THE SPEAKERSAll of the manufacturers listed below are committed to sponsoring our GNW GTG with a pair of their speakers. As stated earlier, these will all be sub-$2,000 (not including shipping) stand-mount monitors. Some of them just do squeak in under the limit, so there are some fine loudspeakers for all the auditioners to evaluate.
The manufacturers not only have graced us with their loudspeakers to audition, but in a couple of cases we will have the privilege to be the first to publicly unveil brand new models. Keep in mind that the list below is not set in concrete. It is fluid in the sense that the various speaker companies have ongoing developments that may alter the model that they send. But these are reasonably certain.
Here, alphabetically, are the pairs that we currently expect to review at the 2010 event.
Aperion Audio - 6B...
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...11,20,257.aspxAscend Acoustics - Sierra-1 NrT...
http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=4088 (Please note that this new Ascend flagship model was announced only last week. It is in its late development state. If it is not yet available for the September 18th event, we believe Ascend will instead be sending the Sierra-1.)
Lauren Acoustics - One B ...
http://www.laurenacoustics.com/Laure...The_One_B.html (Please note that this model from a new company, as far as we're aware, has never been seen or heard publicly.)
Nate's Audio - T5 ...
http://www.natesaudio.com/naproducts_t05.htmlSalk Sound - Ellis 1801B ...
http://www.salksound.com/ellis%201801b%20-%20home.htmSelah Audio - Verita ...
http://www.selahaudio.com/id216.html (Please note that the shipping fees are included in the $2,050 product cost.)
Tyler Acoustics - Limited Edition Taylo ...
http://www.tyleracoustics.com/taylo.html (Please note that this Taylo model is not in the company's current lineup. Tyler Acoustics will be making a run of Limited Edition Taylos at <$2,000 which will run concurrently with our event.)
Usher Audio - X-718 ...
http://www.usheraudio.com/Loudspeaker_X-718.html (Please note that Usher is not strictly an ID company. However, it's models can be difficult to find to audition in many places. It seems to fit well with the other speakers listed here, so we decided to include the X-718.)
I have to state again, that these companies are all run by first-rate people who are fans of audio first and foremost. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every person I've contacted. We're lucky to have these folks in our great hobby, and they have been most gracious to send their gear to us for our pleasure and our reporting.
We also may have an additional surprise appearance of a new model at the event. I can't say anything about it at this time, but we're pretty excited at the possibility of presenting this new monitor model to the world. As the timing of its availability is crucial, we will provide further information regarding it as it nears launch.
Next up ........
THE FORMAT