WARWICK ACOUSTICS BRAVURA and SONOMA M1 - REVIEW
WARWICK ACOUSTICS BRAVURA and SONOMA M1
To date, I have become very familiar with the electrostatic world of headphones and headphone amplifiers, whereas previously my ‘knowledge’ was confined to electrostatic speakers—Quad ESL 57, Martin Logan, etc.
Over the course of the past two year I have heard, almost literally, the entire STAX line of electrostatic headphones and its electrostatic energizers (amplifiers). I have heard the Dan Clark VOCE electrostatic headphones and all manner of electrostatic amplifiers—Trilogy H1 to the HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition to the VIVA Audio Egoista STX. And in every listening there was an ‘electrostatic-ness’ with regard to the components in question that was, to varying degrees, exceptional.
Electrostatic-ness? Yes, the components were lightning fast in their ability to handle transient responses of any given piece of music, which provided an added realism when listening. Electrostatics also provided the most transparent window to the music I had ever heard, which was an astounding revelation. Detail long forgotten or ignored by other component or headphone types was now laid bare by the electrostatics. And their ability to scale easily the treble heights to ‘treble’ Asgard and beyond were without peer. This, of course, called for the rediscovery of one’s complete library of music and it was and continues to be sublime.
That said, while there is a defining trait associated with electrostatic components, in general, there are also ‘flavors’ of difference that distinguish the various electrostatic components one from the other. And with regard to one line in particular—STAX—there are various flavors even among its own line.
The electrostatic ‘system’ under review today is the Warwick Acoustics Bravura System, which encompasses the Bravura electrostatic headphones and the Sonoma M1 electrostatic headphone amplifier. A quite interesting thing, however, about this system, relative to other electrostatic systems, is that it does not pair, nor play, nor interact with any other electrostatic system. It thus represents a standalone on the world of electrostatics. Or more accurately, it is a self-sufficient, standalone system that has brought together some of the best elements of its electrostatic brethren. But how does it sound?
REFRAIN: Unlike most reviews, this review will be non-sequential, as it will start, below, with how the equipment actually sounds and not the process of physically “undressing” it and/or laying out its various parts, specifications, etc. Think of this review then, as a non-linear movie—Memento, Kill Bill, Arrival, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Transcendence, The Terminator, In the Shadow of the Moon, The Queen’s Gambit, etc—that, likewise, starts at the end and winds its way to the beginning.
THE SOUND
As I mentioned above, the Warwick Acoustics Bravura & Sonoma M1 system is different from its brethren in that it will not physically connect with them or be connected to them. All other electrostatic components share a five-pin socket or a five-pin plug referred to as a ‘Pro Connection.” The Bravura System utilizes a miniature, multi-plug (8) connector and socket system completely incompatible with all current and former electrostatic systems.
But how does the Bravura System sound? Well, like an electrostatic system it sounds exceptional. More to the point it embraces the classic electrostatic sound first embodied by the Quad ESL-57, certainly one of the pinnacles of achievement for its time (and even now) and the Martin Logan CLS both of which had me gaping in wide-eyed-wonder as I listened to them. Closer to home, its sound is very reminiscent of the Dan Clark VOCE electrostatic headphone.
All of the aforementioned speakers and headphones had a love affair with the midrange (human voice, in particular) and the treble regions, but a number could not descend beyond the perimeter of the sub bass region. Though, perhaps, only the ‘Bass-Heads’ would miss this. The Bravura System handles the upper bass and the mid bass regions very well. Other than that you are clearly on the wonderful world of electrostatics and all of the talents that they are known for.
The Bravura System’s volumetric cube—its soundstage—is both wide and deep with quite good height. The Bravura system’s tone/timbre, staging, and ambiance were exceptional. But as I mentioned in the various reviews of the STAX headphones, which facilitate a broader soundstage in, nearly, every respect.
The Bravura System was paired with the Silent Angel Rhein Z1 and the MacBook Pro, which served as streaming sources. ANTICABLE was tasked with wires/cables duty and the TORUS MAX with power conditioning.
BASS
Cued for play was Marcus Miller’s “Power” (M2, Concord Records) and like the Dan Clark VOCE before it, the Bravura System’s bass response is tight, quick, and beautifully transparent. There is also a driving force that pushes the momentum forward while being supremely engaging. As mentioned the Bravura System dived expertly to upper bass and mid bass depth and would touch only upon the perimeter of sub bass depth, but would go no farther. Christian McBride’s “Fat Bach and Greens” (Conversation with Christian, Mack Avenue Records) and Dave Holland’s “Emerald Tears” (Emerald Tears, ECM) were beautifully rendered via the Bravura System and were left wanting for nothing.
MIDRANGE
There is magic in the Bravura System’s midrange, much like the Quad ESL-57 or the Martin Logan CLS electrostatic speakers or the Dan Clark VOCE headphones. It is a see-through quality that brings the entirety of the midrange into sublime focus, whether it be the beauty of a human voice to the rich and exacting tone/timbre of a host of musical instruments. All are laid bare and beautifully so. This is, after all, what electrostatics do and the Bravura System does it exceptionally well. Andy Bey’s “Angel Eyes” (American Song, Savoy), which I had played with the Dan Clark VOCE headphones and now play with the Bravura System brings a couple of things into focus. The Bravura System appears more efficient than the VOCE, though the VOCE more comfortable to wear. Both, however, are wonderfully musical and immersive and detail liberators of the highest order. And Andy’s voice is again rich, detailed, natural.
