AUDIONOSTRUM FROM BARCELONA PRESENTS THE TITAN MONITOR LUXURY SERIES
BURMESTER X ROBBE & BERKING PRESENT LIMITED EDITION ANNIVERSARY DESIGNS
Burmester X Robbe & Berking present limited edition anniversary designs of BC150 speaker, the 111 musiccenter, and the 218 power amplifier, with silver accents.
BOYER AUDIO MAKE WADAX ATLANTIS REFERENCE RANGE AVAILABLE AT LOTUS HIFI
Lotus HiFi of London, in conjunction with distributors Boyer Audio, bring Wadax Atlantis Reference digital equipment to the UK.
WORLD PREMIERES AT AUDIO SHOW DELUXE FOR BOYER WITH KROMA ATELIER
High-End audio distributor Boyer Audio will be showcasing the Kroma Atelier Matilde floorstanding loudspeaker and Macbeth standmount loudspeakers at Audio Show Deluxe.
WORLD FIRST FROM LUXMAN AND DALI AT AUDIO SHOW DELUXE
DALI and Luxman will be showcasing a new Reference system which we are told will be on display for the first time anywhere in the world at Audio Show Deluxe 2024.
KEF TO EXHIBIT MUONS AT AUDIO SHOW DELUXE 2024
KEF, the legendary British loudspeaker manufacturer, has announced that it will be showing off their £200K, limited to 100 pairs, and range-topping MUON loudspeakers at Audio Show Deluxe 2024.
HIFI PIG VISITS HIGH END FRENCH HIFI BRAND METRONOME
Metronome Technologie are a high end French HiFi brand producing their beautiful products both under the Metronome name and the sister brand, Kalista. HiFi PiG’s Stu and Lin popped down to Toulouse to find out more about them and to hear the just launched new Kalista Mantax DAC.
AUDIO SHOW DELUXE 2023 REPORT
So it would seem that there is a new kid on the block with regards to the high-end and luxury audio show scene in the UK and despite this being this particular new kid’s first outing, we can take it that they are well-rounded and sophisticated.
BANG & OLUFSEN X TOM SELLERS AND SMALLBONE PICTURE-HOUSE POP-UP
For two weeks only, Bang & Olufsen is inviting Londoners to “lose themselves in an evening of cinematic indulgence” at the Smallbone Luxury Pavilion, in the heart of Knightsbridge.
MCINTOSH AND SONUS FABER IN IBIZA AT SIX SENSES SUSTAINABLE RESORT
McIntosh, Sonus faber and Six Senses Ibiza debut Live Cave music experiences More »
When we were asked to take the trip down Valence in the South East of France to visit APURNATM we naturally jumped at the chance. Not only is this an absolutely beautiful part of the world, situated as it is on the left bank of the Rhone and surrounded the Massif Central and the Ardèche hills to the west, and the Vercors Massif in the French Prealps to the east, but we were also going to be treated to a private and exclusive viewing and listen to APURNATM’s two hundred thousand euros (per stereo pair) Pure 200 amplifiers.
Spanish brand, Kroma Audio, has introduced a new finish available for its two models of speakers. This finish is entirely handmade by a Master Gilder, specialised in restoring the Easter procession floats, with authentic 24k gold leaf. Kroma say “This turns our speakers into true works of art with a unique aesthetic that accompanies the inimitable sound of Kroma Audio”. More »
As we’ve mentioned in the introductory blurb to this series of articles, beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder 
when it comes to Hifi equipment, but we think that the Avantgarde Trios will appeal to pretty much anyone with a passing interest in hifi and, dare we suggest, will also score highly on the WAF scale too. OK, they do look a little bit like something from another planet and they certainly don’t conform to the minimalist approach to high-end loudspeaker design, but then we think they look all the better for this.
The Avantgarde Trio is a three way spherical horn ‘satellite’ which is then complimented below 100Hz with active subwoofers or by 2 to 6 Basshorn modules.
Low- mid Frequencies on the Trio are handled by the 38” horn, which is driven by an 8” driver, the midrange (down to 600Hz) is dealt with by a 23” horn and the top end by a 7” horn. With only 4 passive crossover components the system delivers a very healthy 109dB sensitivity.
The Trio, even without the Basshorn modules, is certainly no shrinking violet and stands a full 1.67m in height and 
95cm in width. Each unit is also 83cm deep and so whilst the Trios are big, they aren’t huge, though they do weigh in at an impressive 56Kg each.
The Basshorn is an active bass system with a frequency response of 18 to 250 Hz. Each Basshorn is driven by two 12 inch long excursion drivers with 600 watts RMS. The mouth area of each Basshorn module is 9 ft squared. With six Basshorns in the system this offers a colossal 54 ft squared.
Whatever of the specifications and measurements (that’s not what this article series is about) the Avantgarde Trios certainly strike an impressive and impactful visual statement and they undoubtedly don’t try to hide themselves away from passing glances. With the f
ull compliment of 6 Basshorn modules the Trios will certainly dominate any room in which the lucky owner chooses to place them, but we feel there is a certain stunning beauty about the ensemble.
Eleven standard colours are available to further enhance the appearance of the already striking loudspeaker – from ‘Turmaline Vivid Black’ to ‘Ruby Brilliant Red’. The look of the Trios is certainly very contemporary, but we think that whether in an ultra-modern and minimalist apartment, or a more traditional living space, they are a statement piece that will get your visitors talking.
Now, there are options and the trio is available in either the standard ‘one-on-top-of-the-other arrangement’, or the curved ‘Trio Classico’ curved frame… though this is a $2400 option atop the, already not insubstantial, $68 000 for the standard Trio with the standard subs. Add the full compliment of six Basshorn modules and, let’s face it who wouldn’t want to do this, you get the price up to a bank-balance-busting $163 000…plus another $6000 if you want a customised colour. These are luxury items and luxury hifi comes at a price. Would they be on my short list if I had the money…oh yes!
