search

Description: Three-way, floor-standing loudspeaker. Drive-units: 0.75" silk-dome tweeter, 6.5" polypropylene-cone midrange unit, two 8" coated paper-cone woofers. Frequency range: 23Hz–40kHz. Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 6.85 ohms at 28Hz (Direct position), 8.5 ohms, 7.3 ohms minimum at 200Hz (HT position). Sensitivity: 91dB/2.83V/m.
Dimensions: 47.5" (1320mm) H by 8.125" (208mm) W (front) by 11.125" (285mm) W (rear) by 18" (460mm) D. Weight: 100 lbs (45.5kg).
Finishes: Figured Anigre, Tiger Cherry, American Black Walnut.
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed:…

Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Simon Yorke S7 turntables; Graham Phantom, Continuum Cobra, Da Vinci (10.5") tonearms; Lyra Titan Stereo & Mono, Graham Nightingale, Dynavector DRT-XV-1 cartridges.
Digital Sources: Musical Fidelity kW SACD player, Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder.
Preamplification : Manley Steelhead, Audio Research PH-5, Art Audio Vinyl Reference, Trigon Advance phono preamplifiers; Musical Fidelity kWP preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Musical Fidelity kW monoblocks, Music Reference RM-200.
Loudspeakers:…

My estimate of the DeVore Silverback Reference's voltage sensitivity was slightly but insignificantly below the manufacturer's specification, at 89.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is still usefully higher than average. With the rear-panel switch in the Direct position, the impedance magnitude remained at or above 6 ohms across almost the entire audioband (fig.1), with a generally low electrical phase angle. This speaker is definitely an easy load for an amplifier to drive. With the switch in the Home Theater position, the impedance is significantly different below 500Hz or…

Editor: I'd like to thank Michael Fremer for his impressively thorough and insightful review of our flagship speaker. We had a feeling a true music-lover like Mr. Fremer would have fun with the Silverback, but he really dove in and "saw" the true nature of the Silverback Reference. We couldn't be happier with the review unless, of course, he had reviewed them before the big Wilsons. :^)

We'd like to assure current owners of the Silverback Reference that no change has been made to the speaker since its official debut at the Home Entertainment show…

Hoist a high five…

But outside of our tight little audiophile community, high-end audio is virtually unknown—I'm sure at least 98 out of 100 of the Carnegie Hall or Blue Note jazz club faithful are clueless about even the most prominent high-end brands. To succeed, those companies must not only…

Lyric Hi-Fi & Video, 1221 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10028. Tel: (212) 439-1900. 146 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601. Tel: (914) 949-7500. Web: www.lyricusa.com.

Steve Guttenberg: You've been at this for more than four decades, so it's not too much of a stretch to say that you practically invented the art of high-end retailing.

Michael Kay: I think I brought a lot of people into this. I love music and art and equipment. I loved music first, and then I got involved with the equipment. And here I am, 78 years old, and I'…

Sound by Singer, Ltd., 18 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003. Tel: (212) 924-8600. Web: www.soundbysinger.com.

Steve Guttenberg: Andy, you've had the audiophile disease for ages.

Andrew Singer: Absolutely! I've been a rabid audiophile since I picked up some used Mac tube gear in 1964. Back then, I was an aspiring rock'n'roll musician, but too little talent and a dose of reality sent me to law school and I got a real job. I couldn't stand it, and after three years I quit. I started Sound by Singer in 1978 because I loved music and…

Innovative Audio Video Showrooms, 150 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10155. Tel: (212) 634-4444. 76 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201. Tel: (718) 596-0888. Web: www.innovativeaudiovideo.com.

Steve Guttenberg: Elliot, how—or, better yet, why did you start Innovative Audio?

Elliot Fishkin: I started Innovative Audio in 1971 to feed my audiophile hobby, and as an alternative to going to graduate school. More than that, I wanted to create an enduring business that helped entertain people and promoted the arts. That really…