Truly Beautiful Speakers ...
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New member Username: JpnilssonPost Number: 1 Registered: Jan-07 | Ok - after our renovation, the apt has received a full face-lift and it's time to buy new speakers. While I loved my old pair, my wife has asked me to buy the most bautiful ones I can find because "those big black boxes" are just too much of an eyesore ... Seems like a fair request and a fun one at that,since there are quite a few unique sleek speakers out there that would fit well in a modernly designed apartment. And while I am not an audiphile, the requirements from my end are that the spectrum is full, I can crank them and fill a 600sq ft living room, and ideally that I have enough juice with my new Sony STRDA-ES 5200 receiever (although I am happy to add an amp if you think I should - I assume the Sony is good enough as preamp). Now, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, here are some examples of ideas that have gone over well so far - and to clarify, inobtrusive is only part of the goal since I could do in-wall (have wired) or Bose (her inital suggestion which I trying to stay away from). The goal is to find speakers that look like beautiful furniture and are an addition to the decor ... So far, Paradigm Millenia ("still a bit tower looking"), Paradigm Signature in Rosewood ("still a bit big"), Shonberg Vienna Accoustics ("look great with grill off, just wish the speakers weren't so black" - see what I am dealing with here?) have almost passed the test. The new translucent Perfect8 speakers I showed her were, indeed, perfect in her mind, they just did not pass my budget requirement of not blowing more than $5k on this. Pros - please take it from here. Any and all ideas much appreciated. |
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Gold Member Username: Arande2400dB could probably d..., SouthWest Mi... Too Many DBs... Post Number: 1013 Registered: Dec-06 | I like MartinLogan for that purpose. Well I like their sleek look anyway. |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 3854 Registered: Feb-05 | Totem speakers have a small footprint and sound great. http://www.totemacoustic.com/english/index_eng.htm This suggestion coming without having any idea of your application besides passing the spouse approval factor. We need to know more. What are they for Music or HT? If music what type? What will you be driving them with and what are your sources? That should get the ball rolling. |
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Gold Member Username: Arande2400dB could probably d..., SouthWest Mi... Too Many DBs... Post Number: 1017 Registered: Dec-06 | early warning he got muddy watter he want mojo filter he said one and one and one is three got to be good looking cause he's so hard to see come together right now over me SHA ka....SHA ka...oh Come together, yeah ...sorry |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 3855 Registered: Feb-05 | Pay no mind to Andre he's the forum delinquent...he means no harm. |
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Silver Member Username: GavdawgPost Number: 110 Registered: Nov-06 | I myself have had experience with MartinLogan speakers, and will agree with Andre. They are truly spectacular when it comes to clarity (both in terms of looks and sonics). If they are not set up properly, they can be a touch thin, but they have a sound that is addictive to many. Some believe that they can hear a discontinuity between the woofer and the 'stat panel, and others can not. Your miles may vary. I used to own a pair. www.martinlogan.com I will also recomend taking a look at Magnepan speakers. While they are not the most "sexy" speakers on the planet (some detest them), they are among the most unique. They are tall, and very thin (I believe an inch thick). The price to performance ratio is among the very best in the industry, with models from the factory starting out at around $550 for serious music speakers. I myself own a pair of the MMG's, and love them. I listen to just about everything but metal, and they have a warm, seductive trait about them that is hard not to like. The bass does not go very deep, but it is tight, and has an astonishingly realistic accuracy of pitch and timbre. www.magnepan.com |
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Gold Member Username: Timn8terSeattle, WA USA Post Number: 1196 Registered: Dec-03 | More than $5k but....  |
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Silver Member Username: DarthThe woodlands Post Number: 113 Registered: Aug-05 | or these for less than 5K http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/6-series/cp-6391 |
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Silver Member Username: SerniterPiscataway, New Jersey USA Post Number: 111 Registered: Mar-06 | Some nice speakers on JMlab site... http://www.focal-fr.com/accueil_en.htm |
