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June 3, 2011 - 1:38am
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dunstansim
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Speaker choice - Avalon Transcendent v Vienna Acoustics The Kiss

Hi

I am thinking of upgrading my speakers to either Avalon Transcendent or Vienna Acoustics The Kiss. (both in the same price bracket). There are no dealers near where I live so auditioning is not easy although I might have to make the trip eventually.

My set up is currently Ayre C-5xemp Universal Player, Simaudio Evolution 700i Int Amp and B&W 805s standmount speakers. My room size is very small - 3m by 5m. I listen mostly to light jazz with emphasis on female vocals. I don't need deep bass but I look for clarity, transparency, good soundtage with some degree of warmth without sacrificing detail. Would be grateful for any advice or recommnedations on speaker choices. Thanks

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June 3, 2011 - 6:23am
jackfish
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If I was spending that much on

loudspeakers I sure would audition them before buying.  Think about saving alot of money and spend $3000 for a pair of "Gunned" Magnepan MMGs.  Will deliver just what you are looking for in that small room.

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June 3, 2011 - 8:06pm
drjjpdc
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Golden ear

I would also audition the Golden ear speakers in your price range. They are very good value for the quality of sound they put out.

What I can't figure out is the stand arrangement for the Kiss. Vienna Acoustics has ben known for making very good speakers in the past. But these stands are so mechanically weird. Yes they are visually stunning, but a "C" shaped stand for a speaker? How are they balanced and made steady? Very hard for me to understand.

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June 5, 2011 - 4:00pm
granosalis
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I would go for Vienna

Hi, The Kiss have very transparent sound with marvelous midrange. Low end is ideal for small rooms.

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June 6, 2011 - 9:56pm
dunstansim
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THe KISS

Thanks guys,

I agree that I really should audition both speakers but thot it would be good to get some initial feedback on these options.

Granosalis, it sounds like you have auditioned the Kiss - was there any hint of etch or brightness from the KISS and what were the electronics being used when you heard it ? 

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June 7, 2011 - 12:32pm
granosalis
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Ciao dunstansim, yes I have

Ciao dunstansim,
yes I have heard The Kiss several times. Last time was with JRDG Pre and Plinius SA103. During the same session I have heard also Gamut M7 driven by Gamut Integrated amp. The two system sounds very differently. Gamut produce a more relaxed and sweet sound with huge soundstage more on the back of the speakers. The Kiss was less extended on the bottom end, with a different soundstage (more in front). The medium transparency of the Vienna was amazing, never heard something similar. So transparent that if you quickly switch between the two system the feeling is that Gamut was dark (but it is not). I hear a bit of detaching between the medium and the low of the Kiss; like I'm listening to a smaller speaker + a subwoofer. On the opposite the Gamut was more uniform.
At the end the M7s is a more complete speaker in term of extension and more traditional in term of sound.
Kiss is more on the wow side, and honestly I don't know how long listening sessions can be. But again, Vienna have something really unique that deserve to be heard especially on small environment like your where Gamut or Avalon may be too much.

Ciao
Giuseppe

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June 8, 2011 - 2:49am
dunstansim
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The Kiss

Hi Giuseppe,

Thanks.

You mentioned  "Kiss is more on the wow side, and honestly I don't know how long listening sessions can be. "

Are you saying that the Kiss is not suitable for long listening sessions and can cause fatigue ?

Cheers

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June 8, 2011 - 4:19am
granosalis
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I can't say that

Long listening sessions is something I have not experienced with The Kiss, so I can't say that.
By the way, there are no sign of edgy in the top end, so it should not be an issue.
As every other speaker, the final result will depends on the matching components.
For this reason, take care that The Kiss will reach 2.6 ohms (as reported by Stereophile), so your amp must support it.

Ciao

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