14 DAY TRIAL // "Audiophile" may be one thing and "expensive" a completely different one: the fact is that when you combine those two, very interesting results are produced. If there is any limit? I doubt it! This limitation could come the moment we decide to leave diamonds and other crap aside and concentrate on the tech rather than on pimp-glamour.
Now, there are a lot of people who can and will spend enormous cash on such devices - why? I can't tell for sure and after all, it's their money, so if they want to throw it away on gear like this, luck shines on the producers!
Diehard fans of exquisite audio gear, show-off posers or people that are unable to find a better destination for the money, the buyers of such equipment definitely have what to show around. Let's take a look at some expensive stuff..
First of all, from the world-renowned JBL come the Mt. Everest speakers. 142Kg of demented audiophile power, blasting 500W across your livingroom. Now, don't think that the JBL Everest is just some loud sound machine you'd meet almost everywhere.
It is so mean that it can throw a deep, oily bass throughout any of the largest conference rooms or make crystals ring with its shimmering highs in any ballroom.
Heavy reinforcement bracing has been engineered on the inside so the casing could handle the massive air flow-thump of two 15" speakers; all in the traditional JBL style - classy, wooden enclosures coming in a lot of color varieties, top-shelf speakers guaranteed to run in perfect conditions for a very long time. And of course, the (as well traditional) JBL pricing: a staggering, "I still can't believe my eyes" $30.000 for a pair.
JBL rocks the stages and congress-rooms of the world and makes the heads of the competition bow in respect in the audio field, just as Ferrari inspires respect, even fear, in the auto world. And simply inspires, when it comes to design. DWV thought that if Ferrari can do it, why couldn't a speaker stand act the same?
Thus, a Ferrari Art.Engine speaker was born. A tall, red (also available in grey, silver and black), menacing structure embedding one true pile of speakers. 16 of them. Air-cooled by means of Ferrari racing air intakes, but with a subwoofer which can't pump below 40Hz, well above the human ear's lower limit.
The Ferrari Art.Engine has WiFi connectivity only: no RCA, no jacks, no optical, just "air". LED indicators will tell you whether the unit is on or the connection is working while the powering-up is made by pressing a very rally, vintage red button atop of the speaker, designed in the exact manner as the RUN button on older race cars. So far, besides the hails for aesthetic aspects, the Ferrari hasn't had too much appreciation for the inner workings; nevertheless, we can't say it's a bad one. I mean, no one would buy $20K bad gear... isn't that right?
Finally, a new example of blending vintage gear with killer modern technology is the first tube-amped set of iPod speakers. Hammacher Schlemmer thought about this, done it and sold out every piece in stock. Indeed, even if it may sound weird, the just under $4,000 speakers are sold out and a new buyer would better phone the producer and make some reservations for the future.
The aluminium-encased class A tube amplifier delivers one of the world's warmest sound possible, as serious audiophiles claim. The fact that vacuum tubes have the best and richest dynamics around is well known by all sound enthusiasts: combine this with the quality of the sonic output delivered by the iPod and the result is easy to portray.
If you're curious how the $4000 limit was reached, here are some inside-specs: the speakers' dual cone has been especially designed for this device so you won't be able to find them anywhere else. Each unit has a synchronized chassis to prevent useless vibration and out-of-phase sound; even more, triple-core wires bring the analog-amped signal to the speakers connected with gold-plated hardware. The red glow of the tubes in full throttle completes the specs of the Triode-Tube iPod Speakers from Hammacher Schemmer.
Again, as soon as they are available again, for just $3,999 they can be all yours.
Photos credited to Hammacher Schlemmer, DWV and JBL.
