Remarkably, all of them drove the Reflector very well. Yes, even the 2A3 SET. These amps range from 3.5wpc to 90wpc, and are priced from under $2000 up to over $8000. I primarily used the Reflector with four excellent tube amps: Finale Audio’s 829B Special, Copland’s CTA-506, Antique Sound Lab’s AQ1005DT 300B SET integrated, and my Triode Lab 2A3M SET amps. The Reflectors in the “low” height (21-inch) position. This is a standmount speaker that can and will strain the solo lifter. I’ve lifted all kinds of heavy speakers, and generally find it easier to do myself than with help. Both the horizontal planes utilize brass tension rods to prevent unwanted movement. The cabinets are heavily reinforced, and internally braced in both the lateral and vertical planes. The glass (which gives the speaker its name) is laminated in a constrained mode with absorbine material. While they don’t use an aluminum structure, they do incorporate a thick steel bottom plate, and thick glass sides and tops. Weighty? These are extremely heavy, rigid enclosures. Everything about this speaker is big, and weighty. It loads a good sized room beautifully, and projects, almost like a point source. It seems to move more air than would seem possible for the surface area of its drivers. Not only did I never think about a sub, I never really thought of the Reflector as a “monitor” while it was playing music. Their deep bass and upper bass performance was excellent, with all the amps I used and serving all types of music. I never once thought about a subwoofer with the Reflector. The extend fully in both directions, while delivering a beautiful, coherent midrange presence.
Reflector 3 review plus#
After spending two months with the Reflector, plus some time for, uh, reflection, I’m ready to share my thoughts.įirst of all, these are truly full-range speakers. That memory recorded, I didn’t waste time after the show, contacting Tash to ask for a review. Powered by a Copland integrated amp, the monitors filled the room with sound effortlessly, and painted a soundstage so well-defined, that, had my eyes been closed, I would have sworn came from dipole planars. When music began to play, I heard sounds incongruous with the rectangular boxes they were emanating from. For some reason I waited patiently, enjoying the break and quiet atmosphere, even though my time was limited. Once in place, the wait continued, while ‘the emcee’ behind the controls rebooted his music server. These speakers didn’t even have an official name yet – for the moment they were dubbed the ‘Special Edition’.
Still unheard, I was intrigued and felt a strange sense of excitement. Hmm, the word “substantial” came to mind. Something about these large standmounts compelled me – they have a presence that photos don’t fully express. It was quiet, and though I wasn’t aware of it, this brand-new model that I was drawn to, was being prepped for its first public audition. At the last TAVES show, I wandered in to the Reference 3A room at an opportune moment. Not as easy as it sounds! And I think Reference 3A have succeeded in a way that may surprise many.īut let’s rewind a little. What was requested was a full-range, full-blooded transducer – a speaker that plays with the big boys and represents, but still has a reasonably manageable footprint. Not a small speaker, mind you, nor one for small rooms, or small sound. In short, design and build a supermonitor.
The Reflector’s design brief goes something like this: in much of the world, living spaces tend to be small – even in many of the world’s wealth centers, many people live in condo apartments…and some time back, Reference 3A’s UK distributor asked Tash to come up with something to rival the likes of the Magico, Raidho and TAD monitors. Clad in glass and steel, this is clearly much more than a progressive model evolution. And about the loftiness of its ambitions. But while it may share some basic DNA with 3A’s venerable ‘Micro Master’/MM DeCapo, the Reflector’s weight – nearly triple the DeCapo – gives you some idea about the path of its trajectory. Tash took over a speaker company with a long, rich history, and he’s never forgotten its past accomplishments. Tash Goka, Reference 3A’s chief, tells me modestly that in some ways he views the all-new Reflector as a sort of grown-up DeCapo.
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