I saw Andy Bey in San Francisco at Pearl’s Jazz Club. We sat but a few feet away from Andy and his piano and were treated to a wonderful, intimate, and beautiful evening of music. The Bravura System brings me there once again.
TREBLE+
Here also like the VOCE, the Bravura System extends the treble ladder to a very good degree, but it does not follow STAX’s Top-of-the-Line headphones—SR-X9000 ($6,200), nor the SR-009S ($4,545)—all the way up. But most, having never heard either of these headphones, would believe themselves near the pinnacle of treble height and resolution. There are very few dynamic and planar headphones capable of pulling off this feat of treble resolution wherein cymbals and the air about them are so well resolved, so real. Laura St. John’s brooding, melancholy rendition of “Gypsy Nocturne” (Gypsy, Well Tempered) is passionate and enchanting and, of course, beautifully resolved.
THE WRAPPINGS AND ACCESSORIES
The design of the Bravura System ‘wrappers’ for the Sonoma M1 and the Bravura headphones are beautifully done. Black boxes with silver logotype and orange silver logo reflect back as both designerly and very chic. And their orange ‘waists’ set off the package as truly elegant and well thought out. It is the kind of packaging that one expects from the very top department stores.
The interior reflects in the selfsame way. Its electrostatic headphone and amplifier content are both expertly fitted to and ensconced in their black foam beds.
The Bravura headphones come with a cable specifically purposed to engage the Sonoma 1 amplifier. The Sonoma M1 amplifier comes with a power adapter, a USB cable, and instructions.
Overall, the design of the Bravura System represents an exquisite introduction to a rather exceptional and unique, in terms of its singular compatibility, design.
DESIGN—LOOK, FEEL, AND TECHNOLOGY
The Warwick Acoustics Bravura & Sonoma M1’s aesthetic is one of minimalism, simplicity, and a ready functionality—plug and play. There are no embellishments, no fancy or artistic touches, just a What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) presentation. And the overall feel is substantive and professional and clean.
FUNCTIONALITY
Warwick Acoustics Bravura & Sonoma M1 bring together a number of technical implementations in the service of achieving the utmost fidelity from their system. Such implementations as:
High-Precision Electrostatic Laminate Transducer
Injected Magnesium Ear-Cups
Custom Low-Capacitance Cable
Class-A Energizing Amplifier
ESS SABRE Reference DAC
Custom 64-Bit Double-Precision Fixed-Point DSP
AKM Premium ADC
Superior USB Data Cable
Custom Universal Voltage PSU
Operationally, the Bravura System is truly plug and play.
Connect the Sonoma M1 to its power supply and then to a ready outlet
Connect the Bravura headphone to the Sonoma M1
Connect your computer or streamer to the M1’s DAC via the USB port
And you’re ready to go, given that your streaming software of choice is enabled
The front face of the Sonoma M1 from left to right features a toggle switch that selects between the inbuilt DAC and a second device connected via RCA cables from any number of devices analog or digital. At the middle of the Sonoma M1 is a large, round volume knob and at its far right is the multi-pronged socket (8) for the Bravura electrostatic headphones.
The rear face of the Sonoma M1 sports from left to right an On/Off switch, a port for its wall-wart power adapter, a USB digital input beside a Coaxial digital input, left and right single-ended (RCA) inputs, a single analog input, and a selector toggle switch for either high or low gain.
CONCLUSION
The Warwick Acoustics Bravura & Sonoma M1 represent the classic and well sought after electrostatic sound, like the transducers—Quad ESL 57, Martin Logan CLS—that began this rather exceptional modality!
That said, the Bravura & Sonoma M1 system will not plumb to the sub-bass depths for the “Holy-Bass-Head-Grail” again like the VOCE and the speakers mentioned above but, in truth, only a few electrostatic headphones do and they tend to be quite a bit more expensive. And the Bravura & Sonoma M1 will not scale the treble peaks of Mt. Olympus as other electrostatic headphones do, but if you’ve not heard the best of the best electrostatics, you will not miss this and will count yourself very fortunate to have in your possession the Warwick Acoustic Bravura & Sonoma M1 system.
I highly recommend the Warwick Acoustics Bravura & Sonoma M1 and award it our HIGH NINES AWARD for exceptional high-fidelity reproduction.
Pros: Intuitive operationally—plug and play, wonderfully musical and transparent with a rich and intoxicating midrange, a well resolved treble, and stout upper and mid bass.
Cons: Sub-bass reach
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Warwick Acoustics Bravura & Sonoma M1
Configuration Open-back headphones; circumaural type
Transducer HPEL, single-ended electrostatic
Effective Diaphragm Area 3570mm2
Moving Mass (for dynamic range) < 0.2g
Transducer Capacitance 105pF
Transducer Impedance > 5GΩ
THD 0.1% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
Frequency Response 10Hz - 60kHz
Bias Voltage 1350Vdc
Cable Ultra-low capacitance, High-precision cable, 2m length Weight (without cable) 403g (14.2oz)
THE SYSTEMS
Silent Angel Rhein Z1 & Forester F2
AntiCable USB Cable
Audience AdeptResponse aRS-T4 power conditioner
MacBook Pro
AntiCable USB Cable
Audience AdeptResponse aRS-T4 power conditioner
THE COMPANY
WARWICK ACOUSTICS
Warwick Acoustics Bravura & Sonoma M1:
System in Black: $6,795
System in Silver: $5,995
Mira Technology Park, Unit 3, NW07, Watling Street,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 0TU
United Kingdom
warwickacoustics.com/headphones
