mark evans
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Loudspeaker decision - help
Freako
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It wouldn't be right of me to influence you on this one, but...

Having read the Sterephile reviews of both speakers, I can say the choice would be easy for me, for one reason and one reason only: The Dynaudio drivers of the Andra II!

I hope you will get opinions from someone better founded than me, and I most certainly hope you will fall in love with whatever you choose

mark evans
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Quote:
It wouldn't be right of me to influence you on this one, but...

Having read the Sterephile reviews of both speakers, I can say the choice would be easy for me, for one reason and one reason only: The Dynaudio drivers of the Andra II!

I hope you will get opinions from someone better founded than me, and I most certainly hope you will fall in love with whatever you choose

Hey! Thanks Duck. Seeing that you are obviously a huge music lover as I am...your opinion is well taken.

Thank you.

Freako
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I was about to suggest you go listen to a set of Dynaudio's, but after reading the review of the Andra II's, I am certain they are not a step down from Dynaudio's in that price category, if there is such a set. I wish you the best of luck in your hunt...

jackfish
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Man, I would sure have to go listen to a pair of Vandersteen 5As at Audio Alternative in Lilburn, GA or Look & Listen in Mobile, AL.

mark evans
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Man, I would sure have to go listen to a pair of Vandersteen 5As at Audio Alternative in Lilburn, GA or Look & Listen in Mobile, AL.

Thanks for the info Jackfish. I didn't know there was any audio stores in Mobile. Have to check'em out. I go through there when I go to the beach in Gulf Shores.

Mark

Jim Tavegia
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Is Likus Audio still in business in Birmingham? They used to be the Mac dealer in town. Pretty nice folks.

mark evans
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Is Likus Audio still in business in Birmingham? They used to be the Mac dealer in town. Pretty nice folks.

Jim,
I do remember Likis Audio years ago. I don't think they are in business anymore.

I think Steve Key, who use to be at the Audition in Homewood, Al went to work there.

Steve was the first audio specialist I dealt with and yes, He was also a gentleman and made sure you were satisfied when you left the store.

Mark

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Eggleston Works (as a brand) are really great at "disappearing" sonically speaking, but are a bit warm maybe even dark for my tastes. The Avalon brand I only heard once but it was in a room and system that I knew really well. I fell in love with the ability for their various drivers to integrate seamlessly they also had really great micro-dynamics. At these price even if you don't have a local dealer an actual listen is in order, maybe a road trip or a weekend mini vacation. Trying to figure how a speaker will sound based on specs would be like trying to determine handling capabilities of a car by looking at it parked.

mark evans
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Quote:
Eggleston Works (as a brand) are really great at "disappearing" sonically speaking, but are a bit warm maybe even dark for my tastes. The Avalon brand I only heard once but it was in a room and system that I knew really well. I fell in love with the ability for their various drivers to integrate seamlessly they also had really great micro-dynamics. At these price even if you don't have a local dealer an actual listen is in order, maybe a road trip or a weekend mini vacation. Trying to figure how a speaker will sound based on specs would be like trying to determine handling capabilities of a car by looking at it parked.

You make a great point.

Although, I have heard Accuton(Avalon)mid drivers and Morel(EW)mid drivers in different DIY cabinets, It would still be better to actually hear them in thier spec'd cabs and configuration.

I contacted an Avalon dealer and he told me exactly what you said about the Avalons microdynamics too.

I have heard on occasions from certain people and which some might construe as 'negative'..is that the Avalon's are somewhat lacking in the Bass.

Thank you for your input!
Mark

mark evans
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Decision made!! hence, the new avatar.

<-------------Eggleston Andra II

Freako
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Congratulations! I am convinced it was a great choice!

Be sure to keep us posted on the sound and your experiences...

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Congratulations! I am convinced it was a great choice!

Be sure to keep us posted on the sound and your experiences...

Thanks Duck! Im picking them up at the end of the month. Going to make a 200 mile drive to assure no shipping damages can occur. I will give an update once I hook'em up. I am excited to no end

Can't sell the JBL's though....being the sentimental fool that I am.

Mark Evans

Freako
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Oh man! We won't be able to reach you when you dance around on cloud 9! Happy for ya'

tom collins
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great call evans. i listened to some andras on friday and would enjoy having a set in my system if i tire of the dalis.

tom

mark evans
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Quote:
great call evans. i listened to some andras on friday and would enjoy having a set in my system if i tire of the dalis.

tom

Thanks Tom. What really sold me was the Bass of the Andra's. I like the concept of the isobaric configuration of the 12" woofers.

To the credit of the Avalon's, the microdynamics are claimed to be second to none. Even the most hardcore planar and electrostatic fans seem to approve of the Avalons which is tough to do when it comes to that crowd. I really don't think the EW Andra's will be too far off considering what they did with the dual Morel mid drivers with the 3" coil.

But my concern with the Avalon's was the fact that I have heard several people say that after a while they felt they needed to pair a subwoofer with the Indra's.

Mark Evans

tom collins
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yes, the bass. tympani and bass drum sounded marvelous. in fact, one of the ultimate systems in our group uses a speaker with 2 15 inch subs per side with built in 1000 watt amps per driver, i.e. 4000 watts of bass and these seem to come very close in the quality of definition and speed, but not outright power of course.
however, the top end was excellent, but my speakers use a dome up to 12000 and a ribbon on up and are just a touch sweeter and airier. always a tradeoff.

mark evans
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Tom,

What model of Dali loudspeakers do you have?

I am somewhat familiar by what I have read about them and everything I have read is very positive.

Thanks,
Mark

tom collins
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helicon 800. i bought them unheard. i had previously found ribbon tweeters to be hit or miss in quality of sound, probably very equipment dependent. at least in my system, they add a very nice finishing touch to the overtones in the treble spectrum, like the fizz in champagne. my theory is that by only requiring the dome to go up to 12000, it is manufactured in a way that permits it to be more relaxed and that comes out in the music. also, they are beautiful to look at.

mark evans
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Quote:
helicon 800. i bought them unheard. i had previously found ribbon tweeters to be hit or miss in quality of sound, probably very equipment dependent. at least in my system, they add a very nice finishing touch to the overtones in the treble spectrum, like the fizz in champagne. my theory is that by only requiring the dome to go up to 12000, it is manufactured in a way that permits it to be more relaxed and that comes out in the music. also, they are beautiful to look at.

That makes perfect sense about the pairing of the ribbon and dome tweeter in your specific application. Sounds like Dali did thier homework when they spec'd the two.

I took a look at the Helicon 800 and your right, they are beautiful. The wood fibre cone midrange and woofer is interesting to me. I have to admit that aesthetics play a certain role in my decision making when it comes to speakers and gear although it shouldn't.

I bought mine unheard as well. Didn't really have a choice. I just had to rely on exhaustive reading of reviews, reputation, and how the drivers were utilized in a particular brand. So far, I hadn't made any costly blunders so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks,
Mark

tom collins
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relax, you won't be sorry with the andras. be sure and let us all know what you think after they arrive.

RGibran
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I bought a set of speakers unheard once.

Jim Tavegia
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Did the guy have a bunch of Rollexx watches in his raincoat? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Hey, you did say once. I would have had to buy from him twice.

Freako
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I bought my Luxman TT unheard in 1978.

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Quote:
Did the guy have a bunch of Rollexx watches in his raincoat? Sorry, couldn't resist.

I wish it had been the white van guys, Jim. That would have been much less costly. Instead it was a well reviewed four figure pair on their 3rd upgraded revision. Unfortunately, without auditioning, I didn

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