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RE: Just got some Reference 3a speakers (Master Control MMC)

Posted by morricab (S) on February 7, 2013 at 02:10:46

In Reply to: RE: Just got some Reference 3a speakers (Master Control MMC) posted by RGA on February 6, 2013 at 16:44:55:

You are missing the part where they were Reference 3a and built in Switzerland, which seem to be the more highly prized versions and were of high quality. The ones made in Spain were apparently the original killer but then they resurfaced in Switzerland.

Mine actually say made in France but are Reference 3a and not 3a. My understanding is that they are the direct predecessor of the Reference 3a Royal Master that was made by Innovac for Ref 3a in Switzerland. Mine has Corian side cheeks and front face. The top, back and bottom are wood.

I will hear a Royal Virtuoso and a L'Integral Nouveau next week to see how my older, European model compares to the later Canadian models. Both of these were the top-of-the-line models from Ref 3a Canada before the Grand Veena. The Royal Virtuoso is an all Corian stand mounter with better tweeter than the MM de Capo. The L'integral Nouveau has the same drivers in a floor standing design so it has deeper bass and a thick Corian front plate.

As compared to AN speakers, IMO, the Ref 3a are more coherent and musically satisfying. I hear less obvious problems in the design. The 8 inch carbon fiber driver is, IMO, superior to the same size driver used in AN speakers (of similar price at least). Where the Ref 3a is behind a bit is in bass depth and power but I guess if you shoved them in a corner there would be plenty of that as well.

Suffice to say, I continue to fail to be impressed with AN speakers and the Ref3a was a breath of fresh air to me. The other high sensitivity speakers I find very appealing include:

Horning Hybrids: I heard the Agathon Ultimate and WOW its GOOD. I would guess that the Eufrodite is almost SOTA

Odeon horn speakers: The big models (No. 32 and 38) are at the very top of the loudspeaker world...they are amazingly good. I had their little bookshelf, and while not quite as "alive" as the Ref 3a it is not far behind. I would like to hear the Rigoletto, a two-way, horn loaded floor stander with 94db/watt and 8 ohm load.

Ref 3a: In addition to the Master Control MMC that I own, I heard the original L'integrale and it too was superb and I might get it. I want to hear the latest Episode and Grand Veena to see if the new ones offer something over the older ones.

Living Voice: The Avatar OBX-R2 is a superb speaker, especially when driven by OTLs or other good tube amps. A true 94db/watt and easy load.

Dynavox: Their old (up to 2006 or so) 3.X series are awesome but perhaps a bit more colored than Odeons. True horn bass and 95db + sensitivity (99 for the big ones). Their Gem series is beautiful and pretty good as well.

Apogee Acoustics Synergy: New birth Apogee with Nd magnets and 95db/watt sensitivity. 2.5 ohms so it needs an amp with some current capability. Too damn expensive but a ribbon alternative to horns and cones/domes.

These are what I consider to be good high sensitivty speakers

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