CEDIA 2011

OK, maybe the company is new, but the GoldenEar team have loads of experience. The latest beneficiaries are a couple of monitor models. The Aon 3 ($499/each) has a seven-inch woofer and, on either side, two eight-inch passive radiators. The smaller Aon 3 ($399/each) is smaller, with six-inch woofer and 6.5-inch passive radiators. Both have the famous GoldenEar pleated diaphragm tweeter. In the demo, a male vocal had warmth and in-the-flesh realism. An orchestra was big-sounding but not rolled off at the top. In choral music, it felt as if surrounds were operating, even though we were hearing just two speakers. Five of these and a sub would make a killer home theater system.