You know what I like? A good deal. Call me a cheapskate if you want, but after having heard plenty of uber-cheap audio gear alongside some truly stratospheric systems, I must conclude that deep pockets are not a prerequisite for great sound. Luckily, the folks putting on High End 2024 agree, so they’ve come up with the Soundsclever initiative. Five manufacturers are participating, and the sole criterion is that they must present a complete system that costs less than €5000. I am both excited and surprised to report that the Soundsclever systems presented here are not just competent, but truly impressive—at any price.
Elac
I’ll begin with the least impressive, but also least expensive, of the Soundsclever systems. It wasn’t playing anything, and I think it wasn’t even plugged in, but the system assembled by the German brand cost just €1417. The Debut Connex DCB41 powered loudspeaker system is the heart of Elac’s Soundsclever setup. Retailing for €529, this compact system has built-in Bluetooth, a pair of RCA inputs switchable between phono and line-level operation, optical (TosLink) S/PDIF input, an HDMI ARC port, a USB Type-B port, and an amplifier that outputs 50Wpc. A Miracord 50 turntable (€499), which comes with an Audio-Technica AT91 cartridge, and a Debut S10.2 subwoofer (€389) round out the system.
Xtonebox
I’d never heard of this Spanish brand before, and I assume by its modest but well-done showing here at High End 2024 that it’s a pretty small boutique outfit. Even so, it put together a formidable and attractive vintage-styled system. The S-10C loudspeakers, which cost €1995/pair, are a pair of big, rectangular speakers that’ll remind you of your college system back in the ’80s—but of course, they’re way, way better.
The speakers were powered by the €1550 Silver 6011 amp, which uses tubes for the preamp and onboard RIAA phono stages, but offers 60Wpc from a pair of Hypex Ncore modules. The system also includes Xtonebox’s handsome 121ST automatic turntable (€925), which looks uncannily like a Dual 1210 ’table from way back when. But when I heard this setup, some sort of streaming source was in use. Xtonebox gets serious kudos from me and Jason for playing real music—something off Protection by Massive Attack. The sound was low in level since it was playing out in the open, but it had an inviting, warm character. If I were looking for a super-cool system to match the décor of my pad, Xtonebox would leave me satisfied for sure. And it all came in at just €4470.
EverSolo
EverSolo dealer AudioNEXT compiled a system based around EversSolo’s modestly priced but high-achieving electronics and a pair of Epos ES7N loudspeakers (€1999/pair). The speakers had a beautiful teal paint finish, and sounded great driven by the EverSolo AMP-F2 power amp, which costs €799. The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition streaming DAC (€1299) served up a signal to the amp. Portento Audio Performer speaker cables (€549) and XLR cables (€275) are the finishing touch to this system, which costs €4921 in total.
This was where I really started to be impressed by these little cheapy systems. Though the EverSolo and Epos system didn’t have quite the same soundstage depth and overall refinement of the much costlier systems I heard this weekend, its sound was seriously satisfying. Great imaging and a natural midrange had me questioning whether it wouldn’t give my own system a run for its money.
Lindemann
I only discovered this German brand here at High End 2024. Lindemann Audio’s Soundsclever system comprised the Woodnote Combo, a streaming amplifier costing €1980. The speakers were the Lindemann Move Minis, a pair of shockingly tiny two-ways that cost €2180. QED Reference XT 25 speaker cables (€99) and an Isotek Evo3 power cable (€99) completed this small-but-mighty system.
And mighty it was. The Move Mini speakers had maybe the most bass the laws of physics will allow out of such tiny enclosures. Lindemann was also showing some of its larger speakers in the room, and when the brand’s rep saw me inspecting them, he said in German, “Nein. Die kleine.” “No, the small ones,” in English. I responded in German, incredulous, “The small speakers are playing?” He just smiled and nodded. The rest of the frequency range was equally competent, so I’ll be paying close attention to Lindemann going forward.
Sonoro
The folks at Sonoro treated me and a small number of other guests to a curated demonstration of music and gear in their listening space. This wasn’t just a casual demo; it was a full-on professional presentation of the brand’s products, so I really appreciated the attention. The system Sonoro was showing consisted of their 2.5-way Grand Orchestra floorstanding loudspeakers, which cost €2398/pair, and the company’s all-in-one streaming receiver, which includes a CD drive as well, the €1999 Maestro Quantum. This clocks in at just €4397, though the German hi-fi company also was showing its €599 Platinum turntable. This brings the total price to €4996, but we didn’t listen to any vinyl. Somewhat astoundingly, they also showed a pair of Orchestra standmount speakers that cost even less. With stands, they come in at just €1300.
The Sonoro stuff blew me away, because it had an incredibly slick, lifestyle-focused design, and sounded incredible too. The walking acoustic bass on a Gregory Porter track had a lifelike depth and size, and Porter’s voice had a warm, emotive quality along with great intelligibility. But where this system really excelled was its ability to reproduce space in Sonoro’s small listening room. There were some seriously palpable, wraparound stereo effects going on in there, with the sound seeming to come from everywhere except the speakers. I think Sonoro is really going places if more people get their ears on this stuff.
That’s it for the Soundsclever exhibits. In case you can’t tell, I’m totally blown away by how good this stuff is for its price. I seriously can’t wait to see—and hear—more from these brands, and others who are putting out such good stuff for such little money.
Matt Bonaccio
Contributor, SoundStage!
