Colossal Sound has arrived! This new high-end audio equipment distributor made its presentation at Poison Studio in Braga with an immersive listening session. As a new player in the Portuguese market, they showcased some of their top equipment, and MoustachesToys was there to bring you the full report!
Why a recording studio? Well, a studio guarantees a highly controlled acoustic environment, challenging the capabilities of the equipment. In a space where sound is carefully controlled with abundant absorption and the natural tendency for a more clinical (or “dead” as some call it) sound, the question was: would Colossal Sound’s high-end gear shine through? The answer was crystal clear: absolutely!
At the helm of this operation is Paul Ross, the man behind Colossal Sound. The initial spotlight was supposed to be on the Mastersound Compact 845 integrated amplifier, but given the studio’s heavy sound absorption, the stars of the show turned out to be the 845 monoblocks, paired with the Spettro preamp, both from the same Italian brand. These system powered two pairs of Blumenhofer speakers, delivering a listening experience that left me and everyone else in the room, thoroughly impressed.
All tracks played were in DSD format, recorded from analog sources only, such as vinyl, reel-to-reel tapes, and even cassettes (yes, cassettes! Played on a Nakamichi 1000). Initially, I admit, I was a bit skeptical, but I quickly surrendered to the sheer sound quality. The system was demonstrated in two distinct configurations, both powered by Mastersound amplification, but with different Blumenhofer speakers, catering to different musical tastes.
First Configuration: Mastersound amplification and Blumenhofer Tempesta 20 MkII speakers
This setup included the Mastersound amplification with the Spettro preamp and 845 monoblocks, driving the Blumenhofer Tempesta 20 MkII speakers. Even in the tightly controlled environment of the studio, the Tempesta proved to be the ideal partner for showcasing the system’s ability to fill the space with music, with an impressive organic fluidity and naturalness.
Songs and Impressions:
- Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon: The bass was rich and textured, with instruments clearly defined, like a sonic 3D watercolor painting.
- Hugh Masekela – Stimela (The Coal Train) [Live]: The system captured all the energy and emotion of this live recording.
- Alexander Gibson – Danse Macabre, Op. 40: The violin had an almost tangible presence in the room, with a realistic tymbre and depth that enveloped the space.
- Sade – Smooth Operator: This classic took on new life, with the system perfectly capturing Sade’s smooth groove, delivering a performance full of emotion that watered my eyes. And yes, my hips and feet couldn’t resist the cha-cha-cha rhythm!
Second Configuration: Mastersound amplification and Blumenhofer Classic 1722 speakers
In the second part of the session, the Tempesta 20 MkII were swapped out for the Blumenhofer Classic 1722, offering a different, but equally stunning, sonic experience. This setup was more visceral, leaning into raw energy.
Songs and Impressions:
Some of the same tracks from the first configuration were played again, to better highlight the different sound signatures of each pair of speakers. It became clear that the first setup emphasized emotionality, while the second brought out a true rock ‘n’ roll spirit!
- Livin’ Blues – Black Night & Blue Breeze: The Classic 1722 shone through, capturing the nuances of the brass and vocals, especially in “Blue Breeze.”
- Leslie West – Waiting for the F Change: It’s impressive how good a digital cassette recording can sound, with excellent channel separation.
- Led Zeppelin – Since I’ve Been Loving You: The level of detail was astounding — you could even hear the squeak of Bonham’s drum pedal! And even Metallica, with Enter Sandman!
Colossal Sound is not just entering the high-end audio market in Portugal — they’re making a statement! And they’re not just adding more brands to the market. They’ve come to make their mark. Paul Ross, with his clear passion, not only promoted his own products with enthusiasm but also spoke with equal energy about his competitors’ gear. Now that’s something to admire!
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