Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Aurum Cantus Leisure 3 SE Signature Speakers by pjs3805@comcast.net

Model:	Leisure 3 SE Signature
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1999
Description:	Ribbon tweeter and 6.5
Manufacturer URL:	Aurum Cantus
Manufacturer URL:	Aurum Cantus

Review by pjs3805@comcast.net ( A ) on March 06, 2007 at 09:21:37
IP Address: 68.220.91.175

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The Aurum Cantus Leisure 3 SE Signatures are a wonderful speaker. It appears that there may have been a couple of importers for this line into the U.S.
The speakers are getting really good reports in Europe and other places. They feature the Aurum Cantus 6.5" AC 165 woofer and the 3GSi ribbon tweeter. It appears there are 3 different variations of the woofer and at least 2 variations of the tweeter in the Leisure 3 category. When you visit www.aurumcantus.com and read the reviews the appearence of the said items above look different physically somewhat. They come in one box for both speakers. The box weights nearly 80 pounds. They also come in a felt black bag which is a nice touch. The cabinety is absolutely First Class.
That said the drivers are excellent and the designs thus far are very very very good. I have listened to two different variations. The second variation has a different woofer and tweeter/midrange for similar model V3M. I have heard only bookshelf models.
I will attempt to describe the model which I have been living with the past couple months the Aurum Cantus Leisure 3 SE Signature. The ribbon tweeter/midrange is sweet. It delivers a very smooth midrange and top end. I actually get the cymbals lingering in space for seconds after the last hit. The mid bass if articulate. It produces the drum very well. The bottom end is actually satisfying for a bookshelf. Although the speakers are only supposed reach down about 38 Hz I have not needed my subwoofer my 13.5' x 12' listening room. I'm using a tube amp which doesn't have the best control on the bottom end but is satisfying nonetheless. These speakers throw a huge soundstage. They have good depth and height of images are excellent too. The thing I like most about the Leisure 3 SE Signatures is that I can hear any change made in my system. Cable, amp, preamp, interconnect and any equipment I switch to; I can hear a difference. The speakers have never been irritating or hard anywhere in the sound spectrum. I have been a ribbon fan for years. I was going to purchase a used pair of Apogee Centaurs before I received these. Now, I don't regret that choice at all. The AC Leisure 3 SE Sig. remind me of the Apogee Centaur hybrid line in many ways. Although I think Apogee had a little better bass control. The Aurums have nothing to be ashamed of at all. In My System these are excellent speakers.
But, I do have concerns with the different variations however minor that I have seen on the web. By all means check this line of speakers out. I think you will find them very interesting in it's sound and build quality. But most of all the Aurums are musical indeed. Do your homework on them before you buy. If I were a DIY'er just the drivers would cost me nearly $600. To get a smooth crossover (with quality parts) that delivers a natural sound and an enclousre that is simply beautiful and well built is worth a listen. Mine are from KSAD http://www.kellsieavdesign.com/ . Just search for Aurum Cantus and you will see what my small concern is. Regardless these sound wonderful.

Product Weakness: I honestly don't see any at the moment.
Product Strengths: Wonderful midrange, and top end extension. Spacious soundstage, depth of imaging. Musical. And most of all Balanced Sound from top to bottom. The speaker will let you know the characteristics of the gear and accessories you use. You could spend hours finding the correct interconnect or cable that makes them sing to your taste. They will reveal your likes or dislikes for that expensive cable you purchased not so long ago.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	MOdified Dyna Stereo 70
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Experience Symphonies & a Passive preamp
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Pioneer DV 563 w Scott Nixon Dac
Speakers:	Aurum Cantus Leisure 3 SE Sig, Soliloquy 5.3 i's, Spica TC 50's, Alon I Mk II's, Wharfedale Sapphire SP 88's, more
Cables/Interconnects:	Transition Audio Design Silver, Nordost Flatwire, Trasition Audio Design Digital cable and Interconnect on DAC
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical, Blues, Folk, R&B, Acoustic
Room Size (LxWxH):	13.5 feet x 12.3 feet x 14.5 feet
Room Comments/Treatments:	1 med Pair of round ASC Tube traps behind speakers in corner
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Adcom 515
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner