Regular readers know I own a pair of DeVore Fidelity O/96 loudspeakers which I’ve used as my reference for years.
The reason being the O/96 check all of my wish list items in terms of what I want from a loudspeaker. You can read my review where I extrapolate on the whys and I’ll add, not for the first time, that no matter the speakers that come and go in and out of the Barn I’m always happy to return to the O/96.
As you might expect, I am very excited to have a pair of O/Bronze in for review. You may recall my recent ‘Road Tour’ post where I attended a dual launch party event in Red Hook, Brooklyn at Resolution AV for the O/Bronze and Nagra Reference line. I recommend giving that post a read for my take on the event and more.
TM Patrons with good memories may also recall my video interview with John DeVore back in 2023 where we talked about his limited edition The 20, 20th Anniversary Speakers. The O/Bronze are essentially the unlimited version of that speaker.
Here’s what the DeVore website has to say about the O/Bronze:
The Orangutan O/Bronze fills the gap between DeVore Fidelity’s award-winning O/96 and our top of the line O/Reference. In a cabinet the same dimensions as the O/96 we use the tweeter from the O/Reference and a new 10″ paper cone woofer. Both drivers use the cast and machined bronze chassis from the O/Reference and deliver a new level of linearity and dynamic coherence for a speaker of this type. The port tubes are also made from bronze and like the O/Reference, they are isolated from the cabinet to minimize the effect of vibrations on the speaker performance.
And here’s the most relevant bits about the O/Bronze from that Resolution AV event coverage:
In standard hifi speak and from a satellite’s eye view, the O/Bronze are a 2-way design comprised of a 1″ silk dome tweeter, the same as used in the O/Reference, and a new 10″ woofer. But that’s hardly the story as the motor, magnet, and cast machined bronze horn all contribute to the tweeter’s improved performance as compared to the O/96. The woofer uses the same German paper cone as found in the O/96 but that about ends the sameness as the O/Bronze woofer employs a large Faraday ring that improves linearity, a copper ring mounted directly to the machined bronze phase plug that acts as a heat sink which decreases thermal compression (a good thing), and the chassis and rear ports are cast from the same bronze alloy improving stability while decreasing resonance as compared to the zinc chassis used in the O/96. All according to DeVore.
The O/Bronze’s frequency response is rated at 26Hz-23kHz with an amp-friendly 96 dB/W/M sensitivity.
Those dual brass ports ‘float’ in relation to the back panel to avoid bad vibrations.
Aha! So that’s what the Qualiton 300B Integrated Amplifier and Audio Note 300B Konzertmeister are for! Yup, but that’s only part of this amp-speaker pairing story. More to follow soon.
I will answer one question here and now:
Q: Can a 300B-based amp drive the O/Bronze?
A: Yes (some better than others).
The O/Bronze are already cooking on the B-Side. Stay tuned for more.
DeVore Fidelity O/Bronze Loudspeakers
Price: $30,000/pair
Manufacturer Website: DeVore Fidelity
Specifications
Frequency Response: 26Hz-23kHz
Sensitivity: 96 dB/W/M
Impedance: 12 ohms
Dimensions: 12″d x 18″w x 35.5″h including stands
Finish Options: American Black Walnut, Lace Walnut, or Custom