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REVIEW: Renaissance Audio Group Duet Speakers

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Model: Duet
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $1,200 - $1,800
Description: Stand Mount / Bookshelf Speaker
Manufacturer URL: Renaissance Audio Group
Model Picture: View

Review by I.Milner on February 09, 2016 at 00:25:04
IP Address: 79.181.67.166
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Renaissance Audio Group "Duet" Bookshelf Speakers Review
I.Milner, 2.2016

Technically, this is meant to be a review of the Renaissance Audio Group "Duet" bookshelf speakers. But as a such it will probably be quite an unusual one, belonging perhaps to some parallel yet different genre - one I struggle to give a precise definition to. For a lack of a more adequate description it can perhaps be called a story of a strange audio-romance.

How so? Well, the funny thing is that I received my Duets just a couple of weeks ago. But our history goes back at least 6-7 years. At the time, I was in an arduous and torturous process of building the most musical audio system possible with quite a modest budget. I had to go through many different amplifiers, speakers, sources, cables, etc'. I learned from mistakes. And sadly enough there were many. Finally at some point I was lucky enough to find an amazing integrated amplifier that was everything I wanted it to be. Basically it just sang. It was "Sonneteer Alabaster". "Sonneteer" is a small esoteric and little known British manufacturer, and almost everyone that has a chance to hear their amps falls in love with them. So did I.

So I had finally settled on an amp. But I still needed to find the right speakers. Bookshelf speakers. This was even harder. Many speakers came and went, a lot of money spent, and a whole lot of grief. At some point I stumbled on "Renaissance Audio Group" speakers and they looked very interesting. I started searching for more information about this manufacturer. I was able to find a couple of very favorable reviews and a few conversations on different forums that mentioned Mikhael Shabani - the owner of "Renaissance Audio Group". People were saying how kind, modest and helpful Mikhael was. The recurrent theme was that Mikhael builds great speakers that do not receive the attention they deserve, and offers them at much lower prices than the competition. All the people who had bought speakers from Mikhael were singing their and Mikhael's praises. They were saying he is always ready to answer any question, give explanation, address any kind of issue a potential buyer might have. But not only a potential buyer - Mikhael was not after money - he was always happy to share his experience and communicate with people who love music. And this drew my attention.

One quick glance at "Renaissance Audio Group" internet site can basically tell you what they are all about. There is nothing flashy, glamorous or pretentious there. Nothing that is supposed to show you how classy, sophisticated and debonair they are. Everything is to the point, nothing more than what is needed. No boosting, no bragging, no fancy talk. A no-nonsense approach. I like that.

Then I started reading more about the drivers "Renaissance Audio Group" were making - their woofers and tweeters. It came as a surprise to me that many higher-class speaker manufacturers are using them. Manufacturers like "Merlin", "Triad" and even "Eggleston". And "Eggleston" build speakers that sell for tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Indeed the best of "Renaissance Audio Group" elements were not cheap at all. There had to be something to it.

So I figured that "Renaissance Audio Group" best bookshelf speakers - the "Duet" - speakers that incorporate their best drivers had to be very, very good. Yet the price was only 1800$. It is not a small sum of money for an average person to pay for a speaker, but if you are familiar with the territory of high-end audio gear you must realize that it is quite modest in comparison to other offers. Also, I liked the looks of the "Duet" from the first sight - they had an unusual and very interesting form. And it was clear to me that there was a lot of thought behind it.

The only problem was that I was living nowhere near where "Renaissance Audio Group" resides, and nowhere near any dealer or store that might have their speakers. And I did not want to order the speakers without listening to them first. So I had to find something else. And finally I had found speakers that were up to my standards - I was able to put my hands on a very decent pair of used "Sonus Faber" speakers. The quest was over.

So for the next couple of years I had my "Sonus Faber". All was fine until they decided to quit on me a few months ago. For me it was almost a tragedy. I had to start the chase all over again. But then suddenly the "Duet" came to my mind and I simply decided I wanted them. I have had a chance to listen to Renaissance Audio Group "Prelude" floor standing speakers and really loved what I heard. So I decided to take a gamble and order the "Duet".

Boy, did it pay off. I am very, very glad I've had the gut to take the risk.

Ah, I forgot to give some background on myself. Basically, I listen to all kinds of music. Just about any style you can think of. You name it - I listen to it. Also, I am a collector of classical vocal and opera. I've been collecting the recordings of classical vocalists for more than 15 years and have a huge collection, so massive I can barely manage it. I've also been studying and researching the history of European opera from the beginning of the 20th century and have published a few articles on this topic. Also, for many years I've been remastering old 78' recordings. So you can trust me when I say I know how vocals are supposed to sound.

And finally we come to the speakers themselves. How do they sound? Well, first of all, the sound is three-dimensional, full-bodied and weighty. These speakers always resound with great authority and control yet never force the music. The drive and musicality are excellent. When it comes to bass, I must come clean and admit I am not a huge fan of too much bass. I do not have a subwoofer, nor do I need one. In the bass department these speakers are more than enough for me. The bass is punchy and hefty enough, and comes just in the right measure. Overall, these speakers deliver an exceptionally live, rich, full, lush and succulent sound, with noble reservedness, finesse and elegance.

But perhaps the greatest attribute of the Duet, and something that seems to define its general sound signature and character, is its overall coherence, the consistency with which it, so to speak, keeps everything just in the right measure and at the right place, never exaggerating nor understating, never distorting or sounding out of balance, always succeeding in keeping the smallest of detail an integral part of the greater picture, not breaking the music down to its elements, but presenting it as a cohesive whole.

Another basic signature of the sound is its consistent smoothness and softness. The sound can probably be described as silky. These speakers can really spoil you - you can listen to them for hours on end with absolutely no fatigue. But I must add that this is not achieved by "smoothing down" the small details, in fact it's the exact opposite - these speakers retrieve the smallest of inner detail.

What speakers can I compare these to? "Merlin" TSM comes immediately to my mind. After all they use "Renaissance Audio Group" elements. And everyone knows Merlin TSM is a legendary speaker to which all others are compared. How does the "Duet" stand this comparison? Well, I can honestly say that in my humble opinion they belong to the same league. But the most basic of the Merlin TSM models will cost you more than 3000$. You draw the conclusion.

The price tag on these is 1800$. At this price it is a steal. I would venture to say these speakers would still be a good deal at 3000$. So if you're after a decent pair of bookshelf speakers, give these a try and you will not be disappointed.

Mikhael Shabani
Renaissance Audio Group
46 Rockledge Road,
Newton MA, 02461 USA
Tel: 617-277-6663 or 617-549-0567
www.renaudio.com
Email: info@renaudio.com


Product Weakness: none noted
Product Strengths: Control, musicality, richness of sound, elegance, coherence, smoothness, detail


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Sonneteer Alabaster
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Arcam
Speakers: Renaissance Audio Group
Cables/Interconnects: QED
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Many
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Renaissance Audio Group Duet Speakers - I.Milner 00:25:03 02/9/16 ( 26)