Good things come in small packages, and some of life’s most precious luxuries are highly refined, diminutive works of art. As enthusiasts we desire the art of the Swiss watchmakers, the expert gem-cutters, even of the fine confectioners because it is the precision and expertise of the artists and artisans that create the value in such beautiful, small treasures. And so it has also evolved that many of us are enthusiasts of the highly refined, bookshelf loudspeaker.
It likely all began with the original BBC minimonitor that eventually evolved into what we now call the LS3/5a. The model was commissioned by the BBC when they were in need of a compact loudspeaker for their mobile broadcast vans. The successful marketing of monitors from such famous companies as ProAc, Acoustic Energy, KEF, Spendor, Harbeth, Reference 3A, Sonus Faber, and even Wilson Audio Specialties was made possible by the legitimizing of that venerable BBC design.
The ability of the loudspeaker designer may, in fact, be most taxed by the mini design simply because of the need to squeeze out a tremendous amount of performance from a tiny product. But when it is done so extremely well, the result is more than magical … it is utterly addicting.
In fact, it may be said that there exists a “Cult of the Mini Monitor” precisely because this form of loudspeaker can deliver sound in a way that cannot be equaled by other forms. Larger loudspeakers may deliver more low frequency information, but none can so effortlessly disappear into the three-dimensional sonic landscape in quite the same way that a beautifully engineered mini-monitor can.
And now, into this mix of esteemed company and daunting history, Per Kristoffersen and Peak-Consult introduce **The Princess**
The Princess is a rather small design, with a gem-cut profile of about 14.5” high, 8.2” wide, and 12.2” deep. It utilizes a custom Audiotechnology 5” midwoofer and a 1” silk-dome tweeter with SD2 motor on a “gem-cut” baffle that has been finished in a real leather fascia. It’s published frequency performance range is from 40Hz through 30,000 Hz, however the low frequency performance will vary with room placement. Truly, it sounds as if the monitor performs lower than its published specification when placed well in an appropriately-sized room. At 88dB efficiency it is not difficult to drive, but would not likely be an appropriate match for amplifiers delivering less than 10 good watts per channel.
The Princess is hewn from laminations of HDF and then finished with 1” thick hardwood cabinetry or 1” highly-laquered black gloss HDF. It is quite dense, and each speaker weighs in at a hefty 26+ pounds. The Princess is available with a loudspeaker stand designed expressly for it (and matched to the client’s choice of wood).
Drivers are painstakingly matched from left to right, crossovers hand-tuned and measured for precision, and the entire package of Danish art and artisanship comes together in what can only be described as the first truly great mini-monitor of the new millennium.
*********The Princess is available only through very select, Authorized Dealers**********Price: $9,999.99 for standard wood selections (Mahogany, Beechwood, Oak). Rosewood, Wine-Stained Rosewood, Italian Walnut, and Piano Lacquer Black are available for an additional premium.
Princess can also be purchased as a full-range system, complete with bass module, for an additional $10,000.00 (standard wood).
Peak Consult speakers are not mass-produced, but rather are handcrafted with great care from a small factory in Denmark. There is oftentimes a short waiting period for ordered speakers to be delivered.
Shown in Oak with optional "Solid" stand: $11,600.00/pair
Peak Consult speakers are distributed in North America by Stereovox, Inc.
http://www.stereovox.com
