My Avantgarde Duo XD - simply incredible....

I have been thinking about them for a very long time. I’ve loved other horn loaded speakers like Klipsch and especially JBL.

I didn’t realize until recently that the drivers in the Duos and other Avantgarde speakers were made with Alnico. I’ve had speakers in the past with Alnico drivers and loved them. My Nola Lotus Signature SE were with me for 9 years. With Rogue M-120 (upgraded to M-150 over time) then eventually moving to Counterpoint gear. Alnico always gave me a wonderful presentation, especially with tubes.

I just had to scratch the Avantgarde itch. I was afraid of true horn speakers but immediately I knew, once fired up, these were no ordinary speakers.

Right now I feel so connected to the music, it’s absolutely stunning. The music is freed from the box and just appears in my room. Vocals are wonderfully natural. They have tremendous 3D, depth and width. The music is so dynamic, clear and open.

Now I realize exactly what Mike, Buddy, Paul and Justin were experiencing.

I’m in awe. For my taste, a sweet amp is a glorious match with them.


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Congrats Joe...and my favorite color to boot!!


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Big congrats Joe. Any new challenges as far as room placement or room treatment to help these speakers excel compared to traditonal box speakers you have had in the past as I recall your space is not huge? I appreciate the vocal nuance you are hearing but any type of music that they dont excel at? rock? cLASSICAL? pOLKA ETC. Enjoy Enjoy your latest toy. They look beautiful.
 
Wow. :amazing: So "Wow" you made me use my first emoji. Congrats and enjoy!
 
Congrats Joe...and my favorite color to boot!!


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Thank you so much Andy.

Big congrats Joe. Any new challenges as far as room placement or room treatment to help these speakers excel compared to traditional box speakers you have had in the past as I recall your space is not huge? I appreciate the vocal nuance you are hearing but any type of music that they don't excel at? rock? classical? polka ETC. Enjoy Enjoy your latest toy. They look beautiful.

Thank you! I understand that room placement can be a little easier because the horns interact less with the room. Obviously, bass needs to be tweaked and is wonderfully powerful. Jim Smith and Mike can be of more guidance on setup. I am still learning but smiling all the way.

One thing that I will say is that they don't sugar coat poor recordings. SET and/or sweeter amps help, but don't eliminate bad recordings.

Wow. :amazing: So "Wow" you made me use my first emoji. Congrats and enjoy!

Awesome! these are absolutely wonderful.
 
Joe - Am just catching up on all this. I am very happy for you!

It has been a bit of a whorl wind for me. I was up until 4 or 5 am listening, completely unaware of the time until I finally passed out.
 
It has been a bit of a whorl wind for me. I was up until 4 or 5 am listening, completely unaware of the time until I finally passed out.

I’m with you Joe. It’s been 2 and half months now and I still can’t believe how wonderful sound they produce. Yes they are very picky in terms of matching gear and cable for that matter but once you have right set up it’s truly the best. Is there any better speakers out there ? For sure,but for me this is it. Hmmm second thought maybe the Trio with 4 bass stacks [emoji13]
 
I know everyone likes something different and speakers are no exception.

I am just trying to further some discussion, nothing more.

I am in complete awe of what my Duo XD are doing. They seemed to have settled down and I seemed to have calmed down.

Wall to wall music. Kind of like filling a balloon with air, the music just fills the room - even to my extreme left and right and almost behind me. Nothing is aggressive, nothing is forward. Music appears and disappears instantly in front of you. It's uncanny.

Vocals are to die for and bass, of course, with 2 powered 12" woofers per side with 1000wpc command the room.

Destination? OMG YES!
 
WOW Joe, I had noticed this thread the other day and got busy as hell. Finally had a chance to read through. Seems Mike is a good advocate for AG, and seeing his setup with the ARC160s, and hearing AG for the first time last year at RMAF, and now your comments and those of others who now are listening has got me thinking just how good those would sound in my room. Great color choice for yours--I have audiophile envy. That you consider these "destination" (for now!) speakers tells me how much you must be enjoying them. Good on you! Have fun.
 
Ha!

Thank you Bob. I do appreciate the kind words.

I've had speakers in the past that were forward or a little intense in the treble for me. These are nothing like that. There's no boxy feel to them. Just a dynamic freeing of the music that's unmistakable.

I love the fact that megawatt amps need not apply. Sweet flea watt amps do the trick! I hope more people just take a listen to them.
 
Wall to wall music. Kind of like filling a balloon with air, the music just fills the room - even to my extreme left and right and almost behind me. Nothing is aggressive, nothing is forward. Music appears and disappears instantly in front of you. It's uncanny.

Destination? OMG YES!

Which cables are you using, Joe? “Wall to wall” “ fills the room” reminds me of when Mike sent me his Siltech Prince speaker and 770 rca’s, with the Uno’s in a 14x19 room.
Parker
 
Which cables are you using, Joe? “Wall to wall” “ fills the room” reminds me of when Mike sent me his Siltech Prince speaker and 770 rca’s, with the Uno’s in a 14x19 room.
Parker

Ah, the big guns for cables.

I have Cardas Clear (one step below top?) for the preamp to amp and Siltech 770i for my Bricasti dac. Seems to work very well. For speaker cables, I’m using Avanti Audio from Mike Chadwell here on the forum.
 
Congrats Joe !
I did not come here for some time and when I come back I see so many members with Avant Garde speakers, I can hardly believe it ! Including Mr. Harbeth ( Paul ) in person !
Compared to conventional speakers,
High Eff speakers bring "life" to music.
I can still listen to some mid efficiency speakers in some of my systems ( Rega RS10, Falcons LS3/5a, ProAc Super Tablette) but both of my main systems use only high efficiency speakers ( Altec and Audio Note ) and it will stay that way.


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