Sidebar 1: Review System
Associated equipment used for this review included the SOTA Cosmos turntable and SME V tonearm, Krell KC-100, Clearaudio Gamma, and Benz-Micro MC-3 cartridges, California Audio Labs Aria II CD player, Klyne SK-5a preamplifier, and Mark Levinson No.23, Forté 1a, and VTL 90/90 power amplifiers.
Interconnects were the Monster M-1000 (CD to preamp) and AudioQuest Lapis (early version) (preamp to power amp). Speaker cables were AudioQuest Green (bass) and Green Hyperlitz (treble) (bi-wire mode) and Monster M-1 (intermittently, single wire mode).
Before…
Sidebar 2: Measurements
Though SOTA specifies the Panorama as being an 8-ohm load, the speaker can be seen from fig.1 actually to drop somewhat lower than that, reaching a minimum value of 5.1 ohms at 135Hz and averaging 4.4 ohms in the top octave. This should not present amplifiers with problems unless, like the B&K ST-140, they have problems driving loads much below 8 ohms. That the damped slot on the speaker's base does not act as a reflex port can be shown by the fact that the impedance in the bass features the single peak typical of a sealed-box alignment.
… Manufacturer's Comment
Editor: There are comments in this review, both positive and negative, that are right on target. We have only a couple of major bones to pick with Tom Norton's subjective review, but we have many comments about John Atkinson's test methodology and interpretation of the measurements.
Tom Norton's taste in previous loudspeaker reviews has seemed to gravitate heavily toward systems that can deliver extended and generous bass, such as the B&W 801s he refers to at the beginning of the review. When compared to such systems, the Panoramas will admittedly be shy…
Sidebar 3: Specifications
Description: Two-way, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" concave-dome tweeter; 7" woofer. Frequency response: 45Hz–22kHz ±3dB. Sensitivity: 87dB/W/m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms (6 ohms min.). Amplifier requirements: 25W minimum. Power handling: 150W.
Dimensions: 16.5" H by 12" W by 11.5" D. Weight: 35 lbs each.
Price: $1595/pair in oak ($1795 in Black, $1895 in Ebony, Cocobola, and Brazilian Rosewood) (1990); no longer available (2015). Dedicated Sound Anchor stands: $350/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 50.
Manufacturer: SOTA Industries…
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Thursday, December 17, from 4–8pm, Audio Excellence (661 Chirslea Road, Unit 1, Vaughan, Ontario) will be hosting a special Nordost Event, "Cables, Power, and Accessories: How to get the most from your system." Throughout the evening, Nordost’s VP of North American Sales, Michael Taylor, will be presenting product demonstrations, making cable comparisons, and answering questions. Attendees will be able to take advantage of special pricing on Nordost products for the duration of the event!
Verdi: Aida
Anja Harteros, Aida; Eleonora Buratto, High Priestess; Jonas Kaufmann, Radames; Ekaterina Semenchuk, Amneris; Ludovic Tézier, Amonasro; Erwin Schrott, Ramfis; Marco Spotti, The King; Chorus & Orchestra of Santa Cecilia Academy Rome, Sir Antonio Pappano
Warner Classics 0825646106639 (3 CDs). 2015. Stephen Johns, prod.; Luca Padovano, Giancarlo Ianucci, Claudio Emili, Marco Emili, engs. DDD. TT: 2:26:45
Performance ****½
Sonics ****½
It has been a long time since we've had a big-budget, studio recording of Aida; in fact, the last was from 2001, and it was…
