Timeless elegance from Italy
When it comes to aesthetics high-end audio seems to be
catching up with a bit slow pace. Only lately we can see manufacturers reaching
out to the designers in helping with shaping of their products.
Form follow function was the main motto for decades, but I
think we all share the same views and hopes at least to some extend when it
comes to the better looking devices in high-end.
Audio components become an integral part of our lives and
not many can afford a dedicated listening room. Along that; living rooms set
with the furniture and real day to day objects surprisingly often present
better accessories for “quasi” room acoustic dealings then many so called
proper treated rooms.
In the age of emancipation, globalization and informational freedom
we break boundaries of what our environments should look like and with what
energy shall they breath.
Another thing to discuss is a luxury definition. More then
often audiophiles and even music lovers tend to discriminate anything
connecting luxury, fashionable and stand out designs with high-end audio. Those
times are over and I simply suggest those bothered with luxury aesthetics to
pass on and enjoy their views of how things should look like in they narrow
way. Life should be able to offer the things of beauty if wanted or needed…
Like in high-end watch, upholster, clothing and other
industries high-end audio should not be an exception of great design. For me
with certain price sticker it becomes mandatory. Slowly some trends do penetrate
into an audio industry and I’m more then happy for objects like Dan D’Agostino
Momentum amplifiers, DalbyAudioDesign products, Sonus Faber speakers to appear
etc.
I know, that with quality design many compromises are still
needed as designers have to work within given constraints and proportions. Modern
industrial design already works in the great playground of imagination with
mixture of modern and classical materials implemented into a refined designs.
Meet EMMESpeakers
I came across EMMESpeakers when connecting the dots of the
route leading back to Sonus Faber main designer Livio Cucuzza for my article
The Art of modern Italian design. He’s responsible for the design of Emme
Speakers first model of Beta speakers and this is how I discovered unique and
interesting brand named Emme Speakers.
First things that strike me when getting to know about EMMESpeakers was sense of seamless design. Everything around the company was
enriched with the hidden aura of elegance and hidden potency of passion. It
clearly shows how design language of brothers Lorenzo and Paolo Martinelli speaks
differently to a high-end audio .
It’s said that within design creational space every line and
curve matters for the final outcome. With EMMESpeakers my aesthetical was
instantly addressed and I could recognize the “carved out” principle. This
refers to Michelangelo logic of extruding the unneeded for the finalization of
the wanted object of art.
I’m quite a picky when it comes to the finer elements of
design and my friend and few manufacturers know that I can spot an “anomaly” or
something out of “focus” in heath beat. So, yes I’m judgmental when it comes to
imperfections. At once my inner guts rejects something non functional. This
might be both a gift and as course. As you move within certain universe where
things simply clicking to you clock or not your choices any enjoyment becomes
of limited nature.
EMMESpeakers EMMERack Audio Rack
Review sample came in a standard EMMESpeakers EMMERack Audio Rack Package. Two normal 200 modules and one bigger 300 module.
EMMESpeakers EMMERack Audio
Rack is a modular concept, which allows you to freely combined shelves for the
need of given audio system. This not only works within typical high-end audio
rack domain, but also extend to the appliance of EMMERack Audio Rack as monoblock, power conditioner etc. implementation.
All in all EMMESpeakers EMMERack Audio Rack system provide a true modular approach that not only allows
you to combined desired number of shelves, but also the height. With the way EMMERack Audio Rack feet are designed you can
combine them to any given height without a problem.
Wholeness approach
Emme Speakers EMMERack Audio
Rack addressed my urge for the beauty of surroundings integration like no rack
before. My wife is usually unattached with the general techno feel of audio
racks and high-end audio equipment in general, but first comment in seeing EMMERack Audio Rack was: “This is a component
rack for the kings.” I couldn’t put it better myself. As I elaborated above
about the importance of harmonious needs of living environment we more then
often forget about the power and need of general acceptance of people that we
share out life and quality time with. . Admitting it or not WAF (wife acceptance
factor) is of vast importance and feeling of great synergy in home is more and
more important.
Make no mistake. This design is not strictly attached to
living rooms. EMMERack Audio Rack is
designed so profoundly that will breathe in any space given. With its power of
classical and elegant design it will stand on its own with style in any demo
room, contemporary minimalistic home or palace when shown in one of their
high-end finishes.
Italians do it better saying doesn't come without a fixed
ground facts. I haven’t even touched yet the wonderful and unique Golden Leaf
Finish that helps in carring the classical flavor of timeless Italian mastery
of hand-crafting with EMMERack Audio
Rack. Read on…
The ancient technique of gilding.
The
find the birth of the gilding with golden leafs in the medieval period,
particularly used in Byzantine and Renaissance arts.
For
centuries it has been the finest finishes available, a symbol of luxury and
exclusivity.
The
technique requires skill and absolute confidence with the artisan tradition.
The
entire making of gilding is characterized by a precise timing of each step,
which can not be disregarded in order to ensure a flawless effect of the final
product.
The
manufactured in wood is first prepared with several coats of primer, which is
repeatedly sanded between one coat and its next.
