News

Martin Logan CLX NE Debut.  Extended!!!  Due to unexpected circumstances, the New England debut of the 25^th Anniversary Martin Logan CLX will continue through August 26th.   This is the long awaited successor to the widely praised CLS full range electrostatic. The CLX made its world debut at Munich High End 2008 to unanimous acclaim as the best sound at the show.  These will only be here for another few days, so please call soon to arrange a demonstration.  Or if you would like, we have the new Spire, which has one 10 inch powered subwoofer, an electrostatic panel based on the new CLX, and is priced at $8495.

Design New England Magazine.  The July/August 2008 issue has a four page article which details a very high end custom acoustical room treatment which was designed and installed by us.  In addition we installed a high end stereo/home theater system with Crestron control for the system--as well as for the Imagecrafters lighting system with energy efficient and very quiet LED lighting which we also provided.  See the link here and then click "Pages" and see pages 48-51.

Forbes Magazine.  The December 24, 2007 issue features an article on high end music servers based upon another interview and listening session here. Again we are prominently featured--and you can see a link here or a pdf of the article here.

Status Magazine.  The Fall 2007 issue features a rather extensive article based upon a few hours of their reporter interviewing us about various aspects of putting together a really high end home theater. The 4 page article which is entitled "Best Seat in the House" quotes us extensively and starts on page 90. It features top products from Magico, Runco, Theta, Kaleidescape, Crestron, etc.

Forbes Magazine.   A few months ago a reporter from Forbes magazine spent several hours interviewing us and listening to three different turntable setups here. An article published in the June 4, 2007 issue (starting on page 64), talks about high end turntables and Goodwin's High End is prominently featured throughout. In it we are recognized as "one of the nation's foremost retailers of top-end audio gear". Although of course we have enjoyed an excellent and longstanding reputation in audiophile circles, it is always gratifying for us to be so acknowledged in the general press! Here is a link.

2007 New York Home Entertainment Show.   We premiered two brand new speakers in our room at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan May 11-13th. Both the new Magico V3 and the Mini2 greatly impressed the many attendees!

Absolute Sound.  In an article in the March 2006 issue, the Magico Ultimate speakers were featured in a custom acoustic room that we designed and installed in a client's home in San Francisco. The article spans pages 82-91 and you can see pictures of the Ultimates installed in our custom acoustic room at these two links: (Ultimate #1) (Ultimate #2)

A Unique Opportunity!  At the request of one of our clients, in January 2007 we made special arrangements to bring in some new and highly touted top-end speakers for audition. So along with our usual array of fine loudspeakers, we presently have the Magico Model 6, the Rockport Altair, and the Verity Lohengrin II here in the store. This is the only place in the US that you can presently compare these speakers--and if you are interested you're invited to call us for an appointment.

New England Home Magazine.  For the December 2006 issue, Alan Goodwin was interviewed and quoted in an article on high quality residential audio and acoustics.

Architectural Digest.   One of the systems we installed in Boston was photographed for an article in the November 2006 issue.  The living room system of this fabulous Back Bay condo features a Spectral Reference system driving X-2's--and the Family Room utilizes another separate Spectral Reference system.  In addition, among other things, this home also features a home theater, a roof deck system, and a video screen behind a mirror in the guest bathroom--all controlled by a Crestron system with customized programming.  Of course the photography itself was up to the usual high Architectural Digest standards--simply beautiful!

This Old House. We are very pleased to have been selected as the audio, video, and automation specialist for the This Old House project in Cambridge, MA.

The contemporary home features an extensive audio system with speakers in most rooms and high-end Dynaudio Confidence C2 speakers in the living room. Behind the speakers, stealthy CinemaTech Acoustic Room Systems fabric walls tame the lively acoustics. Between the speakers a trick Auton lift lowers a portion of a wooden wall (right; click picture to enlarge) into the basement (!) to reveal a glorious 61" Runco plasma. A REL Studio subwoofer will supply "ample" bass.

In the master bedroom, a 43" Runco plasma rises from a custom cabinet. With 8 color touchpanels, 22 keypads, 4 video cameras, 8 Crestron-controlled thermostats, nearly 80 Crestron-controlled lighting loads, 3 miles of audio, video, and control wiring, and a huge 10kVA Equi=Tech balanced power conditioner, this is the most extensive and comprehensive automation package ever installed in a This Old House project. It even has a superb turntable for you vinyl lovers: Clearaudio Ambient with an Audio Research PH5 phono section!

The three episodes premiered in January and February 2006 on PBS as well as on the Create channel.

Plasma's superiority verified. An independent IDC report shows that plasma televisions are superior to the competing LCD and DLP rear projection television and that concerns about burn-in, lifespan, viewing angle, brightness, black level, and color accuracy are unfounded. Full report.

Videophiles and other consumers who value a high-quality image should really appreciate these results [of superior plasma video performance]. ©2005

Inside This Old House. Early in 2004, a This Old House camera crew visited our showroom. Show host Kevin O'Connor chatted with us about video display devices and room acoustics, including Goodwin's High End's own acoustic baffle system.

We enjoyed the experience and found the cast, crew, and director a pleasure to work with. It was fascinating to see how unscripted, improvised educational programming is shot and produced. Watch for re-runs on A&E!

