117dB of audio goodness for just €80k

The Gadget Show  Thursday 02 December 2010

What £67,500 worth of speakers look like

We’re certainly no strangers to high-end hi-fi gear here at The Gadget Show but with a price tag of €80,000 these gorgeously crafted L’Ocean speakers from Canon-owned Cabasse are so high end they’re in danger of straying into nosebleed territory.

Part of the exclusive Artis collection, the L’Ocean pair offer a subtly different design to the similar (and even more expensive) La Sphere, with a more solid sweeping stand element than their pricier siblings.

Where they really stand out, however, is their ability to produce sound at an ear-splitting 117dB without distortion – that’s getting close to jet engine levels, to use another high-end analogy. Those volumes are possible thanks to a total of 2.25kW of amplification, and you won’t have any problems with quality either thanks to digital and analogue inputs at 96kHz and a frequency response-optimising phase linear digital filter.

It’s probably no surprise to hear that with all that power output, these audio masterpieces are anything but portable, standing four feet tall and weighing in at 176 pounds. Then again, if you’re spending more than £67,000 on a pair of speakers, you’ll want a bit of substance. And with all that power on tap, you’ll be able to let your neighbours know all about it too.