THINKING INSIDETHEBOX
Neat Acoustics celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 2021 with the launch ofa limited-edition version of the legendary “Petite”loudspeaker. Only100pairsofthisspeciallitlespeakerhave beenproducedandeachpairistestedby Neat’sfounderandMD,BobSurgeoner. The Petite 30 has been tremendously wel-received,andthedesignisafitingtribute toNeat’sveryfirstloudspeakerfrom1991. ThePetite’slegacyisstilcanbefoundinno les thanfivestand-mountmodelsinNeat’s curentrangefrom thetinyIotaandelegant MotiveSX3,tothemightyUltimatum XLS, maintaining the company’s reputation for producing large-scale sound from compact cabinets. The latest two stand-mount designs,the MinistraandMajistraemploysomecleverand novel thinking, with features unique to speakersattheirpricepoints. Theisobaricprinciple(whereanidenticalbas driveris“hidden”behindthefrontunit)isa trickle-down feature from the flagship Ultimatum Series,asisthedecoupledfront baflewhichhousesthemaindrivers.Isobaric loading meansthatextended and powerful bas canbereproducedfrom amuchsmaler cabinetthanusual,andthebaflearangement minimisestheefectofcabinetresonanceinthe lowerfrequencies. Coupledwithahigh-endribbontweeter,the performanceoftheMinistraandMajistrais breathtaking in its realism and musical coherencewithalthehalmarksthathave madeNeat’scompactspeakerssocherishedby musicloversformorethanthirtyyears.
TheMajistrahasrecentlybeenthesubjectofvery favourablereviewsandhasbeenawardedwith “Best Buy” from The Ear,“Applause” from Stereonetand“HighlyRecommended”from AV Forums. “BobSurgeonerhascreatedaloudspeaker ofsublimequalitieswhichwilnotfailto impres,no materthe chosen source material. Expertly engineered and exquisitelydesigned,theMajistraiswel worthitsaskingpriceandprovesthat,when itcomestoaudiotransducers,yourealydo getwhatyoupayfor.Punchingwelabove itsweight,thismodeltrulydeservesaBest Buybadgefrommesinceitisfarbeterthan manyadesignI’veheardatseveraltimesthe price.” - TrevorButler,TheEar.netJan2022
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