Loudspeaker of the Year
KEF Blade Two Meta ($28,000/pair; reviewed by Kal Rubinson in Vol.45 No.9 review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Estelon Forza ($149,000–$163,000/pair depending upon finish; reviewed by Michael Fremer in November 2021, Vol.44 No.11 review)
Genelec G Three ($1590/pair; reviewed by Herb Reichert in August 2022, Vol.45 No.8 review)
MBL Radialstrahler 120 ($24,900/pair; reviewed by Julie Mullins in November 2021, Vol.44 No.11 review)
Perlisten S7t ($17,990/pair; reviewed by Kal Rubinson in December 2021, Vol.44 No.12 review)
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V ($135,000–$151,000/pair depending on finish; reviewed by Jim Austin in December 2021, Vol.44 No.12 review) Upon listening to a recording of Foxtrot compositions and arrangements by great 20th century composers, performed by Gottlieb Wallisch on a Steinway D concert grand piano, Kal wrote, "The Blade Two Metas justified the Steinway, delivering dynamic range, percussive punch, and treble sparkle that no dancehall piano could approach but that this music deserves. The deep space of the Kirche spans widely beyond the Blades, but Wallisch and the big Steinway seem unconstrained sitting between them." Listening to René Jacobs's great new recording of Der Frieschütz on Harmonia Mundi, Kal—a multichannel nut—observed, "Via the Blade Two Metas, I heard lots of delicious detail in the orchestra and impressive impact, despite the smaller forces. In the Wolf's Glen scene, I felt the space close in with the incantations and expand gloriously as chorus, orchestra, and singers approach a climax then fade at the end. I never—not once—thought to myself, 'This is great, but it would be even better in multichannel.'" On Black Dahlia, a 12-part symphonic suite by Bob Belden, "The Blades' expansive view went well beyond immersive. It was transporting. Play it loud to complete the illusion and be consumed by the music."
"As of today," Kal concluded, "the Blade Two Metas are the best speakers I've heard in this room (or perhaps anywhere), and I urge an audition to anyone interested in music reproduction of the highest quality. The Blades were picked up about 24 hours ago, and I miss them already."
He didn't miss them for long. He put his pennies where his pen was. He bought a pair.
About the Vote
Another tight vote, in a category packed with strong contenders. The KEF Blade Two Meta—which is affordable for a world-class loudspeaker, at $28,000/pair—received two votes more than the second-place finisher, the much more expensive Wilson Alexx V. The Estelon Forza, which on the strength of Mikey's review alone could have won this category some years, was a somewhat distant third.
Most surprising, perhaps, is the Genelec G Three, which not only made the finals but held its own in the final voting despite costing just over 1% of what the Wilsons cost and slightly less than 1% the price of the Estelons. (That Genelec price is without stands, and stands are needed, but Genelec sells a variety of loudspeaker supports, including wall mounts, tabletops, and floorstands, at quite reasonable prices.)
Finalists (in alphabetical order)Estelon Forza ($149,000–$163,000/pair depending upon finish; reviewed by Michael Fremer in November 2021, Vol.44 No.11 review)
Genelec G Three ($1590/pair; reviewed by Herb Reichert in August 2022, Vol.45 No.8 review)
MBL Radialstrahler 120 ($24,900/pair; reviewed by Julie Mullins in November 2021, Vol.44 No.11 review)
Perlisten S7t ($17,990/pair; reviewed by Kal Rubinson in December 2021, Vol.44 No.12 review)
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V ($135,000–$151,000/pair depending on finish; reviewed by Jim Austin in December 2021, Vol.44 No.12 review) Upon listening to a recording of Foxtrot compositions and arrangements by great 20th century composers, performed by Gottlieb Wallisch on a Steinway D concert grand piano, Kal wrote, "The Blade Two Metas justified the Steinway, delivering dynamic range, percussive punch, and treble sparkle that no dancehall piano could approach but that this music deserves. The deep space of the Kirche spans widely beyond the Blades, but Wallisch and the big Steinway seem unconstrained sitting between them." Listening to René Jacobs's great new recording of Der Frieschütz on Harmonia Mundi, Kal—a multichannel nut—observed, "Via the Blade Two Metas, I heard lots of delicious detail in the orchestra and impressive impact, despite the smaller forces. In the Wolf's Glen scene, I felt the space close in with the incantations and expand gloriously as chorus, orchestra, and singers approach a climax then fade at the end. I never—not once—thought to myself, 'This is great, but it would be even better in multichannel.'" On Black Dahlia, a 12-part symphonic suite by Bob Belden, "The Blades' expansive view went well beyond immersive. It was transporting. Play it loud to complete the illusion and be consumed by the music."
Another tight vote, in a category packed with strong contenders. The KEF Blade Two Meta—which is affordable for a world-class loudspeaker, at $28,000/pair—received two votes more than the second-place finisher, the much more expensive Wilson Alexx V. The Estelon Forza, which on the strength of Mikey's review alone could have won this category some years, was a somewhat distant third.
