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Do Stereophile reviewers have access to John Atkinson's measurements when they write their reviews?
Description: Two-and-a-half-way, ported, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" polymer-dome tweeter, two 1" fabric-dome tweeters, 7" carbon-fiber/pulp-cone midrange unit; 7.75" carbon-fiber/pulp-cone woofer. Crossover frequencies: 300Hz, 2.5kHz, 5kHz (see text). Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Sensitivity: 88dB.
Dimensions: 36.1" (916mm) H by 10.9" (278mm) W by 12.9" (328mm) D. Weight: 55.1 lbs (25kg).
Finishes: Cherry, Maple, White or Black Lacquer.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 1505157, 1505158.
Price: $6995/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 10.
Manufacturer: Larsen HiFi, Bokgatan 11, 568 31 Skillingaryd, Sweden. Tel: (46) 370-70-900. Web: www.larsenhifi.com. US distributor: Audio Skies, 4602 Greenwood Place, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Tel: (310) 975-7099. Web: www.audioskies.com.
Do Stereophile reviewers have access to John Atkinson's measurements when they write their reviews?
Do Stereophile reviewers have access to John Atkinson's measurements when they write their reviews?
No. It is very important for them not to see the measurements, because there would be the danger that they might then hear what they see.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
There is a very interesting Manufacturer's Comment on this review's measurements in the current issue, along with a reality check by JA.
Speakers which are theoretically bizarre are almost always interesting, and this one appears to have you listening to every single driver off every single driver's axis, (although it's hard to see where the one that is _partially obscured by a metal plate in its head_ is aiming.)
I was once pleasantly surprised by a little, costly FJ "The Ohm" in a short audition, but at least that one had the tweeter aiming forward. Not sure how many of the drivers in the multi way Shahinians aim at the listener.
I listened to the Larsen 4s (the little brother of Larsen 8) at T.H.E. Show Newport and was very impressed. The acoustic guitarist on the playback track was in-the-room and playing.
Independent of the gear price, I didn't quite succeed to experience this level of realism at the show in any other room!
Thank you for this review.
Regards, Babak
Hi-Reality Project