Valentina A8 (Active)

Introduced in 2021 along with a new passive version, the Valentina A8 is a substantial upgrade to the original Valentina Active.

If you've already read about or heard the original, what's new in the sound is

• Deeper bass
• Stronger impact
• Louder playback
• Sharper imaging
• Wider soundstaging

There's also much enhanced functionality that includes

• Five independent inputs -- three digital and two analog
• IR remote control (volume, mute, input selection, preset selection, on/standby)
• OLED display
• Higher resolution

and three significant options

• WiFi -- Roon-compatible and ApplePlay2-compatible
  
• BT -- Bluetooth AptX-HD
• SE -- Omnidirectional sound at the press of the remote; the indirect sound is delayed so it doesn't dilute the imaging and contoured so it doesn't over-brighten the sound
  

The Valentina A8 gives you the option of eliminating most of your equipment stack and cabling, thanks to:

• built-in bi-amplification with digital crossover, DSP-optimized for the system
  
• built-in DAC
• built-in preamplifier with normal input sensitivity 
  
• automatic input selection based on signal presence (or manual with the remote)
  
• remote control for volume and other functions
  

In addition to at least potentially streamlining your system, you get the famous JansZen electrostatic clarity, instant transient response, and open window neutrality. And on top of that, there's bass depth and punch that's even better than from our passives, thanks to DSP finesse and woofer refinement.

These unique loudspeakers feature dual electrostatic panels with controlled dispersion that maximizes the proportion of direct sound and thus well conserves recorded ambiance and image detail. 8" woofers are arrayed above and below the panels, which creates a tall bass aperture that further minimizes floor and ceiling involvement.

The cabinets are sealed and compact, standing only about 40" [1m] high, yet they create a soundstage that extends well above them, while portraying realistically sized instruments. There's also delightfully deep, fast bass, and solid impact. These are characteristics that typically require much larger speakers. The soundstage is also wide and deep, thanks to excellent phase conservation and local room ambiance rejection.

Not being dipoles, they have no back wave, which makes them as easy to set up as ordinary speakers. In fact, the relatively high room independence makes it easier than most.

The spaciousness and air that would be provided by a dipole arrangement is instead provided by high grade, wide-range, silk ring-dome side tweeters, These have a level adjustment that compensates for wall distance and room size. They're also useful when standing or listening from another room. By turning them way up, they can supply the treble that the electrostatics' controlled dispersion reduces when heard from above seated height.

Their bass response is adjustable using the remote control to select between three presets. This is for compensating for the reinforcement effect of nearby walls. The settings are near, mid, and far, but you can just use them for bass control, if you want.

With dual 500W/4Ω amplifiers in each cabinet, the A8 matches the dynamics of horns without the drawbacks,

The rear panel has five independent inputs that are auto-detecting, based on which is getting a signal:

• Two analog
• RCA single-ended
• XLR balanced
• Three digital
• RCA S/PDIF
• optical S/PDIF (TOSLINK)
• XLR AES3 (balanced studio S/PDIF)
  

Consider how streamlined your system could be . . .

• The preamp is built-in
• The speakers can detect which input has an active source and automatically select it. The inputs can also be manually selected if desired using the remote. There's no need for a preamplifier's input selection function.
  
• Except for turntable operation, the inputs are sensitive enough that there's no need for preamplification.
• Because of the remote, there's no need for a volume control.
• The DAC is built-in
• The digital inputs make an external DAC redundant.
  
• You can go straight in from a streamer, transport, server, computer, Bluetooth receiver, etc..
  
• With an adapter, you can run from a USB, split HDMI, or any other digital audio source.

A true high end system can be as simple as just a source and a pair of Valentina A8s. Of course, you can run an array of sources, too, with or without a preamp.

Options

• SE (Stereo Everywhere) at $1599/pair, which lets you switch between direct sound (controlled dispersion) and image-neutral, omnidirectional dispersion using the remote control.
  
• Custom baffle wood species or paint.
  

Click here for detailed specifications.

Click here for the Owner's Guide.

Pricing only may be determined through this web site, so please call to inquire or order:

• Phone: +1 (614) 448-1811
• WhatsApp: +1 (614) 592-1789
• Skype: janszen_esl1

Or use our CONTACT page to send us a note.

When you select your options below, the price will update at the top of this page, except for the SE option, for which you'll have to add the $1599 price yourself. This function is only so you can know pricing; please call, if you mean to place an order.