2001 Jimmy Awards
by Jim Saxon, EnjoyTheMusic.com
"Under $4,500. If the people at the deHavilland Electric Amplifier Company can build and profitably sell an amplifier as impressive as their Aries-845, why do other manufacturers have to charge so much more for similar performance? Were I to change my lifestyle to horn loudspeakers and 25 watt amplifiers, I'd audition the Aries-845 in a heartbeat."
"Under $3000. Buggtussel ("Two jeez, two esses.") produces speaker cabinets of remarkable fit and finish. Their price sheet is snazzy , as well. For instance, the large and lovely-sounding Buggtussel Amygdala sells for $2,999. I guessed the pair to cost twice that amount. If you're into looking good as well as sounding good, Buggtussel might have the answer."
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"Under $2,500. From Italy's SYN Factory SRL. Comes the watermelon-shaped U-vola, and "acoustical diffusor" suspended via steel cables. For a store, office, or internet cafe, these bright-colored $2,500 hanging gourds offer pleasing sound without taking up floor or wall space. I hope to try them at home as soon as I figure out how to hang a subwoofer alongside them."
( That's right, those are deHavilland amplifiers powering the SYN Factory speakers. Alessandro Copetti, President of SYN says, " Your amplifiers were absolutely proper for our loudspeakers!") See U-vola speakers at www.synfactory.com