Once
the background is perfectly dry and stabilized, starts the process of gilding.
A surface for a time.
It
begins with the drafting of the "missione" (in antiquity a mixture of
linseed oil, resins and pigments), a special glue that will ensure the perfect
and final sealing of the leaf on the piece.
After
drafting the "missione", which must applied in a uniform manner by
removing even the smallest bubble, need to wait a variable period up to 24
hours, depending on the climatic conditions, before laying the golden leafs.
The
application of each leaf is done by a special brush with bristles of “vaio” (a
kind of squirrel of Siberian origin) that allows to raise, through their static
electrification, and place the metallic thin film without the use of hands,
which could cause the damage or, in certain cases, the irreversible oxidation
due to contact with the skin.
Then
the master artisan cover the entire surface spreading every single leaf whit a
brush, following a design grid or completely random, thus creating truly unique
works every time.
Once
completed the gilding, the first layers of glaze paint are applied, in order to
protect the sensitive underlying metal.
Only
when all surfaces are decorated, successive layers of glaze paint are applyed,
interspersed with sanding. A final polishing completes the gilding making
The
final result is a flawless, luxurious, unique finish that, while basing its
roots nearly a thousand years ago, remains ever fashionable. Perfect to
supplement a classic furnishing as well as the finest interior design of modern
taste.
Golden Leaf Finish
Let it come to the traditional Italian architecture in
Palladio style with golden sealing’s, or leit motive of traditional Italian internal
art and décor EMMESpeakers Golden Leaf Finish takes an important role in the
looks of the final design of EMMERack Audio
Rack. Golden Leaf Finish is only one among company finishes and Lorenzo assured
me that Bronze Leaf Finish is even more compelling to some. I’ll report on this
after this years Munich high-end show where they’ll present it. Leaf Finish is
not exclusive only to company audio racks, but share the optional finish cover
also to the speakers.
Golden Leaf Finish is not only a beauty on the outside. With
their unique formula and working process it also deals with the resonance
dispersion. The recipe is company trade secret, but as with modern finishes
that are used in aero or military implication special ingredients adds an
important part with dispersion and emission.
Rubbery cleverness
Along with other small details and paint striking attention
company takes I really loved the way Emme Speakers incorporated rubber O rings
into the feet. Starting from the lover three feet holders that carry lower shelf
spiked feet this design not only works from a practical way of keeping your
floor intact, but in the matter of damping the resonances. Each structural
joint is damped by the rubber ring, which sits nicely in the CNC drilled
placeholder. In this way from ground, to extended feet combined, to the place
of contact of feet and shelves everything is cleverly damped with rubbers. This
gives a performance boost and it’s dealing with resonances on both micro and
macro level.
Beauty to stay
At first sight feet that carries the shelves looks like standard
chrome. You couldn’t be more wrong. Something wasn't letting me a peace of mind
as their glare and shine was really different. I inquired with Lorenzo. As with
everything else Emme Speakers took everything further to another level. Feet
are actually an Inox hand finished. This means that even after years of usage
they will not be attacked by corrosion. They will stay the same. With products
like EMMERack Audio Rack you’re clearly
buying something worthy of lifetime.
Conclusion
In the day and age where design becomes more and more
important and where objects d’art are became structural partners of our
everyday living energy we cannot live in the absence and importance of elegancy
within high-end audio industry. Call me a snob, aficionado, connoisseur or
design geek. For me the power of timeless design will always make my blood boil
and more importantly it makes me feel better and more appreciative about things
I own. Design adds a wholeness value.
People try to escape the luxury labeling of high-end audio,
but let us be honest. Where does luxury begins? How much did you spend for you
bellowed high-end audio gears? Do you love the feeling of proudness of
ownership? I do and declare this boldly! Why should we be restraining ourselves
from the way they’re presented?
It doesn't surprise me that EMMESpeakers clients reaches
strongly around the world strongly to Dubai and Far East. We often mistakenly
connect their spending habits to the extended funds. Let me tell you from my
experience. These are the customers and people with highly developed sense of
style and with certain style pedigree that cannot be bought. They don’t fall
for bling or imitation, but they have strong developed feeling for the real
luxury.
In high-end audio circles I highly respect those audiophiles
and music lovers as are they carry the true spirit of friendliness, gentleman
dealings and are the man of both culture and taste. Something that we at west seem
to lack more and more.
EMMESpeakers EMMERack Audio
Rack is the best looking high-end audio rack I have had pleasure to spend my
time with in my home, demo salons or at shows. It offers structural damping and
dealing with resonances in the one of the kind packaging that will meet the
highest aesthetical needs. It’s highly
functional and with the design that cut the perceptions on how audio rack
should looks like.
For anyone wanting an audio rack that stand out and pleases
most intimate urges for classical and contemporary aesthetic there is no way to
pass on EMMESpeakers EMMERack Audio
Rack. It’s a functional luxury redefined!
There are numerous finish to set an individual style, but I
urge you too look at Leaf finishes. They are timelessly classical!
Along with EMMESpeakers BETA speakers, EMMERack Audio Rack receive the only Performance, luxury and style Mono & Stereo Matej Isak award so far.
