This photo shows the Blade in Sapphire Blue and the smaller a Blade 2 in Snow White, and shows the difference in height between them, which isn't all that much. It is when viewing them from the side that the Blade 2 looks surprisingly smaller. The 'front on' view is the ugliest, in my opinion - they look much better from other angles! You can see the LS50 on the floor, and some average size floorstanders to the right of the picture. So they're quite slim, which has a few advantages, one of which I presume helps the side firing force cancelling bass drivers to work better.

Brainwashing?

The Reference range below the Blades uses more conventional box type cabinets with wood veneer, which I suppose more people will consider furniture-like. Blades purposely don't use conventional boxes in order to greatly reduce, and in some cases eradicate, many issues that plague boxes. Of course, when something is designed for performance over looks, it will never be to everyone's taste.

The blades look fine to me. However, they do have some stiff competition. In my case my big Usher Be-20s are 2/3 their price and have superb overall performance. They also look nice, but in a more substantial presentation.

I'd still love to hear the Blades.

Not a shortcoming, just a preference. Some like boxes, some like curves. Some like skinny, some like fat. Same with anything in life, there's always options, which will always guarantee preferences.

These are the ones...Tidal Sunray. They do claim force cancelling though...

Just found out - $155,000/pair!!



I see see a few issues holding them back, but maybe I'm just biased

These are not bad speakers they do require some serious space to make the work well and not using Buremester amps helps as get deal towards positive sound quality

Indeed David

Think Chord Spm 1400's on steroids but with out the Smps issues

Very ballsy, dynamic and upfront sound, think posh pa system with oddles of Chrome

Though in terms of real musical involvement, textural layering, subtly, rendering the interplay between musicians and resolving ability they do fall far short

Great German bling ideal partner for those purveyors of Columbia matching powder inner most sanctums

All joking aside think iron fist in a velvet glove

Ideal upgrade for former naimies looking to go to the next level

With power aplenty will power pretty much anything effortlessly I can see pride of ownership coming into to this as well

With all quality audio systems careful matching if the electronics and speakers along with room integration

When you attain this level of equipment then it is a matter of how you take you coffee.

Some Luke a double espresso others a latte personal choices

911 monos can be likened to a triple espresso in flavour from my experience with these amplifiers

LOL - I'd love to know what you thought of them if you didn't know they have an SMPS! I've tried but never heard an SMPS effect with the Chord, except that the reservoir capacitor recharge time is very small leading to a feeling of seemingly effortless bass power without any sag.

I'd love to get a pair of 1400E monoblocks, although I honestly don't know if I'd hear much difference over the 1200E.