Tom F.

I have known Brian for over ten years and first became familiar with his work through equipment purchases and custom modifications he performed for my system. Throughout that time, I found him to be exceptionally honest, detail-oriented, and committed to making design decisions that prioritize musical performance above all else. My impression has always been that there is very little Brian cannot design, build, or improve.

When I learned Brian was preparing to introduce his Concerto loudspeaker, I arranged to spend an evening listening to both his personal system and the prototype Concertos. While I don't claim to have "golden ears," I have listened to a wide variety of systems across all price ranges and have attended numerous audio shows over the years. What I heard that evening was extraordinary.

The Concertos delivered a presentation that was dynamic, natural, and remarkably cohesive. The soundstage was expansive, the bass extended deeply while remaining tight and controlled, and the overall musical presentation rivaled or exceeded many of the finest systems I had encountered at audio exhibitions. Equally impressive was that this performance was achieved in a normal living space without elaborate room treatments or specialized acoustics.

The experience was convincing enough that I immediately placed a deposit on a pair of Concertos.

After taking delivery and living with the speakers for a month, my appreciation only grew.

The speakers arrived exceptionally well packed and protected. Once assembled and installed, it became immediately apparent how much care and precision had gone into their construction. Every aspect of the cabinetry reflected meticulous craftsmanship. The Tractrix horn geometry is complex, yet executed beautifully, while the finish quality and attention to detail are simply outstanding.

My system consists of a Kondo KSL Neiro 2A3 PSET amplifier, KSL-M77 preamplifier, KSL DAC, modified 47 Labs Flatfish transport, Garrard 301 turntable, Reed 12" 2A arm, and Koetsu Azule cartridge.

Within this system, the Concertos have proven to be among the finest loudspeakers I have ever owned. They combine speed, resolution, tonal richness, and dynamic expression while maintaining a large, immersive soundstage. High frequencies are extended and natural, bass performance reaches impressively deep, and the overall presentation remains balanced and musically engaging.

One of the most remarkable qualities of the Concerto is its coherence. Because the design utilizes a full-range driver without a crossover, there are none of the integration issues often associated with multi-driver systems. The result is a seamless presentation that feels effortless and complete.

Equally important, the speaker avoids many of the shortcomings often attributed to horn-based designs. There is no harshness, no exaggerated character, and none of the "shout" that listeners sometimes associate with full-range drivers. Instead, the sound is smooth, natural, and highly communicative.

Over the years, I have heard many highly regarded loudspeakers utilizing advanced materials and complex engineering solutions. While many of those products are impressive in their own right, the Concerto succeeds through a different approach. Brian's implementation of Tractrix horn theory simply works. Rather than compensating for design compromises elsewhere, the speaker delivers music with a level of honesty and coherence that is immediately convincing.

In my opinion, the Concerto performs well beyond its price category and occupies a unique place within the high-end audio marketplace. For my personal tastes, it represents an end point rather than another step in an endless upgrade journey.

If you have the room and the opportunity to hear them, I strongly encourage you to do so. Compare them directly against other speakers in their price range, and even against many that cost substantially more.

After more than a decade of knowing Brian, I can say that he is a perfectionist, a talented designer, and someone who genuinely cares about the satisfaction of his customers. Those qualities are evident in every aspect of the Concerto.