Avantgarde Uno XD - wow!

[Justin]

I know horn speakers, and AG's, aren't for everyone. Need to write one post on this as I am glowing with audio happiness.

I recently took the plunge. Clearly there is no right or wrong with this stuff, only opinions and observations and certainly paths that are more right or more wrong for our individual preferences. I am so thankful that I took this leap, and found this path. After years of struggling and trying to enjoy my rig, I left very highly rated, traditional "cone and dome" speakers behind. I kept trying to love what I had, but it was work. I was just never completely at ease.

I couldn't be happier now. These Uno XD's, in my opinion, are absolutely amazing. For my tastes -- I love live music, acoustic guitar, rock, jazz, etc. -- I am thrilled. Beyond.

I will be candid. I heard Mike's Duo Mezzo's a couple of years ago and it left a lasting impression. I wanted and needed a change but I didn't want to go AG. No local support for me in Northeast. Plenty of audio "experts" telling me to be careful. Problems with bass, problems with shouty horn coloration, etc etc. Very very few folks outside of Mike seemed to be fans of these speakers that I would talk to in my local journey.

I travelled to Toronto to hear Uno XD at their North American distributor (Angie's / American Sound of Canada). I needed to hear these and cross them off my list. Because I kept coming back to the fact that when I went to Mike's, I heard his incredible Magico M3's with top notch electronics downstairs, and then when I would pop upstairs to hear his AG's, there was zero question which sound was right *for me*. It was immediate and obvious and right. For me. I tried to hear every other speaker I could within a reasonable distance of Boston, where I live. I wanted to find something else. But the life, the energy, the spirit of the Avantgardes... I just couldn't get over it. I heard a couple of other horn speakers, but they just didn't have the same magic that the AG's seemed to have for me.

So now I am only a couple days into having these, matched with sweet 300B amps and my VAC Signature SE preamp. There is no question that there's loads of improvement yet to come... I haven't matched cables, upgraded power cords, swapped in WE 300B NOS tubes for the stock tubes, etc. Heck, the amps have less than 15 hours on them! I guess I just want to say I am so thankful that i took this risk. At many moments I thought about trying to tweak an amp, or a cable, or something else, in my last system... but deep down I knew that was just a band aid. I am so thankful that I finally have that magic I have craved. These speakers -- to ME -- are amazing, and the best possible choice for my space of everything I have heard, regardless of cost. I kept coming across a tradeoff with traditional speakers -- in my experience, I could have tube amps and capture more of that emotion and "magic" that I love. But lose much of the dynamics. I don't have that tradeoff with these Avantgardes. I can have tubes and still have all the dynamics and speed I would ever want.

Those intrigued by AG, give them a listen. I think if matched up properly, they breathe magic... they create music, live music, with all the energy and spirit and emotion and snap and thump of the real thing. Not harsh, not ear piercing. But so alive and so eager to let the music just pour out effortlessly and fill your room with joy.

Thank you, Mike. I should add that my bias was to NOT buy anything from Mike, but from a local dealer to me. It was my preference. But all Mike did was patiently be a resource, with zero pressure. I tried and I tried and I tried to find a different path. But this was the right path... for me. Just so thankful I found it.

Give this new XD generation of AG a try. You might find you like it. I have never been happier. Not even close.

[sharkmouth]

Justin, will you be keeping them then?

[Justin]

Sharkmouth, my post here was simply to generate a little excitement before I list them on Audiogon in the AM.


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[Mike]

Sharkmouth, my post here was simply to generate a little excitement before I list them on Audiogon in the AM.


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LOL.

I'm so happy you're happy. I have to say, you were the most thorough client I've ever encountered. You did your homework and made the decision with full confidence. Way to go man. So happy for you.

[joeinid]

Hahahahahahha!

Justin, will you be keeping them then?

Sharkmouth, my post here was simply to generate a little excitement before I list them on Audiogon in the AM.


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[drb968]

Welcome to the AG Club! I have had the pleasure (and the horror) of hearing many, many systems. I've been a grateful owner of the AG Trios for a while now and am still amazed at what I hear. It is absolutely worth the effort to dial them in, with complementary components, cables, and in my not so humble opinion, the correct room treatments - the replication of live music is really rather stunning. And guess who introduced me to Avantguarde - yep, Mike. Thank you sir!!!

[Dguitarnut]

Congrats Justin..........awesome speakers! If my living quarters would have accommodated horns the Uno Xd would be what I would have gotten! I love that models looks!
Mike´s “lofty” system I’m sure has been the ruin of many a poor boy!....I know..plagiarism.

