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31 Secrets

NEWS
ITEM #1

In his April/May 2004 coverage of CES, The Absolute Sound Editor Robert Harley once again sings the praises of our German hornspeakers unequivocally [Issue 147]: ""I've long had a predisposition against horn loudspeakers, but my experience at the last two shows I've attended has completely reversed my impression. As described in my report from the Home Entertainment 2003 Show (TAS 143), Avantgarde's TRIO, driven by electronics from Balanced Audio Technology, wasn't just good, it was stunningly great.

Avantgarde's demo of its Super DUO loudspeaker system at this year's CES wasn't presented on such a grand scale (the room was MUCH smaller - note by Jim Smith), but nonetheless captivated me with its musicality and unique qualities that I simply don't hear from other loudspeakers. In addition to the effortless and seemingly unlimited dynamics for which horn loaded systems are famous, the Super DUO system had an intimate quality that made it seem as though the musicians were communicating directly with me.
The Super DUO did what high-performance audio systems are supposed to do: involve the listener in the music. Although the Super DUO system (the DUO augmented with a woofer cabinet) did the audiophile things right, it went beyond the standard checklist of sonic attributes to the next level of musical communication.

The Super DUOs were driven by all all-BAT system: VK-5D-SE CD player, VK-51SE linestage, and VK-51SE amplifiers. Other products in the system included room eq by Rives Audio, Cardas Cables, gorgeous isolation racks by Grand Prix Audio, and power conditioning by Running Springs."

ITEM #2

In a rare snapshot of what audiophiles really do in their spare time, an Indian Bollywood reporter by the name of Patel recently caught our own Jim Smith and his modified "Uga" Mini Cooper S on the racetrack, lifting its right hind leg off the blacktop while taking a corner at inspired speeds. Click on image for a full-size version.

ITEM #3

As seen in Steve Rochlin's EnjoyTheMusic show report [click on show logo to see the whole coverage], Avantgarde Acoustic displayed again at the Milan HiFi show which took place September 18-23, 2003 in the Quark hotel. Show goers enjoyed the sound of Avantgarde TRIOs, BASSHORNS and VTL amplifiers.

ITEM #4

The latest in our famous autobiographical series of ads will soon appear in The Absolute Sound! For a sneak preview on eating crow (sautéed style); turnip trucks; pushy Marketing Directors with a crazy vision; and people buying stuff we told everyone they wouldn't - click on the image to the right for the sad story that proved our own Jim Smith wrong and hordes of BASSHORN lovers right.Yes, they're expensive.Yes, they're big. And no, these are not good enough reasons to dissuade serious audiophiles from wanting the world's lowest-distortion, most dynamic bass. Don't say we didn't warn you...


ITEM #5

Invited by BAT whose principals own our hornspeakers, Avantgarde-USA participated in the Home Entertainment Show 2003 in San Francisco. In collaboration with Balanced Audio Technology, Cardas Audio and Running Springs Audio, we assembled a joint $200,000 statement system. It premiered the TRIO/BASSHORN combination for the West Coast and had attendees wait in line to hear it. Check out show report mentions by 6moons here while the latest Absolute Sound issue 143 includes some very favorable observations by Editor Robert Harley and Senior Contributing Editor Wayne Garcia. Harley admits that he finally got the allure of hornspeakers. He visited us twice and sat through two complete presentation to single out our exhibit as one of his two show favorites (click TAS cover to access verbatim commentary).


ITEM #6

Dear friends,
after months of serious research and developement, Matthias Ruff (our designer) has come up with the really ultimate in Avantgarde technology. The new SUPER TRIO features:

  • 1. unique WAVEGUIDE technology for the midrange horns
  • 2. all drivers + voice coils melted into 1 single piece of metal
  • 3. elegant and timeless matte finish of all horns

We take orders now.

Holger Fromme, president and marketing director,
Avantgarde Acoustics, Lautertal, Germany
ITEM #7

More Avantgarde coverage, seven new reviews, 88 installations.

In mid-March of 2003, we added seven new reviews to our Review page, six of which were especially translated for us and appear here in English for the first time ever: Two TRIO reviews, one DUO, one UNO, three SOLO - read how the experts continue to fall in love with our hornspeakers to make Avantgarde the most consistently praised speaker brand in the world!

More importantly, music lovers worldwide are installing them in their homes. Visit our much expanded Installations page to see a total of more than sixty new images of customer Avantgarde hornspeaker systems from around the globe.
ITEM #8
Avantgarde Acoustic goes electric.

Designer Matthias Ruff unveils the Model 5, a remote-controlled preamp/ integrated that offers 27 watts of Class A/AB power, ultra-short extreme wide-bandwidth circuitry with merely 5 active parts, five inputs (one configurable as an AV thru-put) and an attractive oval display with analog indicators for volume and inputs. Click here for pictures and description of this $3,970 marvel.
ITEM #9
The Avantgarde Acoustic SOLO wins the prestigious CES Innovations 2003 Design & Engineering Exhibition's Award.
Click on CES icon for details.
ITEM #10
Exclusive Interviews with Jim Smith
Srajan Ebaen of 6moons.com has published a lenghty interview.
ITEM #11

Full-range bass to 18Hz? From horns? From horns that don't weigh 2 tons and are bigger than a Viking freezer? From horns that are far too small for the job - save that a patent-pending compensation circuit defies the usual laws of physics? From horns with twin 12-inch woofer and 350-watt onboard amplification? From horns that are modular to allow a building block approach?

You bet. Power, speed, definition, transient fidelity and impact - all the way to subsonics and back. With horns. As only Avantgarde could conceive and execute - bold, unconventional, cutting-edge. Click here for the details.