Angelic Sound One (1): I have a Dream

As a self-described "practical audiophile", I’ve long dreamed of developing a pair of high-performance speakers that are also affordable. But what exactly defines "high-performance," and what counts as "affordable"?

To me, high-performance speakers should provide an immersive listening experience, one as close as possible to the feeling of being in a real-life setting. Affordability, on the other hand, means the speakers should cost no more than a quarter of what similar commercial, off-the-shelf models typically go for.

Defining True Sound

Listening is inherently subjective. To overcome personal biases, I need to establish a "control sample" - a standard for what I consider to be "true sound."

But what is true sound? I’ve developed a few guiding principles:

1. The Authenticity of Human Voices:
   Natural human voices should sound realistic across different settings.

2. The Faithfulness of Instrumental Music:
   Musical instruments should replicate the ambiance of their recording environments—be it the grandeur of a symphony in a concert hall or the intimacy of a performance in a church.

Human voices are easier to reference since I interact with them daily. Additionally, half of my family members are musicians, so I frequently enjoy live music at home, from piano and violin rehearsals to vocal and guitar performances.

Whenever possible, I attend live concerts in varied venues. During a recent family trip to Europe, I experienced two unforgettable performances: one at the Rudolfinum in Prague and the other at Erkel Theatre in Budapest. These moments were invaluable. In "music countries" like these, performances aim for uncompromising authenticity, paying full respect to their origins.

The Problem with My Current Setup

Currently, I own a pair of "vintage" B&W CDM9NT speakers. At nearly 20 years old, they’re still in excellent condition (though I did replace both tweeters after some accidental damage). They deliver excellent sound quality for vocals and strings. However, they fall short when it comes to providing the dynamic punch required for a wide soundstage, especially in my ~40-square-meter listening space.

I’ve attended Hi-Fi shows and listened to countless speaker demos including many in this year’s Melbourne Hi-Fi Show in October. Time and time again, I’m impressed by the sound quality of top-tier models - only to be shocked by the six-figure price tag such as the Sweden-made Marten Mingus Septet that is over the $200,000 mark.

Can I afford them? Technically, yes.
But do I believe that’s the best use of my money? Absolutely not.

The Dream

And so, the dream was born: a pair of speakers capable of delivering live-like, high-quality sound for a fraction of the market price.

The Challenge – Angelic Sound One

Achieving this lofty goal won’t be easy. It requires balancing craftsmanship, acoustic principles, and cost-effectiveness. But I’m determined to make it happen - and this blog will document that journey.

I’ve named the reference speaker ‘Angelic Sound One’.

(Photo: A performance by the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra in the Rudolfinum in Prague, Conductor Renaud Capuçon)