[Justin]

Thanks guys. Listening in the dark as I type and I can only imagine how good these will he in a couple months when I really get them dialed in. I haven't played with the bass adjustment yet!


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[Audio 1]

Justin I totally agree with your statements on Avantgarde! I recently had a similiar epiphany and the Uno XD's are truly amazing. I experienced the Uno's after a friend of Mine was auditioning Magico. It does not take long at all to realize that very little can produce something so killer. The bass produced by AG's is so darn good and when dialed in has a big advantage over what is possible with the normal placement only solutions with most speakers.

Once you enter Mike's room you leave a changed person, so I warn everyone to enter at your own risk!

[Kuoppis]

Thanks for sharing your story Justin, great write-up.

I think you were asking the right questions and decided to take the plunge. Many happy hours with the AGs.


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[KeithR]

Congrats on the AGs Justin!

What color combo did you choose?

[Justin]

Listening to Duke Ellington - Concert from the Virgin Islands with my morning coffee. So rich, so good!

I was about to buy Uno in perhaps a retro cream horn with darker wood side. I got lucky... another of Mike's clients (who may post here) was ready to move up from his very lightly used mint Unos to Duos... I scored! These are classic black horns with dark wood sides. Love the look!


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[wisnon]

PICTURES, or we dont believe.

[Glareskin]

Most convincing story in years! And I agree with Norman: pictures please!

[Etunes]

I know horn speakers, and AG's, aren't for everyone. Need to write one post on this as I am glowing with audio happiness.

I recently took the plunge. Clearly there is no right or wrong with this stuff, only opinions and observations and certainly paths that are more right or more wrong for our individual preferences. I am so thankful that I took this leap, and found this path. After years of struggling and trying to enjoy my rig, I left very highly rated, traditional "cone and dome" speakers behind. I kept trying to love what I had, but it was work. I was just never completely at ease.

I couldn't be happier now. These Uno XD's, in my opinion, are absolutely amazing. For my tastes -- I love live music, acoustic guitar, rock, jazz, etc. -- I am thrilled. Beyond.

I will be candid. I heard Mike's Duo Mezzo's a couple of years ago and it left a lasting impression. I wanted and needed a change but I didn't want to go AG. No local support for me in Northeast. Plenty of audio "experts" telling me to be careful. Problems with bass, problems with shouty horn coloration, etc etc. Very very few folks outside of Mike seemed to be fans of these speakers that I would talk to in my local journey.

I travelled to Toronto to hear Uno XD at their North American distributor (Angie's / American Sound of Canada). I needed to hear these and cross them off my list. Because I kept coming back to the fact that when I went to Mike's, I heard his incredible Magico M3's with top notch electronics downstairs, and then when I would pop upstairs to hear his AG's, there was zero question which sound was right *for me*. It was immediate and obvious and right. For me. I tried to hear every other speaker I could within a reasonable distance of Boston, where I live. I wanted to find something else. But the life, the energy, the spirit of the Avantgardes... I just couldn't get over it. I heard a couple of other horn speakers, but they just didn't have the same magic that the AG's seemed to have for me.

So now I am only a couple days into having these, matched with sweet 300B amps and my VAC Signature SE preamp. There is no question that there's loads of improvement yet to come... I haven't matched cables, upgraded power cords, swapped in WE 300B NOS tubes for the stock tubes, etc. Heck, the amps have less than 15 hours on them! I guess I just want to say I am so thankful that i took this risk. At many moments I thought about trying to tweak an amp, or a cable, or something else, in my last system... but deep down I knew that was just a band aid. I am so thankful that I finally have that magic I have craved. These speakers -- to ME -- are amazing, and the best possible choice for my space of everything I have heard, regardless of cost. I kept coming across a tradeoff with traditional speakers -- in my experience, I could have tube amps and capture more of that emotion and "magic" that I love. But lose much of the dynamics. I don't have that tradeoff with these Avantgardes. I can have tubes and still have all the dynamics and speed I would ever want.

Those intrigued by AG, give them a listen. I think if matched up properly, they breathe magic... they create music, live music, with all the energy and spirit and emotion and snap and thump of the real thing. Not harsh, not ear piercing. But so alive and so eager to let the music just pour out effortlessly and fill your room with joy.

Thank you, Mike. I should add that my bias was to NOT buy anything from Mike, but from a local dealer to me. It was my preference. But all Mike did was patiently be a resource, with zero pressure. I tried and I tried and I tried to find a different path. But this was the right path... for me. Just so thankful I found it.

Give this new XD generation of AG a try. You might find you like it. I have never been happier. Not even close.

