Avantgarde Duo Mezzo XD's RMAF Write-up

"This striking-looking speaker really sang, surprisingly so, given its size and the smallish room it was in. Saxophone tonality was intoxicating, rendered with an exquisite balance of brass and reed. And obviously, transient speed was exhilarating."

- http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/rocky-mountain-audio-fest-2015-loudspeakers-over-20000/

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Mike said:
"This striking-looking speaker really sang, surprisingly so, given its size and the smallish room it was in. Saxophone tonality was intoxicating, rendered with an exquisite balance of brass and reed. And obviously, transient speed was exhilarating."

- http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/rocky-mountain-audio-fest-2015-loudspeakers-over-20000/

a7820f7feb4d339f94a9226dd1745d18.jpg


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Now I can see the clear difference between this pair and mine (apart from the horns color - the bass is the same).

There's a LED light at the AV logo while mine does not have.

Seriously, small rooms pose no problems for this pair of speakers, strange but true, even for my "older model" pair.

Nice choice Mike! Enjoy!
 
That Allman Brothers track, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reid", was strikingly good. There was an energy in the room; the music was alive. Does anyone know what specific recording that was? It seems the song was released multiple times. Truly incredible sound.
 
MDP said:
Mike, you've been very quiet lately! Tell us about your Duo Mezzos.
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Mark - I received the Avantgarde Duo Mezzo XD's on Wednesday and had them up and running that night. My thoughts after the first day were "these are the best speakers - out of the box - that I've ever had in my room." I let the speakers play for the better part of Thursday and Friday, even though they had a number of hours on them from RMAF. On Saturday, I installed some Magic Gliders under the feet so I could easily move them around. I've experimented with almost flush against the back wall, to 5 feet, 4 feet and 3 feet behind them. I've experimented with straight on, a little toe in, and using my laser, tried them pointed at the middle of the listening position (as the manual recommends). Right now, I've found they sound best with 4 feet behind the speaker and the tweeters point at the respective ear (left tweeter pointed at left ear, etc.)

I've also experimented with equipment and absolutely love the Air Tight gear in Triode Mode on the Avantgarde's. I've also tried different cables and found the Siltech to be a match made in heaven.

Listening to the speakers the past 6 days, I can honestly say that I've heard nothing like them in my room. They are completely void of any cabinet sounds. The bass is phenomenal and completely adjustable to suit the room. I have the crossover point set at 170hz and the bass tuned down 7db to best fit into my room. The adjustability of the crossover (low, medium and high options) and the bass tuning make these a snap to dial into your room (from a bass perspective).

I have tried all sorts of music, and can't find anything they don't do exceptionally well. From live music to rock to classical to jazz, they do it all. Their dynamics and "live sounds" are addictive. The speakers have ZERO horn colorations. No honkiness at all. Just a wall of live music that is so dynamic and lifelike, from piano, to acoustic guitar to vocals, that it really takes you back.

We had a forum member over last night. I will let him share his comments, but suffice it to say, he will be getting a pair.

Here are a few pics:

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Hi Guys,

Last weekend I re-voiced a pair of DUOs that I had originally installed & voiced in 2003. There had been a number of changes so the client asked me back.

The only thing different with this pair of stock DUOs (pre-Omega update) was the client had two SUB225 woofers per channel. Whenever that wasn't a WAF issue, I always urged the client to get at least one more pair of subs. This yields not 3dB, but 6dB more gain in the bass, so the subs don't have to work nearly as hard. I mention this because it appears that Avantgarde has a better (in both performance and in appearance) technique with the new models.

The reason I am posting this is that I left the client with a HUGE question that I could not answer. The question is - why did I ever sell my demo pair of DUO Omegas? This was the most involving sound I have heard in a long time.

Now I am trying to figure how I could get a pair of the DUO series. I would have to sell my ASR amp, Tannoys, & RELs. Sheesh!

And I LOVE my ASR & Duelund-modified Tannoy Canterburys with REL subs. Mark - MDP - has heard that set-up so he can probably imagine my quandary.

