The Aspen FR30 was included in The Absolute Sound’s “Editor’s Choice: Best Loudspeakers $20,000 and Up” listings. The publication notes, “[The] formidable driver array produced some of the smoothest, best integrated, and musically realistic bass [the reviewer] has heard. But the midrange and treble reproduction from those large planar-magnetic drivers were the stars of the show. There was more detail at every level of sound, particularly on low-level passages that faded away into silence.”
Douglas Schroeder of Dagogo raved about the Stellar Strata MK2 integrated amplifier with the AirLens streamer. He used two of them in a unique tandem configuration and stated: “There is one aspect of sound quality that the AirLens and Strata MK2 do so exceptionally well that it floors me. The richness of tone, the fullness of color, the warmth, the beautiful, beautiful golden-hued sound is perhaps my favorite part of this experiment. I’ve used a lot of fancy digital equipment, and never have my speakers sounded so warm and yet fantastically detailed…It is like I added a $50K analog source but without the noise and with the precision of digital.”
Hi-Fi Advice offered positive reviews of the PowerPlant P15 and P20. The reviewer commented: “Even though PS Audio indicates the PowerPlant has zero issues driving big power amplifiers, history has taught me that any filter or semi-active device ahead of an amplifier has a negative impact, at least on my system, hence my reluctance. But now, it was time to try again.
Lo and behold, with the power amplifier also powered by the P20, the entire presentation snapped right into focus. Now, the system had it all: fluidity to spare, delicious delicacy, and resolution up the wazoo, as well as amazing crispness, expression, and huge dynamic impact. Every trace of thickness and politeness had vanished, and the pacing was now absolutely spot on, neither hurried nor relaxed but precisely neutral.”
Polish audio publication Hi-Fi I Muzyka offers a rave review of the Aspen FR10 loudspeaker. The review stated, “the midrange/high end is an asset…it combines transparency with density of colors, and firmness with depth.” The review went on to note, “The saturation of colors allows the essence of beauty of most instruments [to come through]…the violin can be bright, airy, and smooth, and at the same time [have body].” The review concluded, “The speakers are extraordinary.”
