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Bass response and control were excellent given driver size and here the Catalina may be one of few to challenge Mark and Daniel’s efforts. No direct comparison was possible but if memory serves the M+D monitors had a little more overt exuberance where the Bogdan exhibited a little better refinement plus considerably better driver integration. This level of improvement should of course be expected as the price is considerably higher. Also bear in mind that M+D is already a very strong performer. Here we are discussing authoritative control into the 30-35Hz range from a compact monitor. Further decent into the low end will require more excursion or larger drivers. At that point either the word subwoofer or floorstander will enter the conversation. The Catalina proved more than adequate on almost all acoustic material but those with a strong catalogue of music containing material with subterranean bass like synthesizer or the prerequisite Telarc demonstration material will find a subwoofer a desirable addition. The Paradigm subwoofer used in the listening sessions proved an easy match, adding those extra few missing cycles without the penalties imposed by floorstander size or placement requirements.
Comparisons against the competition? Since the Catalina is the most expensive compact monitor to have graced my listening room yet, it became by default a performance benchmark. Casual listening to competing products at this price—though hardly conclusive—would indicate that it represents a good alternative to established eye and ear candy. The name Magico has come up but since it has not been in the house, a meaningful statement is impossible. It should be noted however that Magico’s current product lineup appears to be devoted to floorstanders. The Catalina may have the advantage by competitive absentia.
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Readers have noticed that the ambitious but rather more wallet-friendly Vapor Sound Cirrus is due for review. They have suggested a proverbial shootout between two Raal-based designs. As the arrival of the Cirrus is scheduled for later in the year the Catalina will have left by then. How the Catalina’s performance stacks up against product I have experienced, the short answer is superbly. It had a compelling combination of perceived coherence, resolution, dynamics and transparency that bettered any hybrid that has been in house and outperformed any compact studio monitor I have worked with. Those products would include budgetary overachievers like the Apogee Centaur line and the lower-end Mark+Daniels neither of which matched the Catalina in bass integration; and on the professional end the Genelecs, which come off comparatively sterile and don’t display equivalent bass coherence in their lower range. Against higher-priced ribbons or ESLs the contest becomes considerably more interesting. They can match the resolution and transparency of the Catalina and offer a different soundstage presentation that some may prefer. The Bogdan Audio Creations speaker counters with an ease of dynamic responsiveness and drive that esoteric designs have difficulty achieving and an ease of placement they can’t match. The Catalina compact monitor pours out a wealth of musical information and offers top tier resolution and dynamics with a musical tonal balance. The price may be elevated but so is the performance.
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Sophistication can come in many guises. In modern consumer product the truly sophisticated device is not simply the sum of its specifications. It's also the level of its user friendliness. By that definition the Catalina is a remarkably sophisticated speaker. Where the extreme high-end often makes severe demands on the user to compensate for every parameter and in current trend to master sophisticated software, Mr. Petrescu brings a different philosophy to the game. He is a fan of vintage gear with a fondness for his Sansui AU-919 and feels that properly designed equipment should simply work. To paraphrase a statement, "the entire purpose of my demo system with the Sansui AU-919 was to show that if the speakers could draw you into the music and bring the emotion of the performance into the room with this vintage amplifier, imagine what it could do with one of today high-end amplifiers."
That attitude held true for me. The design proved relatively immune to cabinet coloration and room interaction, removing tweaking time and adding listening time. Ease of drive was also a pleasure. The combination of AudioSpace tube front end and Bel Canto high-horsepower digital amplification achieved stellar results but the switch to the Densen 130 integrated proved that 80 good watts also made the Catalina sing to perfection. Quality rather than unlimited quantity was the requirement - sophistication not snobbery.
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Some audiophiles will wonder if the Catalina is worth the price. My answer is unfortunately yes. Mr. Petrescu has entered the game at a very high level that will put it out of reach for many. This product is clearly not aimed at the budget-conscious crowd and the lofty tag reflects a fanatical labor-intensive construction and resultant sound quality. For those who can afford the best, the quality here reflects not only excellent sound and decorum but fair value. Yes it's a luxury item but it is sonically competitive, efficient, easy to drive and given a modicum of intelligent effort in placement will function to extreme high standards. No fiddling, no fretting, no stress, just music. That’s real luxury.
Who should be interested? Those who value the blend of art deco craftsmanship and superb sound and can afford the fee will find this to be a very musical upscale lifestyle component. It should also appeal to audiophiles who demand top notch sound but want to get off the technocracy merry go-round. If listening rather than tweaking is important, you will find the simplicity and musicality of the Catalina refreshing. Be prepared to wait while your pair is being crafted by hand.
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Quality of packing: There are three sturdy plywood crates with ¾-inch or 1-inch solid softwood frame. Each speaker is separately boxed. The speaker is wrapped in a cloth bag surrounded by 1½,inch styrofoam. The pair of disassembled stands occupy a single crate protected by 1¾ and 2.inch thick Styrofoam around the outer edge plus ¾-inch styrofoam panels with individual components additionally covered in bubble wrap.
Reusability of packing: Yes.
Condition of components received: Perfect.
Delivery: Hand delivered by the designer.
Website comments: Detailed product information and history. Simple and direct contact with owner/designer.
Human interactions: Professional and friendly.
Warranty: 3 years. Mr. Petrescu adds that “the speakers are built to last a long time and I offer direct contact with the owner if technical assistance is needed”.
Final comments & suggestions: A fresh newcomer arrives on the scene to purvey beautiful music to the select few. Should soon appear on distributor’s website. Currently sold direct from Bogdan Audio Creations. |
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