This wasn't supposed to happen... :facepalm:
 
Jim Smith said:
Hi Guys,

Last weekend I re-voiced a pair of DUOs that I had originally installed & voiced in 2003. There had been a number of changes so the client asked me back.

The only thing different with this pair of stock DUOs (pre-Omega update) was the client had two SUB225 woofers per channel. Whenever that wasn't a WAF issue, I always urged the client to get at least one more pair of subs. This yields not 3dB, but 6dB more gain in the bass, so the subs don't have to work nearly as hard. I mention this because it appears that Avantgarde has a better (in both performance and in appearance) technique with the new models.

The reason I am posting this is that I left the client with a HUGE question that I could not answer. The question is - why did I ever sell my demo pair of DUO Omegas? This was the most involving sound I have heard in a long time.

Now I am trying to figure how I could get a pair of the DUO series. I would have to sell my ASR amp, Tannoys, & RELs. Sheesh!

And I LOVE my ASR & Duelund-modified Tannoy Canterburys with REL subs. Mark - MDP - has heard that set-up so he can probably imagine my quandary.

This wasn't supposed to happen... :facepalm:
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I totally understand and the gentleman that was over last night, also has Tannoy's. He's putting them up for sale. They are great speakers, I had the Tannoy's. But the Duo's do so many things better - bass, lack of cabinet sounds, even dynamics. Involving is a great way to put it. I've had a few very late nights already.

I did the merry-go-round of the "cone & dome" speakers. I had Magico, Wilson, Sonus Faber, you name it. And I loved them all. But the Avantgarde's are special - very special. They are different too. Nobody will ever mistake them for a Magico or a Wilson or want to make comparisons. I won't say they everyone will prefer them to a Magico or Wilson, because that's personal taste. But they are horns that don't sound like horns. They make you think everything is a live performance because of the dynamics and realism they project. They have all of the good, with none of the bad of horns. I haven't lived with horns since the Klipsch days, so long term, it will be interesting to see how things evolve. But for now, I'm over the moon happy....they sound far far better in my room than I could have ever anticipated and the technology in the XD series is a big step above what I heard from the previous generation IMO - which was no slouch either!

Jim - if you're game, you are more than welcome to come on down for a listen. Even though I think I have them dialed in pretty good, maybe we can work something out for your time to do a setup as well??
 
Zero said:
Shut the heck up already. My interest is getting more and more piqued. :D
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Then don't read this....

The thing that most knocked me out was how alive the performers sounded. Fabulous Presence. Realistic Dynamics. Tone to die for.

I installed and voiced a bunch of these when I was the distributor. I knew what they could do. Still cannot believe I sold my pair after resigning in 2005... :mad:

I am afraid to hear Mike's... :afraid:
 
Jim Smith said:
Then don't read this....

The thing that most knocked me out was how alive the performers sounded. Fabulous Presence. Realistic Dynamics. Tone to die for.

I installed and voiced a bunch of these when I was the distributor. I knew what they could do. Still cannot believe I sold my pair after resigning in 2005... :mad:

I am afraid to hear Mike's... :afraid:
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Jim,

Mike is a great host. You should go down there and listen,maybe I'll go with you. "Road Trip" !!!
 
Cool, Mike! Room looks gorgeous!
One thing, though... Can't you move the tube amps behind/along the bass cabinet? I believe that would help the poor tubes :)

Hey Jim, we do have a lovely pair of Avantgarde Duo 2.2s upgraded with Omega drivers, if you're interested... Much cheaper than the new models :D

Pics...

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asiufy said:
Cool, Mike! Room looks gorgeous!
One thing, though... Can't you move the tube amps behind/along the bass cabinet? I believe that would help the poor tubes :)

Hey Jim, we do have a lovely pair of Avantgarde Duo 2.2s upgraded with Omega drivers, if you're interested... Much cheaper than the new models :D

Pics...

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No, because it makes accessing the gear behind it difficult for powering on/off, etc.

The amps are outside the range and forward and to the side of the speakers, it's just hard to tell from the pics.


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