2014 New York Audio Show NYAS Ventures to Brooklyn
Show report
by Alan Taffel | Oct 17th, 2014
Five Most Significant Products
Nola was another prestigious company that did not shirk this
show. Carl Marchisotto himself was on hand to introduce the Metro
Grand Reference Gold ($33k). As per standard Nola orthodoxy, the
new speaker has a ribbon tweeter and an open baffle cabinet for the
mids on up. What’s unusual about the MGRF is that bass is conducted by
two tiny, stacked woofers, which allows the MGRG to occupy just one 1
square foot of floor space. I experienced cognitive disconnect if I
looked at the speaker while listening to its bass. What a tympanic
boom these things make! Carl M. says the treble’s extension out to
100kHz accounts, in part, for how right the bass sounds. He also says
the MGRF has flat low-end extension down to 25Hz. From what I heard in
New York, that seems about right. This new Nola makes my Most
Significant list because of its utility to the serious but
space-challenged audiophile.
Top Five Systems (in no particular order)
The Nola Room was impressive not only for the sound but for the
fact that the sound was coming from such apartment-friendly
speakers. When Carl Marchisotto spun up a Count Basie LP, the dynamic
slam was nothing short of astonishing. This feat was matched by Nola’s
traditional openness and transparency. Nola does it again.
"The Nola Metro Grands produced among the show's best sound..."
-Michael Fremer, Analog Planet
The loudspeakers in the room shared by Nola Loudspeakers and New
Jersey dealer Xtreme Fidelity were familiar: they were the Nola Metro
Grand Reference Golds ($33,000/pair) that I am reviewing in our
November 2014 issue. These loudspeakers combine twin reflex-loaded
SEAS magnesium-cone woofers with dipole midrange and tweeter, the
latter a ribbon developed by Nola and RAAL. Driven by a VAC Sigma 160i
tube integrated amplifier ($13,300) and a PS Audio CD player, the
speakers sounded significantly better in the relatively lively hotel
room than they had in my well-damped listening room. But as they had
in my room, the four 6.5" woofers (with alnico motors) produced bass
dynamics greater than you would think they had any right to. - John
Atkinson, Stereophile Magazine
Mike Oltz of Xtreme Fidelity of Northern NJ was pleased to show off
how good VAC's modestly priced Sigma Series 160i integrated ($13k)
could sound driving a pair of NOLA Metro Grand Reference loudspeakers
($33k). The open baffle design on the Metro Grands give them a top
that always open and very extended with nary a hint of coloration.
There's a lot to like here especially when you consider the cost.
NEW YORK AUDIO SHOW 2014
Marriott Hotel, Brooklyn, New York, USA. 26th-28th September 2014
NOLA LOUDSPEAKERS
The Nola Metro Grand Reference Gold loudspeaker uses magnesium alloy
cone bass drivers in a closed cabinet, but mount a cone midrange and
ribbon tweeter on an open baffle above, to eliminate coloration from
internal cabinet refections. Carefully balanced to sound natural, the
Nolas provided one of the best sounds of the show. Imaging from the
ribbon tweeter was pin sharp and the midrange was delightfully
clear. Made in USA - see www.nolaspeakers.com.
Serious Music
Show Report: New York Audio Show 2014 - Nola
The Nola Metro Grand Reference Gold was one of the best sounding
speakers in the show. The sound displayed an ease and naturalness
which few systems at the show could match. It disappeared completely
in the room and also produces quantities of deep, powerful, textured
bass that completely beggared belief.