Congrats on some amazing speakers and I agree on all fronts . Looking forward to pictures !

The XD presets make dialing in a room a breeze. I used two 10ft USB cables to my MacBook Pro at the listening position. The AG software functions great and you can listen and adjust on the fly. Solved my room issues in 5 minutes.

[nicoludio]

Congrats! Its a happy day to find a speaker that gives you such listening pleasure after a long search. More so when you get a bargain in the process.

[Justin]

I need to eat something. I need to get my boys ready for a soccer game. Weekend stuff to do. But I can't stop listening! Amazing sound to me.


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[joeinid]

Love to see how happy you are with the new setup. It was a long process but you absolutely made the right choice. Wait until everything is tweaked and set up properly.

I need to eat something. I need to get my boys ready for a soccer game. Weekend stuff to do. But I can't stop listening! Amazing sound to me.


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[Marslo]

Congrats on some amazing speakers and I agree on all fronts . Looking forward to pictures !

The XD presets make dialing in a room a breeze. I used two 10ft USB cables to my MacBook Pro at the listening position. The AG software functions great and you can listen and adjust on the fly. Solved my room issues in 5 minutes.

Apparently I am much less clever, it took me 2-3 hours or so, but I agree the DSP soft is a gem. I have made around 10 different presets , use on daily basis 2-3 of them depending on source ( DAC, CDP, analog)
Look forward to have the measurement of the room acoustics with the new version based on microphones . It s a costly option but I am very keen to improve the sound even further.

[Etunes]

Apparently I am much less clever, it took me 2-3 hours or so, but I agree the DSP soft is a gem. I have made around 10 different presets , use on daily basis 2-3 of them depending on source ( DAC, CDP, analog)
Look forward to have the measurement of the room acoustics with the new version based on microphones . It s a costly option but I am very keen to improve the sound even further.

5 minutes for setup. Software setup etc. Listening and adjustments are ongoing but very understandable and easy for the right brainer such as myself.

Please update I’m very interested what improvements your experiencing with the microphone calibration.

[Mike]

It's wonderful to see how many people are loving this incredible brand of speakers and are enjoying this dynamic, "live sounds" type of speaker as well.

In North America, exposure to this speaker has been spotty at best the past 12 years or more. The XD series has, what my friend calls, "perfected the horn".

At least here in the U.S., I think I've had a bit of an impact on the growing passion for this wonderful line of speakers. The Duo Mezzo's in my home, the Uno XD's and Zero XD's in the store have all had the same kind of response.

Avantgarde XD's are also a great speaker for those with difficult rooms (like mine at home!). Horns are a control directivity speaker and therefore, the room is of much less importance. The XD tech allows us to dial the bass into any difficult situation.

There are people that will never accept the concept of a horn speaker. They heard Klipsch horns in 1970 and still harbor those biases. And that's ok. But I can assure you, Avantgarde's sound nothing like my Dad's old Klipschhorns!

That being said, I totally understand horns aren't for everyone. They are BIG! They require massive attention to detail and almost always, a change in the system (power, amp, source and almost always, cables).



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[Family progtitioner]

Congrats. I also demoed the Unos and my speakers, the zero one at Angies. I'm only a quick trip over the border away, though. You went to extremes! The xd software is great and using some measurements I was able to dial mine in in about 10 minutes. Is there a microphone based measurement system coming? I used the measurements I had from using Dirac

[Mike]

Congrats. I also demoed the Unos and my speakers, the zero one at Angies. I'm only a quick trip over the border away, though. You went to extremes! The xd software is great and using some measurements I was able to dial mine in in about 10 minutes. Is there a microphone based measurement system coming? I used the measurements I had from using Dirac

It's coming. I hope to have it soon.




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[asiufy]

We've shown Avantgardes for two consecutive years at the LA/OC show, always amazing.
But Mike has a point that there's a lot of bias against horns, either because people remember the midrangy horns of old, or because they might've heard an Avantgarde, but badly setup/paired.
And then there's that slight problem of size...

[Justin]

My listening preferences are probably different than 99% here. I listen mostly to live recordings of improvisational music.

I mention this because I had a close buddy over last night. He has heard past systems and I listen to lots of music with him.

Listening last night, we were transported right there, to the 7th row of a recent concert we saw at MSG. The ambient noise of the crowd, the life of the live experience. It was a whole different experience than listening to these live concerts on my past speakers and, for that matter, the many speakers I have played this material on while demoing. The live experience was captured, so incredibly realistically. At one point I closed my eyes and really felt like I was there, at the venue, the music washing over me. We may or may not have danced our asses off in my basement for a couple of hours.

