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108.14.40.252
Multi year kicking tires, budget is $15k. System details in my profile. Not sure.
Follow Ups:
at 15k, my choice for audition based on many comparison ive read about would be
Avant guarde horn speakers
JBL M2 or jbl k2 s9900
ATC SCM 100
Geithain rl901k
Amphion one18 + base25
under 5k would be
Harbeth shl5+
Fifteen-thousand dollars? That will buy a lot of speaker!
You can sell everything except for a music server/cd transport and get a pair of Avantgarde Zero Ones.
especially House13, I am in the same boat, it is too much of a difficult decision at this point to even pull a trigger on something else.
Especially now, the only issue I had was low volume levels, also I am losing my hearing so that might have something to do with it. I will have to get some wax cleaned out of my years, it has been a few years since that was done by my ENT.
Just a little advice on that ear wax. If that is a problem you really should be having it cleaned out regularly!!!!!
the reason is the wax causes the ear drum to become less elastic with disuse. And this lack of elasticity is irreversible.
For a little over half of your budget, you can get a new Reference 3A Grand Veena. My system includes an early model which I have not heard bettered yet. HP used his sample to test the quality of the (very) high quality amps he had available. With a mid-range hooked directly to the amp w/o the effect of a crossover what your electrical system reproduces is what you get. Easy to drive and withan easy impedance. I saw a used one on Agon for about $5k new model. No brainer.
I second that recommendation. Great speakers!
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
How about some direct-drive stats? Could be done for maybe half your budget, thereby leaving mo money for tobacco, pizza and windows. If you didn't live so danged far away you could drop by and audition mine ... but you'd have to smoke out on the deck as the Mrs. no like smoke in house.
These are the only published measurements of the Gallo Ref 3.5's I can find.
Pay attention to the frequency response graph and the distortion percentage (the photos can be enlarged by clicking on them).
You have the Gallo reference SA Amp. Note that the use of this amp increases the distortion level considerably. However, just turning it off does not completely eliminate the distortion it introduces. I had tried the so-called resistor tweak on the sub terminals. When I removed the resistors noticeable distortion levels at higher frequencies were eliminated.
Given that, you have a real bargain there with those loudspeakers.
You have a very difficult decision to make. I bought my Ref 3.5's new when they were first introduced in 2010.
I enjoy the Ref 3.5's and, although I have been looking and researching, there is no other loudspeaker I can find as an acceptable alternative. That CDT is a soundstage and resolution champion. There is no enclosure or crossover to color the result.
Most loudspeakers are a variation on a theme with multiple drivers, including a dome tweeter, routed through complicated circuitry, mounted to a baffle, surrounded by a box with a hole punched in it called a port or a tube. Dividing networks create phase issues. Enclosures introduce resonance problems. Designs with both bring efficiency deficits. Most consumer loudspeakers have power handling limits. The big ones are very expensive and difficult to place due to their enormous weight and size.
I speak from 50+ years of audiophile experience. I have had many loudspeakers including active PMC's and Avalon Eidolons. The Ref 3.5's have surpassed them all except in the very deepest bass, perhaps a lower half octave. I do not use a subwoofer or the Gallo SA amp for the 2nd voice coil.
Unfortunately, Ref 3.5's are usually paired with equipment of comparable pricing. Such equipment choices severely limits this loudspeaker's ultimate potential. Given inadequate break-in time, too low a listening height and less than optimal source, cable and amplifier pairing, many owners may blame the loudspeaker for failing to meet their standards. The Ref 3.5's may be sold in frustration without the owner ever hearing their full capabilities.
I have changed equipment, experimented with listening height and added extensive room treatments to fully appreciate everything the Ref 3.5's can deliver without any restriction. The results are amazing, thrilling and well worth the time, effort and expense.
The equipment can easily restrict the full capabilities of the Ref 3.5's. The strengths of the best equipment are revealed by the Ref 3.5's and they can certainly highlight the flaws of less than the best. I would still choose the Ref 3.5's over any of my previously owned loudspeakers. They are just that good. There is nothing out there like them and have no idea what I would ever replace them with.
The Ref 3.5's do like power though. I am amazed by how loud they can play without any sign or distortion, compression or break-up. In your case though you want the ability to enjoy low level listening and that certainly can be an issue. Perhaps you might consider the efficiency of a horn loaded system.
this I figured would be as easy as throwing money at the problem, which there is no problem at all with the Ref 3.5, I will just have to wait for the Ref 4 or whatever it will be called.
There have been numerous announcements over several years promising a Ref 3.5 replacement. I last read somewhere that it may debut early next year at a $4500.00 price point. At that retail price it can never approach the parts quality or performance of the Ref 3.5. I understand that Gallo lost money on the aluminum stalk of the Ref 3.5 due to manufacturing expense and a high rejection rate. It should have been priced higher but would not sell in enough quantity so would still be a loss. Consequently, the Ref 3.5 did not remain in production for very long.
