Results 1 to 15 of 15
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May 29, 2020, 04:55 PM #1
Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
I’m looking to upgrade my old Avantgarde Duo horn speakers and am almost decided on Avantgarde Mezzo XD or possibly Duo XD.
I love the sound of Avantgarde speakers and their quirky looks. Looks are especially important as the speakers stand in the middle of my large semi-circular room.
With a budget of up to Mezzo price (40-50K) what else should I look at? They must be happy standing mid-room (no back wall), so no Martin Logans please – they just sound poor in my room (I have Expression 13As for sale). This probably excludes other panel speakers, though big Quads sounded remarkably good. What else is there that will sound fantastic and look interesting?
Bayz look the part but way too costly. What else is there out there? UK distribution preferred, but not 100% essential. Thanks for any imaginative ideas
PeterSources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
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May 29, 2020, 05:04 PM #2
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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May 30, 2020, 01:11 PM #3
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Location
- Minnesota
- Posts
- 1,369
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
I would add Tidal speakers to that group. I heard a pair at Axpona 3 years ago that blew me and some friends away. The electronics were all Bricasti. I think they sold for $35K without the diamond tweeter. Good looking speaker as well.
At RMAF last year, the Boulder Audio room featured Vienna Acoustics Imperial speakers. My son and I thought it was the best sounding system at the show. But, there was about $200K worth of electronics and cables. And 4 subs were used.
I have to agree with Mike, Fyne Audio is definitely worth a look. They are on my shortlist of speakers for my next upgrade.My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.
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May 30, 2020, 01:31 PM #4
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
1. Accapella, horns with plasma tweeter
2. Lansche speakers with plasma tweeters
3.Tidal
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June 11, 2020, 06:46 AM #5
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Just to let you know, I've ordered new Avantgarde Duo XD speakers to replace my ageing 2006 Duos.
Thanks for all the suggestions, but Avantgarde wins out for me. PeterSources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
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June 11, 2020, 07:41 AM #6
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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June 11, 2020, 03:26 PM #7
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Thanks Mike. I'm looking forward to the new speakers.
I'm still likely to modify their appearance. As with my old Duos, I plan to "ditch the scaffolding" as I find it rather unattractive.
I'll do this either by getting a simple cradle made similar to Mezzo and fixing the midhorn tube to the sub enclosure, or getting a bracket made that will support this tube from the rear panel of the sub. A Simpler bracket to the one used in my old Duos.
IMG_0110.JPGIMG_0105.JPGSources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
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June 15, 2020, 08:40 AM #8
- Join Date
- Jan 2017
- Location
- Leyden
- Posts
- 596
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Too late the party. I wanted to sugest these. Grats on your new speakers.
9079g.jpgPre amp: Ocatve Phono Module Power amps: Octave MRE130 Turntable: SAC Girati Grande. Tonearm: Dynavector 507mkII Cartridge: Dynavector Ikeda 9TT Streamer: Aurender A10 Power Distributor: Anzus Mains D8 Speakers: Raidho X-3 Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 XLR Interlink: Ansuz A2, [B]XLR Interlink: [B]Phono interlink: Cammino Serie 1.0 - PH 1.0s Power cables: Anzus Mains Ceramic, two Pom, Aluminium, X series Audio Rack: Rack of Silence 4 and 2.
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June 15, 2020, 09:43 AM #9
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Sources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
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June 15, 2020, 01:40 PM #10
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Location
- Oslo
- Posts
- 19
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Blumenhofer I think.
Speakers: Adyton Imagic 2.0 TC (line source), Subs: Audio Physic Minos x2, Amp: Adyton Cordis 1.7 Silver Signature, Pre: Burmester 077, RIAA: Burmester 100, Kondo GE-1, Consolidated MU-metal stepup Phono: Acoustic Signature Invictus Jr, Avid Acutus Ref. SP, Bergmann Galder, Technics sl-1000r, Michell Gyrodec, Arms: Acoustic Signature TA9000Neo, SME V with NO cabling, Bergmann Odin, SME 309, Thomas Schick 12´, FR64S, PU´s: Lyra Atlas SL, Kiseki PH, DS Audio W2, SPU 85th ann., VdH Colibri XGW Master Sig. Strad. Cables: Nordost Valhalla2, Odin1 and Odin2, Power: Adyton 6kw trafo, Burmester 948, Isotek Supertitan, Nordost QRT QX2, QX4, Qv2, Rack: Aavik titanium rack, Absolare, Kanso wall-shelf, NO Sort Kones TC, BC, Sort Fut, Ansuz Darkz B:TC, Grounding: Nordost QKORE6
System 2: Kondo Overture PM2,, Michell Gyrodec, Naim NDX streamer, Burmester 113 DAC, Avantgarde Uno XD, Nordost Valhalla, Audio Insight Isovolt 3 kw trafo.
