aspen FR30 loudspeakers launch

The long-awaited PS Audio loudspeaker some have labeled as the IRSV killer, while others labeled it as “the most beautiful loudspeaker ever” has finally launched.

Years in the making, the FR30 is PS Audio’s statement on the art of home music reproduction.

Each of the FR30’s total of 22 drivers was designed from the ground up by our own resident speaker guru, Chris Brunhaver.  From each speaker’s 4 low-distortion, high-compliance, long-throw woofers, to its 4 unique 10″ side-firing symmetrical radiators producing in-room bass that extends down into the mid 20Hz regions, to its custom-designed 10″ planar ribbon midrange and front and rear planar ribbon tweeters, the FR30 is an engineering tour de force. 

And does it manage to beat the venerable Infinity IRSV that has been PS Audio’s reference system for so many years? Indeed, the FR30s now hold the place of honor in Music Room Two as PS Audio’s reference system.

We have been taking reservations for the new FR30 loudspeakers in dated rounds. Rounds 1 and 2 have sold out and if you’re in the US and interested in signing up to hear for yourself one of the most stunning loudspeakers ever crafted, head here and join round 3 before they too are sold out.

If you are outside of the United States, contact your local dealer and find out when they expect delivery of the aspen FR30 loudspeakers from PS Audio. Worldwide shipments begin this March with a few select countries receiving earlier shipments.

A touch of country folk

Octave Records’ latest release is Levelland by country-folk duo Bonnie and Taylor Sims. It’s a contemplative and romantic set of songs by the two, who have been playing and recording together for more than 15 years. Bonnie and Taylor have earned numerous accolades, including 2020’s internationally-charting Number One single, “I See Red,” as well as top honors in the RockyGrass and Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and other awards.

Levelland, named after the “underwhelming” (as they put it) town in Texas where they first met, features the lead and harmony vocals of Bonnie and Taylor, with Bonnie playing mandolin, Taylor picking the acoustic guitar, and Brad Morse accompanying them on upright bass. The sound is open, clear and intimate. It’s an instant classic for anyone wishing a reference quality recording.

The album was recorded at Animal Lane Studios in Lyons, Colorado using Octave Records’ Pure DSD process and the Sonoma multi-track DSD recording system. It was recorded, mastered and mixed by Gus Skinas. A number of vintage and other instruments were used, including a 1946 Martin D-18, 1957 Martin OOO-18, 1910 upright bass, and a 2015 Newsom F5 mandolin.

Levelland is available as a limited-edition release of 1,000 hybrid SACD discs with the master DSD layer and a CD layer. In addition, the album can be purchased as a download bundle including DSD64, DSDDirect Mastered 192kHz/24-bit, 96kHz/24-bit and 44.1kHz/16-bit PCM. Levelland was produced by Bonnie and Taylor Sims and Jessica Carson was the executive producer.

The discs can be played on any CD player. Enjoy!