Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Gallo Acoustics Reference3 SA Amplifier Speakers by tantra

Model:	Reference3 SA Amplifier
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	unknown
Description:	The subwoofer bass amp for Reference III loudspeakers
Manufacturer URL:	Gallo Acoustics
Manufacturer URL:	Gallo Acoustics

Review by tantra ( A ) on January 11, 2006 at 19:47:17
IP Address: 149.142.139.20

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for the Reference3 SA Amplifier

I have been listening to the Gallo Reference3 speakers for about six months. Very happy with them. I agree with other reviewers about their wonderful treble response, soundstage, imaging, transparency, and transient response. I also liked the midrange, although it was not quite as amazing as the high end. The bass was the weakest part. However, the speakers integrated so beautifully with my REL Storm III subwoofer that I did not worry about it. I just let the sub fill in down to 20 Hz and enjoyed the music. However, when my dealer finally got the Gallo subamp in stock, I could not resist...
At first I was disappointed with the Gallo subamp. I much prefered the bass with the REL subwoofer. I really expected it to be the other way around. I connected subamp as Gallo recommended, using a second output from the pre-amp. However, in my system I use a balanced interconnect between the pre-amp and main amp, while the subamp was being driven by a single-ended output from the pre-amp. This worried me. Also, REL strongly recommends that you drive their subs with the high level output from your main amp. This feeds the sub with exactly the same signal that the main speakers get, which should improve integration. So I tried connecting the Gallo subamp the same way.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! Now the bass is fast and tight but also rich and deep. Also, the midrange sounds considerably better with the Gallo subamp driving the second voice coil. I never noticed that with the REL sub. The Gallo speakers now have a warmer feeling, with no loss of transparency and high-end detail that I usually associate with a warm sound. I have the subamp set at 40 Hz low pass, zero phase shift, zero dB bass boost, and about 12 oclock on the gain. I still use the REL sub with the low pass crossover set at 23 Hz to fill in the very low end. The system sounds fantastic! I am very happy and I listen to it A LOT these days. It is non-fatiguing, even at high levels.

Product Weakness:
It is possible to use the Gallo Subamp as a full-range amplifier. I tried it just for fun. Not a good idea! It sounds quite terrible. Of course, the amp wasn't designed for that purpose, so you can't really call it a weakness.
Product Strengths: see above

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	NAD S200 (Silver Series)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	NAD S100
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony 999ES CD/SACD player
Speakers:	Gallo Reference 3's
Cables/Interconnects:	home brew speaker cables, Audioquest interconnects.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	mostly jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 16 x 16
Room Comments/Treatments:	Speakers placed about four feet from the back walls and six feet from the side walls.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Four months.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	As above

Product Weakness:	It is possible to use the Gallo Subamp as a full-range amplifier. I tried it just for fun. Not a good idea! It sounds quite terrible. Of course, the amp wasn't designed for that purpose, so you can't really call it a weakness.
Product Strengths:	see above