Stephen Mejias

John Marks and Vivid Audio at Overture AV

Stephen Mejias  |  Dec 1, 2010

This Saturday, December 4, from 11am to 4pm, Overture Ultimate Audio/Video will host an open house to present Vivid Audio’s visually and sonically impressive G1 Giya loudspeaker.

In his July 2010 review, Wes Phillips was charmed by this speaker’s superb imaging, unmatched dynamic range, holographic soundstaging, and overall musicality, deciding that the G1 Giya was the “best” loudspeaker he’d ever heard. A few months later, in our October 2010 issue, John Marks was similarly impressed by Vivid’s less expensive V1.5 ($7650/pair).

JM: “Now that I’ve heard the V1.5, I can readily believe that Vivid’s G1 Giya is the best loudspeaker Wes Phillips has ever heard. In my system, the V1.5 is the best two-way speaker I have heard, as well as the best speaker under $10,000/pair.”

Since then, JM has also had the opportunity to spend quality time with Vivid’s $15,000/pair, 3.5-way B-1 floorstander. His review will appear in our February 2011 issue, but I can tell you now that he was not disappointed.

It makes sense then, that on Saturday, December 4, John Marks will join Overture’s Terry Menacker and Vivid’s US importer Philip O’Hanlon in presenting the $65,000/pair G1 Giya. Now's your chance to hear this speaker and decide if it's as good as people say it is. In any case, it should be an afternoon filled with great music and interesting conversation.

Overture Audio is located at 2423 Concord Pike (Route 202) in Wilmington, Delaware. To RSVP, call (800) 838-1812.

COMMENTS
John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on December 1, 2010 - 3:51pm
I will be receiving a pair of the B-1s for a full review in January.
soulful.terrain's picture
Submitted by soulful.terrain on December 2, 2010 - 6:52am

While I am continually impressed with all the reviews I have read on this speaker system, I just can't get past the "Dr. Suess" aesthetic aspect of the Vivid Giya.
To each his own I guess.

The B&W Nautilus that came out about 10 years ago was a interesting concept in speaker design with its "Nautilus shell" cabinet. It took some getting use to, so I guess the Vivid Giya falls into that category as well. Good thing about the Giya, it doesn't need an amplifier for each driver like the B&W did. :)

krell100's picture
Submitted by krell100 on December 3, 2010 - 2:15am

I must admit I could never get past the 'copy of the Nautilus' aspect, it'd always feel like a copy...

Stephen Mejias's picture
Submitted by Stephen Mejias on December 3, 2010 - 6:36am
krell100, I can understand your feeling, but Laurence Dickie, who developed the "Tapered tube loading" concept for the Nautilus is also responsible for the design of the Giya. So, in my mind, it's not so much that he's copied himself, but refined his ideas.
soulful.terrain's picture
Submitted by soulful.terrain on December 3, 2010 - 12:12pm

Never knew that he was the intregal part of the Giya's design. If it is as musically resolving as the original 'nautilus shelled' B&W, then it's no wonder this speaker sounds so marvellous!

Mark Evans

krell100's picture
Submitted by krell100 on December 4, 2010 - 2:39am

Ahh... Fair enough. Is copying yourself really copying? I didn't think so, so ol' Dickie is off the hook.. An odd shape nevertheless...

greenelec's picture
Submitted by greenelec on December 3, 2010 - 9:54am

weird looking. Couldn't this technology be hidden inside a more conventional enclosure? I could never stand to have these in my house.

Drtrey3's picture
Submitted by Drtrey3 on December 4, 2010 - 6:57am

I agree with the Dr. Seuss aesthetic. Great observation! And much as I hate to admit this, they look too fruity for me.

Buddha's picture
Submitted by Buddha on December 4, 2010 - 4:25pm

That pic looks like it was taken of a group of Trekies or Narnia fanboys waiting for the corndog stand to open.



One of the white ones leaned over toward the red one and said, "Dude, you look ridiculous. You Elventard red came out way too Mystic Mountain Drawf war banner maroon. Dork."

X