Great New Speakers and Cables Coming Your Way

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by Neil Gader
Oct 25, 2024

MoFi SourcePoint 888

The latest tour de force from loudspeaker designer Andrew Jones, the SourcePoint 888 is called “888” because of its use of three 8″ drivers. Alongside its twin-drive magnet-structure, paper-pulp cone, 8″ mid/woof with concentrically mounted soft-dome tweeter, two newly developed 8″ woofers have been added to create a three-way vented-box floorstander with deep 32Hz bass extension and powerful dynamics. The two additional woofers operate below 130Hz, relieving the concentric driver of the task of producing deep bass and optimizing it for midrange and treble performance. The three-way crossover combines the drivers at carefully chosen crossover frequencies and slopes to create a seamless blend, minimize the audibility of out-of-band anomalies, and produce smooth on- and off-axis responses. The woofers employ dual opposing neodymium magnets in a short-coil/long-magnetic-gap configuration. Each driver also operates in individual optimally sized isolated chambers, the construction of which adds considerable stiffness to the cabinet to further reduce cabinet resonances. Equipped with two sets of high-quality binding posts to provide for bi-wire and bi-amp connectivity. Sensitivity, 87dB; nominal impedance, 6 ohms.

Price: $4999. mofielectronics.com

Monitor Audio Studio 89

The Studio 89 is designed to be different. Small, compact, and visually unique, this all-new design is an uncompromising little speaker. The 13″-tall two-way sports a pair of 4.25″mid/bass transducers and a high-performance MPD III tweeter. It packs an awful lot of acoustic technology into its compact dimensions, and while it is 100% a Monitor Audio speaker, it is as unique in its range as the statement Hyphn. Featuring the latest acoustic technologies developed for the Platinum Series 3G and Hyphn, the compact Studio 89 packs a significant acoustic punch. A streamlined, diminutive speaker that is more Formula One than luxury sports car, its sonic signature is distinctly Monitor Audio, yet with a personality all its own. It tips the scales at 16 pounds; sensitivity is rated at 86dB; and nominal impedance is 6 ohms.

Price: TBA. kevro.com

Morel Sopran

The Sopran Series from driver specialist Morel is inspired by the company’s acclaimed Fat Lady. Three models in all, (two floorstanders and a compact) the Soprans are designed to bridge the gap between the stereo and home-theater experience. Their adaptable architecture reportedly is equally at home reproducing stereo music or multichannel film soundtracks. At the top of the Sopran food chain is the 934 (pictured)—a 47.6″-tall, three-way, four-driver floorstander in a bass-reflex configuration that features two 9″ woofers, a 6″ midrange, and a 1.1″ titanium-aluminum tweeter. Its nominal impedance is 4 ohms, and sensitivity is 90dB. It features handcrafted transducers that integrate with Morel’s proprietary technologies, such as advanced magnetic systems, Hybrid™ Carbon cone technology, Uniflow™ chassis, and oversized titanium voice coils.

Price: Sopran 934, $14,999; Sopran 634, $11,999; Sopran 622, $5999 (bookshelf). morelhifi.com

Focal Aria Evo X

Focal Aria Evo X Series

Following in the footsteps of the Aria 900 range, which enjoyed a decade of success, the Aria Evo X line boasts five products: one compact bookshelf (model N°1), three slender floorstanding loudspeakers (models N°2, N°3, N°4), plus the Aria Evo X Center for home cinema. Among the technological innovations are the “M”-shaped inverted dome TAM tweeter, which reproduces high frequencies more faithfully by extending further into the higher and lower ends of the treble spectrum. The surround on the midrange is equipped with Tuned Mass Damper technology to stabilize how it behaves, reducing distortion and delivering perfectly balanced dynamics. The “M” shape of the dome is also capable of reproducing high frequencies up to 30kHz. For the woofers, the magnets have been revamped to deliver more impact in the bass, while Focal’s engineers also reworked the crossovers with better components to improve loudspeaker balance. Joining the Black High Gloss and Prime Walnut finishes is a new finish—Moss Green High Gloss. Each is combined with leather-effect front panels.

Price: N°1, $2398/pr.; N°2, $4798/pr.; N°3, $5198/pr.; N°4, $5998/pr.; Aria Evo X Center, $999. focalnaimamerica.com

Tags: FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKERS CABLES STANDMOUNT

By Neil Gader

My love of music largely predates my enthusiasm for audio. I grew up Los Angeles in a house where music was constantly playing on the stereo (Altecs, if you’re interested). It ranged from my mom listening to hit Broadway musicals to my sister’s early Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Beatles, and Stones LPs, and dad’s constant companions, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. With the British Invasion, I immediately picked up a guitar and took piano lessons and have been playing ever since. Following graduation from UCLA I became a writing member of the Lehman Engel’s BMI Musical Theater Workshops in New York–working in advertising to pay the bills. I’ve co-written bunches of songs, some published, some recorded. In 1995 I co-produced an award-winning short fiction movie that did well on the international film-festival circuit. I was introduced to Harry Pearson in the early 70s by a mutual friend. At that time Harry was still working full-time for Long Island’s Newsday even as he was writing Issue 1 of TAS during his off hours. We struck up a decades-long friendship that ultimately turned into a writing gig that has proved both stimulating and rewarding. In terms of music reproduction, I find myself listening more than ever for the “little” things. Low-level resolving power, dynamic gradients, shadings, timbral color and contrasts. Listening to a lot of vocals and solo piano has always helped me recalibrate and nail down what I’m hearing. Tonal neutrality and presence are important to me but small deviations are not disqualifying. But I am quite sensitive to treble over-reach, and find dry, hyper-detailed systems intriguing but inauthentic compared with the concert-going experience. For me, true musicality conveys the cozy warmth of a room with a fireplace not the icy cold of an igloo. Currently I split my time between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Studio City, California with my wife Judi Dickerson, an acting, voice, and dialect coach, along with border collies Ivy and Alfie.