Newport 2014: Muraudio spins us right round
At my request, we listened to the track “Ghost Towns” from Swedish country duo First Aid Kit’s first studio album, The Big Black and the Blue. I’d just seen the sisters perform this song live and unamplified in Portland the week before, so their voices were very fresh in my mind, and I was eager to make comparisons.
I tried this track out in any number of rooms over the course of THE Show, and this was by far my favorite. Johanna and Klara’s voices sounded realistically textured and distinct, even during close harmonies that might blur on other systems. I actually found myself starting to tear up a bit at the emotional immediacy that the PX1s provided — much as I’d teared up standing in the Wonder Ballroom the weekend before. Getting up and walking around demonstrated that these speakers are truly omnidirectional: no need for a special sweet spot chair here. The bass drivers integrated very well with the panels, almost seamlessly. Time didn’t allow me to listen to something more dynamically challenging, so I can’t speak to how these speakers would handle big swings in dynamics, but their speed with transient details and their bass heft hints at good things.
The flexibility that omnidirectionality provides, the graceful good looks, and the stunning sound quality and detail make these an excellent choice for those with means. Spending time in this room was a pleasure.
A water cooler
+1….Exactly, a water cooler. LOL
Good golly, they’re hideous, though! Maybe they look a little less like household appliances in some color other than white.
Blender?
Heh, I actually don’t mind the look, and I bless them for bringing the white because it’s sooo much easier to photograph in a dim hotel room. But I think they’re also available in black.
I find that some audio hardware is inherently beautiful in every picture, but other things only become attractive to look at after you hear them.
I find the Muraudios f***ing gorgeous.