Hot on the heels of my review of fab audio's super Stonehenge loudspeaker, comes a review of their top-of-the-line Model 1 loudspeaker. While differing significantly in look and topology, the speakers share the fab audio sound signature, with the more expensive Model 1 offering a humble(d) listener significantly more in audiophile and musical delights.

The great sound and value that earned the Stonehenge the Audiophilia Star Component Award has been continued with these striking blocks of audio ingenuity. The Model 1s offer a crystal clear soundstage, very low distortion, superb coherence, very high efficiency, pinpoint imaging all the way to the back of the hall, glorious tonal balance, timbral fidelity, with absolutely zero hifi tricks on the audiophile radar. No bass humps, no etched treble, no gobbledygook, nada, zip, squat! Refreshing. Just like the sound.

The fab team of three, Jim Fabian, Michael Thompson, and Harold Gallimore delivered the speakers. I'm not sure if it's something in our water or air, but Canadian speaker manufacturers are among the kindest, classiest people you are likely to meet in high-end audio. They took time to set up the speakers carefully (although the Model 1s are incredibly easy to match to your room) and offered suggestions for amplification. Jim Fabian mentioned that the speakers love large rooms, but are quite happy to reside in smaller spaces, too. Like mine. They seemed happiest shooting straight out and ten feet apart (with the commensurate huge soundstage); at times, we had them firing in at a 10-degree angle. This placement sounded wonderful also, but I settled on the direct approach.

The cool fab website details all the pertinent technical info: the speaker is described as a '…floor standing sculptured tower with a dynamic 2 1/2 way, 3 speaker system and bass reflex loading'. The porting is achieved via a slim, front slot rather than the usual rear placement. Frequency response is 32 Hz - 20 kHz with an efficiency of 97dB (single-ended tube amps, please apply) and an impedance of 6 ohms. Dimensions are 16" W x 18" D x 45 ¼" H and they weigh in at 150lbs. The cabinet is front wall constructed, with a proprietary 1 ½" / 37mm laminate of MDF, plastic and cotton that has a broadband attenuation of 46 db. Select panels are damped with a lead, rubberized bitumen laminate and extensive internal bracing is used throughout. The Beyma-sourced, fab-very modified drivers are something quite special. The tweeter has a precision-machined, aluminum faceplate with phase plug, aluminum dome, braided lead wires, and a '…powerful magnet system without liquid cooling for maximum transient performance and efficiency'. The two woofers are 10", 200 Wrms drivers each with a cast basket, rough molded heavy paper cone, doped and pleated cloth surround, with massive, focused 90oz. magnets and 3" / 75mm voice coils. To complete fab's pursuit of excellence, the crossover uses audiophile, premium grade components and wiring (van den Hul) tuned for a smooth frequency response with minimal off axis variation and low system distortions.

fab audio describes the Model 1s as 'audio sculpture'. Like everybody's personal reaction to art, the emotional response is in the eye and heart of the beholder. That the speakers are striking is not subject for debate. That they are beautiful is. My pair was in the comely Sandstone black paint finish (with faint blue flecks visible in the sunlight). I have seen the speakers in piano black gloss and Ferrari Red gloss. Stunning, both. Alas, the gloss finishes come at a higher price. In any finish, the cabinet making is of the highest quality.

The fab designers explained to me that they have attempted to replicate the best of electrostatic designs (inner detail, low distortion and coherence) with the best of boxes (dynamic drivers, high efficiency and power handling). Ah, the Holy Grail of speaker design -- the seemingly never ending search for the 'perfect' in high-end. Like a live performance, impossible. But, we'll have a hell of a go at it! fab certainly has! Did they succeed? God knows! What I do know is the Model 1s sound fantastic, and at no time during my three months with them did I pine for a stator, Mylar strips, or slams of any kind. Whether sourced from the Accustic Arts CD Player-1 or the Avid Volvere Sequel turntable (both reviews forthcoming), the fabs never sounded less than the heady audio heights emblazoned in their literature. Indeed, they replicated each recording with '…the weight and authority of the live event'.

