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Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial Interests: click here
Source: iPod Classic 160GB, Cambridge Audio iD100, Aura Vita as CDP or DAC [on review]
Integrated amplifiers: Aura Vivid [on review]
Speakers: EBTB Terra III, Amphion Ion+ [on loan]
Cables: Complete loom of Zu Audio Event
Powerline conditioning: Furutech RTP-6
 Sundry accessories: Extensive use of Acoustic System Resonators, noise filters and phase inverters
Room size: 5m x 11.5m W x D, 2.6m ceiling with exposed wooden cross beams every 60cm, plaster over brick walls, suspended wood floor with Tatami-type throw rugs. The listening space opens into the second storey via a staircase and the kitchen/dining room are behind the main listening chair. The latter is thus positioned in the middle of this open floor plan without the usual nearby back wall.
Review Component Retail: €750/pr for all stock finishes (Palisander Rio veneer, high gloss white, blue, red and black).  5.000 custom colors from RAL or NSC and any legal veneer upon request and quote. €750 for subwoofer in stock black pearl drop (other colors by request and quote). €200 for dedicated fillable monitor stands.

"Thank you for publishing Wojtek Pacuła's review of our new Studio Oslo active studio/desktop monitor. I just received the enclosures for your pair. I'm only waiting for the circuit boards now. Because this is such an attractive product, I decided to take a risk. I'll go to the upcoming Warsaw show with just them. It will be a big crowd. Lots of background noise. So it's a must that I bring properly matched subwoofers. I already have finished prototypes because first production must be ready in two weeks. This sub is dedicated to just the Studio Oslo. All settings are perfectly matched and fixed to guarantee optimum crossover results. Usually I really dislike subwoofers. Most are nothing but air movers. They make no music. But I do have a number of successful speakers whose integrated bass sections are active—the Active Monitor, Harmony and Wing Speaker—so I have quite some experience with the concept and its many challenges.


"The combination of Oslo and sub moves this tiny speaker from bookshelf monitor to full-range performer. Even violins, voices and other instruments without apparent bass sound more realistic. That's probably because LF hall reverb is more audible to enhance the illusion of a big venue. Would you like to test the speakers with this new subwoofer? If so it will delay the shipment but the overall quality will be superior." - Jarek Waszczyszyn

Of course Jarek was merely being sly. What dyed-in-the-wool hifi nutter turns such a carrot down when the only stick is a two-week wait? Hit me was the expected and only proper response.

It was ballsy of Jarek to attend his domestic annual hifi show with 'low-rent' active minis. Everyone is used to seeing him roll out €30K valve monos and digital über decks. It certainly showed conviction that this baby system really does play well above its station. Of course Wojciech had already said so. Yet his policy is to review only stuff he likes. Attending a show where most bring their blingest models with something the majority would instantly peg as midfi was far riskier.

Yet the battle against hifi snobbery can only be fought by mass exposure. Armed and hopefully dangerous were my best wishes for Jarek's plan.