It has been a while since we saw a new design from Egglestonworks, so we were happy to see the Fontaine II ($5500/pair.) The Fontaine has a small footprint and looks even smaller than its 41" height would suggest. the driver complement is a 1" fabric dome tweeter and two 6" midrange/woofers. Like the other EW designs, the Fontaine II utilizes a transmission line.

Jon Iverson and I rocked out to the Dead's Skull and Roses and found the sound big as bright-sized life. It had pep and energy—and, at least in that room, not quite enough Phil Lesh to our liking. We may have to check back after they've been broken in a bit more.