Arriving at the same time as the speakers, the German Accustic Arts CD Player 1 nudged my conscience for review attention. The player shared the limelight happily with the speakers, adding to the beauty of the sound. Smooth, detailed digital allowed the speakers to sing fab's praises to the rafters. Voices as diverse as Ben Heppner, Eddie Vetter, Sarah McLaughlin, and Elizabeth Schwarzkopf helped with my investigation. The powerful chest tones of Heppner and Schwarzkopf were handled easily by the speakers' 97dB efficiency and power handling, and the treble purity of McLaughlin and out-of-tune Vetter were held under cruel scrutiny by the wonderful tweeter. Balancing on a dime with the tweeter, were the front and rear firing mid/bass woofers. They all disappeared magically, leaving a benchmark of coherence.

A very positive review from an English print magazine suggests the Model 1 stars as a rock performer. Yes, they rock. Loud and hard. No problem, and as much as you dare. Yet, the delicacy afforded the best in chamber music and the timbral accuracy given to orchestral instruments cannot be underestimated. While the fab crew was visiting, I decided to be vainglorious and plonk on a recent CD of mine. Yes, it was my playing. No more, no less. Other speakers give more or less. Not good. Later, when alone, I played along in duet with the speakers. Okay, live is still unbeatable, but the Model 1s gave me a hell of a run for my money! Much later, and via the Avid turntable, it was great to hear my teacher (a sound I know very well) playing spectacularly on The Royal Ballet Gala Performances (Classic Records LDS 6065). Again, eerily real.

Like the Stonehenge, the Model 1 is very well balanced - pristine highs, a gorgeous midrange and even better and lower bass. Bass was measured to 30Hz in my room. The London tube rumbling under Kingsway on many of the Classic Record reissues was as clear as a bell. With many speakers, this is heard as a solid line of bass energy, but the Model 1s cleaned up London Transport's act. Very clear and delineated. I enjoyed watching the faces of the uninitiated when playing another Kingsway stunner -- Martinon's LSO Shostakovich Ist Symphony (not bad for a 17 year old's grad piece!). The train was on time during the first movement. Every two minutes, or thereabouts! 'What the @#$%% is that?', exclaimed one gal!

Pianist Robert Silverman was a recent visitor to my house. He won't mind me saying how much he enjoyed the system, especially the Model 1s. I wanted him to hear his great traversal of the Beethoven Sonatas on my system, but like many great artists, he wanted to hear others rather than his own efforts. Begrudgingly, I played some LPs and CDs of other pianists. All sounded remarkable through the Model 1s. For a treat, and as a gentle goodbye, I pounded out Keith Johnson's Reference Recording of Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances. Good Lord! What a CD. As the plaster peeled, the smile on this quiet, unassuming man's face was praise enough. Many other musicians loved the Model 1s, as well.

Even after three wonderful months, the excitement continues. fab audio is the distributor of Murata Spherical Super Tweeters (up to 100 kHz!). I'll be getting a pair of gleaming ES103As to place atop the speakers along with a fab-modified, single-ended amplifier. The results from this conglomeration are supposed to be out of this world. I'll be happy to relay results after some one-on-one time.

The designers of the Model 1 deserve huge congratulations for living large and somewhat on the design edge of the high-end. As such, if you are in the market for a full-range loudspeaker, the Model 1 and its extraordinary sound demands your serious attention. It will fit most lifestyles/room configurations and is amplification friendly. The speaker is one of the finest pieces of high-end equipment to grace my listening room. And at US$7699.00 for the Sandstone finish and a thirteen hundred surcharge for high gloss (20 colours), the speakers are an outstanding bargain.

[It is with great pleasure that we award The Audiophilia Star Component Award to the fab audio Model 1 Loudspeaker. Congratulations! - Ed]