After reading the review in "The Absolute Sound", I drove 2 hours in Bay Area traffic (at rush hour, no less) to hear a pair of the Tablette Reference Eights.
I can now say three things. Wow, traffic was awful. Wow, the review in "The Absolute Sound" was entirely correct, and the speakers are very well described. And, wow, I love these speakers.
I bought them.
There is something amazing about these speakers. It doesn't make sense to me to seek a perspective with terms that describe coloration, or pinpoint issues of "warmth" vs. the "accuracy", or anything like that. These speakers sound natural in a way that allows me to stop hearing the speakers- I am simply drawn completely into the music, in a way that I haven't been in years.
Before I heard these, I tried B&W 805's and a bunch of other mid price ($2000-$4000) designs. My favorites before hearing the Tablettes were the Vienna Acoustic Beethovens, which sounded rich and warm, in a really wonderful way.
But, even putting aside the question of price, I love the Tablettes more.
My advice to Bruce is to take the 1.5 hour drive. The Tablettes are an incredible bargain, which is nice. More importantly, they're a delight, a rare kind of surprise.
Steve
I can now say three things. Wow, traffic was awful. Wow, the review in "The Absolute Sound" was entirely correct, and the speakers are very well described. And, wow, I love these speakers.
I bought them.
There is something amazing about these speakers. It doesn't make sense to me to seek a perspective with terms that describe coloration, or pinpoint issues of "warmth" vs. the "accuracy", or anything like that. These speakers sound natural in a way that allows me to stop hearing the speakers- I am simply drawn completely into the music, in a way that I haven't been in years.
Before I heard these, I tried B&W 805's and a bunch of other mid price ($2000-$4000) designs. My favorites before hearing the Tablettes were the Vienna Acoustic Beethovens, which sounded rich and warm, in a really wonderful way.
But, even putting aside the question of price, I love the Tablettes more.
My advice to Bruce is to take the 1.5 hour drive. The Tablettes are an incredible bargain, which is nice. More importantly, they're a delight, a rare kind of surprise.
Steve