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Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 5588 Registered: Dec-04 | Anthony Gallo 3.1, with $ left over for the AG sub amp. |
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Gold Member Username: Joe_cAtlanta, GA USA Post Number: 1339 Registered: Mar-05 | Acoustic Zen Adagio, best $4000 speaker out there in my op. |
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Gold Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 2006 Registered: Feb-04 | Klipschorns are nice furniture. They also have not too big of a foot-print because they snug into corners instead of being pulled out into a room. |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 853 Registered: Oct-04 | AV123 Mini Strata  Monitor Audio Radius  |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 854 Registered: Oct-04 | Ohm MicroWalsh Tall (In quirky sort of way)  |
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Silver Member Username: StefanomVienna, VA United States Post Number: 331 Registered: Apr-06 | The Piano Rosewood finish that AV123 offers looks pretty sweet. |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 855 Registered: Oct-04 | Yes the piano finishes from AV123 are stunning,  but their produced in VERY limited runs right now. The Piano Birdseye Maple is mable the most beautiful finish I've ever seen,  but it's not available at the moment. This will all change from what I understand in a few months when AV123 opens their new factory, then there will be a wealth of finishes to chose from. |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 1882 Registered: Sep-04 | Oh my lord, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. For truly beautiful speakers have a look at Sonus Faber from Italy. Solid walnut cabinets, real leather front baffles. Just lovely. Slightly warm, rose tinted view of the world but good quality. The entry level Domus range should be within your price range. http://www.sonusfaber.com Regards, Frank. |
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Gold Member Username: Joe_cAtlanta, GA USA Post Number: 1341 Registered: Mar-05 | http://www.responseaudio.com/adagio.htm |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 856 Registered: Oct-04 | Those are some handsome looking speakers Frank. Which of the above do you find disagreeable? I'm betting it's the Ohms, I did said it was a "quirky" choice. Here's another odd-ball Dr. Frankenstein's lab looking speaker that I like from MBL   |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 857 Registered: Oct-04 | I also like the finish on this discontinued speaker from HTD  |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 858 Registered: Oct-04 | ...oh I forgot to mention the MBL's cost about $50K. Just a little over budget, sorry. |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 1883 Registered: Sep-04 | Christopher, I don't think any of them are that pretty to be honest. I appreciate that there are excellent finishes (I particularly like the look of the AV123 finish) but in terms of shape they're all either wacky or boring boxes which is not what Jonas's wife would like. Sonus Faber speakers still look like speakers but they have a certain elegance about most of their products which makes most women want to hug them... Incidentally Jonas, another good looking speaker would be the Chario Sonnet from their Academy series, or have a look at their Constellation series. http://www.chario.it Regards, Frank. |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 859 Registered: Oct-04 | The only unique speaker shape I like from AV123 are the Mini Stratas. The other pics were just examples of finishes I like. Perhaps I should have made that clearer. |
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Gold Member Username: Timn8terSeattle, WA USA Post Number: 1199 Registered: Dec-03 | These look like a hanging lamp, sound wonderful and are well under $5k per pair.  http://www.u-vola.com/u-speakers_eng.html As for beautiful.... |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 860 Registered: Oct-04 | I've posted these Lowther DIY's before and I'll probably post them again. (Sorry Tim, I know you've seen them before)  |
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Bronze Member Username: NoutPost Number: 41 Registered: Mar-06 | Call me old-fashioned, but most speakers I have seen on this thread are butt ugly. Give me plain ordinary looking boxes any-day. Typical with hifi; when moving up in the price range the gear gets uglier and generally more kitschy I like these B&W's a lot  But these simple, boring looking Epos's are the real lookers  |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 861 Registered: Oct-04 | If you like those Epos, then I think you'll like these Harbeth HL-P3ES-2  |
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Bronze Member Username: NoutPost Number: 42 Registered: Mar-06 | Very nice indeed! |
