Adam Noren
Living in a home built in 1790 presents unique challenges when designing a high-fidelity audio system. My listening room requires corner speaker placement, which has traditionally forced compromises between sound quality and everyday living room functionality. While I had enjoyed previous systems built around Naim and Sonus Faber components, I always felt I was sacrificing something in order to make the room work.
Although I had been aware of Brian Charney's larger loudspeaker designs for some time, I only recently discovered the Maestro, a model specifically intended for corner placement. Since Brian lives just a few hours away, I arranged a listening session in his home.
The experience was compelling enough that I left not only ordering the speakers, but also a 300b amplifier and matching preamplifier. Working with Brian throughout the process was a pleasure. Rather than simply recommending the most expensive options, he focused on building a system that made the most sense for my room, listening habits, and long-term goals.
The level of customization was equally impressive. I was able to select upgrades that enhanced both the sound and appearance of the system, including custom veneered faceplates that perfectly complemented the speakers and the furniture in my home.
After several months of ownership, I can confidently say that my search for speakers and amplification for this room is over. More importantly, I no longer spend my time thinking about equipment upgrades or how to improve the sound. Instead, I simply listen to music.
As someone who considers himself a music lover first and an audiophile second, that may be the highest compliment I can offer. The quality of Brian's work, combined with his willingness to answer questions before and after the purchase, has made the entire experience exceptionally rewarding.
Brian doesn't just build outstanding audio systems. He genuinely cares about ensuring his customers are happy with the results. That commitment is evident long after the purchase is complete.