CES 2006

Anthony Gallo's new Reference 3.1 loudspeaker ($2995/pair) proved that it's better to set up a room properly than it is to try to beat it into submission with expensive components. Not to take anything away from Gallo's Ref 3.1, which sounded fantastic, but his demo proved that God truly is in the details, sounding bigger, realer, richer, and more dynamic than most of the googolbuck systems we heard today. In fact, one importer, who shall remain nameless, confessed that he had a pair in his living room rather than the costly lines he brings into the country.

The Ref 3.1 has the same 10" woofer that the Ref 3 utilized, but the midrange drivers are new4" carbon fiber designs with neodymium magnets. The CDT tweeter is unchanged, although Gallo has removed a switch from its signal path that he felt compromised its performance. Also new are metalized polypropylene capacitors in the crossover.

Gallo cued Reference Recording's performance of Rutter's O Magnum Mysterium as we entered the room and its depth and majesty were overwhelming. The sopranos sounded natural and ravishing. We did not want to leave, so we invited the Ref 3.1s over to Wes' house for a longer assignation.