There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in front of a hifi that quietly seduces.
Yes, I purposefully positioned this post directly after the last one to highlight the scope of my preferences—wide. And my thinking suggests why not enjoy more than less.
Japan’s G.I.P. Laboratory was front and center in the True Source Audio Distribution room at Axpona 2026 with a lovely pair of their 225 Loudspeakers. The company “builds horn loudspeaker systems based on classic theater technology from the Western Electric company of the 1930s” but this smallish pair are designed for home not theater (and not home theater). You’re looking at G.I.P.’s 225 loudspeakers that were filling this small room with lovely music driven by G.I.P.’s 30 wpc 6L6 Mono Amplifiers.
The 225’s use the G.I.P. 4189 8” full range field-coil woofer paired with their 597A field-coil horn tweeter. You can adjust the level of the 597A to suit your room and taste and Steve Mishoe of True Source had this system dialed in on the smooth and seductive side.
Records ruled the day which slows the music choices down to a relaxed pace which is something I appreciate. A secret—I shy away from reviewing analog gear so that listening to records in the Barn isn’t work and listening to this system wasn’t work either with its delightful intimate delicacy.
The System
G.I.P. Laboratory 225 Loudspeakers: $64,000/pair
G.I.P. Laboratory Preamplifier-1: $52,000/pair
G.I.P. Laboratory 6L6 Mono Amplifiers: $57,000/pair
AMG Viella Forte Turntable
Benz Micro LPS Cartridge
Box Furniture Rack
Cable from Chord’s Epic series