Given all that, the Ref 3.5 you have will never be duplicated or surpassed. It has an aluminum framework, carbon fiber midrange drivers with neodymium magnets, a ceramic coated aluminum diaphragm woofer, various premium parts and that phenomenal CDT unit.
If you are just bored, I can fully understand. However, if you move on, any replacement you choose will be at a significantly higher cost for any significant performance improvement. If you are still not happy after that you may never get back the Gallos.
If you look at my equipment profile you will clearly see that the Gallo Ref 3.5's are the least expensive component in my system. Yet they never impede or restrict in any way. With every component upgrade I have made, the Ref 3.5's have allowed significant improvements to be heard. That says it all!
I am with you, I doubt Gallo can do it for less than $6k the original price after the fabrication problems were solved with the 3.5. If he can than we will see, I can't guess, he's really got to be certain, I know that he won't release a sub par product, If anything at the end of all of this both you and I are very fortunate to own these Gems.
Good listening, yes I am bored. Problems of having too much time to think, so thank you for the moral support, I agree.
The new woofer compared to the 3 is great. Have a good week, I had to add in the SA amp into the chain today as I am listening to Dr Greenthumb. :)
Keep me posted -bullethead.
You could consider the Golden ear Triton 1, of the Emerald Physics 4.7.
Bot are supposed to do bass well and are efficient. The former sells for $5K. The latter is on sale now for $4.3K ($3K off).
Jack
Information like size of room, music preferences (volume and bass required) and level of efficiency, size of room required would be helpful. The Gallo 3.5 I really quite like for the cash so are you looking for something similar sounding or do you want something different?
Maybe you want to try a single driver like the Teresonics - maybe you want big speaker - the previously mentioned Acoustic Zen Crescendo.
Personally - for $15k I would not be asking for advice - just decide for yourself - every major brand selling $10-$20k speakers will be liked by someone.
I am not sure what the problem is with going with British speakers. Presumably they have a warranties.
Try a really good speaker or room correction DSP.
It can make a shockingly good difference. I suggest either Anthem or Dirac.
Since you like to listen at lower levels then you should put in a Fletcher Munson bass boost onto the target curve. Also these can limit the frequency range to apply correction, dont go too high as it can fuzz up what would naturally be a great tweeter which the gallos have.
I use an Anthem MRX 310 as a pre into Maggie 3.6 and a sealed subwoofer, ncore on the maggies, and using the Anthem sub crossover and bass management.
are (1) Magnepans, almost any model, and (2) Avalon Eidelons, which are
ungodly expensive but are by far the best box speaker I've heard.
Acoustic Sound, of all companies, spinning vinyl with Avalon Eidolon Vision speakers, Halcro dm58 mono amplifiers and a VPI TNT-HRX turntable.
Way back I owned the OHM F.....The speakers they make now have the tweeter that the old F did not. It was a great speaker in its time. The omni directional sound is just great. A German co. adapted the OHM concept(or stole it) and sell there version at 4x the Brooklyn price. I do not know who is running the OHM shop now but formerly it was run by an artist.(great guy). Prices have risen with real estate however- the location after 80 years of neglect is worth a ton.
I don't know what I am thinking, I was going to sell my car to get speakers.
This is a madness that I don't wish upon anyone. Tomorrow I can spend $100,000 on speakers and the misery will be the same, I love my gallos but I don't think there are any better as I now have put about 400 watts into them. Thanks for hypex I gather, the audiophile illness is serious. I am sorry to waste everyone's time, I will keep my speakers for some more years,
I've owned virtually every Gallo speaker BUT the 3.5, so I can understand why you like their sound. I went back to their original "Ultimates," the 4-ball-per-side, supremely weird looking jobs Anthony Gallo made when he was still in Brooklyn. I think you would like these if you could find a pair. Mine are very definitely NOT for sale.EDIT: Google "Gallo Ultimate Speaker" and you can see lots of pix.
Edits: 06/20/16
I mentioned one before a friend with Gallo Refs added a pair of Rythmic subs and the combo is great. Gallo imaging with low end authority.
JING ELECTRONICS of China once made an omni directional hybrid electrostatic. I owned the Comostatic (175 lbs each )which was a more primitive version built in the middle 1980's Nothing like omni-electrostatics if they work.(mine were always in need of repair but lasted on and off for 20 years) I settled for a Magnepan 1'7, which does a lot wonderful things-but those bottom organ notes are missed and sub woofers in apt building might get me evicted. There is another fine speaker made in Bklyn(Davinci I think) which has a full and detailed sound. Tough choices. I do not know what the Gallos do but the speakers I mentioned had marvelous spacial representation-giving you the feeling of a live space...
