ADM review - WHF Assistance Please...

[Clare Newsome]

igglebert:chebby:The description of build quality was useful (including the photo) as I had always - wrongly - assumed they looked tat from existing photos on the AVI website and other places.

I don't mean to be annoying but I wasn't thrilled by the build quality. I think it was partly the fact that the internal foaming can be clearly seen through the front ports. Makes them lose a bit of class to be honest.

can't say I noticed that on our review pair - which, of course, we bought from a dealer like anyone else....

Talking of which, I could be putting our review pair up for sale soon. I may have to break our own house rules if/when I do so, to flag up the deal

 

[Alec]

you're one of my fav sellers on ebay, Clare, so if folk follow my example you wont need ot break any rules.

i always thought they looked pretty good.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
igglebert:chebby:The description of build quality was useful (including the photo) as I had always - wrongly - assumed they looked tat from existing photos on the AVI website and other places.

I don't mean to be annoying but I wasn't thrilled by the build quality. I think it was partly the fact that the internal foaming can be clearly seen through the front ports. Makes them lose a bit of class to be honest.

can't say I noticed that on our review pair - which, of course, we bought from a dealer like anyone else....

Talking of which, I could be putting our review pair up for sale soon. I may have to break our own house rules if/when I do so, to flag up the deal

That's fair enough. I'm happy to believe this was an exception. Or I'm just really picky...

 

[chebby]

Tarquinh:Any comments on the Dyns?

It will cost you £1 a quote. This is the first WHF I have bought since last October and I am still reeling at paying £4.40 for it

(That was an expensive 10 minutes read unless you happen to like tellys.)

 

[Alec]

Titter ye etc...

Cheers Chebby.

 

[The_Lhc]

chebby:I am going to need to know much, much more though. The only option will be to hear them first. This is where the whole thing falls over. AVI only sell via their website

That's not actually the case Chebby, there is a list of dealers on their website, under the Contacts link. Granted there's only 15 of them in the country but perhaps there'll be someone near you.

 

[Anonymous]

Chebby I could listen to mine all day! if the wife would let me. If you live within a reasonable distance to Bedford you are more than welcome to come round and try mine with any music you like.

 

[Anonymous]

Escapism/Massiah how much extra does a Sub add I am still working on the oh! but getting closer.

 

[Alec]

Actually their dealer list was once pretty unreliable due to ashley having fallen out with many of them. Well, those were not his exact words, but it was the essence...

of course all may be sorted now, and a quick call or 2 (which you would have to make when booking demos) would clear things up anyway.

 

[bay24]

Not sure where you are but billy vee in south east London will let you home demo them. I will be giving them a try once the dust has settled from my wedding!

 

[Escapism]

Nick21:Escapism/Massiah how much extra does a Sub add I am still working on the oh! but getting closer.

Are you looking to buy the AVI sub, or another brand.?

 

[Anonymous]

Escaipism I am leaning towards the BK electronics XLS200 downward firing, no chance of getting £800.00 out of the wife! which one do you use?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, Chebby.

I, like you, have been pondering these speakers too, as I need another pair of something for our new extension.

There is so much to read online but the only way I will know is to take a listen.

AVI offer a factory tour so I'm tempted to do that as an interesting day out, rather than visit a London dealer.

 

[drummerman]

Tarquinh:chebby:

Tarquinh:So the AVIs are "upfront going on insistent" are they? That spells ear-bleed for me, so that's them off the list.

That is how the review described their... "overall signature".

There are other qualities described in a bit more detail.

(Lean, clean, fast, controlled, authoritative, detailed, insightful, dynamic etc.)

The description of build quality was useful (including the photo) as I had always - wrongly - assumed they looked tat from existing photos on the AVI website and other places.

Thanks Chebby. When I see fast, controlled, detailed, dynamic etc used in a review it means definite ear-bleed! Beginning to think I should save up for some Cremonas and have done with it.

Trouble is there's not much room chez nous, so actives, and small ones at that, seem a good option. Any comments on the Dyns?

It does'nt take much to discourage you does it and no, the Dynaudios have a lot of bass, even with the EQ set to minimum. I can potentially forsee problems in a small room.

 

[Anonymous]

As I said to Chebby if anyone wants to demo my own pair In the Bedfoerd area no probs! I am nothing to do with Avi my wife and I enjoy the sound and are happy to do a demo! Ours are in walnut and look superb,Claire is wright you can see the wadding if you peer into the speaker but not a problem for us we leave the cover on.

