Colibri C2 is a new, compact(-ish!), modular speaker system that combines a spherical horn loaded mid/tweeter with a pair of 6.5” horn loaded bass units. The clever cabinet construction includes mounting hardware and the speaker can be disposed horizontally or vertically. With high sensitivity (around 100dB), 117dB maximum SPL and a bandwidth that is claimed to reach down to 65Hz, this is a potentially potent speaker system that is small enough to fit into almost any room, yet has the power to play almost any music, on the end of almost any system. Styling might best be described as ‘Steampunk PA with a touch of class’ – the sort of affect that OMA are striving for (but miss by a mile)! Cast, extruded and moulded cabinet elements combine to create something that’s a world away from a compact two-way box or slim floorstander.
Although the Colibri can be combined with almost any sub-woofer, it’s no surprise that Avantgarde offers their own matching unit – the C18 – which combines a 1,200 Watt active amplifier package with an 18” (yes, 18”) driver in a simple cubic cabinet that can be mounted separately or ‘nested’ with the Colibri C2, using the clever mounting brackets to create a single modular array. The large diaphragm means that the sub can move serious air with even short excursions, which in combination with the powerful motor and massive 150mm voice coil bodes well for bass transparency and articulation.
For anybody who believes in the low-powered/high-sensitivity route to musical Nirvana, who wants to shift into horn-based speaker technology, wants a funky and stylish speaker system that can fill a modern, open-plan space without breaking a sweat, or wants to graduate from headphones to something that really does offer more, this is an intriguing debut and I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing how it performs. The price? Expect the Colibri C2 to start between €6,000 and €7,000 a pair. That’s an awful lot of performance for your money – which helps explain just why I’m so interested.
If Avantgarde’s iTron current-drive active amplification moves the needle when it comes to high-end performance and value, the Colibri system seems set to do the same at the other end of the price spectrum, offering both a serious reason and genuinely affordable step up in performance for those looking to graduate beyond ‘cans’ – or those who just want better music at home without breaking the bank…
