An Eruption of Sound
In my adventures writing reviews, the one challenge I have faced is I only get to listen to systems in the shops of the respective vendors or home owners rather than in a space I know i.e. my living room. Of course I understand why someone wouldn’t trust me with an 250K subwoofer to take home and test. There is a likely risk that it might never go back to the shop because of a convenient break in to my house where the thugs only take the subwoofer.
That notwithstanding, for the last week I have had the pleasure of living with a 2.1 system, i.e. The Vulkkano A5 Arc active bookshelves and the accompanying active Vulkkano Sub 8, that was loaned to me by Prime audio. I sampled the system in my living room and compared it to my Yamaha NS-555 towers for music and I even watched a series or two on them. So how do they measure up?
First and foremost, where does this setup sit in terms of selection for a discerning audiophile? Well, say you have an office and you want a plug and play quality music system for your background music or you are an aspiring audiophile, (who has not been swayed by the multicolored 2.1 subhoovers of the vomit provoking “Blotoosh hash bina connected shucksheffull” flavor) and have walked into some of the numerous shops and found that the price for an AV receiver, five speakers and a subwoofer are slightly higher than the inheritance your father left you, but you still want quality sound. This setup is right up your alley.
The active bookshelf speakers boast of a plethora (it means a lot) of connections including HDMI arc, Toslink, Bluetooth 5.0, RCA and a line level sub-out, which I connected the powered 8” sub to. This means you can play your music in your office, your source perhaps being your computer connected via Bluetooth or as you save up to a proper 7.1.4 system, you can connect to your smart TV via the HDMI arc to enjoy exquisite sound. It also features an ergonomic remote controller.
Now, I have been spoilt by the systems I have had the privilege of listening to from foreign Tannoy speakers, to the ubiquitous Klipsh, to the local wonders Samms audio to all manner of nondescript speakers. Therefore, I was critical as to what a pair of bookshelves would do. Wasn’t I wrong. These speakers, unlike the government, deliver as prescribed. The sound is crisp, the bass is punchy, the imaging is exquisite. They are honestly a class act. I did an A-B comparison with my son and he ended up liking the sound from the Vulkkano’s better than the Yamahas, but what do children know, they eat their own snort after all. As for me, compared to the Yamies, I find the higher frequencies of the speakers a tad too sharp but after a few minutes of listening, I got used to the sound. The 8” subwoofer by itself would put to shame many subs I have listened to in particular the older examples from the copper colored brand. It hits low and is controlled. It does not call attention to itself. It complements the bookshelves so well when paired, it disappears in the room like Eurobond monies.
The build quality of these speakers is also top tier. I could not miss the resemblance, and perhaps inspiration, to SVS speakers. If it were not for the tastefully placed logo at the bottom of the speaker grill, one would be forgiven to think they were mini SVS speakers.
But how much do they cost? For the bookshelves alone, PrimeAudio is retailing them at Kes. 35,000 while the subwoofer alone goes for the same amount. If one was to choose the setup as I tested it, then they would be set back Kes. 65,000, a saving of Kes. 5,000.
All things considered these are some impressive speakers, if not the best I have listened to at the price point. Though I would not trade my current home setup for them, I unequivocally recommend them to all and sundry. Pay Prime Audio a visit at Soko Safi Mall Shop B5 off Ngong road, for a listen. You can call them at 0113313911 or reach out via the socials on their pages.
N.B: I am also looking to test an SVS Pb16 Ultra in my living room if someone is daring enough to lend it to me.
You are welcome to join the High End Audio Systems Facebook Group to catch up on what is going on the audio scene and meet fellow Audio Enthusiasts from Kenya and beyond. Karibu and the link is here.
You are welcome to join the High End Audio Systems Facebook Group to catch up on what is going on the audio scene and meet fellow Audio Enthusiasts from Kenya and beyond. Karibu and the link is here.
