[jhm731]

The award went to the Voxativ Ampeggio.

All yours for just $29,750. in black or white

In case you miss it, here's the review:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/voxativ-ampeggio-loudspeaker

[Pez]

Link not working

[Russell Dawkins]

try this: http://www.stereophile.com/content/voxativ-ampeggio-loudspeaker

[jameshuls]

Srajan from 6moons also found these speakers to be exceptional.

http://6moons.com/audioreviews/voxativ/voxativ.html

Personally, I feel he is one of the best and most trustworthy reviewers out there. His in-depth product descriptions and comparisons to other products unarguably make his reviews the most thorough around. In short, I trust his judgement. The fact that sterophile agreed is surprising, but obviously there is something special to these speakers.

Interestingly, the speakers he compares them to are the Zu's. I bought the Zu Druids based on his reviews and I am very happy with them still, after 4 years (and a few modifications). Obviously, the Zu speaker will be slightly lacking in a few areas (darker, less detailed, less bass) but I also paid less than a tenth of the voxativs. I just wish I could afford to even hear them...

[JLM]

It all seems impressive, but then I keep coming back to the lack of the bottom octave (typical for horn loadings).  For that amount of coin, I want no such omissions. 

Heck my Bud Purvine EnABL'd Fostex F200A drivers (about $1500 total/pair) are by Bud's estimation, "world best" and are factory rated F3 of 30 Hz without any enclosure.

[OzarkTom]

Srajan from 6moons also found these speakers to be exceptional.

http://6moons.com/audioreviews/voxativ/voxativ.html

Personally, I feel he is one of the best and most trustworthy reviewers out there. His in-depth product descriptions and comparisons to other products unarguably make his reviews the most thorough around. In short, I trust his judgement. The fact that sterophile agreed is surprising, but obviously there is something special to these speakers.

Interestingly, the speakers he compares them to are the Zu's. I bought the Zu Druids based on his reviews and I am very happy with them still, after 4 years (and a few modifications). Obviously, the Zu speaker will be slightly lacking in a few areas (darker, less detailed, less bass) but I also paid less than a tenth of the voxativs. I just wish I could afford to even hear them...

Did you ever read Srajan's comparison of the Zu Essence and the Anthony Gallo Stradas? Those Stradas are a giant killer.

[jameshuls]

Did you ever read Srajan's comparison of the Zu Essence and the Anthony Gallo Stradas? Those Stradas are a giant killer

I did read that review. They sound like pretty amazing speakers.

However, they probably would not be a copasetic match for my 18 w/ch 2a3 PP amplifier. The exposed woofer at child level also makes me a little wary...

[DavidS]

I thought it was a pretty bold choice by Stereophile - I did a bit of a double take when I saw it.  They always get accused of being mainstream and using every opportunity they have to showcase their advertisers products.  Given the price, looks, accessibility, and design this is clearly a niche product ... had a quick flip through my December issue and didn't see any voxativ adverts (could have missed it) - from my perspective good on them and for their credibility to recognize a cutting edge, high quality, and most important for this circle a single driver wide bander like the Voxativ. 

Would love to demo them in my living room - hmmm wonder if Donna would have thumbs up for me using my car as a down payment.

[Wind Chaser]

Would love to demo them in my living room - hmmm wonder if Donna would have thumbs up for me using my car as a down payment.

By all means, go for it!  My boss's boss once told me, "It's easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission."  

OTOH, not long after he told me that - he was fired.

[OzarkTom]

Here are the Earo Eight's, another horn-loaded single driver speaker for $38K. They have direct drive built-in class D amps that are balanced with an eight inch driver. Just add a Dac with balanced outputs and remote. They sounded wonderful at RMAF this year. The little brother has a 5 inch cone and Class D amps direct drive for $19K These would be interestiong to compare with the Voxativ Ampeggio's.

[JLM]

Big rear loaded horns have been the primary cabinet for Lowthers for over 70 years.

BTW, these are not Lowthers, only the manufacturer's inspiration.