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Swinging from the Gallos Pole...

Okay, I was gullible. I had read the posts here and the review at 6Moons.com about how the Gallo Reference 3’s bested Maggie 3.6R’s in many ways… or at the very least provided a smaller alternative that competed very well in imaging, transparency, and overall presentation with superior dynamics and slam. I thought that a smaller speaker that delivered more of everything my Maggies did warranted investigation.

I auditioned a pair briefly while in Detroit and thought that they sounded pretty good as far as soundstage width was concerned, but the depth was lacking and height was very much lacking. The room was heavily treated on all walls and I assumed that rolled off highs and soundstage depth had a lot to do with that. Plus, my equipment was superior to the dealer’s and I decided that I would try a pair to replace my Maggie 3.5Rs.

I sold the Maggies and got the Ref 3s hooked up. My front end is BAT VK-5i Pre, VK-D5 CD, VK-P10 Phono with Basis Ovation/Graham 2.2/Benz Ruby 3. I was using a BAT VK-75 tube amp. My first impressions were not good (as I expected)… I broke them in at high volume with bass heavy CDs for about 120 hours. I built some 12” high stands for them to get the soundstage off the floor. That definitely helped as the image height went from about 3’ to 4 1/2’, bit still dwarfed by the lifesize presentation I was used to from the Maggies.

So, after a full break-in I started to do some critical listening. What a disappointment! The soundstage was perhaps acceptably high with the stands, but it lacked any real depth at all with the speakers between 2 ½’ to 5’ from the back wall, connected with Analysis-Plus Oval 9. Even in its two dimensions, the presentation lacked any focus and/or coherency. The tweeters I had heard and read so much about were weak and recessed even though the overall image was quite forward. The music was dull, lifeless, and utterly uninvolving. I was painfully reminded of what distortion sounds like. My girlfriend described it very well, “It sounds like you took the music and put it in a blender… and it’s just all over the place.” To make matters worse, the Gallos could not even come close to filling the room with sound. The great dynamics I had been lead to believe these speakers could deliver were laughable in my 18’ x 14’ x 8’ to 13’ (cathedral ceiling) room.

I changed amps. I shelved the VK-75 and hooked up my VK-500 with BAT-Pack that I had used to such excellent effect with the power hungry Maggies. The Gallos sounded better as far as clarity, but still no great dynamic display and poor coherence. I decided to spin one of my favorite reference LPs, Jethro Tull’s A Passion Play. The haunting depth and texture of this recording absolutely transfixes me every time I play it with the Maggies in my system. I sat down and listened with amazement as this stellar performance from Ian and the boys sounded more stifled, lackluster, and tiresome than I ever thought possible. When side one ended, rather than flip the album over as I always do, I got up, powered the system down, walked to my office, sat down at the computer and listed the Gallos on Audiogon. Thankfully, the next time I powered the system up it had a pair of Maggie 3.6Rs on Mye stands in place. I’m happy to report that I am back in audio Shangri-la.

Obviously, I’m not a professional reviewer, and I know that some folks will think that I’m just bashing the Gallos because I’m a planer guy and they’re not flat. That’s not the case at all. I was quite impressed with the Gallo design philosophy and was really interested in hearing these speakers… enough to purchase a pair. But, I do think that I should post my experience to let you guys know what I heard with both a fine tube amp and SS amp. In my system, the Maggies are superior in every aspect including dynamics. I’m grateful that I’m not swinging from the Gallows Pole any longer.

John

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Topic - Swinging from the Gallos Pole... - Arnie217 20:12:02 02/03/06 (25)
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