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Silver Member Username: GavdawgPost Number: 115 Registered: Nov-06 | What about n0rh? www.n0rh.com I don't have any personal experience with them, so I cant offer any comments. But, I do know they are highly reviewed (whatever help that may be) I have yet to see a speaker that does not review well. n0rh definatly are not the boring box :-) |
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Silver Member Username: GavdawgPost Number: 116 Registered: Nov-06 | oops got the website wrong...I will look for it later. I have to run. |
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Gold Member Username: Arande2400dB could probably d..., SouthWest Mi... Too Many DBs... Post Number: 1030 Registered: Dec-06 | Lol here... www.norh.com |
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Gold Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 2009 Registered: Feb-04 | Call me old-fashioned, but most speakers I have seen on this thread are butt ugly. Give me plain ordinary looking boxes any-day. At least the boxes you posted didn't have a full grill in front! |
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Silver Member Username: DavidpaPortland, Oregon US Post Number: 354 Registered: Nov-05 |  Now, thats pretty! |
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Silver Member Username: DavidpaPortland, Oregon US Post Number: 355 Registered: Nov-05 | I know, over budget, but still. |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 3864 Registered: Feb-05 | That's one fine looking speaker David...and we know how it sounds..... |
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Silver Member Username: GavdawgPost Number: 117 Registered: Nov-06 | thanks andre |
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Silver Member Username: GavdawgPost Number: 118 Registered: Nov-06 | thanks Andre |
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Silver Member Username: GavdawgPost Number: 119 Registered: Nov-06 | hmmm... double post time I guess... sorry about that :-) |
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Silver Member Username: DavidpaPortland, Oregon US Post Number: 356 Registered: Nov-05 | As good as it looks! |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 862 Registered: Oct-04 | I do think that in sub-$5000 speaker category, those Mini Stratas are a stand-out value, and not bad looking, IMHO, to boot. If you can be patient, I think the choice of finishes later this year will be worth the wait. |
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Silver Member Username: Frostyda9Calgary, AB Canada Post Number: 126 Registered: May-05 | A set of these, tweaked to your taste with aftermarket drivers, if necessary =)  I have no idea how they sound, but their design is one of the cleanest I have ever seen. If you're into DIY, they have the potential to be whatever you want them to. That's my $.02 |
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Gold Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 1084 Registered: Nov-05 | They look like they could be from the Waterfall brand. They look very contemporary, but no kiddies fingers please! |
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New member Username: JpnilssonPost Number: 2 Registered: Jan-07 | ok - so there are quite a few amazing ideas here -- I am blown away by some of the more unusual designs like the norh.com speakers (wish I could see these in the U.S.) and these last ones (are they really waterfall? - they are not even on the Waterfall Audio home page!). Between the Focals and these, I am amazed how innovative the french design is (I would have guessed the germans would deliver here) and the italians (with the sonus fabers). Among the US contributions, the Martin Logans are gorgeous but still big. The AV123s seem like they will win huge mindshare when they get that new factory up and running. May just order those, unless I can figure out who makes these last ones ... |
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Silver Member Username: Frostyda9Calgary, AB Canada Post Number: 127 Registered: May-05 | http://www.celestion.com/products/soundstyle/avs302.html My opto-monetary acoustic ESP tells me they range somewhere in the realm of lo-fi, but pricing should be consistent with that level as a result (it's hard to find real, concrete numbers). My idea for some time now has been to get a set, fab a new faceplate and install a high end full range driver - basically to build the speaker design around the foundation that is there in the form of the very sexy glass frame. Because they are cheap this has been an attractive project idea for me. Your mileage may vary. |
