Price Paid:  $650.00 from Digital Phase

Summary:
I purchased one of the first AP.7 loudspeaker pairs based upon my 1994 auditon of an AP.5 speaker pair at the Digital Phase facility in Chattanooga. For nine years I have utilized them in conjunction with a conrad-johnson PV2a preamp, an Electrocompaniet semiconductor preamp, an Amber Series 70 amp, Rotel RB960 and RB981 amps, a variety of source components, and both Kimber & Audioquest interconnects and speaker cables. My preference in music is jazz, primarily contemporary jazz, from either CD or vinyl. These large "bookshelf" speakers are very musical and truly wonderful for the price paid. The AP.7's are quick, accurate, and exceptionally linear in response from 35Hz through 20KHz, They also image remarkedly well, perhaps due primarily to the use of small drivers placed in close proximity. Consequently, AP.7's are ideal for an audiophile system in a room unaccommodating floorstanders. However, at about 33Hz their response curve begins to dive rapidly. So, although the manufacturer claims most listeners do not need a subwoofer, I certainly recommend one with AP.7's in an AV system having action-adventure emphasis.

Strengths:
Musical, well-balanced reproduction in a frequency range broader than most 2-way loudspeakers. Instrument sound stage is excellent. Sturdy build construction of the heavy cabinet.

Weaknesses:
Moderate efficiency, Mundane cosmetics in the plain rectangular cabinet and simple grille.

Similar Products Used:
Mordaunt-Short, B&W, and Genesis "bookshelf" speakers.