That’s just one example. The results with the recent Babyan/Trifonov disc, Rachmaninoff For Two (DGG 486 4805) are just as impressive, the re-shod speakers presenting the tonal difference between the two pianos more clearly, but also with greater musical relevance to the works and greater insight into the intimate artistic relationship between the two pianists. The dynamic shifts in the Symphonic Dances are wider and more emphatic, the interlocking piano parts more clearly articulated, yet each player preserves their own distinct tonal range and character. Even mainstream pop material like the Adele Live At The Royal Albert Hall recording gets a reality check and dimensional makeover. Play ‘Someone Like You’ and her voice is much more intimate, natural and detailed, her diction clearer and her vocal technique more clearly apparent. But the kicker comes with the audience participation. As the crowd sings the chorus, the expanse of the RAH is filled with voices that reach out and surround you. It’s pretty darned impressive – especially considering that the track Spikes already represent a worthwhile upgrade over the stock items…
Putting this in context, the Living Voice OBX-RW4 is already an excellent speaker: one of the most musically expressive and engaging speakers available at the price. Adding the Neodio Harmonie footers make you realise just how good the speakers are. The Track Spikes and shoes will cost you around €200 for a set of eight. They are, as I’ve already suggested, pretty much a minimum standard on these speakers. At four times the price, the Harmonie footers lift (or perhaps ‘release’ would be a better term) substantially more performance from the speakers – enough to justify the price. This isn’t a make or break upgrade: it’s more a case of realising the performance that you’ve already invested in.
I experimented with the Harmonie footers on more affordable speakers from Spendor and EJ Jordan (the stands of the Greenwich loudspeakers). In both cases the results were impressive and recognisably consistent with the musical benefits enjoyed with the Living Voice speakers. The footers may have had less to work with in ultimate terms but they also had more to work with in terms of basic organisation and presentation. They cleaned up the bass on the Spendors significantly, adding pitch, tone, pace and a more convincing acoustic, more substance to voices and a more natural balance. The crossover-less Jordan speakers were a revelation, with even more explicit timing and rhythmic nuance, natural expression and increased weight.
But here’s the rub: the Spendors will run you a little over €9K, the Jordans around 5.5K and I’d have no problem justifying the cost in either case: I’m just not sure how many customers would consider adding €800 footers to speakers at these prices, let alone €3,000 or €4,000…