There is some tweaking to do (I think I want a little less detail than the KS Elation ICs I am trying right now)... but my oh my. Unlimited potential.

The first comment from my friend, after 10 minutes of listening, was that these speakers disappear. Yes, it is a big sound. But you can close your eyes and really believe that there are not 2 heavy speakers in the room. The 2nd comment was that he's never heard the live experience recreated like this.

Since I hate to exaggerate, I will offer my simple opinion: of every audio product I have heard in my time enjoying this hobby, the Uno XD is the most transformative, for me. The most impressive. Why do I say that? Because I don't know another product that so completely opened up a doorway into an entirely different and LIVE experience like this. It may not be everyone, but boy, it is different. It is ALIVE.


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[Bobvin]

I heard the Avante Garde speakers for the first time at RMAF. A bit of a near field setup, but I was thoroughly impressed. I thought they exibited a lot of the same qualities as my Alexias... great PRaT, dynamics, and not to mentioning they’re pretty f’in cool looking! I’m not in market for a change, but AG would be on my short list if I were.

[zagfan]

Mike, How close can Duo XD be to the from wall and how far from the side walls do they need to be? I mean
inches to back of the speaker and inches to the edge of the horn from side wall.

[Mike]

Mike, How close can Duo XD be to the from wall and how far from the side walls do they need to be? I mean
inches to back of the speaker and inches to the edge of the horn from side wall.

You want a couple of feet front front wall to back of speaker, 3-4 feet being ideal. This helps create more 3D imaging. But they CAN play very close to the wall because they are controlled directivity and no porting. Sound goes forward, not sideways, forward and back (port) like traditional ported cone and dome speakers or open baffle, omnipolar, planar magnetic speakers, etc.


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[Justin]

[Justin]

Listening to Steely Dan - Aja when I should be watching home town Patriots football.


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[Justin]

Midnight on Sunday and I am lost, in a dark basement, hearing Keola Beamer pluck his slack key like I've never heard him before.


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[pdub]

Justin
Warms the old heart cockles to see how happy you are with the Uno's. If the shiny ever starts to wear off see if Mike will lend you the Siltechs.
Parker

[Mordante]

Congrats on your speakers.

I think these speakers are very room dependent. There are so many people who love them. But personally I have never heard them perform any good. This year at a show the Trio with bass horn sounded meh. Zero coherency and no bass.

[a.wayne]

Never heard such with Mikes Trio , far from Meh sounding and btw , the bass integration will be very dependent on what type of amps are driving the Horns and as important as where the pre-amp drive signal is coming from, since the bass is self powered ...


Meh is the last comment i would expect from one hearing a Trio, i would suggest a bad show setup / seating relationship ..


Regards

Congrats on your speakers.

I think these speakers are very room dependent. There are so many people who love them. But personally I have never heard them perform any good. This year at a show the Trio with bass horn sounded meh. Zero coherency and no bass.

[Jim Smith]

Meh is the last comment i would expect from one hearing a Trio, i would suggest a bad show setup / seating relationship ..

Regards

Agreed 100%!!!

[Mike]

Never heard such with Mikes Trio , far from Meh sounding and btw , the bass integration will be very dependent on what type of amps are driving the Horns and as important as where the pre-amp drive signal is coming from, since the bass is self powered ...


Meh is the last comment i would expect from one hearing a Trio, i would suggest a bad show setup / seating relationship ..


Regards

There's always one in the crowd...

Horns are not room dependent (they're controlled directivity) and Trio bass horns is the most realistic bass I've ever heard.

[Mordante]

There's always one in the crowd...

Horns are not room dependent (they're controlled directivity) and Trio bass horns is the most realistic bass I've ever heard.

I was not alone. Most people thought it sounded meh. The source used was a CEC TL0 and CEC DAC. The amps were XA amp by Avantgarde. There was IMHO no coherency in the sound. But like I said could have been the room. In the room next door the bass horns were booming happily.



See this thread:

Dutch X-fi show

[Boogieman]

My listening preferences are probably different than 99% here. I listen mostly to live recordings of improvisational music.

I mention this because I had a close buddy over last night. He has heard past systems and I listen to lots of music with him.

Listening last night, we were transported right there, to the 7th row of a recent concert we saw at MSG. The ambient noise of the crowd, the life of the live experience. It was a whole different experience than listening to these live concerts on my past speakers and, for that matter, the many speakers I have played this material on while demoing. The live experience was captured, so incredibly realistically. At one point I closed my eyes and really felt like I was there, at the venue, the music washing over me. We may or may not have danced our asses off in my basement for a couple of hours.

