonics processor (inset $2,500). Ralph Glasgal, famous around these parts for owning perhaps the most outrageously huge system (something like 24-channels using Soundlab electro-stats loudspeakers no less), takes responsibility for Ambiophonics and has published a book that we kept in our archives for some interesting reading (here). One unique feature in the Ambiophonic/Tact processor is its ability to process four digital or analogue input channels which is said to have superb surround sound reproduction. Dynamic Room Correction comes standard with this newest product and early April '09 is the availability date.

There's nothing trivial sounding about the TIDAL Contriva loudspeakers ($61k in Mahogany finish). Or, for that matter, the ASR Emitter II Exclusive (version Blue $36k). The price increase of the ASR, due to the weakened US dollar, nearly doubled its asking price in the last 4 years which could be considered near criminal in some circles. But at the very least, with your purchase of the Emitter II Exclusive, you do get four boxes to manage onto your rack space and ultimately stare at (2 separate power supplies and 1 battery pack in addition to the amp, which BTW, is integrated). And what is most important  is the Emitter II's rather unmistakable sonic signature that comes from a very clear and transparent window that is incredibly resolving and tonally neutral.