GoldenEar Technology Aon 2 loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV, Rega Planar 3 turntables; Immedia, Syrinx PU-3 tonearms; Koetsu Urushi, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, Creek Destiny CD players.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D, Creek Destiny phono stages; Audio Valve Eclipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research Reference 75.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek Destiny.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Excite X12, Epos M5i, Monitor Silver RX6.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator. Speaker: Acarian Systems Black Orpheus. AC: manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Various by ASC, Bright Star, Celestion, Echo Busters, Salamander Designs, Simply Physics, Sound Anchor, VPI.—Robert J. Reina

COMPANY INFO
GoldenEar Technology
PO Box 141
Stevenson, MD 21153
(410) 998-9134
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
BolkenYolte's picture

They look like the head from ZARDOZ. 

ednazarko's picture

First, I'm thrilled to see someone else has seen the movie Zardoz... and second, that the person had the same reaction I did when seeing the Aons.  I had to suppress a snicker the first time I saw the Aon speakers for that reason.  Hearing them was amazingly effective in helping me suppress the snicker.

I'm eager to get a pair of Aons for my rear speakers in my video system.  I've got Triton Twos for left and right, and a SuperSat 60 center.  I tried Supersat 50s for the rear left and right and they didn't have bass needed - the video setup is in a high ceilinged, large family room/dining area location, and without good bass in the rear, the subwoofer up front doesn't integrate well.  I'm using a non-Goldenear speaker pair for rear right now, with good bass, and they integrate very well other than the treble isn't as crystaline as it is from the front.  So there will be Aon rear speakers in my future - by process of elimination, clearly the right way to go.

BolkenYolte's picture

I wasn't saying that was a bad thing! But if they start blurting out "THE GUN IS GOOD" then I might be a bit worried.

Rick Tomaszewicz's picture

I don't know many people who care about audio systems, let alone mine.  I do know people who care about music.

Went to the University symphony again last night.  (They're very good, considering it was a free concert.) Sat row 7, center.  Once again I recalibrated, realizing how warm and loud live music is and how much deep bass a symphony produces.  Also, surprisingly little imaging or spatial cues.  Rather, immense, enveloping physical impact.  A lot like good mono classical albums. 

I value these recalibrations.  Makes me realize the gap between "hi-fi" and live music. Makes me appreciate mono, lush midrange and alarmingly clear bass.  (This, of course, doesn't apply to a lot of modern electronic music which is engineered for ultra hi-fiy sounding systems.)

I can't afford and have few people to impress with expensive audio jewelry.  So, I value reviews such as this.  Good, affordable gear that gets out of the way of real music. 

Thanks again, Stereophile.

 

 

 

 

Hi-Reality's picture

Has anyone compared GoldenEar Technology Aon 2 to Sjöfn HiFi's "The Clue" speakers (around the same price) or Magnepan Super MMG?

I am particularly interested to know which one delivers more realism.   

Thanks

AndySingh's picture

I heard the Aon 2 in two different hi-fi stores and came out disappointed both times.

One retailer hooked these up to SimAudio components. After demoing these, he hooked up Dynaudio Emit 10 and I was blown away by the Dynaudio.

The 2nd time, the retailer played an audio CD from an Oppo player hooked up to a McIntosh stereo receiver. These were dwarfed by the Triton 5, however the margin of victory was too great. It seemed as if Aon 2's were from a different manufacturer altogether.

I think your readers deserve a comparison between the Emit M10 and the Aon 2. In this case, these GoldenEar speakers have received acclaim which they don't deserve, in my humble opinion.

Regardless of your opinion on the Dynaudio, your readers probably deserve to know what you think.

Respectfully yours,
A concerned audiophile

X