There is some tweaking to do (I think I want a little less detail than the KS Elation ICs I am trying right now)... but my oh my. Unlimited potential.

The first comment from my friend, after 10 minutes of listening, was that these speakers disappear. Yes, it is a big sound. But you can close your eyes and really believe that there are not 2 heavy speakers in the room. The 2nd comment was that he's never heard the live experience recreated like this.

Since I hate to exaggerate, I will offer my simple opinion: of every audio product I have heard in my time enjoying this hobby, the Uno XD is the most transformative, for me. The most impressive. Why do I say that? Because I don't know another product that so completely opened up a doorway into an entirely different and LIVE experience like this. It may not be everyone, but boy, it is different. It is ALIVE.


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Hi Sir,
Congratulations on this winning purchase!

Do you mind sharing your playlist of live recordings?
Thank you

[Boogieman]

I got confused reading the comments regarding setup. If the speakers are directional, what is the setup challenge? Why is setup not a piece of cake? Just a matter of putting in the right spot to get the bass to integrate?

[Mike]

I got confused reading the comments regarding setup. If the speakers are directional, what is the setup challenge? Why is setup not a piece of cake? Just a matter of putting in the right spot to get the bass to integrate?

Yup, pretty much. And how much 3D do you want. Want more? Pull them out from the front wall.


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[CPP]

Yup, pretty much. And how much 3D do you want. Want more? Pull them out from the front wall.


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I heard Mikes system and it sure didn't sound Meh, its was more like wow, PS the bass was wow and very accurate.

[a.wayne]

I got confused reading the comments regarding setup. If the speakers are directional, what is the setup challenge? Why is setup not a piece of cake? Just a matter of putting in the right spot to get the bass to integrate?

My Speculation ...

I'm suspecting based on Mordante comments there were Bass resonance issues in the room and in order to tame they may have had to turn the bass amp down and out. Mikes comments are mostly regarding the Horns, not the bass modules which are more affected by the room and location.

In situations like this good sound may only be available from one location , if any .......



Regards

[Jim Smith]

My Speculation ...

In situations like this good sound may only be available from one location , if any .......

Regards

Almost certainly.

[Mordante]

My Speculation ...

I'm suspecting based on Mordante comments there were Bass resonance issues in the room and in order to tame they may have had to turn the bass amp down and out. Mikes comments are mostly regarding the Horns, not the bass modules which are more affected by the room and location.

In situations like this good sound may only be available from one location , if any .......



Regards

Could very well be. It also could be my taste. The horns gave me the idea that I was listening to multiple speakers instead of one system.

[nicoff]

Could very well be. It also could be my taste. The horns gave me the idea that I was listening to multiple speakers instead of one system.

A friend of mine has an AV Trio set up and when I first heard it I thought he had a center channel. He actually had a bass trap right between the speakers and I thought that the sound was coming from the bass trap! So I definitely question the set up where you heard them.

[Justin]

Regarding the question on my listening song list and my preferences...

Listening now to Kurt Vile - Wakin' on a Pretty Day. One of my favorite albums of last several years. Love Kurt Vile.

I listen to lots and lots of old Grateful Dead shows and Phish shows. Listened late last night to the 3/29/90 released Dead show with Branford Marsalis.

The listening with friend that I referenced was to an 8/4/17 Phish concert we both were at in NYC.

Love some old Allman Brothers - Live at Fillmore East.

Listen to lots of jazz, especially Miles Davis. Stuff like In a Silent Way, Jack Johnson recordings etc. right up my alley. Love Keith Jarrett. Grant Green. Freddie Hubbard. Stuff with some groove.

Have blown away by how good a couple unplugged MTV albums sound on this. 10,000 maniacs, Clapton, REM.

Was just listening to some Bob Marley with morning coffee. Sounds great.

The most exciting part is that I haven't even remotely started optimizing things. Mike is coming in 10 days to help dial me in. I haven't touched bass setting. I haven't played much with speaker placement. I haven't rolled tubes. I haven't replaced the stock jumper cable or power cords for the subs. I haven't optimized cabling choices around new speakers. Amps aren't broken in. Etc etc etc.

So, quite exciting to me that there's so much room for growth from here.


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[Mike]

Justin, try this album. Their rendition of Billie Jean is just awesome.




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[Justin]

Will do - thanks Mike


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[a.wayne]

Mike do you know if that song is available on LP ...? I did listened to it off U-Boob before....




Regards

[Mike]

Mike do you know if that song is available on LP ...? I did listened to it off U-Boob before....




Regards

Yes, the whole album is available on vinyl.


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