If you're a smart consumer looking for that first rate, world class speaker performance who dircriminately invest strictly in quality and value...then these are the pair of speakers one should seriously consider owning. As the gains you get in return are immeasurable in listening pleasure and money saved.

None.

My most recent investment puts an end to the consumer's pun: "you only get what you pay for". Boy are these people wrong. This applies to people that carelessly invest their time and money without thought, careful research and a plan in mind. As a consumer, I invest only on the best my money can buy, the best my money can afford. I approach purchasing like an investor, always seek out the lowest valued securities or commodities which has the greatest potential for growth over time. It is the same as buying your next car, your house, your next video and audio equipment. Where the ultimate return you hope you receive with your "investment" comes in form of longevity, performance and just the pleasure of being able to own the best your money can buy, the best your money can afford. I know with my recent aquisition of the Cliffhanger CHS-2 and W-2 speakers, it is without a doubt that I reap the benefits of my "investment" immediately and with no end in sight.
The Cliffhangers are just a superbly melodious pair of speakers that can easily interpret any type of music you introduce to them. The torrential slam and boom of rock was delivered with such youthful vigour. The sultry intimacy of jazz was haunting and seductive. But I prefer classical. Gustav Holst's Mars, the Bringer of War was just breathtaking. Saint-Saen's Organ Symphony was just sounded magnificent. Tchaikovsky's Overture of 1812 was explosive and his violin concerto just soared. The extreme dynamic swings of the pieces were handled effortlessly and beautifully. These speakers can be as violent as they are gentle. Just listen to Bach's cello suites on these pieces of carefully engineered boxes. One will be convinced that Bach truly had a devine revelation when composing them. And when listening to Ella Fitgerald singing Gershwin, one cannot help but fall in love for the first time or maybe, all over again. Truly Beautiful are these boxes that were veneered in real mahogany. Although the original design of these speakers didn't have grilles, it is now offered with them. Either with or without it, they present themselves as fine furniture. Not too intrusive, not too bold as avant garde. It's form follows its function - playing beautiful music without calling attention to itself. And that they did. When it is set up properly, they simply vanish and all that is left is the venue you dream about when your eyes are closed listening to the performance. You are immediately transported to La Scala or The Metropolitan Opera House. One can imagine the height and space of a gothic cathedral when you hear massed choral voices reverberate and reflect through and around the building's architecture singing heavenly tunes as Bruckner's TeDeum. The interpretation of space and image is where these speakers excel, musicians are placed accordingly as they were when originally performed or recorded and the sound imaging of an instrument was masterful. The violin sounded like it should when a bow caressed it's strings whether by itself or grouped. The wind instruments gave a sense of air it required to generate sound. The brass instruments sounded heraldic and majestic. The timpani and drums made itself present when the music called for an exploding exclamation. And believe me, these speakers can go very low. You have been forwarned.
Needless to say, I am certain that there are better performing speakers available in the market today than the Cliffhanger CHS-2 and W-2 combination. But at the price it is offered - none. What one says good about one product to the other is always varied. For when we use our ears to decide, its a reactive choice and a decisive one. The choice of music you want to hear is a personal choice because you let your emotions help you decide what sounds good or not in terms of preferences to music. The ear doesn't decide for you this way, as they have no protection to cover itself from harmful sounds that enter its canals. Luckily, our mind tells you involuntarily that the sound you are hearing is harmful if exposed in a prolonged period of time so you have a tendency to cover your ear to protect it from the irritation or just go away from the source. These speakers will offer your ears only good sounds within the audible range it is capable of emitting. I am certain that the Cliffhanger CHS-2 and W-2 are sound sources you are least likely turn your ears away from. You owe it to your ears to give it an experience to listen to wonderful sounds and you owe it to yourself to keep some of that hard earned money as well. For these reason, the Cliffhangers deserves your attention and a five star rating.

Similar Products Used:

I've auditioned too many to mention and at different price points.