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So I decided to wander over to my local dealer just to have a look.
So I listen to a pair of speakers, (sadly I had none of my own CDs.. All he had was Diana Krall etc, LOL) I left but realized I had a whole pile of CDs I copied to use in my car.
So I go back in, CDRs in hand.
Well, I have to say i liked the speakers somewhat (enough to seriously think do I want these?). ($12,000)
but the low frequency response was worse than usual, and I think I would get tired of them too soon for $12,000 of fun.
Plus they only come in the color black. And they are made in China.(plus now owned in China? Quad)
The China thing bothers me enough to just say no.
I can buy an American made speaker for about the same price
Magnepan 20.7 ($14,000)
Anyway, close call. Go in to look around and almost walk out with a bill for $12,000. Go figure.
Follow Ups:
I would not buy any gear (knowingly) made in china.
But as a coherency freak, I find something special about full range electrostats. After owning and hearing a number of different makes, I'm biased towards Utah built Sound Labs. Bass is not lacking with the larger models.
Keep looking. :)
-Rod
All kidding aside, hearing Tympani IIIs tri-amped with Audio Research electronics when I was 17 was a pivotal turning point in my frame of reference as to how realistic an audio system could sound.
'hearing Tympani IIIs tri-amped with Audio Research electronics when I was 17 was a pivotal turning point in my frame of reference as to how realistic an audio system could sound.'
Having experienced a pair of restored Tympani IIIA at ARC in 2012 I would say not much has changed in the intervening years. A reference for how realistic an audio system can sound? Absolutely.
At Victor in Chicago, but the subs looked different.
when I worked at Garland Audio way back when. Impressive as they could sound in certain respects, I never thought that, as configured and installed in two different locations (one of them John Garland's own house), the Hartley woofers integrated that well with the modified Quads.
Jim
http://jimtranr.com
Another stellar system, but at the time I preferred JWC's Dayton-Wright XG8 stats-which were what made me an enthusiast. :)
e
Severius! Supremus Invictus
Sorry!--I meant SHF gas escaping from the XG's Perforated Mylar--an all too frequent occurrence sadly in a flawed but brave concept.
Sheesh! I even stacked pairs--the gullibility of Audio Lunatic fringe
D
Have you had a chance to audition the x.7i series? The improved coherency convinced me to replace my heavily modified IIIa with the 3.7i. They still may not satisfy you but don't rely on previous impressions of the Magnepans until you get a listen to the "new" models.
I married the perfect woman. The downside is everything that goes wrong is my fault.
Edits: 04/03/17
At Sea Cliff many years ago driven by McIntosh 2301s and was quite impressed. They were definitely more coherent to these ears than the 20.1s in the HT/MC system in Room 1, if not a bit bass shy.
I could easily live with them, but have been spoiled having run full range stats since '77.
Agree , never heard the 20.1 sound to my liking , found 3.6/3.7 superior ...
USA made Electrostatics with a 30 day in home trial!
That's too high a price for Quads - presumably they were the latest big model 2912. In the UK (where they are designed, specified and serviced) the list price is £8000 a pair including 20% VAT.I recently bought the almost identical 2905 model that was serviced last year by Quad and with 2912 transformers for £3000 ish.
A truly wonderful speaker even at reasonably robust levels and with surprisingly full and deep bass. They do need a substantial amplifier and I wonder if your dealer was using a suitable amp. I use a 200 watt GamuT D200 amp and that is a good combination. I wouldn't suggest anything less to power the Quads. By comparison my horn speakers are happy with 5 watts!
People think of "Made in China" as bad by definition. That's completely wrong. If a UK, US, Canadian or other western based country chooses to have their products built where labour is less costly, but they maintain design, specification, quality control and after sales service in their home country, the net effect is you pay less than you would if it was built in a British or US factory.
30 years ago, we said the same about "Made in Japan" but that was unfair and inaccurate too. They built cameras BETTER than the Germans and others who thought that theirs were the best in the world. Would you now buy a German or (if there is such a thing) a UK or US built camera?
Edits: 04/03/17
Well, I couldn't buy Chinese speakers either. Just not doing that, no
matter how good they might be.
I do love Magnepans. The purchase price is actually quite reasonable,
but as has been noted the cost of real good amplification for them
gets real high real fast. Had I the money, I have a pair of 3.7s driven
by VTL amps (or equivalent). But I don't have the money ...
Every time I have heard Quads I have enjoyed them. But just as soon as I turn them up enough to a realistic volume, things get ugly. I couldn't live with that for long.
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
stack required........even then
ET
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936
...as soon as I turn them up enough to a realistic volume, things get ugly.
That's a deal breaker for me as I only listen (seriously) at one volume...
loud.
Or, as Spinal Tap would say... eleven.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
and the right amp combo...
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
The problem with Maggies is that they can set you down a very expensive road in terms of amplification, room set up, etc. I think they are very hard to beat, and are a great bargain in terms of the quality of music they produce, but they demand (kindly, sweetly, gently, and sometimes violently) the very best associated equipment. :)Given the level of speaker that you're looking at, my guess is this is nothing new to you.
Once I chose Maggies, it was a long, long (and rather expensive road) to maximize their performance. Couldn't be happier, but it was indeed a long road.
Edits: 04/02/17
Maggie impedance are fairly benign - better (basically resistive 4ohm - but they are inefficient. The 20's fill a room because of their size - and if you like dynamics - look for a good powerful amplifier - 250Watts/channel is nice. A McIntosh MC352 does nicely.... Newer MC's with serve you well also - Maybe the New MA80000 integrated? Stay with Made in USA.
"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius
I bought a Bryston 4B-SST² for my 3.6
I am certain if I buy the 20.7... they will do just fine with the same amplification.
The one plus will be speaker cables.. I would upgrade from my twin pairs of Kimber 8TC, since the 20.7 cannot be biwired.
Location would be almost the exact same placement. With maybe a few inches of adjustment.
The final addition might be Mye stands.
Any speakers you're considering, especially in this price range, should be available for a home audition.
"That was some weird shit".- George Bush
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