A really different presentation. You may find having different sounding speakers that work with your set up and swapping once in a while scratches the itch.
Edits: 06/19/16
I own a pair of the 5000s, and they really are good speakers. They are however, 87db efficient.
Jack
Nt
Pretty good actually, but it depends on the amp. With my Pass amp, they do low levels fairly well. With class D amps, not so hot-but that's the amps not the speakers. That said, higher efficiency speakers do tend to be a bit more dynamic.
Jack
.
nice speaker
Nice! there has never been a better time to get into a new pair of speakers! Happy Listening!
What is your room configuration? Would a satellite and subwoofer combination be a consideration? How about acoustic treatments and/or electronic room correction?
Call John at AudioConnection in New Jersey.... They have Vandersteens, Maggies, et al. John is really excellent at bringing smiles.
There are many speakers which audiophiles like, so that's a tough question.
The most fundamental thing is for you to quantify what you want to improve.
To help narrow down the choices, I would also say that one of the first things you should decide on is if you want something which has wide dispersion at mid to upper frequencies, or a very narrow/small "sweet spot". (Personally, I prefer wide dispersion - it provides a more 'natural' room sound in most cases.)
Another aspect is bass. If you want good low bass, and fairly loud with low distortion, you're looking at a minimum 12" woofer - it's all about moving air with minimal cone motion. My new speaks will have 15" woofers. And don't be fooled by the "long-throw" woofer sales pitch - there is no substitute for a large diaphragm with minimal motion.
Ok, that's all I got for now.
:)
Thanks a lot, I need more sensitive speakers.
I like listening at low volumes, I wish I had my old Polks I started with, perhaps it is as simple as that and would cost a lot less, I just don't want to turn my place into radio shack.
Focal seems nice as well, I have to go to the next big show and look around, this is something that demands serious evaluation, thanks for the thoughts,
I would suggest to go and look into La Have speakers, they have virtually no web presence, but are serious contenders. I own the Avaaza, which is one hell of a speaker (check out youtube).
Earlier, Jim Maccleave made the Stereolab Angelus speakers and a very well mentioned La Have Mela standmounted.
They would actually undercut your budget, but not in quality.
No affiliation.
I should mention, that Jim is quite sturdy / slow in his email response.
have fun.
What about the Avantgarde Zero One? It has everything built-in and sounds quite good. Great at low volumes and cool modern design.
I lifted this off the web. Mine were identical.
Polks.......I had a pair of Polk Audio SDA-1C back in the late 80s early 90s that were really nice.
Wish I could hear a pair now and see how they compare.
Go audition a pair of Golden Ear Triton 1. I heard them at a dealer about a month back and was very impressed.
Meat; It's the right thing to do. Romans 14:2
aa
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
Does the $15,00 include cash from selling Gallos?
Probably lots of good choices at that number.
that's the thing. Gallos are going for $4k new from the leftovers, they only cost $6k new,....money is the barrier, I won't be selling the gallos...
I'm interested in only new speakers which widdle down the options a LOT.
I am not sure if I should save more and go higher say to $25k....
this is a multi-year evaluation for me.
Also the British are definitely out, I got burned from British speakers, sounds too damn fake, I am leaning Wilson right now. I like Canadian as well, although the one Totem I like resembles Dynaudio too much which I also got burned on.
Thanks for getting my synapses firing.
Edits: 06/19/16
The KEFs are made in China - so not British.
KEF also makes a big deal out of the fact that each pair is hand made to order by a single builder rather than assembly line style. Not sure why that matters though.
aa
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
what did you have before?
The KEF Blades have great reviews, closer to that $25,000 mark.
I don't like B&W, even their top of the line, I thought they were light weight , but I have Kef 104.2's and R 300's , that I'm very happy with.
The 104's are old, and have replaced Bass Drivers and Tweeters, they're like new now.
Anyway, keep us posted!
The KEF Blades have great reviews, closer to that $25,000 mark.
Have you heard them? I had the chance while vacationing in the SFO area. Disappointing. I wouldn't call what I heard fake. Pretty coherent sound, but with a very small and distant image.
For that kind of coin, I think you can get much better.
The latest Reference series KEFs soundstage like nobody's business and they do not sound "fake" at all, to my ears.
I spent money on harbeths, perhaps that turned me off. They at one point were fantastic when I was using tubes, I don't now.
I will , thanks for the feedback. I am not a fan of B&W either,
I wish Polk would step up, but they seem to be stuck in entry levels, pretty bad we haven't seen a $10k speaker from them in many years since the invention of dynamic balance, also Gallo has something under his sleeve, supposed to be better Ref, I am patient so we will see. I am blinded now by not so many options.
KEF today doesnt sound like the others you mention,
I think it is closest to the U.K. equivalent of Revel.
Objective meausrements are outstanding.
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