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June 15, 2020, 07:13 PM #11
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Location
- Tokyo
- Posts
- 145
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Late to the party also but I am wondering why you didn’t consider Wilson Benesch?
Cheers,
Bernard
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June 15, 2020, 08:04 PM #12
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
I suppose because I'm familiar with Avantgarde and I know they sound good in my difficult room and will work well with my existing system. Wilson Benesch seem to have typically 89 dB sensitivity so it would require a different type of amp compared with the 107 dB Avantgardes. I got my fingers burnt last year after buying Martin Logan (and a Sanders Magtech amp to power it), so I'm maybe playing it safe.
I'm not familiar with Wilson Benesch though I'm sure they are great speakers, but so are dozens of other brands. Better the devil you know, perhaps!
PeterSources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
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June 15, 2020, 08:20 PM #13
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Location
- Tokyo
- Posts
- 145
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Indeed, if you already know what works that’d the best and by far the safest. Congrats on the new speakers. I love avantgarde speakers!
You are right that the sensitivity is very different.
I happen to think that WB is far from being one out of many brands. Per my many listening sessions it’s among the very very best. At the same level as Magico, YG, Wilson Audio, Avantgarde,... but it has to be driven by suitable amplification.
Anyway, glad that you have found what you were looking for.
Cheers,
Bernard
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June 16, 2020, 08:32 AM #14
- Join Date
- Jan 2017
- Location
- Leyden
- Posts
- 596
Re: Loudspeaker Suggestions Please – Alternatives to Avantgarde Mezzo
Like someone said these are Blumenhofer speakers the model is the Gran Gioia 2x10"
Gran Gioia MK 2 Gran Gioia 2x10" Material Birch plywood Birch plywood Horn Material HDF-Complex HDF-Complex Thickness 19mm / 3/4" 19mm / 3/4" Internal Bracing Structural bracing interaction Structural bracing interaction Cross over chamber - Yes Frequency range 35Hz - 20kHz ± 2dB 35Hz - 20kHz ± 2dB Woofer 380mm / 15" 2x 250mm / 10" Material Paper Paper Bass Cabinet HornBass Reflex HornBass Reflex Porting Floor Floor Horn load Front Front Cross over frequency 850 Hz 750 Hz Midhigh Compression driver Compression driver Horn Throat 1,4" 1,4" Membrane dimensions 75mm / 3" 75mm / 3" Material Titanium Titanium Max power input (RMS) 150 W RMS 300 W RMS Efficiency 100 dB 95 dB Impedance 8 Ohm 4 Ohm Impedance linearization Yes Yes Terminal Bi-Amping Bi-Amping Material Gold plated tellurium copper Gold plated tellurium copper Feets Adjustable Spykes Adjustable Spykes Dimensions 1335 x 550 x 840 mm 1332 x 482 x 536 Weight 100 kg 60kg Packaging Dimensions Gross Weight 140kg 90kg Pre amp: Ocatve Phono Module Power amps: Octave MRE130 Turntable: SAC Girati Grande. Tonearm: Dynavector 507mkII Cartridge: Dynavector Ikeda 9TT Streamer: Aurender A10 Power Distributor: Anzus Mains D8 Speakers: Raidho X-3 Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 XLR Interlink: Ansuz A2, [B]XLR Interlink: [B]Phono interlink: Cammino Serie 1.0 - PH 1.0s Power cables: Anzus Mains Ceramic, two Pom, Aluminium, X series Audio Rack: Rack of Silence 4 and 2.
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June 25, 2020, 12:27 PM #15
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Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
Great looking room and system! And, nice vinyl collection! Congrats to the new Clarysis owner!
Clarisys Audio Studio Plus Install...