Usually when I encounter Perfect8 Technologies speakers from Germany at high-end audio shows, it’s The Cube, a small bookshelf monitor with matching subwoofer made from glass. The Cube always captures my attention because it images like nothing else out there–it’s the very definition of an incredibly three-dimensional and holographic loudspeaker. At AXPONA 2024, however, I walked into the Perfect8 room and found something different–a tall glass column filled with multiple omni-directional drivers. Let me introduce you to the Perfect8 Cube T loudspeakers, at $60K/pair.
Words and Photos by Marc Phillips
Perfect8’s Jonas Räntilä brought everything else to AXPONA 2024 that he’s brought in years past, such as Ypsilon amplification and source, to complement the Perfect8 Cube T loudspeakers. It’s usually a very simple system, one focused around his unusual speakers with the glass enclosures. At AXPONA 2024, he even conducted a couple of seminars to explain the technologies behind the glass enclosures–that’s good to know, since every time I post about Perfect8 I get lots of questions about the glass and how it should add lots of problems when it comes to resonances. (The most succinct explanation is that all glass is not created equally.)
If the Perfect8 Cube is all about that exquisite imaging, the Perfect8 Cube T is all about a full-range and dynamic delivery. A show attendee made the mistake of asking how low the Perfect8 Cube T goes, and the answer wasn’t a spec but a “Jurassic Park-style” demo where Jonas Räntilä placed a glass of water on top of the enclosure and then cranked up the volume. Yes, the water danced around in the cup while the bass from the Perfect8 Cube T pummeled my entire body.
But the Perfect8 Cube T isn’t just about the brawn–it’s a loudspeaker of unusual delicacy and speed on top of all those pyrotechnics. And while I still obsess over The Cube and its ability to sound so surprising to the uninitiated, the Perfect8 Cube T shows that this intriguing company is far from a one-trick pony. If you haven’t demo’d these speakers yet, you should.
If you would like to hear even more coverage from AXPONA 2024, check out our recap report and highlights from our audiophile-oriented show The Occasional Podcast. You can stream the episode direct from the embed below, or from your favorite podcast platform including iTunes, Android, Google, Deezer, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more.
