Reviews Inner Ear Model 2 Deluxe page 2
Inner Ear Model 2 Deluxe page 2
page 1 a granite stone and spike arrangement further reduces resonance to an inaudible level. Part of the technology—not just the appearance—is the high-polish piano finish applied over the veneered enclosure.This “bonds” the finish to the already resonance-diminished enclosures and assures a dependableenvironment for the loudspeakers’ internal components. The tweeter is a Vifa design and a Peerless midrange and woofer complete the Model Twos driver complement. Frequency response for the main speaker system isfrom 25Hz to 22kHz (-3dB). With the super Raven tweeter, the frequency response reaches up to 35kHz. Impedance is 4 ohms and sensitivity is around 90dBs—just about right for a single-endedamplifier, although they can handle oodles of solid state power.
The Sound:
Being highly efficient, we connected the Model Twos to the new Wyetech Labs Topaz power amplifier (reviewed in this issue) driven with the Opal preamplifier (reviewed in Vol. 10 #2). The new Audio Aero CD Prestige as well as the Connoisseur CD-1 (see both reviews in the next issue) players served as source components andthe entire system was connected with Nordost Valhalla interconnects and speaker cables. This rather elaborate system turned out to be an amazing combination—synergy at its best. We began listening with the super tweeters connected. Our regular Red Book CDs fared very well and showed the system’s ability to render fullbodied bass, resolute to about 50Hz, but still potent to about 38Hz. The bass response, though remarkably melodious, didn’t tarnish the tonal balance within the midband where much of the musical material is handled. In fact, the Audio Reference speakers did a marvelous job recreating inner detail, tonal textures and space/time related elements. Though quite large enclosures, the speakers had no trouble recreatingan exquisitely carved three-dimensional image on a wide and deep sound stage. The upper midrange segmentfrom about 2kHz to 5kHz is especially distinct, perhaps a touch forward in nature, but ever-sorevealingwithout diminishing the music’s essential harmonics. Top frequencies were in line with the midrange, sounding very smooth on most program material—better with small ensembles like quartets and sextets than with very large orchestral works. We then disconnected the super tweeters and found that the highs became a bit more “tempered”. However, we quickly established that SACD playback did benefit from the super tweeters’ operation, making the all-round sound more complete with large orchestration. In other words, playing back wellproduced CDs is almost a requirement if one wishes to achieve the full potential of the ARs. For another, more reasonably priced system combination, we connected the Marantz integrated amplifier (reviewed in this issue) and found it to be a sensible component to drive the efficient ARs. Though not as readily perceived,all the above-mentioned elements were quite noticeable—although to a lesser extent. This simply means that the loudspeakers will deliver the “kind of sound” produced by the amplifier, so budget and choice of amplification will determine the final sound.
Synopsis & Commentary:
In a market saturated with loudspeakers in all price categories, it is refreshing to see a small qualityoriented company take on the big guns in the industry. It must be said here that most large loudspeaker manufacturers do not invest time and money to match that invested in designs by small(ish) firms, as attention to detail becomes time consuming and costly. The loudspeakers under review took about two years to develop and, though predicated on contemporary technical science, they are a bit different from run-of-the-mill products. As expected from small companies, these loudspeakers weren’t designed and built to meet a price point, but rather, the manufacturers’ intention was to create a superb speaker with a limitedrun—no mass production here. We understand that much time was spent “voicing” the Model Twos—that’s listening, adjustment and modification and re-auditioning. The final stage took about eight months before the designer approved the manufacturing process. Like most loudspeakers, the enclosures are made by cabinet makers who are as attentive to refinement as the people who designed the electronics system. We determined the loudspeakers’ ability to perform well with different amplifiers (solid state and single-ended), so it is up to the end-user to find a suitable amplifier—able to provide the sound you like. The Model Twos are sophisticated designs that combine technology with the intended goal—the faithful reproduction of music.
The Sound:
Being highly efficient, we connected the Model Twos to the new Wyetech Labs Topaz power amplifier (reviewed in this issue) driven with the Opal preamplifier (reviewed in Vol. 10 #2). The new Audio Aero CD Prestige as well as the Connoisseur CD-1 (see both reviews in the next issue) players served as source components andthe entire system was connected with Nordost Valhalla interconnects and speaker cables. This rather elaborate system turned out to be an amazing combination—synergy at its best. We began listening with the super tweeters connected. Our regular Red Book CDs fared very well and showed the system’s ability to render fullbodied bass, resolute to about 50Hz, but still potent to about 38Hz. The bass response, though remarkably melodious, didn’t tarnish the tonal balance within the midband where much of the musical material is handled. In fact, the Audio Reference speakers did a marvelous job recreating inner detail, tonal textures and space/time related elements. Though quite large enclosures, the speakers had no trouble recreatingan exquisitely carved three-dimensional image on a wide and deep sound stage. The upper midrange segmentfrom about 2kHz to 5kHz is especially distinct, perhaps a touch forward in nature, but ever-sorevealingwithout diminishing the music’s essential harmonics. Top frequencies were in line with the midrange, sounding very smooth on most program material—better with small ensembles like quartets and sextets than with very large orchestral works. We then disconnected the super tweeters and found that the highs became a bit more “tempered”. However, we quickly established that SACD playback did benefit from the super tweeters’ operation, making the all-round sound more complete with large orchestration. In other words, playing back wellproduced CDs is almost a requirement if one wishes to achieve the full potential of the ARs. For another, more reasonably priced system combination, we connected the Marantz integrated amplifier (reviewed in this issue) and found it to be a sensible component to drive the efficient ARs. Though not as readily perceived,all the above-mentioned elements were quite noticeable—although to a lesser extent. This simply means that the loudspeakers will deliver the “kind of sound” produced by the amplifier, so budget and choice of amplification will determine the final sound.
Synopsis & Commentary:
In a market saturated with loudspeakers in all price categories, it is refreshing to see a small qualityoriented company take on the big guns in the industry. It must be said here that most large loudspeaker manufacturers do not invest time and money to match that invested in designs by small(ish) firms, as attention to detail becomes time consuming and costly. The loudspeakers under review took about two years to develop and, though predicated on contemporary technical science, they are a bit different from run-of-the-mill products. As expected from small companies, these loudspeakers weren’t designed and built to meet a price point, but rather, the manufacturers’ intention was to create a superb speaker with a limitedrun—no mass production here. We understand that much time was spent “voicing” the Model Twos—that’s listening, adjustment and modification and re-auditioning. The final stage took about eight months before the designer approved the manufacturing process. Like most loudspeakers, the enclosures are made by cabinet makers who are as attentive to refinement as the people who designed the electronics system. We determined the loudspeakers’ ability to perform well with different amplifiers (solid state and single-ended), so it is up to the end-user to find a suitable amplifier—able to provide the sound you like. The Model Twos are sophisticated designs that combine technology with the intended goal—the faithful reproduction of music.