Vifa Reference 5.1 Speaker Array

Marketed for the "audiophile", Denmark's Vifa took some time out today to show us their new reference series speakers. Before they are even turned on, the first thing you notice is how sleek they look. With a piano finish and no delusions of being small and discrete, these are meant to be seen and heard. Vifa demonstrated the speakers with their new Reference component line as well, consisting of the VR8X receiver and VR8D DVD player. These two items are not packaged with the speakers, but are the visual equal and are intended to complement one another. The receiver has a 24-bit DSP chip that decodes all the popular formats such as Dolby ES and DTS EX 6.1. It also features analog bass management for two-channel "Direct" mode (kudos). Vifa was demoing the system, but of course the CES show floor isn't the greatest place for a subjective review. The main speakers feature a 150 watt powered 10" sub in their base. The cabinet design separates the subwoofer, reducing the transfer of vibration to the midrange and high frequency speakers located above it. Vifa also mentioned that they were careful to match the voicing for all speakers in the reference system, ensuring similar reproduction from all channels.

Front cabinet specs:

• Sub: 10" active subwoofer
• Mid-bass: 6.5" bass unit
• High: 1" dual concentric silk dome tweeter
• Sensitivity: 88 db (2.83 V/1m)
• Frequency range: 25Hz - 35kHz
• Nominal impedance: 8-ohms
• Recommended amplifier: 50-200 Watts

Center channel specs:

• Mid-bass: 2) 5.5" long stroke woofers
• High: 1" dual concentric dome tweeter
• Sensitivity: 88dB (2.83 V/1m)
• Frequency range: 50Hz - 35kHz
• Nominal impedance: 8-ohms
• Recommended amplifier: 50-200 watt

Surround channel specs:

• Mid-driver: 5" long stroke unit
• High: 1" dual concentric dome tweeter
• Sensitivity: 88dB (2.83 V/1m)
• Frequency range: 50Hz - 35kHz
• Nominal impedance: 8-ohms
• Recommended amplifier: 50-200 Watts

The complete 5.1 speaker array has an M.S.R.P. of $5000 and is available now through European distributors. For more information on these speakers as well as the sibling DVD player and receiver, check out www.vifa.dk .