Second Opinion

Upon completion of the Wisdom NS27 review I asked Dave to send them along for another opinion. I too was held captive by the sound of these near-affordable transducers at last years CES (if $11k can be considered affordable). First things first, it is nice to see Wisdom selling loudspeakers some audiophiles can afford. At one previous CES they were showing a system that stood about 14 feet tall and listed for about $1,000,000. Nice to see they've redone their size and price structure. At $11k, the NS27 is a fraction of the cost, size and weight. Warning: these are not lightweight loudspeakers by any stretch at 135 lbs a pop. Careful not to dent the grills since they're not removable. My luck would have it that I did remove the grill attempting to shimmy them into the corner of my living room without scratching my hardwood floors (that were just sanded and waxed only one week prior). The floors weren't harmed but it took me some time getting those grills back to their seamless look. After moving these around with no help I seriously entertained getting back to the gym.

Okay, I got to admit I am smitten by the amazingly small - but incredibly dynamic and punchy - NuForce 8b monos amplifiers. Shucks, they, upon first hearing them, had everyone scratching their wigs. Frank Alles was spot-on in spilling the beans their abilities. I'm sure their size had a lot to do with it, but they really surprised everyone who heard them perform with these  pleasurable planars. Like David slaying Goliath, to control this loudspeakers down-firing 12" woofer is no easy task for any amplifier but the NuForce seemed to enjoy themselves at respectable volumes (you don't want to turn them up too much or they too will lose steam, lose control and distort). No matter the source of music; Jazz, Blues, R & B Soul or Classical, the NS27s provided a sense of realism that only planar loudspeakers can with dynamic punch and authority that would make many audiophiles  who spent more on loudspeakers/amp combos jealous. The NuForce amps on their own will give most nay sayers brain-cramps trying to figure out how these little terrors from tiny town do what they do.

Historically, planar drivers have  been known to just love voltage and nothing provides this better than tubes: enter the deHavilland 845-G amplifier. At a modest 30-watts per channel, these babies kept me up until the wee hours supplying a level of musicality that very few amplifiers exceed. Granted they didn't sound as tight in the low-end as the NuForce, but they do provide a level of musicality and overall satisfaction (synergy) 845 tubes bring to the table no matter the situation. BTW, this combo had me  reminiscing on a love affair between my Conrad Johnson Premier Fours and Maggie 3.3s back in '93 or thereabouts.

Needless to say, I am enchanted by this new Wisdom NS27 loudspeaker. I like the idea behind the science of their big money designs trickling down into this product that will have a hard time qualifying as affordable at $11k. Alas, that is once you hear them. 

Clement Perry

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Specifications:
Neodymium Planar: 3" x 3" planars, 3" x 24" planar
Planar Configuration: Point source
Low Frequency Regenerator: One underhung 3" coil LFR/channel
Frequency Response (+/- 3dB): 18-25,000 Hz
Horizontal Dispersion: Over 100 degrees
Vertical Dispersion Configuration: Point Source
Sensitivity 1W/1M Equivalent: 90dB
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
Minimum Impedance: 3 ohms
Crossover Type/Points: Passive, 250 Hz, 8 KHz
Max. Power Handling: 300 watts
Recommended Amplifier Power: 50-300 watts
Complete System Weight: 2-piece system / 400lbs approximate
Dimensions: 53" x 16" x 22"
Weight: 135 lbs
U.S. List Price: $11,000.00


Address:
Wisdom Audio Corporation
3140 Research Way, Suite 72
Carson City, Nevada 89706

Telephone: (775) 887-8825
Fax: (775) 887-8820
Email: info@wisdomaudio.com
Website: www.wisdomaudio.com