This was probably the most different room from the others of the entire show. There was no stack of electronics in sight, just a small Wattson Audio Emerson Digital network streamer ($2095) connected to all-in-one speakers outfitted with every signal input you can imagine.
One component made up 90% of the system: a Kii Three BXT Pro speaker system ($42,023/pair). Each speaker is essentially a Kii Three standmount sitting atop a bass module that doubles as a stand for the Kii Three. The Kii Three BXT system is equipped with 16 drivers, 7000W of amplification, six DACs, and DSP. Plus, they come with clever technology intended to address one of the biggest issues facing audio playback both in studio and at home—room acoustics. The company calls the technology “Cardioid Dispersion”, which guides most of the energy from the speakers toward the listening position, away from the space between or behind them.
On FLAC streams of Erykah Badu’s “On & On”, Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”, and an excerpt from Justin Hurwitz’s “Babylon” motion picture soundtrack, the sound was articulate, clear, rich, detailed, and impactful.
As an audiophile and a voracious listener of all kinds of music, Jonson believes that the experience of being immersed in music is often something spiritual. Born and raised in Korea, he cut his teeth on western music mostly through the music of the 80s and the 90s. As of today, names that make his heart beat a little faster include Vladimir Horowitz, John Coltrane, Youn-Sun Nah, Francis Poulenc, Leonard Bernstein, Tannoy, and Magnepan. Jonson also runs a podcast and a YouTube channel about language learning, called SpongeMind.
As you might know, PMA is an independent consumer audio and music magazine that prides itself on doing things differently. For the past three years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to bringing you an authentic reading experience. We steer clear of commercial influences, ensuring that what you hear from us is genuine, unfiltered, and true to our values.
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