I have Monitor Audio RS6's right now and I'm looking to upgrade. I have heard the MA GS20's, which I really like but I was wondering if anyone has other recommendations to audition at this price point which is about $3000.00. I'm looking for a speaker that performs well in both 2 channel listening and home theatre. These are some of the brands I can demo locally, Monitor Audio, KEF, Paradigm, Focal, ERA, Boston Acoustics, B&W, Vienna Acoustics, Acoustic Energy, Reference 3A, Ariel Acoustics, Anthony Gallo, Vandersteen.
Room size is 15X12X7, I listen at moderately loud levels, I'm using an Arcam AVR300 for amplification, and I do not plan to use a sub for 2 channel listening. I have two subs in use for home theatre. The speakers would be used for both 2 channel music and home theatre, and I am only looking at floorstanders. Any thoughts would be apprciated. Thanks.
The Gallos offer a neutrality and cohesiveness that I have not found in other speakers. They are upgradable in that Gallo sells a sub-amp for the which drives only the second coil in the woofer. They are not built for bi-amping otherwise. The sub-amp brings the floor from ~35Hz down to ~22Hz. It also provides for a fuller bass up to about 300 Hz, much as a super-tweeter adding support to higher frequency ranges on some speakers.
All the speakers you listed are very good. I'd eliminate Boston Acoustics from the list though. IMO, they're not in the same class as the rest. If they're available at a dealer who has some of the others, A/B them to confirm.
There's a lot of differences in the speakers, and different ranges within each brand. While Gallos are very good, they've got some differences within their lines. I wouldn't say that Gallos are better than Ariels or Vandersteens, just different.
Keep in mind that you're running a receiver (a very good one). Some or even many of these probably need more power and quality power to fully appreciate. While the Gallo Ref3 may sound the best of the group with a McIntosh integrated amp running them, it'll be another story with an Arcam receiver. Make sure you demo the speakers with your receiver.
Also keep in ind that if you're using a DVD player instaed of a good CD player, the music is going to be further compromised. You may be better off splitting your budget and buying a good CD player and less expensive speakers if you don't have a quality source.
The Gallos really shine with a lot of power, even at low volume levels.
A CD player in lieu of a DVD source will have more of an impact if done in conjuction with a speaker upgrade dollar for dollar than just a speaker upgrade.
What I mean is if you spent $600 on a CD player plus $2400 on speakers, I would expect the improvement to be greater than if you spent $0 on a CD player and $3000 on speakers.
I agree with the above points. I didn't see where you mentioned what source you were using, but if it is a DVD player then I would spend a chunk of that $3000 on a decent cdp or dac. The improvement would not be subtle.
A couple of brands you could add to your speaker list would be Fab Audio and Totem.
The source is a Simaudio(Moon)CD-1. I just got it a couple of weeks ago. One thing I should mention is that I can get the Gallo's at cost as well as a Velodyne DD-10 subwoofer(this is a favor from the dealer whom is a friend of the family). I have to front the cash but then he'll take my front speakers & centre channel and subs and sell them on consignment and I'll give him a %. I'll get back about 40% on the cost with the trade. It'll end up costing me less than $3000 for everything, a pretty sweet deal!
Stu, I'd be sticking with a surround setup. I may eventually go seperates but will always be used for both home theatre and 2 channel. I'd like to try the speakers but will not be able to do that due to the circumstances involved. My friend is getting out of the business and is kind of giving some incredible deals to people that have been loyal to him over the years, so I'd have to buy them without an audition with my equipment. Sounds crazy but it's a great deal and with the Velodyne sub it makes it better. My other option was to move up to the MA GS20's & GSLCR but this will end up costing me about $600 more and no upgrade on my sub. I could get just the sub and would end up paying about $900 out of pocket with the trade and then get the MA GS20's & GSLCR but that would be another $3400.00 which I can't afford. I would end up paying about $1900 for the Ref 3.1's and AV centre with my trade. So it's $1900 for the Ref 3.1's & AV Centre & $900 for the Velodyne DD-10 vs. $3400 for the MA GS20's & GSLCR. Would the MA's be better?
If you've had the opportunity to hear the Gallos with your system, or at least in a system context you know well, and you like them, then it does sound like a good deal. If you haven't then you don't know that the Gallos are really for you, in which case the deal counts for little unfortunately.
The other brands in your original post are good but only you can tell which one suits you - and only after having heard them.
Called the dealer and said I was concerned that I would not get to hear the Gallos and not sure how it will sound with my components? He said he'd buy the speakers back from me if I didn't like them. He's give me 30 days with them. He said the Arcam AVR300 would be enough power for now. I did read some reviews of the Gallos that were mated with an AVR300 and apparently the results were excellent. Obviously room acoustics will play a huge part in that. This is a one time deal and I cannot get the sub on it's own as it's not worth it for him to give at cost & trade.
Darren, you will not need a sub with the Gallos if you add a $150 XO and another amp of some description. That is what I am going to do...well, at some point when I have a room again.
Would my B60 at 60 watts into 8 ohms/100 into 4 be enough to drive the Gallos? If not, could I bi-amp them with another Bryston amp with identicle specs? I'd love to track down a dealer for an audition, but can't afford them brand new. I don't want to waste a dealer's time.
Darren, Sorry to hijack...
As Nuck mentioned, I doubt you'll need a sub if you go the route he alluded to. Also, If you don't like them and your friend will buy them back, then there's really no risk.
No worries Stu. I questioned the sub but he said the SA for the Gallo's was not really needed. He said adding the sub would be easier on my amp, and had gotten into some technical stuff. The one thing about the Velodyne DD-10 besides the fact it has a built-in EQ is it's small. I currently have 2 subs that take up too much space that I can get rid of them. If I find the sub to be too much I could always sell it but a $2500 sub for $1500 less whatever I get for my trade is a pretty good deal. The fact that he'll buy the speakers back does eliminate the risk so I'm going to go for it!
Your amp will not see any difference in load with or without the Gallo's 2nd coil running. Your amp will run all but the 2nd coil all the time anyhow, and if you have tone controls, they may be bypassed as well. The Gallo's extend to 34Hz normally, and 22Hz with the second coil running. BUT the 2nd coil requires an active XO and an amplifier. If the room is too full of subs, that clears it up, and works tremendously well. And I might look at buying them if you don't like them.
Why not simple move up to the RS8 and keep the savings in your pocket?
I have not heard the new MA Gold Series, nor Platanum Series for that matter, but the RS8 are spectacular. Dollar for dollar, I think they're the best things going.