Promotions & Specials

New Arrivals

Magico Model 6. The revised Model 6's are now here and they are awesome! With new nanotech midrange drivers and a new crossover, the bar has been raised in terms of loudspeaker performance. If you are interested in state-of-the-art loudspeakers you owe it to yourself to stop by and here them for yourself. We think you'll be stunned--in a good way of course!

Berkeley Audio Alpha DAC.  We now have this on display and it has immediately proven to be very popular. Driven by either a music server and/or a CD drive, this automatically switches between the various PCM sampling rates--thus making it very easy to switch between CD (Red Book) and high resolution files such as 192/24 or 176.4/24. Here is a link for more detailed information on the Alpha DAC--as well as choosing a Music Server or configuring a computer to use as an ad hoc music server.

Naim Nait 5i-2.  Introducing the Naim Series 5 components -- including the acclaimed Nait 5i-2 which was recently honored in TAS. Robert Harley states “What makes the 5i-2 so special is the amplifier’s ability to engage the listener musically.” We wholeheartedly agree with this quote as well as “ If there is a better value in high end audio than the Naim Nait 5i-2, I have yet to discover it”. What more can you ask for !

Rockport Aquila.  Rockport Technologies’ Andrew Payor has always been known for his beautifully crafted designs. From conception to execution, the focus is always on the goal of faithful reproduction of the musical experience, and the Aquila is another example of this practice. Superb cabinet design and construction, coupled with custom designed carbon fiber sandwich cones, a Scanspeak D30 tweeter and an refined crossover work to bring startling dynamic contrasts, a profound foundation, a midband that has to be heard to be believed and an extended high end. If you love music, come in and audition Rockport’s latest work of art!

  DeVore Fidelity The Nines.  So you want to make music in your room -- music like you’ve heard from the acclaimed Silverback Reference, but in a smaller package so as not to upset that delicate “domestic balance”. We have found The Nines to be such a product. No need to break the bank, and as with all the DeVore products, a speaker that allows your electronics (tube or solid state) to be the very best they can be. It’s a “relax and listen” type of thing.

Magico V3.  Simply put this is a stunning speaker!  It is very transparent and pure with incredible resolution--like an open window on what the musicians were playing.  If you are looking for a floor-standing speaker the V3 should definitely be on your short list. A warning though--once you hear it it may be difficult to leave without placing an order!

  Spectral DMC-30SS preamp.  This is Spectral's new reference preamp and it is a true step forward. Technically there is a lot that could be said about its new power supply design and volume control. However of more immediate interest to most music lovers is that it simply brings you closer to what the musicians played on the recording. You're welcome to come in and hear it for yourself--just bring your favorite music and enjoy!

Magico Mini 2.  This is a revised version of the Mini (see below) which has just been released. We have now received our demo pair--and we can say for sure that this is a wonderful speaker! Coupled with its dedicated stand this is a truly stunning--and stunning-looking speaker. Akin to the original Ford Model T, you can have it in any finish that you want as long as it looks identical to the one in the picture. A larger photo link is here so you can see for yourself:  Mini2 

Rockport Mira -- a new floor-standing speaker that we just received. Available in a variety of different paint colors to match your decor this has proven to be very popular. Given its high level of performance coupled with its stunning industrial design and finish quality, this beauty is a relative bargain at $13,500/pr.

Harmonic Resolution Systems resonance control products now grace our reference room. The folks at HRS have brought their wealth of knowledge gathered throughout years of work in the commercial and government aerospace industries. They offer products ranging from damping plates to isolation shelves and full racks. They are the best that we have seen or heard in 30+ years.

Linn Sondek LP12 SE Transcription Turntable. Since the 1973 introduction of the original Sondek LP12, Linn’s goal has been to deliver us from the evils of bad sound.  With a triumvirate of just-released upgrades, a new level of performance obliterates former perceived limitations of this amazing design.  The new Trampolin base, the Keel subchassis/armboard and the Ekos SE tonearm seem to be the exact upgrades this ‘table wanted.

Audio Research REF 3.  Liquid, yet natural, is how we would describe the sound of the new Audio Research Reference 3. As it is their new top preamplifier, it of course uses tubes in the circuit path. It also offers an easily readable display along with remote control. You're welcome to audition it for yourself--and when you do we think that you'll understand what all the hubbub is all about!                                 

DeVore Fidelity has been quietly developing some very musical loudspeakers, culminating in the well-received Silverback Reference. We now have a total of four models from them available for demo. Please come by for a listen and see why so many are acclaiming them as being such good values in the vast sea of speakerdom. After you hear them for yourself we think you will understand why!

Quad 2805 electrostatic speaker. We now have a pair of Quad's latest creation, the 2805. Augmenting the existing Quad 988 and 989 electrostatic speakers, the new 2805 features a stiffer frame, complete with in integral rear brace. This gives them more dynamic and bass impact. Quad also offers the larger 2905 for those that want deeper bass. Visually, the 2805 and 2905 appear more modern. Starting at $9,500/pair.

Spectral SDR-4000S Pro. Clients with orders (or who are contemplating an order) for this reference-level CD player should call Alan Goodwin at 781-893-9000 for the latest status on the length of backorders, pricing, and order information. The situation is still the same as last year--we are selling them faster than we can get them. Once you hear it you will know why!

Coming Soon

Look for some exciting new products to come later in 2008--including music servers coupled with outboard D-A converters for for high resolution audio files!