The Snell Illusion loudspeakers
($50,000 USD/pair) were being demonstrated by none other than their designer, Dr. Joseph
D’Appolitto. If his name sounds familiar, it's because he's consulted to numerous
companies in the past and is the name behind the famed "D'Appolito
configuration," which refers to a type of driver array. Now he's the chief designer
at Snell.
As for the speakers he created there, they cast a sonic illusion
that was enthralling. Driven by a suite of Marantz electronics, these big Snells were
detailed yet smooth, dynamic yet far from fatiguing. In fact, the three-way Illusions
sounded great from many spots in the room and never seemed to hit a bad note with whatever
music was being played at the time. Under sometimes-hostile show conditions, this system
acquitted itself remarkably well.
The Snell Illusions also had the looks to match the sound:
with an automotive-grade, glossy painted finish and cast-aluminum driver baffles and
ports, the Illusions are substantial and graceful but not overpowering or clunky. And
given the ever-escalating cost of high-end-audio equipment these days, even at their lofty
price, they seem to represent good value. They cost a lot of money, but they appear to be
a lot of speaker. In fact, we could see them anchoring some of the finest audio systems,
and look great doing so.
