2024 Golden Ear: Dutch & Dutch 8c Loudspeaker with u-BACCH “Plug-In”

$14,950 base price; additional $1100 for u-BACCH

Dutch & Dutch—the company has been in business for a decade and, yes, it’s located in Holland—makes just one loudspeaker in two versions, the $14,950 8c and, for a few thousand dollars less, the 8c Studio intended for pro-audio use. The 8c is a 3-way, 4-driver powered speaker that can receive a digital signal (preferably) via a LAN connection and also happily accepts analog sources. The rear panel also sports a subwoofer output, but most listeners probably won’t require any additional bass support in a typical domestic environment. D&D’s speaker is of particular interest as it’s the first to license Dr. Edgar Choueiri’s BACCH crosstalk cancellation (XTC) filter as an optional $1100 “plug-in.” The u-BACCH version of the software is the most basic form of Choueiri’s technology and doesn’t require listener-specific in-ear measurements to work well. It’s a generic filter—the “u” stands for “universal” and it’s based on measurements Choueiri took in numerous rooms. The XTC filter, as implemented in the 8c, delivers at least 80% of the enhancement one hears with full-boat BACCH. That the Dutch & Dutch 8c is a fairly directional loudspeaker represents a significant advantage when it comes to crosstalk cancellation. The speaker is operated with Dutch & Dutch’s Ascend application, either web-based or installed on a phone or tablet. An inexpensive measurement microphone is needed for optimal setup of the speaker and software. (350)