IT all boils down to bass, in the end … as the new Audience flagship speakers illustrate. The original ClairAudient 16+16 was a fine pair of boxes, but flatlined down to just 80Hz, thus requiring a sub to add low-octave pizzazz to its delivery.
The Mark II version of this speaker, which Audience has just launched, sees eight 16×9-inch passive radiators added to the packaged, allowing a fuller range response, from 30Hz all the way up to 22kHz.
The designed is described by the American company as a true full-range, one-way, bi-pole loudspeaker, using proprietary drivers. Each cabinet stands six-feet tall and radiates sound from the front and rear, true to bi-pole principles. They’re not cheap at US$72,000 per pair, but you get a choice of exotic wood finishes – high-end ear and eye candy, for sure. Handcrafted in the US of A, too.
Audience says the Mark II flagship delivers “an unprecedented combination of ultra high resolution, coherence, ultra wide dynamics, tonal accuracy and precise imaging”, achieving “even greater transparency and a seamless sonic presentation with deep bass, a natural and involving midrange and detailed yet smooth extended high frequencies.” One would certainly expect all these from speakers in this neck of the woods.
