REVIEWS
“So many companies trying to jam every feature they can sacrificing quality and craftsmen ship two things happen: The price gets driven to psychosis, or quality get driven to the dump. Until you stumble across something like the Vanatoo Transparent One and you realize that passion, and breadth of meaning can be used in the modern world to create something that is truly unique and wonderful.”
“The Vanatoo Transparent One is at home in any discerning system.”Connectivity” seems to be the word of the new millennium and the Vanatoos can be connected any way imaginable, from wireless to Bluetooth, USB, digital, analog, SPDIF…Got a device? These will make them sing beautifully. Their flexibility and all-in-one capability with very few flaws both sonically and operationally lend themselves to a second system, a high rez desktop system, a primary music system in an apartment, and even as studio monitors based on their neutral characteristic and resolving power. They are easy to use, and truly are what I would consider High Fidelity… So to that I say well done Vanatoo! I look forward to seeing more products in the future!”
“Because of it’s amazing self-powered sound quality as well as it’s unparalleled connectivity at a price that would be unbelievable if we hadn’t verified it, we enthusiastically give the Vanatoo Transparent One our rare Stereomojo Major Mojo Award.”
Michael Zisserson, Stereomojo, January 22, 2013
“The Vanatoo Transparent One is an interesting specimen. Definitely something you should look into if you are searching for a classier version of an iPod dock, in terms of both ascetics and sound. You also might want to check it out if you are looking for a remote setup to connect to your Airplay-friendly Apple TV or Airport Express via the Transparent One’s optical input. Perhaps one of the greatest advantages for all-in-one desktop and office application is how cost effective it is when you add up the talent pool that Transparent One brings to the game. Even a modest USB DAC, amp and speaker setup will likely run you more than the $500 asking price, and then you will still have to contend with all the real estate that comes along with separate components.”
Brian Van Eerden, Audio-Head, January 21, 2013
“I dove straight into the second set for a challenge for the Transparent One’s with Story of the Ghost; I figured Mike Gordon’s strong bass-line would be difficult for speaker of such a small size, but I was delightfully surprised. Not only did the Transparent One’s handle the bass just fine, they actually excelled. The intro beats were tight and clean and much more substantial than anything I’ve heard from a speaker this small. At the same time, the mid-range was balanced nicely, with clear and pleasing vocals.”
“I enjoyed my time with the Transparent One’s. These speakers are thoughtfully designed and pair well with any of a number of streaming solutions that are available out there right now. If you’re looking for a good, compact solution with audiophile quality sound for a satellite system, in a bedroom or living room for example, the Transparent One’s should be on your short list. Given them a try – I doubt you’ll be disappointed.”
Mark Vignola, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, December 10, 2012
“ If you like bass but can accommodate only a small speaker, you’ll love the Vanatoo Transparent Ones…I’d imagine that music lovers who are also into gaming would get giddy with delight at their bass slam and prowess and while I’ve spent a lot of virtual ink in this nether sonic region, the Transparent Ones deliver an impressive musical package.”
Michael Lavorgna, AudioStream.com, September 24, 2012
“The Vanatoo Transparent One speakers have a lot going for them—multiple input sources, a built-in AC-power port for use with an AirPort Express Base Station, subwoofer auto-sensing, and good sound—all in a beautiful, compact package. For apartment dwellers who can’t afford or accommodate larger speakers, they’re also a good way to produce accurate sound from today’s various digital devices. Vanatoo offers a 30-day audition period. It’s absolutely worth your time and effort to take them for a spin.”
Chris Breen, MacWorld, August 1, 2012
“When traveling to Seattle during holidays, I found myself in need of near-field monitors. My studio was mobile enough but my speakers were not. The Vanatoo speakers plugged right in to my existing studio setup with no problems. On first listen, and again throughout the week, I was very pleased by their flat frequency response. Needing to complete mixing on three TV shows, I put the speakers through the paces. They performed flawlessly and gave me no ear fatigue. Overall I found the Vanatoo speakers to be an excellent solution for professional audio mixing. I would use them again without hesitation.”
Matthew W. – Los Angeles based TV post-production audio mixer
“Just wanted to say how much I have been enjoying the Transparent One’s!! Amazing clarity and detail. I listen to the smooth jazz genre a great deal, and the Transparent Ones are tremendous. I have them connected to my new iMac and built a desk to accommodate them.”
“They are well balanced. For instance, the saxophone sounds like it is coming right out of my screen. Like I said before, these are by far the best sounding desktop speakers I’ve ever owned.”
Mark G.
“I see a lot of gizmos come to market but rarely find something well thought out that sounds good. The first thing I noticed about the Vanatoo speakers is they don’t just sound good, they are great. They are dynamic, tonally balanced, and image. The second thing I love about these speakers is they are so versatile with analog and digital inputs, you can connect several sources such as iPod and TV. In the world of audiophiles these are a steal at $500. I love these things and love seeing the expression on people’s faces when the speakers start to make music: they are blown away and can’t believe that much sound comes from those little boxes.”
Jerry P. - Enhanced Systems
“When I first heard the Transparent One speakers I wondered where the subwoofer was hiding. Then I was told that there was no subwoofer and all the bass was coming from the Transparent One speakers!”
Chris W.
“The Bass is unbelievable and I love being able to walk around the house and control my music using the Airport express. I could actually hear the difference between my well recorded and poorly recorded CD’s.”
Paul R.
“These speakers are awesome! Using home wi-fi network and an AirPort Express, it’s easy to set up the Vanatoo speakers anywhere you want around the house and listen to music from a portable player or computer. The sound quality is excellent – makes iTunes or MP3s sound like a full stereo system. Listening to styles from popular to jazz to classical, you can hear a lot of detail and the speakers are powerful enough to put out a big sound. The dark brown wood finish is quite nice looking. Thumbs up!”
Paul G.
“I own a small home studio and have been recording music for years. I had the opportunity to try out these speakers as near field monitors and keyboard practice speakers. These compact speakers put out plenty of sound and some thought was put into the design as far as audio connections are concerned, making them versatile in most applications.
I tried them out with my Mackie 8-Buss mixer and found them very nice for near field monitoring with a directional sweet spot. I also used them as practice speakers, hooking them up to a variety of synthesizers, an analog Roland Juno 6, a digital Roland JV90 and a digital Yamaha Motif XS workstation. The highs are crisp, and the mids and lows were represented well with some adjustment on the rear panel. Those who want a little more low end can connect up a subwoofer bass unit.”
“A great find considering the price and features.”
Mike G.
