Reev Designs Aatma speakers review... in the works!

[Suave]

As I mentioned in another thread, I just began reviewing the Reev Designs Aatma speakers. Reev's is a new Canadian speaker manufacturer, who designs its speakers and manufactures them in Canada. Its first model is a bookshelf speaker called the Aatma. Here's a link to the product page:
http://www.reevdesigns.com/aatma/



Having the pleasure of listening to these speakers for the last two weeks, I thought I’d share some of my initial comments.

I enjoyed the sound of these speakers from the moment I set them up with the rest of my gear and have grown to enjoy them more and more during the last two weeks. The Aatmas offer a stimulating, engaging musical presentation. They have excellent imaging and produce a three dimensional, almost holographic soundstage. Being a bookshelf speaker they offer a commendable bass that’s powerful, deep and with very good articulation. The midrange is natural and rich.

More to come!

[AlienTech]

I heard them at the show, very nice but I was a little put off by the price

[SoundGame]

Hey Suave, those Reev design speakers are very unique looking - a little art decco in their appearance. I'm very interested in hearing about your impressions of them as you get listen to them more.

[SoundGame]

Oh, bye-the-way, Sauve, I just read this very spectacular review on them in Audiophilia Mag:

http://www.audiophilia.com/wp/?p=6754

[Suave]

I thought we were going to be the first to review these speakers but it looks like someone beat us to it!

I like to formulate my own opinion about the component under review prior to reading any other reviews (so that I'm not influenced by them), so I'll hold off from reading this for now... but it's good to know that it's out there

[SoundGame]

You're an honest man Suave....or at least very dedicated to your review...a good quality. Please share your impressions of the speakers as you go along. It will also be intersting to hear how revealing they are of the changes in loom you're planning i.e. Nordos Red Dawn / Blue Heaven.

[pharsyde]

Thats a sweet setup. I would love to have a 2 channel amp by Classe. Not sure if your letting any timbits of information out yet Suave. But I can't help wondering, what was your first impression the moment you heard the Reev design ?

More importantly, your first impression upon hearing, as compared to the 1008 be from Focal ?

[AlienTech]

I did enjoy the sound of these speakers at TAVES and everyone I saw enter the room (a small one) wanted to stay. I was put off by the $7,000 price tag, there are many excellent full range speakers in that price range and I think an unknown speaker mfg with a "book shelf" speaker is going to have some tough sledding in that niche.

I was impressed with the cabinet design as well, very kuel idea with the exo-skeleton. There is quite a bit of debate on whether extreme cabinet rigidity is of real audio benefit vrs marketing benefit. Try listening to some open baffels some time, no cabinet at all and good OB's are sweet, just ask Siegfried Linkwitz www.linkwitzlab.com and yes that the man of the famous and almost universally used Linkwitz–Riley (L-R) filter

[pharsyde]

well said AlienTech..

I hadn't realized the Reev are so much coin. I am contemplating the purchase of new speakers (or used) in 2012, unlikely the Reev will be on my list, unless it's sweet deal. However, I think for even half the money, very good speakers are in abundance.

The design is intriguing, be it for acoustic property or marketing candy, I don't know. Looking forward to Suave's analysis.

[Gio]

I was put off by the $7,000 price tag, there are many excellent full range speakers in that price range

I'm curious why people choose compact bookshelfs/monitors and then put them with stands. With the stands, they occupy just as much space as a floorstander, but can't deliver as much low end.

They note that there is 50+ hours in the build process so that will contribute significantly to the costs. And they sure do look nice.

Any idea on the manufacturer of drivers they are using?

Cheers