Not Scottish At All, Linn Audio Loudspeakers was in attendance showcasing their $60,000 per pair Athenaum speakers with the same Pass and Sony electronics that they used in Newport. These claim 30hz to 20khz from a very traditional two-way design, and they seem to be a respectable manifestation of the old Altec Iconic spirit.
Interestingly, Linn seems to have made arrangements for amplifier obsessives. While the standard setup offers a 97db sensitivity, Linn has provided for multiple biamping scenarios, including fully active crossovers.
Not defending the price, but the horn is not plastic but a custom made wood affair. The woofers each use a 25 pound rare earth magic.
Jack: I’m pretty sure they use rare earth *magnets*, but I’m willing to be corrected.
Dale, I agree with you, but maybe it is easier to sell 2 @ $60G ($120G) than 6 at $20G? Don’t know but it could be easier to sell as an ultra-high end “exclusive” than a more common “mass” product (which would require a lot more marketing, sales network, etc).
Tony: That’s the unfortunate side effect of having a niche product. Some of this stuff has to be expensive in order to exist at all. Bruno Putzeys wrote one of the simplest explanations of the sticker-shock phenomenon for the folks over on Diyaudio last year.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/190434-hypex-ncore-196.html#post2898572
How some companies come to value their products so freaking highly…..another ported woofer with a plastic horn upper register…..$60,000…..seriously?
Dale: Accuracy demands that I mention that the horn, in fact, seems to be made from wood.