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Gold Member Username: HawkHighlands Ranch, CO USA Post Number: 1109 Registered: Dec-03 | Jonas: Beauty is really in the eye of the beholder, as they say, but as I read your posts, I sense you want some tower speakers that aren't too big, with a beautiful wood finish. Now, You haven't said how big your listening room is (a very important factor), but I assume it is not overly large since you said you are in an apartment. Therefore, i will recommend two speakers, both of which provide beautiful music to go with their gorgeous finish: 1. Ohm Acoustics MicroWalsh Talls: These speakers are 35" tall, but they are a mere 6" x 6", making them very slender and sleek. Also, their cabinet is hand finished (furniture grade), so they look wonderful, as well. They are one of the very few speakers my wife will accept in our house. 2. Totem Hawks: Unlike most speakers which use a veneer over particle board construction, the Totem's cabinets are hand crafted of solid wood. The corners are mitred for strength, and again, the cabinet is hand finished. Best of all, the sound is superb. Again, it is a relatively slim tower that will not be an eyesore, especially since the cabinet has a furniture grade finish. You need to see these in the showroom to see just how beautiful they are in person--the website doesn't do them justice. Good luck! |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 1573 Registered: May-05 | Hawk - Totem's cabinets aren't solid wood, they're MDF. They're veneered inside and out to add rigidity, along with the mitre joints you mention. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My wife would tolerate the looks of Sonus Faber more than anything else. The Totem and Vienna (not the Shoenberg or whatever its called) lines aren't too bad either in her opinion. However, the Sony receiver the OP has won't drive pretty much any of speakers mentioned very well. |
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Gold Member Username: HawkHighlands Ranch, CO USA Post Number: 1116 Registered: Dec-03 | Stu: Then my Totem dealer lied to me! Still, they are beautiful speakers . . . You are right of course--the OP's Sony has no hope of driving any of these wonderful speakers--I just assumed he would get a good power amp to drive them. Parasound Halo A23 would do the trick very nicely. |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 1887 Registered: Sep-04 | Hawk, his room's not small at 600sq ft. Although that doesn't actually tell us dimensions. Regards, Frank. |
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Gold Member Username: Joe_cAtlanta, GA USA Post Number: 1350 Registered: Mar-05 | Hawk, there are some beautiful speakers though huh? I've had the Rainamkers for two years now and have yet to see a nicer finish for the $ |
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Gold Member Username: Joe_cAtlanta, GA USA Post Number: 1351 Registered: Mar-05 | there* = they |
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Gold Member Username: T_bomb25Dayton, Ohio United States Post Number: 1488 Registered: Jun-05 | The most beautiful speaker I have seen is the Salksound Veracity HT-3 in standard finishes they are $3,899 with the full blown finish is $4,999.Jim Salk is a god with woodwork and to top it all off they regularly beat up on 20k flagships they are the best real world speaker on the planet,mine will be built very soon,a true tour de force here's their site: www.salksound.com |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 864 Registered: Oct-04 | Those are sweet looking speakers T, |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 1898 Registered: Sep-04 | I must have poor taste or those pictures must be awful coz I think they look ugly... |
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Gold Member Username: DakulisSpokane, Washington United States Post Number: 1066 Registered: May-05 | OK, I'll weigh in on something a little smaller and sleeker, since Jonas initially asked about something unobtrusive and WAF. Take a look at the ERA line, in cherry or piano black finish - very nice. http://www.signalpathint.com/index.htm Good luck, Dave |
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Gold Member Username: Joe_cAtlanta, GA USA Post Number: 1368 Registered: Mar-05 | lol frank, I agree |
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Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 5765 Registered: Dec-04 | TW, they really do look like the 800lb. gorilla in the room. 2, in fact. Of course, not as much as these. |
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Silver Member Username: JethroLansing, Mi Post Number: 169 Registered: Jan-06 | psb platinum t8 towers. for the price, I haven't heard better. |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 1905 Registered: Sep-04 | Oh c'mon people. Luca, those Harbeths are plain ordinary boxes. Now these Sonus Faber Auditors are gorgeous speakers (in your price range I believe):  Another speaker well worth looking at(particularly on its own stand) would be Focal's Electra 1007be. Regards, Frank. |
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Gold Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 1109 Registered: Nov-05 | The Aurum Cantus V3's are nice  |
