Last July I reviewed the $4850/pair Hales System Two Signature loudspeakers and enthusiastically recommended them. In fact, they displaced the B&W 801 Matrix 2 as my reference loudspeaker, and have become a fixture in my listening room. Over the past seven months, my impressions of the Signatures have been largely confirmed: transparent and uncolored midrange, resolution of fine detail, precise imaging, superb transient abilities, and, most importantly, an ability to thoroughly involve the listener in the music. These qualities earned the Signature a Class A recommendation in Stereophile's "Recommended Components." I've greatly enjoyed the many hours spent with the Signatures.

Hales Audio makes another loudspeaker—the System Two reviewed here—that is very similar to the Signature, but much less expensive (footnote 1). Because the System Two is such a close relation to the Signature—it uses identical drivers, a nearly identical crossover, and similar cabinet construction—and costs nearly 2 kilobucks less, I was eager to hear what the smaller system had to offer. Because the Signature was recommendable at $4850, the System Two just might be a bargain at $3000 if it even came close to the Signature's musicality.

Vivian Girls's third full-length release, Share the Joy, will be available on April 12th, but you can pre-order it now. Get the LP with a free MP3 download for just $14; or get the LP on limited-edition teal vinyl with a free MP3 download for just $16; or get the LP, free download, and “I Heard You Say” seven-inch for $18; or get all of that, plus a cool American Apparel t-shirt and Vivian Girls button for $36.

Can you guess which offer I selected?

Pacific Northwest audio retailer Definitive Audio is holding its sixth Music Matters, "A Night of the Best in 2-Channel Audio," this coming Wednesday (February 9) at its Seattle location (6206 Roosevelt Way NE) from 5–10pm.

Appearing in person and each giving presentations lasting 30 minutes, will be representatives from Audio Research, Ayre Acoustics, B&W, Classé, Finite Elemente, GoldenEar, Harmonic Resolution, Linn, Meridian, Peachtree Audio, Transparent, and Wilson Audio, while Stereophile editor John Atkinson will be demonstrating the benefits of high-resolution audio and the evils of MP3, using the master files of some of his recordings.

Other highlights of Music Matters 6 will include the world debut of the new B&W PM1 Prestige Monitor loudspeaker, presented by its designer, Dr. John Dibb; Meridian's new DSP 3200 digital active bookshelf speaker system and the Media Core 200 digital music system; as well as the new VX-R stereo amplifier from Ayre. Audio Research will debut the Reference Anniversary Preamplifier; and Linn’s Gilad Tiefenbrun will introduce the updated Akurate DS system. Classé’s Dave Nauber will debut the new CP-800 digital preamplifier; HRS will present the MXR Reference stand; Transparent Audio’s Transparent’s Josh Clark and Karen Sumner will transport the audience in a musical time machine with a wide variety of music genres—classical, blues, jazz, rock, and contemporary independent music; and Sandy Gross of GoldenEar will demonstrate the Triton Two loudspeakers, which impressed the heck out of Stereophile's scribes at the 2011 CES.

Seating is limited, please RSVP to (206) 524-6633 or on-line at www.definitive.com. Light hors d'oeuvres & refreshments will be served.