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The fully balanced crossover network—with crossover frequencies at 100Hz, 600Hz, and 5kHz—uses the highest-quality, best-sounding components Vandersteen could find. Richard V. said he was surprised by the differences in sound quality different types of connectors made; after trying all of the types commercially available, he decided to make his own. His biwirable terminals, mounted in a barrier strip with machined Teflon insulation, are positioned so that the connectors can be soldered directly to the crossover board, which is located directly behind the terminal panel, inside the cabinet.…
Soundstages were as wide and deep as was appropriate to the program material, but their height was less than fully realized—not surprising, given the Model Seven's height of only 3' 8". Still, the sonic pictures extended well north of 44", just as their width and depth pushed well beyond the physical boundaries of the baffles—but if you're used to line-source arrays—or tall, well-integrated speakers, as I am—the low ceiling of the Sevens' soundstage will be noticeable. That single minor limitation is easily forgotten, however, given the clarity, coherence, and transparency of the three-…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Four-way loudspeaker with powered subwoofer. Drive-units: ¾" rear-firing aluminum-alloy dome tweeter; 1" dual-chamber, carbon-fiber sandwich, composite-dome tweeter; 4.5" carbon-fiber/balsa composite-cone midrange unit; 7" carbon-fiber/balsa sandwich composite-cone midbass unit; 12" dual-motor, push-pull aluminum-cone subwoofer. Subwoofer amplifier: built-in, 400W, with 11-band room-response compensation. Frequency response: 22Hz–40kHz, ±2dB. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms (+4, –0.5 ohms). Sensitivity: 83.5dB/W/m.
Dimensions: 44" (1117.6mm) H by 14" (…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Cobra, and Castellon turntable, tonearm, and stand; Graham Phantom II tonearm; Oracle Delphi Mk.VI turntable, Oracle/SME tonearm; Lyra Titan i, Ortofon MC A90, Transfiguration Orpheus cartridges.
Digital Sources: Camelot Roundtable DAC, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder, Sooloos music server.
Preamplification: Manley Steelhead, Einstein Turntable's Choice, Sutherland The Hubble, AMR PH-77 phono preamplifiers; darTZeel NHB-18NS preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Musical Fidelity Titan.
…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Other than the in-room and nearfield measurements, for which I used an Earthworks QTC-40, the quasi-anechoic measurements of Vandersteen's Model Seven were all performed using DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone. The Seven has a low specified voltage sensitivity of 83.5dB/2.83V/m; my estimate of the figure was within experimental error of the specification, at 84dB(B)/2.83V/m. As well as requiring an amplifier capable of swinging enough volts to play at high levels, the Seven also needs high currents, especially with its rear tweeter…
I was looking out the window. I was waiting for the plane to take off. I was wearing Monster Cable's Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones ($349.95). I was listening to Pens' burning, fuzzed-out, 27-minute onslaught, Hey Friend, What You Doing? (320kbps MP3; LP, De Stijl IND071). I was shouting with sudden shock and pain.
"Ow! What?"
My brother-in-law had reached across the aisle and punched me in the leg. He'd been trying to get my attention for a while.
"How do the headphones sound?"
"They sound good, jerk. I couldn't hear a thing you were saying." Apparently, the…
Everything is designed to be pleasing to the touch. Even the case's zipper handle is smooth and soft. To the left of the headphones, a second compartment contains the quick-start guide, warranty, and an effective antimicrobial cleaning cloth. The Beats' high-gloss finish smudges easily—you will get fingerprints on these headphones. However, the new, hot-looking white version may be less prone to smudging. Also included is a 1/8"-to-1/4" adapter and Monster iSoniTalk cable, compatible with iPhones, Blackberries, and other music-enabled cell phones. I didn't use the iSoniTalk, but I can see…
Finally, I played a lossless file of Espers' "That Which Darkly Thrives," from last year's III (CD, Drag City DC416). Here, interestingly, voices were rendered appropriately: They sounded lovely and ethereal, and seemed to float above everything in a way that even my stereo can't manage. In my review of this album, I highlighted the "groaning bass and cello runs that lift the listener from the ground." Compared to my memory of that sensation as conveyed through my hi-fi, the Beats came up short, however, sounding slightly diffuse and not nearly as impactful. Bass, overall, had a distinctly…
Low-level resolution was also greater with the Phiatons. Valet's "Rainbow" opens with a whispered vocal from Honey Owens that the Phiatons zoomed in on and embraced; in fact, Owens' voice throughout the track was clearer, more human, more present—unambiguous pluses.
Looking back . . .
. . . at the listening habits I fell into with the Beats, I clearly gravitated toward music that offered aggressive imaging, an area in which the Monsters excelled. I therefore decided to do a few more listening tests, using songs in different genres of music.
I began this time with the…
Sidebar: Specifications
Description: Binaural, noise-canceling headphones. Frequency range: 20Hz–20kHz. Sensitivity: 115dB/V. Cable: Monster Cable Quadripole, four-twisted-pair construction. Cord: 1.3m, straight, left side.
Weight: 9.2oz (260.8gm), excluding cable.
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: 190003-00.
Price: $349.95. Approximate number of dealers: gazillions.
Manufacturer: Monster Cable Products, Inc., 455 Valley Drive, Brisbane, CA 94005. Tel: (415) 840-2000. Fax: (415) 468-0311. Web: www.monstercable.com.