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Bronze Member Username: NoutPost Number: 50 Registered: Mar-06 | These Diatones look great  So do these Pioneer Whiskey barrel speakers  |
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Silver Member Username: StefanomVienna, VA United States Post Number: 356 Registered: Apr-06 | Harnessing the power of whiskey for audio. For some reason I think I'd rather have the Sonus Faber speakers.. |
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Silver Member Username: DarthThe woodlands Post Number: 114 Registered: Aug-05 | though pretty expensive, IMHO German Physiks make some of the most beautiful speakers out there http://www.german-physiks.com/NewFiles/Gallery.html  |
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Gold Member Username: DakulisSpokane, Washington United States Post Number: 1068 Registered: May-05 | Geez, After reading about the HT3s and seeing some pictuers and some of his other speakers and seeing the photos of teh Sonus, Aurums, Diatones and Physiks, I say buy them all. Heck, I could probably pass some of these by the wife as furniture if I could only hide the dang wires, lol. Keep those pictures comign. |
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Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 5770 Registered: Dec-04 | Those physiks look about to sprout arms and warn "Danger Will Robinson". But hey, we are dealing with works of art, and artists emotions. |
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Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 5775 Registered: Dec-04 | Sorry, these are the 800 lb. gorillas. |
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Gold Member Username: T_bomb25Dayton, Ohio United States Post Number: 1491 Registered: Jun-05 | The HT-3s are works of art no matter what some these pedestrian speaker lover's say, the even more important aspect of the HT-3 is they completely devour anything under 10k and most overpriced 20k offerings with ease in the sound department,and oh they only weigh 130lbs a piece they aint that big.But i wont have them for about 4 months they take a fair amount of time to build,so until then most of you guys favorites so far will be in my room Monday,the Mini Strata and the beautiful SP-3 tube amp they will have to do until the HT-3's and AVA gear are ready . |
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Gold Member Username: T_bomb25Dayton, Ohio United States Post Number: 1492 Registered: Jun-05 | Oh....and my curent speakers in my system right now making lovely music and they have swept up a few awards as of late www.audioc.com |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 870 Registered: Oct-04 |  ...What, not good enough for you? |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 3958 Registered: Feb-05 | There you have it...the minimalist approach! |
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Gold Member Username: T_bomb25Dayton, Ohio United States Post Number: 1504 Registered: Jun-05 | Extremely! |
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Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 5835 Registered: Dec-04 | Andre ordered 336,594 of these for his next experiment. MMBBWWWOOOOHHHAAAAA. In the Kitchen. |
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Silver Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY USA Post Number: 871 Registered: Oct-04 | Things to come from AV123 First up, The X-Pro...   Next up, The X-SLS   Pretty neat stuff, aye? |
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Gold Member Username: T_bomb25Dayton, Ohio United States Post Number: 1505 Registered: Jun-05 | Yeah,the new X-Pro is gonna be real real hot,and the SLS is packing a bunch of performance in its cabinet for $319 a pair and beautiful build to boot. |
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Bronze Member Username: LeonskiPost Number: 34 Registered: Jan-07 | How about some Maggies? |
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Gold Member Username: T_bomb25Dayton, Ohio United States Post Number: 1523 Registered: Jun-05 | Just a little update,the Mini Strata's are amazing they are much much better than I expected,I dont think im gonna fork out the extra money for the Salk HT-3's.The SP-3 tube intergrated amp is stunner to,I'll probably end up moving it to my 2nd system,with the extra 2k+ that I was gonna spend on the HT-3's im gonna use it to go for some Melody tubed monoblocks,Melody tube Preamp,and Melody tube CD player this setup should be a good reference to review anything with,the Mini's are stunning with a capital "S" I'll start a thread tomorrow and give you guys some feedback on them,I havent been this excited in a while and finnaly got something for me,instead of doing reviews for everyonelse,the rewards are sweet and enjoying every minute of it! |
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