Digital Trends

Aperion Audio Intimus 422

July 10th, 2005 | by Yongki Go

First Impressions

As a reviewer, I usually try to limit the impact of any first impressions.  But Aperion seems to know how to make a lasting first impression.  And that really impressed me.  Aperion includes special touches with its products that indicates red-carpet treatment for its customers.  First, together with the main shipment, Aperion also shipped a small box containing an SPL meter (which looks very similar a Radio Shack SPL meter) and the so-called “Love Your Speakers” care kit, consisting of a pair of white gloves and a wiping cloth.  Very thoughtful!  In fact, I do not know of any other audio companies that ship an SPL meter with their speaker systems.  A manual for using the SPL meter is included, as well as a welcome letter personally signed by Winthrop Jeanfreau, the CEO of Aperion Audio, with the following opening words: “Dear New Aperion, I have a theory.  That in actuality there's far more inside the velvet bags we sent you than mere audio components.  What's really inside are the spirited experiences our speakers will help you create and embellish.”  That paragraph alone was enough to intrigue me.  The statement also contains a second touch that I want to specifically mention: the velvet bags.  Indeed, all the speakers shipped, including the subwoofers, were wrapped in classy blue velvet bags.  I've seen some manufacturers shipped their speakers using fabric cloths, but this was the first time I've seen velvet bags used as speaker wrappers.  Very cool—and the velvet bags can also function as dust covers for the speakers if necessary!

Intimus accessories

All of the above treatments might not be a surprise if we're talking about very expensive speakers.  But this Intimus system can hardly be considered expensive.  The whole 422/S-8 system for example, costs only $799, which makes all those special treatments even more special.  However, to put it in perspective, all of these are merely icing on the cake, and they do not mean anything if the cake itself is not good—so let's look at the cake itself.

Fit, finish, and features

The review samples consisted of four Intimus 422-LR satellite speakers, an Intimus 422-C center channel speaker, and two Intimus-powered subwoofers, the S-8 and S-10.  The fit and finish of these speakers are excellent.  Our review samples came in the glossy black finish, but a medium cherry finish is also available.  It's hard not to impress with the build quality of these speakers.  Their cabinets seem to be solidly constructed and they are heavier than their sizes indicate.  It definately doesn't look as if Aperion skimps on anything in terms of the construction of its products. 

Aperion Audio Accessories