Once I settled on the placement I detailed above in the set-up section, the DeVore Fidelity Orangutan Micr/Os kept their promise by focusing on a natural and relaxed presentation that often reminded me of my favorite BBC designs. That thought, in fact, kept returning, despite the fact that I never once felt that those two Gibbon models I reviewed twenty years ago were anything like Brit-Fi. The Gibbons had a beautiful way of imaging that drew you into the music, and they backed it up with an ample supply of low frequency information–even though they were slim floorstanding speakers. The Micr/Os, however, made their first impressions based upon a realistic midrange performance–especially with the Allnic Audio T-1500 Mk. II integrated amplifier.

The Micr/Os, like many BBC designs, also had a smooth and refined balance with some warmth, but not an overabundance of it. This is where the DeVore Fidelity Orangutan Micr/O and Brit-Fi part ways–I had more of an impression of neutrality and inner detail with these speakers, and that nothing was missing from my favorite demo tracks.

Finally, I don’t want to give the impression that the Micr/Os were somehow bass-shy–you just need to use them in a space that doesn’t overwhelm them. The low frequencies with the Micr/Os had plenty of slam, the kind of slam where you can feel the notes hit you in the chest. While many small monitors often obscure the layers of sound that can be discovered in low frequencies, the Micr/Os developed those details so that something new was always revealed in previously heard musical passages.

It was everything I hoped it would be. Dream with Dean can sound warm and slightly gooey on even the brightest of systems, but the Allnic and the Micr/Os teamed up to give me one of the best listening sessions I’ve had in a while. It was the finest combination of elements, the amp, the speakers, the analog rig (J. Sikora Initial Max turntable and KV12 tonearms, the Allnic Audio H-10,000 phono stage, and the final pièce de résistance, a Koetsu Urushi Black cartridge), and I knew immediately that I had stumbled into a minor miracle of a system, one that could compete with some of the finest systems I’ve assembled. And no, it wouldn’t have happened without the DeVore Fidelity Orangutan Micr/Os.

Link do recenzji: DeVore Orangutan micr/O – Part-Time Audiophile

The Micr/Os may not sound as warm and full as the O/baby - which was never the goal - but they also avoid sounding dry or harsh. Perfect tempo and rhythmic balance foster emotional engagement, making the Micr/Os a versatile choice for playing R&B music, but also seamlessly adaptable to different musical genres such as jazz, blues and classical.

A good example of this versatility is George Duke's album ‘After Hours’, which I am listening to as I write. Although it is not a pure R&B album, as it also contains elements of jazz, funk, and soul. The Micr/Os not only emphasize the smooth jazz atmosphere and relaxed vibe, creating the ideal ambience for Duke's signature keyboard playing and vocals but also showcase the variety of instrumental textures.

The DeVORE Micr/Os excel at conveying the beauty of classical music. These speakers produce a rich, uncoloured, and detailed sound, capturing the delicate nuances of a solo piano piece as well as the harmonic complexity of massed strings.

The Micr/Os' are too small to reproduce the full power of an orchestra as full-range speakers do, but they skilfully balance Maria João Pires' left-hand gentle energy with her expressiveness, nuanced phrasing, and unique ability to evoke introspective moods. A prime example is the Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, KV 467 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The DeVORE Micr/O speakers embody a captivating dichotomy in the audio world. On the one hand, they deliver technically excellent sound, characterized by crisp but not overpowering highs, insightful mids, and tight, controlled bass. On the other hand, the DeVORE Micr/O speakers also captivate our souls. They offer warmth, tonal richness, and an emotional connection to the music that transcends technical precision and resonates deep in our hearts.

This impeccable harmony between technical excellence and emotional resonance is what sets DeVORE Micr/O speakers apart from other comparably sized speakers on the market.

Link do recenzji: DeVore Orangutan micr/O – HIFICLUBE

Dito isto, e embora seja notória alguma limitação ao nível da reprodução dos sons graves, não deixa de ser surpreendente a forma como articulam as notas do contrabaixo numa gravação de jazz acústico e mesmo o modo como se sente o pedal da bateria, cheio e limpo, ainda que não visceralmente impactante.

Curiosamente as DeVore fizeram-me lembrar umas colunas que ouvi já há mais de uma década, as clássicas monitoras LS3/5A, no caso em apreço da Stirling Broadcast. Tal como estas, também as Micr/O têm algumas limitações dinâmicas e de extensão de frequência, contudo, o que fazem, fazem muito bem. Assim como as monitoras britânicas, também as americanas Micr/O são exímias na reprodução de vozes, com instrumentos acústicos a solo ou em agrupamentos de câmara, resultado de uma gama média muito suave e refinada.

Ouça-se a cena final da tetralogia wagneriana O Anel dos Nibelungos, com uma Dame Gwyneth Jones em plena posse das suas capacidades vocais e a forma como as Micr/O conseguiram materializar a valquíria na minha sala de audições, sem compressão, sem efeitos de dureza associada à voz e deixando perceber as inflexões e as subtilezas vocais, ainda que demonstrando alguma dificuldade com a escala dos fortíssimos orquestrais mais violentos. A integração dos registos graves com os registos superiores é contínua e perfeitamente integrada, resultando uma clareza invulgar e uma ausência de dureza que proporciona audições de música durante longos períodos sem qualquer traço de fadiga.

Numa sala pequena, com um sistema que lhes faça justiça quer na qualidade da fonte de sinal, quer na competência da amplificação, e desde que a música não exija grande escala ou arrojo dinâmico, as DeVore Micr/O recompensam o ouvinte com uma prestação sonora de elevado grau de envolvência musical, fluidez de discurso e beleza tímbrica, a partir de umas colunas cuja integração em sala é quase plug-and-play.

Link do recenzji: DeVore Orangutan micr/O –  Audio & Cinema em Casa

Link: DeVore Orangutan micr/O – Part-Time Audiophile – Reviewers Choice

Link: DeVore Orangutan micr/O – Part-Time Audiophile – Best Bookshelf

Link: DeVore Orangutan micr/O – Part-Time Audiophile – Best Value