CES 2006

We'd heard a lot about Raidho's Eben X-3 loudspeakers ($16,500/pair), so we dropped by T.H.E. Show to check out these dynamic three-way floorstanders. When we arrived, Art Audio's Kevin Carter was listening to the X-3s driven by Art's Vivo 25Wpc 300B push/pull stereo power amplifier ($13,000). It sure was purty.

The combination sounded purty, too. Carter played a track of finger-picked blues by a Norwegian guitarist that was riveting—until the singer started to whistle. He . . . was . . . right . . . there. It wasn't just three-dimensional or holographic or layered—it was downright convincing. Was it the X-3's tweeter? Was it the Art's 300B tonal integrity? We don't know, but we'd give both of these products further audition given the chance.