Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Duevel Bella Luna Speakers by TimTaylor

Model:	Bella Luna
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$7000
Description:	Omnidirectional 2-way Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Manufacturer URL:	Duevel
Model Picture:	View

Review by TimTaylor ( A ) on August 12, 2003 at 10:47:14
IP Address: 65.104.102.224

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The Duevel Bella Luna loudspeaker resides in the middle of three models in the Duevel line. Their flagship model is the Jupiter and Venus is their compact solution. Duevel loudspeakers are obscure and have limited exposure. I have found them to be the grandest prize I could have ever imagined! At 250 hours of play, I am told I haven't heard them broken-in yet and I can expect further improvements. Needless to say, personal preferences and knowing what it is that you want from your system is paramount. Your system objectives are the true qualifiers of any component. And, what makes your system special is that it meets your specific needs and desires. Having said that, the Duevel strategy of wave propagation, 360 degree dispersion pattern and reverberant field generation, culminates in the most believable and natural sounds heard in my listening room. Aesthetically, I think they're just beautiful!
The Bella Luna, as does the Jupiter, utilizes a tweeter/mid-range driver faced downward, compression driven through the upper portion of the horn radiator assembly. The mid-bass driver fires upward and dispersion is directed by the underside of the lower radiator. The Venus design uses another set of downward and upward facing drivers with a simplified reflector. As I have learned, the omnidirectional dispersion technique is not new or unique. The Duevels are advertised as "The only high end hornspeaker with a perfect omnidirectional character". The Bella Luna specs are 91dB / 6 ohms / 40Hz - 20kHz.
The build quality of the Bella Luna is amazing. The turned reflectors are in itself a mechanical feat by true craftsmen. If you can appreciate the efforts of those creating works of art, then the Duevels will thrill you. The models, driver design details, veneer option demonstrations, fine cad illustrations, reviews, etc. can all be found at the Duevel website. My pair are the standard Bella Luna model in black ash with the optional black lacquered reflectors.
The speakers are placed along the short wall in 14'x28', vauted ceiling from 10' up to approx. 18'. Out about 2' and in 3' from the side walls. Positioned square to the walls. Toeing-in is not necessary. The front wall has identical fabric-blind covered windows directly behind each loudspeaker. The BLs are on Aurios, which are on top of spiked rock maple platforms over carpet covered concrete slab foundation. Music references are a mix of small jazz ensembles and female vocalists (most genres).
My first impression of the BLs was their similarity to my experience with electrostatic dipoles. Clean, clear, floating images not tied to the sound source. The Duevel presentation, although do not match the snap of stats as in the MartinLogan sweet spot, achieves a level of detail and clarity that is startling and effortless. The BLs wind their way in elegant motion, as opposed to steps and direction changes on razor sharp edges. The bass is generous, extended, tight, "out-of-the-box". Seamlessly integrated. These speakers project holographic "soundstages" into the room. As compared to Audio Physic Virgo's ability to cast pin-point images in a sound field, which can be heard in the near field.
At low listening levels, there appears to be a lack of precision and balance. This characteristic is diminishing due to break-in. One of the greatest strengths of the MLs was their ability to deliver the goods quietly in the night. Medium volume on up moves the stage forward into view. The perspective never gets close-up, but the increased energy tightens, defines and provides truer size and scale.
The perspective is laid-back, but does not result in homogenized sounds. The delineations are polished. Excellent focus exists in a very black, quiet background. More accurate? More life-like? Everything points toward minimizing anything artificially prominent, which would attract attention. Without disturbances, there is less in the way of the palpable composite of sounds to be heard. Contrary to a boring string of notes, good speed and extension in this design produces a natural sense of immediacy. The Duevels demonstrate a philosophy that is central to my system. Overall, 47 Laboratory is responsible for the implementation of these beliefs, which culminates in their approach - "Only the Simplest Can Accommodate the Most Complex". The 47 Labs signature of effortlessness and fluidity is very much accentuated by the Bella Luna.
The feature that's very important to me - the image is profound from everywhere! I am no longer frustrated with a limited sweet spot. The center fill moves as I do and remains convincing. Regardless of how much I have read, it is still a mystery as to why the omnidirectional radiation and the reflections in the room do not add up into an incoherent mess. But, the reverberant energy acts to solidify the images while increasing body, depth and texture.
The soundstage is wide, deep and layered in the room. The inner detail of each recording unfolds and reveals itself without interfering with the emphasis of the track. The resultant sound is more complex without congestion or distortion. The revealing pace of the musical/instrumental nuances and ambience is stimulating. What I thought of before as simple songs, has become rich, full and complete of variation. I think it is the disappearing of the equipment that leaves a falling away of the foundation (floor) that I previously relied on for footing or comfort. The music now has a freedom unencumbered by electro-mechanical devices. Free of artifact and fully open. And again if you can believe it, the presentation is good in just about every area of the room!
From early on, I was determined to leave as few stones unturned as possible in the effort to find my optimal solution. My journey has been enlightening. Conventional wisdom doesn't always prevail. The common truth remains, advantages of one product over another coexists with acceptable compromises. Obviously, omnidirectional loudspeakers are not for everyone. For me, they were a leap of faith in the technology and the hope for system synergy and final upgrade. The Duevel Bella Luna loudspeakers are sonically remarkable and representative of cutting-edge industrial design. They have surpassed my dream of true satisfaction!

Product Weakness: Far from analytical and cannot deliver razor sharpness. Lacks absolute pin-point accuracy and is naturally slightly diffuse.
Product Strengths: The presentation can be enjoyed from anywhere in the room, even from outside of it. Non-existent listening fatigue. Neutral character, unrestricted and natural. The highest level of build quality with sculptural aesthetics.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	47 Labs Gaincard (25W)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	47 Labs Flatfish/Progrssion DAC
Speakers:	Duevel Bella Luna
Cables/Interconnects:	47 Labs OTA Stratos ICs/SC, Signal Cable MagicPower PCs
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Mixed
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 28 x vaulted
Room Comments/Treatments:	Open to expanded volume, carpet over slab foundation
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Neuance platforms, BDR cones, Aurios MIB, Chang Lightspeed
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Far from analytical and cannot deliver razor sharpness. Lacks absolute pin-point accuracy and is naturally slightly diffuse.
Product Strengths:	The presentation can be enjoyed from anywhere in the room, even from outside of it. Non-existent listening fatigue. Neutral character, unrestricted and natural. The highest level of build quality with sculptural aesthetics.