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Devialet

Wharfedale

DiVoom

* photo from prisjkt.nu

I've been bit once more by the high fidelity bug, and this time I'm paying attention to active speaker systems with wireless technology.  For such a long time, I've stayed with passive speakers and I haven't explored much of the newer techie stuff, but a recent visit to Rustan's made me think otherwise.  I picked up a reasonably priced Divoom Onbeat 500 bluetooth speaker (approximately P4,000) which gave great sound.   Good bass response. Crisp vocals. Considering that a lot of tonal quality is lost during wireless transfers, I think the quality isn't bad at all.

Cambridge Audio

I've been an audio buff since my high school years, and this time I'm excited about the network players, which can play high quality music from practically all kinds of digital sources, even from the internet.  I saw an online review of Cambridge Audio's Azur 851N (shown above), which sounds very interesting.  Maybe I should head over to Trinoma for a demo?

Beogram 4000

It was the toast of its time.  My Beogram 4000 turntable from Bang & Olufsen was one of the top-end linear or tangential track players, and the crisp beauty of vinyl music was never as pronounced as when it would play.  Operating it was like a dream come true.  It was first introduced in 1972, and was so gorgeously designed that the space age look was the envy of a lot of vinyl purists.  I loved it so much that even when CD music started to overtake vinyl, I continued to use it.  I went so far as to request friends from Hong Kong to purchase MMC (Moving Micro Cross) needle cartridges for me, just to keep it going.  Alas, I switched it on last week and it no longer works.  Such a devastating loss to my hi-fi collection, just when vinyl is starting to make a comeback!

Bowers & Wilkins

I went to take a close look at a 7.1 audio installation of Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers, driven by an Onkyo receiver.  Mind-blowing experience, especially with Dolby Atmos switched on.  Loved every minute of it.  While internally debating on whether such a system was appropriate for my proposed AV room, I was able to take a quick look at a write-up of the B&W Nautilus loudspeakers (shown above).  Such a lovely lady to look at, it is touted to be the perfect loudspeaker!  I wish I could hear the performance...