What were your top musical discoveries of 2024?

@allenf1963  

Right now I have Infinity RS-II speakers driven by a pair of Classé monoblocks. I just rebuilt the crossovers and they sound fantastic. They are very underrated speakers imo. They do dip to 2 ohms across the HF range and they need high current amplifiers if they are to really wake up and sing.

They are a 5-way, 7-driver design with open-baffle mids and highs, and two 10" woofers in separate sealed cabinets. I think the airiness of the midrange, the precision of the EMIT ribbons and the respectable bass slam makes them a great fit for music like Bohren, especially if played at higher volumes. 

Kid Loco - A Grand Love Story (French DJ with a knack for Steely Dannish melodies....?! I know)

Adrienne Lenker (of Big Thief) - Bright Future

@dlevi67

ARCHORA / AIŌN

Album by Anna S. Þorvaldsdóttir, Eva Ollikainen, and Iceland Symphony Orchestra

Þorvaldsdóttir (Thovaldsdottir) is a pretty recent discovery of mine too.

I am not usually a fan of the Spectralism school of classical music, but her stuff is so haunting and beautiful, with great building tension and intensity, that it sucks me in.

@devinplombier -- Nice.  I love old school Infinity speakers.  I'm not certain, but I believe those Infinity utilized the Watkins Dual-Drive Woofer.  I grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and was frequently found at Watkins Stereo Center, an Audio store founded by Bill Watkins, Sr.  Watkins developed and patented the unique Dual-Drive Woofer that he later sold to Infinity.  I believe they were in the RS-II.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/william-h-bill-watkins-a-true-american-audio-innovator/

@allenf1963 

I haven't pulled any of the woofers but I think you are correct. I recall reading they are Watkins Dual Drive.

Thanks for the link. Watkins is still in business in Kingsport TN. They will refoam, realign and thoroughly check Infinity woofers like in my RS-II for $85 a piece as I write this (10" size). Good to know!