Living with the Living Voice OBX-RW4 –

Small enough to fit into almost any room, efficient enough and an easy enough load to work with SET amplifiers, the ability to bi-amp the OBX-RW4 allows it to survive and flourish in surprisingly large spaces too. It’s pretty in an understated way and it will get the most out of partnering amplifiers, not least by making their job considerably easier. Unlike an awful lot of the competition, it not only works, it works on the end of pretty much any system. As refreshing in the audio sense as it is compelling in musical terms, it should come as no surprise that the basic design has been around for two-and-a-half decades. Buy a pair and they could easily be in use for that long again.

Sibelius Violin Concertos are a bit like London buses: you wait ages for the next one and then two arrive at once. The last word on these speakers needs to be musical and it belongs to Jennifer Pike, Andrew Davis and the Bergen Philharmonic (Chandos CHSA 5134). Combining this most difficult of concertos with some of the composer’s most beautiful incidental music, the OBX-RW4s turn in a ravishing performance. The complex, interleaved orchestration, the crucial sense of pace and purpose, phrasing and restrained orchestral power are handled with an ease, grace and unburstable sense of commitment that does the performers proud. On paper, this musical line up might not look that promising. As a living, breathing musical presence in your room, it’s a joy. Which is kind of exactly what we should all be looking for from our systems. The Living Voice OBX-RW4 might not be the answer to every question, but its contribution invariably extends way beyond its size and price. It might not look that promising on paper, but just wait until it’s producing living, breathing music in YOUR room…

Prices and availability:

Living Voice OBX-RW4

 

Cherry/Maple/Walnut                                  £15,545

Flat White/Matt Black                                   £16,115

Pippy Oak/Ebony/Santos                           £16,690

Glossy Ebony                                               £20,251

 

OBX RW4 Crossovers                                £5,000*

 

*Owners of existing, veneered crossovers will need to return them for updating so as to maintain the veneer match to their cabinets.