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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Konus Audio Systems Essence Speakers by Bacchman

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REVIEW: Konus Audio Systems Essence Speakers

67.35.4.115


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Model: Essence
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $3,500
Description: Single driver full-range floorstanders
Manufacturer URL: Konus Audio Systems
Manufacturer URL: Konus Audio Systems

Review by Bacchman ( A ) on January 15, 2004 at 14:11:29
IP Address: 67.35.4.115
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for the Essence


Well, I have owned these for about two months now and can only say that I am in awe of these speakers. I agree with everthing that member NGeorge said in his review prior to mine, so I won't bore you by repeating all he said. Instead I will make the following additions:

1) At $3500 new, they are both expensive and a bargain. Expensive because the cost of materials to build them is low; I would venture to say that these could be duplicated for half their price. As striking and well built as they are, they cetainly don't have the build quality of a $3500 pair of Sonus Fabers. However, as far as value goes, there is nothing, I mean nothing, that comes close to these sonically for $3500.

2) The bass will dumbfound you. Everyone who hears these speakers in my home not only comments on the fact that they are the best speakers they've ever heard, but keeps asking me where the subwoofer is. I sometimes need to ask myself the same question! The bass that these put out from a 4" driver seems to defy logic. I have NEVER felt a lack of bass with these.

3) Revealing? Yes, but not analytical. Although these aren't the best choice for hard rock or hip-hop, they do just fine with these kinds of music, certainly way better than any electrostats or lowther-type speakers can!

4) These are best for small rooms. I have owned a lot of speakers and although I won't say that these are unequivocaly the best speakers I have ever heard in my life I (but they are up there), they are unequivocally the best sub-$5000 speakers I've ever heard and by far the best speakers for small rooms I've eve heard, period. Wanna know the secret? They prefer being close to the wall! Really. 15"-20" is just perfect! Cannot comment on how they would sound in a large space.

5)Enough cannot be said about the soundstaging. When I listen with my eyes close, the soundstage extends to about ten feet beyond either speaker. And on certain recordings, the room absolutely disappears and the depth seems to go on forever.

6) As fantastic as this speaker is, let's remenber to give Ted Jordan his fair share of the credit; that little driver is AMAZING. I would love to see TED and Seid collaborate on some other projects like a center channel and some surrounds. I would love to own an all-Konus surround system!

To sum up, these are a stellar achivement. I would like to see this design principle further studied by others as well, instead of wasting their time on gee-wizz designs. One final note, as good as the 47 Labs OTA cable is, I have gotten much better results with Nordost Flatline Gold. I "hardwired" mine directly to the Jordan driver and the sound is simply awe-inspiring.


Product Weakness: Won't get me another glass of Glenmorangie.
Product Strengths: Everything


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Unison SR-1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Bel Canto DAC1
Speakers: Konus Audio Essence
Cables/Interconnects: Nordost/Nordost
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All
Room Size (LxWxH): 15 x 15 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: fairly soft room
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 mos.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Power Center 3500
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): N/A




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Topic - REVIEW: Konus Audio Systems Essence Speakers - Bacchman 14:11:29 01/15/04 ( 4)