Musical selections
The Model One is competent such that though AXPONA was only weeks away, I did not remove it from my system. Normally, I would switch to one of my biggest floor standing speakers in preparation, running through my playlist to dial in my ears. I do not recall ever using a bookshelf speaker to play music prior to a show. The Model One has enough high-end sensibility that I could mentally extrapolate what the speaker did not supply. That is a compliment, because most smallish speakers would be removed as they cannot supply characteristics consistent with higher priced, more capable speakers.
I am starting to get tired of A R Rahman’s “Dacoit Duel” because I have played it so many times. It is excellent for testing the dynamic limits of a speaker. Watch out that you do not set the level too high, because the dynamic swings are great. The Model One was punchy, even though it could not present the full impact of the drum whacks.
Vocals were more enjoyable than I expected. The 2” tweeter behaved itself by not seeming shrill with voices like Eva Cassidy on “Autum Leaves”. The driver leans toward being nice versus being overly precise. It is not piercing like ring radiator tweeters I have used. It does not have the information retrieval capacity of the 1.5” tweeter in the Colibri C2, but that is an $8K pair of horn hybrid speakers. At well under half the cost, the Model One does not seem deficient in detail of itself, only if directly compared head-to-head with upscale bookshelf speakers. Again, that is not a complaint, as no pleated ribbon speaker I have used has won the title for highest resolution. This is a tweeter for those who want unfailingly listenable music regardless of the recording.
As an example, unvarnished recordings by artists such as Trombone Shorty can bring the heat on the upper frequencies. The Colibri C2 takes the upper end to the limit, but the Model One moderates the upper end intensity. On the bottom end, it struggles with big LF, as would any small bookshelf. It does not pop egregiously when the woofer blasts LF, which is a sign of robustness. It will simply not produce the lowest notes, but the listener will not be bothered by a chronic popping sound from the bass. Kudos to Evolution Acoustics for preserving us from that nuisance.
Top to bottom, the Model One is well balanced in frequency. I did not have to futz with cables to address a frequency imbalance, which is more common than readers would think. The array of instrumentation heard on the Wendy soundtrack struck a chord with me. The speaker could not grasp the scale of the soundstage as with big floor standing speakers, but it could position the instrument sections of the orchestra and tonally reproduce them faithfully.
A recommended set of electronics
I do not often recommend a particular set of electronics comprising a system, but as the Model One is a more affordable product, audiophiles may wish to know what quality cost-conscious components could be mated with it for an upscale experience. I recently finished a review of the surprisingly capable TEAC VRDS-701 CD Player/DAC/Preamp and companion component, the CG-10M-X Master Clock Generator. Firstly, if you are interested in the VRDS-701, buy the Master Clock, too. It is fundamentally beneficial and upscales all streaming and CD playback. The price for both is about $6K, which is a bargain to get upscale CD playback, a brisk preamp which can be set to fixed or variable output, and an extensively configurable DAC. The one caveat is that the RCA or XLR outputs are selectable, and cannot both be used simultaneously. Here is a set of electronics that like the Model One hits a price point but aspires to upper end sound quality. Get some Iconoclast Cables to match with all this, and you will have a bona fide respectable HiFi without spending tens of thousands.
We live in a world where small systems are being installed on an increasing basis. People stuck in front of their computers want quality sound, and the Model One is the answer for a no-nonsense desktop or small room system. It’s extreme in a desktop system but will not disappoint. It is one of the very few small bookshelf speakers that in a desktop application, no subwoofer would be necessary. If you do decide to mate a subwoofer with the Model One, make it a high-quality sub or else it will detract from the quality of the speaker. These speakers deserve quality ancillary equipment. If you do things right and conditions change, the Model One and subwoofer could be repurposed as a fine stand-alone HiFi.
So much has changed, and so much has not changed
With the passing of Jonathan Tinn, there have been profound changes to Evolution Acoustics, evident in Kevin and Florence’s MODEL series. Yet, there has been no movement away from highly precise modeling and production of speakers. Just as I was impressed with my experiences of hearing the MMMicro One at shows, I am perhaps impressed more by the Model One. It seems to draw even more refinement and power from a smaller cabinet. It is evident that Evolution Acoustics aims to offer speakers in a wide price range while adhering to best design practices.
Over the past several weeks as I have enjoyed the Model One’s sound, my memory travels back to my time with the Wilson Benesch Curve, and I hear similar characteristics from the Model One. The comparisons are apt, as it is an excellent small speaker and an excellent choice for a small form factor, but very serious audio system! Strongly recommended for those seeking upscale performance in a small package.
Associated Components:
Digital Sources: Bricasti M5 Network Player, PS Audio AirLens, TEAC VRDS-701 Dual Monaural USB/DAC CD Player/Pre-Amp/Headphone Amplifier and TEAC CG-10M-X Master Clock Generator
Streaming Music Service: Tidal premium; Qobuz
Interface: ROON; Audrivana
DAC: (Placeholder) Eastern Electric Minimax with discrete opamps rolled in
Preamp: (Placeholder) Cambrige Audio Azur 840E
Amps: Legacy Audio i.V4 Ultra
Integrated: Heaven 11 Billie Amp Mk2 (two units used in horizontal bi-amp configuration); PS Audio Stellar Strata Mk2 (two units used in horizontal bi-amp configuration)
Speakers: Legacy Audio DSW Clarity Edition; Kings Audio King III electrostatic speakers; Pure Audio Project Trio15 10” Coaxial version; Kings Audio King Tower omnidirectional; Aspen Acoustics Grand Aspen; Wharfedale Opus 2-M2 Monitors
Subwoofers: Perlisten D212s Subwoofers
IC’s: Iconoclast RCA and XLR Generation 2 with Ultra-Pure Ohno Continuous Cast Copper conductors
Speaker Cables: Iconoclast Series 2 TPC Speaker Cable; Iconoclast Series 2 SPTPC Speaker Cable
Digital Cables: AudioQuest Digital Coaxial Carbon 1.5m; AudioQuest Digital Coaxial Coffee 1.5m; Iconoclast RCA or XLR 2m Interconnect used as digital link; Audioquest
USB: AudioQuest Cinnamon USB 1.5m; Audioquest Coffee USB 1.5m; Clarity Cable Supernatural 1m
Power Cables: Iconoclast BAV Power Cord; Clarity Cable Vortex; Snake River Audio Signature Series
Power Conditioning: Wireworld Matrix Power Cord Extender; Tice Audio Solo
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