Stephen Mejias

I was excited to receive news of YG Acoustics' new compact loudspeaker line, the Kipod. Designer Yoav Geva says, "In small-to-medium sized rooms [cue wood floors and exposed-brick walls –Ed.], and wherever a high 'Spouse Acceptance Factor' is required, the Kipod is a perfect solution."

Is he talking to me? I've learned recently that this SAF or WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor), as it is sometimes called, is a very real thing. My sweetheart, though incredibly discerning and tech-savvy, still trips over speaker cables and says curious things like, "I just don't understand why. If we're not listening to music, why do the speakers have to be so far out into the room? Can't we shove them over into the corner for awhile?"

I, of course, suffering from generalized anxiety, depression, secure base attachment, OCD, and other things, am just a wee bit reluctant to change. Give me a moment, however, and I realize that she's got a good point. While I'm at it, I might just put up new curtains, too.

Anyway. The new YG Acoustics speaker is said to offer the same technologies and materials of the cost-no-object Anat Reference, sacrificing only quantity but no quality.

The Kipod appears to share the Anat's "aircraft aluminum" cabinetry and modular design. Buyers can start with the Kipod's main module and dedicated stand, and later add the "Studio" subwoofer base, and "Subsonic Filter." The Kipod's main module, housing tweeter and "mid-woofer," measures 15.75" H by 6.75" W by 13" D in comparison to the Anat's 19.75" by 7.75" by 19.75".

Though the speaker may be somewhat compact, the price is not small. The complete system with main module and subwoofer will retail for $38,000/pair. The main module alone will run $17,000/pair. (Yoav wasn't talking to me, after all.) The official launch of the Kipod is scheduled for the upcoming CES. I'm looking forward to it.

YG Acoustics currently serves the US market from two locations: their own showroom in Arvada, CO, and through a dealer called Complete Production in California.