Joseph Audio Pulsar loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable, Cobra tonearm, Castellon stand; OneDoF turntable; Graham Phantom II, Kuzma 4Point tonearms; Lyra Atlas, Ortofon A90, Miyajima Labs Premium BE mono, Ice Blue cartridges.
Digital Sources: Simaudio Moon Evolution 650D DAC/CD transport, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder, Meridian (Sooloos) Digital Media System, Pure Music software.
Preamplification: Ypsilon Electronics VPS-100 phono preamplifier, darTZeel NHB-18ns preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Music Reference RM-200 Mk.II, Ypsilon Electronics Aelius monoblocks, B.M.C. Audio Amplifier C1.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX 3.
Cables: Phono: Hovland/Graham MG2 Music Groove. Interconnect: Stealth Sakra & Indra, TARA Labs Zero Gold, ZenSati Seraphim. Speaker: Shunyata Research Anaconda, TARA Labs Omega Gold, ZenSati Seraphim. AC: Shunyata Research King Cobra Helix CX & Anaconda CX, TARA Labs Cobalt.
Accessories: Oyaide AC wall box & receptacles; Shunyata Research Triton power conditioners; Finite Elemente Pagode, Harmonic Resolution Systems SXR stands; Symposium Rollerblocks & Ultra platform; ASC Tube Traps; RPG BAD, Skyline, Abffusor panels; Audiodharma Cable Cooker; Furutech DeMag & deStat LP treatments; VPI HW-17F, Loricraft PRC4 Deluxe, Audio Desk record-cleaning machines.—Michael Fremer

COMPANY INFO
Joseph Audio Inc.
PO Box 1529
Melville, NY 11747
(800) 474-4434
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
ppgr's picture

Since Mr. Fremer refers to the Wilson Maxx in his review, it would be most interesting to compare measurements from both speakers (Wilson and Joseph) in the same room (Mr. Fremer's).

When comparing both curves side by side, the Wilson's measurements seem a little... er... embarrassing, especially considering the vast difference in size and cost.

Of course, measurements tell only part of the story, but I had the occasion to listen to both speakers, and the Joseph were very impressive, while the Wilson sounded like an impressive collection of stacked boxes.

To my ears, the Pulsar sounded light and nimble and fun (think Mazda Miata), while the Maxx we're kind of big and sluggish, especially on small scale music (think luxo SUV). 

JItterjaber's picture

I have heard few speakers that have good time coherence/phase between drivers. The Josephs sounded good in the show demo I heard. Love those Norwegian soft dome tweeters!

www.hifiqc.com

AragonFan's picture

I purchased a pair of Pulsars last year after being enormously impressed.  They do everything very well: soundstaging, imaging, frequency response, dynamics...all the typical audiophile parameters.  To me they sound like truly elite monitors without ever sounding fatiguing.  I can hear deeply into the mix when I want to listen analytically, and I can just enjoy the music anytime.  Overall, I suppose the best way to describe them as superbly balanced with thoughtful, effective performance tradeoffs (chiefly in ultimate dynamics and low bass response) for a two-way loudspeaker.

The tweeters are excellent, even arresting when handling well-recorded cymbals.  The attack, shimmer, and decay are all there.  The bass is also very good down to the lower 40 Hz area; and I think it sufficient for most music, at least music that I enjoy.  I am also using a REL R-218 subwoofer, dialed in to provide some support for the lowest octave and just above. The REL is the antithesis of slow, plodding bass and a very good match for the light-of-foot Pulsars.

My amplification and sources are quite good (Aragon Palladium 1K mono amps; Aragon 28K MKII preamp; Arcam FMJ CD-33 CD-Player), but hardly ultra-high end.  To my ears I am getting sound of a quality that I could spend twice or even three times to get, and then likely with only incremental improvements at the edges.  By any measure, $7,000 is a lot of money for a pair of loudspeakers ($8,400 including the REL R-218), but for me, the expense pays back in joy with my music.  Others' mileage may vary, but I am quite pleased.

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