Clarion Drz9255
Imagine a source unit that not only plays your various kinds of media but also packs a signal processing punch. That's what Clarion's DRZ9255 ($1,400) offers. Its Burr-Brown Advanced Segment 24-Bit Digital-to-Analog Converter with a 96kHz digital anti-imaging filter recreates music without any phase shift or attenuation for smooth, life-like and detailed sound. The accuracy of the time alignment, parametric equalization and built-in crossovers make it easy to tune your system just how you like. Other high-end features include the copper-plated chassis, which minimizes the creation of electrical currents that could distort the signal, and an external DC-DC power converter, which keeps noise out and allows for great sound.
www.clarion.com
Focal Utopia Be No 6
Beryllium is seven times stiffer than titanium and aluminum, has extreme lightness and damping characteristics and costs 100 times more than titanium. For a few thousand, you can get a high-priced, high-end wonder material for a tweeter, and that's what Focal uses in their Be No 6 component set. The tweeter teams up with a woofer that features a special aluminum alloy frame and highly engineered voice coil. Even under high stress it has extremely low distortion. Lastly comes the crossover-Focal's Crossblock, which provides 4,480 possible combinations of filtering and is still easy to use. All parts of the system work together to create smooth, realistic sound.
www.focal-america.com
Genesis P15
This Gordon Taylor design pulls together the finest technologies available to reproduce nearly flawless music in this limited edition Genesis P15 ($7,000) Class A amplifier with a tube front-end. Russian-built 6H30Pi tubes were used for their ability to withstand severe punishment making them perfect for the automotive environment. Using Class A+G circuitry, the amp's OnSemi "Thermaltrak" series transistors configure to run in Class A up to 30 watts per channel RMS and run to 200 watts per channel RMS in Class AB. An acrylic top cover adds visual highlights by exposing the warm glow of the tubes within while the heatsink is highlighted by individually machined 4mm thick aluminum plates supported pillars turned from solid billets. The amp weighs in at roughly 50 pounds. Only 100 P15s will be built, each individually numbered.
www.genesis-ice.com
JL Audio 13W3V3
Like all W3v3 subwoofers from JL Audio, the 13W3v3 ($330) operates in compact sealed enclosures from 1.5 to 1.75ft3 and ported enclosures of 2.25 to 2.5ft3. What makes the 13W3v3 special in comparison to the 12" W3v3 is that the 13.5" size lets it deliver 50 percent more linear displacement. The generous airspace requirements and the woofer's ability to provide clean bass and powerful output at medium levels (up to 600 watts RMS), makes this a woofer for everyman. It features long linear excursion capability and DMA-optimized motor systems to minimize distortion. With a variety of impedance versions and the ability to customize the mounting flange, plus JL Audio's signature sound, this bargain sub has a look and version to please anyone.
www.jlaudio.com