Even though measurements are of no relevance in Hifi Statement, I would like to share with you where Oliver Goebel achieved metrological improvements in the Aeon compared to the previous Epoque Fine model: The frequency and omnidirectional dispersion behavior has now become even more homogeneous. The impulse, phase and small signal response have also been significantly optimized. Both the increase in efficiency by one decibel and the three decibel higher power rating result in a higher maximum SPL of four decibels. Although I had never lacked volume even with the Epoque Fine, I rather missed fine-sounding, affordable amplifiers that could cope with its impedance lows without suffering any damage. Therefore, the Epoque Aeon Fine’s impedance minimum of 2.8 Ohms in single-wiring mode happens to be the biggest improvement for me. Given this fact, the Aeon isn’t supposed to belong to those species of loudspeakers anymore that endanger or even kill power amplifiers, which is why I immediately agreed to a review. Further technical information on the bending wave transducer, the two active woofers with two passive radiators each as well as data about the company history can be found in the aforementioned article. At this point, I would prefer to go ahead and not start repeating myself.

In December 2018, everything was set: The just as graceful as elegant looking speakers well protected in their flight cases - each thus weighing 135 kilograms - were bundled off to my listening room. Since testing their predecessors, a lot had changed in my system: Einstein instead of Brinkmann amplifiers, Artesania Audio instead of finite elemente equipment stands and, above all, converter and M-Scaler from Chord Electronics instead of Mytek's 192-DSD DAC. Instead of this – in the best sense of the word – playful daredevil, a high-resolution digital playback chain was now setting the tone, whose transients came forbiddingly close to those of real instruments, and that without leaving any trace of blurring effects. In addition, the LumenWhite DiamondLight spent their time in the living room, because my then favorite loudspeaker used to indulge me with a pleasant bass and an impressive spatiality. But all of this didn’t help to pave the way for the Goebel Aeon. Already the first few tracks brought back that unique homogeneity, very well remembered from the Epoque Fine, as well as the spatial imaging which left nothing to be desired. But with its incredibly accurate and fast bass, the Aeon simply appears to be a bit less rich and warm sounding. But instead of leaving myself to a rash nitpicking I should rather point out that the Goebel speakers harmonize perfectly with the Einstein hybrid power amp The Poweramp: These brothers in arms now convince with control, timing and dynamics at their best by relying on a nominal power of comparatively modest 140 watts into four Ohms! Oliver Goebel has thus succeeded in making the Aeon version of his already excellent speakers compatible with a wide range of power amplifiers and in eliciting even more euphony out of his Epoque Fine model. By the way, a pair of Ayon Epsilon Evo mono blocks has already been ordered to experience how the bending wave speaker behaves on valve power amplifiers.

The new year then started with almost never ending experiments in order to harmonize the interplay between Epoque Aeon Fine, my system and my room in an even more refined way. And it was Oliver Goebel himself that became at least as involved as the author. When the first signs of fatigue creeped up on me after having listened intensively for more than an hour by at the same time only minimally changing the positioning of the speakers, I went to put on a pot of tea, while the designer of the Aeon stepped out to quickly try out a few more variations. But it wasn’t only about the positioning. Since I've been using Goebel speaker cables for several years now, I at this point presumed that the end of the road might have been reached. However, Oliver Goebel's Aeon demo version came equipped with a bi-wiring terminal. Up to now I used cable bridges, which proved effective when testing the Kaiser Kawero! Klassik.