Audio Note AN/E SPe HE speaker in Maple
[Yes, the power is back on. They really do a pretty good job here, considering we are in the mtns and how all the power-lines and pine trees often try to share the same space].
For your viewing pleasure – some photos of the Audio Note AN/E SPe HE high-efficiency speakers in plain maple. Retail price is $7600.00
You will notice that the maple that Audio Note is using is more interesting than the plain jane maple we often see here in the States.
The speakers are also brand new – and compared to the much older (~7 years) maple of the Acoustic Dreams rack, it is lighter in color. But, expect it to also gain some slight patina [color] over time as it ages.
The color in these photos is very close to real. Yes, our carpet has a touch of burgundy in its darkish gray [we thought that the purplish color of the carpet would help it go with the many pieces Mahogany and red Cherry furniture we have – and it does. It also is a little more cheery than plain gray].
But enough about the carpet 🙂 on to the photos!
Is that a trick of the light or is the top rear left corner of the right speaker dented? Shame if it is indeed a dent – they look very nice otherwise. What do you use to couple the speaker to the stands? Blue Tac?
If you don’t mind, could you describe the rest of the components in the room? Are the values of the different components ‘well-proportioned’?
Hi Kevin,
You have good eyes! Yes, both these speakers experienced Encounters of the Clumsy Shipper Kind. so a dealer is getting our old poplar SPe HE speakers and we are going to be using these as demos for awhile.
Yes, right now we have level zero components in this system and a TT2. All are around $2K – $2.5K I believe.
Oops that’s what we HAD here. Now we have a TT2 with a CD2.1x CD player and M1 Phono preamp and P1 integrated amp. I believe these are all in the same price range: $2 – 2.5K each. Neli is the expert on pricing and I will get her to Okeedokee this post ASAP.
Take care,
Mike.
Hi Kevin,
Yes, this pair of E/SPe HE speakers was … manhandled by one of our shippers. And yes, our Apple (not Poplar) demos will be finding a new Demo home.
Better US MSRP for the components in the Little Room:
CD 2.1x/II CD player, $3850.
TT-One ($1375) with Arm Three ($1925) and moving-magnet IQ3 cartridge ($1200) (no stepup required)
M1 Phono full function preamplifier, $2350, and
P1 SE (dual EL84 in parallel, single ended amplifier with volume control) $2925.
We have three Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) Nimbus Couplers (a polymer disc) between the speakers and the stands — we like the extra refinement. Blu-Tack, when used to couple the speakers to the stands, produces a more dynamic, “closer to the metal” sound.
Kind regards,
-neli
Mike / Neli,
Thank you for putting some detailed pics up, the maple finish looks very nice. Shame about the blue HE driver.
Kind Regards,
Brendan
No problem, Brendan.
And Neli likes the blue. I don’t care much either way and don’t really notice it anymore.
Everyone has their own particular tastes, of course.
Take care,
Mike.
Mike,
That is very true everyone does have their own preferences, out of curiousity what are your impressions of the sound from the HE version compared with it’s standard cousin?
Cheers,
Brendan
Hi Brendan,
Sorry for the delay, thought Mike was gonna answer this one.
The HE drivers are, of course somewhat more efficient (about 3db) and seem more lively, lighter on their feet, a bit faster — as well as being a more benign load.
The Blue isn’t maybe quite as bright as it looks with the flash, … but they’re definitely blue. Kindof a medium intensity Midnight Blue, with some texturey flecks of light to medium grey in there.
Best wishes,
-neli
Hey! Don’t point that pretty finger at ME!
YOU were at Kevin’s all day TOO, playing music and swapping in components and cables left and right, pretending we were on audiophile vacation [Kevin has the Led Zeppelin 45 box set – which looks more like a piece of luggage and weighs about 50 lbs. Wish I had my camera with me….]
And the blue is indeed a very dark blue, as can be seen in the 1st picture from across the room. But the close up shots need SOME extra light in order to show what it looks like and all the cool hemp fibers…
[Neli hates my close-up shots. Heaven forbid there is a spec of dust or (one of my, of course) fingerprints. *sigh*].
🙂
-Mike
Hi Mike / Neli,
Thank you both for the responses, mike I can organise a fingerprint kit for you if you would like? 🙂
Kind Regards,
Brendan