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Anyone heard te Sony SS-AR1

I heard Sony's 27k new speaker today. Sony is obviously not a name you think of when it comes to high-end audio, but this speaker is sony's effort to get back into high-end audio. I'll be honest, going in, I thought anyone who spends 27k on a pair of speakers by Sony needs their head examined.
That being said, I was really, really impressed by this speaker. I compared it head to head with some dynaudio tempations (44k) and thought that the sony's at least held their own. The dealer told me that Sony is only planning on releasing 60 pairs in the US this year, and there are only 6 dealers in the country right now. Also, the wood that they use for the cabinets comes from a special Japanese tree that is specially aged, etc.
Apparently there is a review coming out in stereophile next week.
My question is, with all the great speakers out there at this range, Wilson, magico, Von schweikert, hansen, etc, has anyone heard these, and how do you think they stack up against some of the big boys?
dserota17
pryso
1,928 posts
 
Apparently not all are ATC. A couple of years ago John Marks related the story in Stereophile of Sony going to the trouble of ordering Duntech Princesses from OZ for a NYC studio. Also the Sony SACD introduction I attended used the SS M9ED mentioned by Mr Bill. Now I must believe some of the SS-AR1s will show up in their studios.

Like Pioneer, Kenwood, and perhaps others, from time to time Sony has made attempts at the higher end in audio. And why not? They certainly should have the resources.
mhedges
180 posts
 
Ok what is ATC?
rgs92
974 posts
 
And with Sony, you can expect the speaker will be supported with drivers & such for a good long time down the road, something I always worry about with something that expensive. Like what do you do if your Dunlavy or Hales goes on the blink?
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Ok what is ATC?

ATC Review

They are used by many of the people that make our favorite "audiophile" recordings Steve Hoffman and Doug Sax (Sheffield Labs) as well as mainstream (pop/rock, classical, Hollywood multi-channel soundtrack) stuff.

Not to be confused with Air Traffic Control.
pryso
1,928 posts
 
Rgs92, you picked a bad example with Duntech. They are still in business, albeit without a US importer (which I feel gave more weight to my Sony story). The person who bought my Duntechs just had a midrange driver fail and was able to get matched replacements directly from Duntech in Australia. That was for a now 21 year old speaker. And owners of Dunlavy Audio Labs should not have difficulties with replacements even though DAL is out of business since they utilized non-esoteric drivers.

Shadrone, no disrespect to ATC speakers. I was just pointing out that Sony does use other brands too. Also, no confusion with the All Terrain Carriage Company.
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