The Concert Grand Reference Gold speakers have few equals at two levels. At the price level, the fellowship circle is but only a few elite members. At the sound level, its among the best there is out in the market. Sure you could spend twice as much or even four times as much but would you get the corresponding reward in terms of sonic satisfaction or enjoyment? The Concert Grand Reference Gold has won many accolades over the years at hifi shows where it is either the best sounding speaker or was in the best sounding room. Even Absolute Sound place it as one of the best sounding speakers they have ever reviewed. Standing 71″ tall, 15″ wide and 22″ deep (at the base) and weighing 275lbs each, would you expect anything less? Packed with two 12″ woofers in its separate isolated chamber and the ten mid-woofers and tweeters in the upper, open baffle section, the speakers have a frequency range of 18 Hz to 100 kHz. Sensitivity is 91 db and nominal impedance is 8 ohm. Design is a 5-way with their own proprietary Unison crossover. This is like the “brain” in the speaker where it splits the incoming signal into the five groups of drivers. The 12″ bass drivers are one group and just above it are the four 4.5″magnesium cone bass drivers followed by four mid-range drivers and then a 12″ long ribbon tweeter transducer and finally, a 2″ ribbon super tweeter. The 12″ ribbon tweeter takes up any frequency from 1000 Hz and up while the ribbon super tweeter picks up from 10 kHz to 100 kHz.
It does need a bit of toe in to keep its wide and deep soundstage to “beam” its central focus to your listening chair. Once that is done, you are right in the music. Imaging was outstanding with a grand soundstage in the background. Bass was deep and tight and not too overwhelming and very nicely balanced with the full presence midrange and sweet detailed highs.
Cosmetically, the speakers has some very minor scuff marks (mainly on the base plate) and a minor front top left corner ” rubbing”. The grille cover looks good. We don’t have the crates so only local pickup from our store. The current version of this speaker now cost $250,000! So at $50,000 now, this is a SUPER bargain!