 

[Messiah]

Simon Lucas:
Messiah:For those at WHF that reviewed the AVI ADM 9.1s - With what level of seperates kit would you say the ADMs are equivalent too??

I was involved in the reviewing process, and I'm satisfied with the published review. Personally, I'd say they sound comparable to (though obviously not the same as) roughly £2000 or so spent on a well-sorted combination of stereo amp, DAC, stand-mounting speakers, speaker cable and interconnects. I'm acutely aware that others, perhaps more directly involved with the ADM9.1s, might feel differently.

FrankHarveyHiFi:Something tells me you're not going to
find out Messiah - I think this one is being given a wide berth.....

Most forums posts are given a wide berth while folks is in bed.

Thanks for the response!

I wasn't expecting one straight away. I know I posted this late.

 

[Messiah]

Nick21:Escapism/Massiah how much extra does a Sub add I am still working on the oh! but getting closer.

Hi Nick,

It is not essential but I think it certainly adds to the overall presentation.Whilst I do use it with my music it is more for films really although I have always been a fan of standmounts with a sub.

 

[Messiah]

chebby:
I am going to need to know much, much more though. The only option will be to hear them first. This is where the whole thing falls over. AVI only sell via their website and the T&Cs on returns look potentially expensive as postage and 're-packaging' costs would be involved. Also they only seem to have a 1 year guarantee. (I am used to 3 or 5 year guarantees.) They don't seem to like the speakers being removed from the box and used before returning.

Well Chebby you are always welcome to come and demo them. Just a little trip to Fareham.

I have the gloss black though so this would not help in viewing the wood veneer.

 

[Escapism]

Messiah:chebby:
I am going to need to know much, much more though. The only option will be to hear them first. This is where the whole thing falls over. AVI only sell via their website and the T&Cs on returns look potentially expensive as postage and 're-packaging' costs would be involved. Also they only seem to have a 1 year guarantee. (I am used to 3 or 5 year guarantees.) They don't seem to like the speakers being removed from the box and used before returning.

Well Chebby you are always welcome to come and demo them. Just a little trip to Fareham.

I have the gloss black though so this would not help in viewing the wood veneer.

I'm in Bournemouth with them in Rosewood, and have the 9.1 sub. More than welcome.

Nick - I have the 9.1 sub. I like the feeling of being able to play ANY genre of music and know it's being reproduced accurately. I think it depends on what music you listen to TBH. If you're a Massive Attack etc fan, then the sub would be recommended.

 

[davemartin01]

Escapism, did you audition any other sub before you bought the 9.1 sub? If so which ones?

 

[Escapism]

davemartin01:Escapism, did you audition any other sub before you bought the 9.1 sub? If so which ones?

Hi Dave, no I didn't. I know the 9.1 sub is designed to integrate with the 9.1s, and it's a poweful well built beasty. I could afford it, so felt this was the best way to go. The only other sub I've owned was the little MJ Acoustics Pro 50, which was very good in it's own right, but doesn't compare.

I'm sure there are good alternatives out there, however I did not want to risk losing the 9.1 overall accuracy so felt this was the logical choice. I appreciate they're expensive, but I'm happy and believe it's worth it.

 

[NigelF]

My question to WHF team on Active Speakers is how does AVI ADM compares to Dynaudio Focus 110A, if according to Simon it worth twice it's price then can I safely presume it is better value the Dynaudio Focus 110A?

It is almost impossible to compare two side by side at any hifi shop, but I guess WHF team had both in their Lab and had extensive test review done on both, so I am curious to know how does both compared. I can't decide between the two, which one to go for hence need some advice from WHF team.

I mostly listen to pop, alternative and dance. Thanks.

 

[drummerman]

NigelF:

My question to WHF team on Active Speakers is how does AVI ADM compares to Dynaudio Focus 110A, if according to Simon it worth twice it's price then can I safely presume it is better value the Dynaudio Focus 110A?

It is almost impossible to compare two side by side at any hifi shop, but I guess WHF team had both in their Lab and had extensive test review done on both, so I am curious to know how does both compared. I can't decide between the two, which one to go for hence need some advice from WHF team.

I mostly listen to pop, alternative and dance. Thanks.

I don't mean to continuously butt-in where questions are addressed to someone else but perhaps this helps a little in this instance; I/we listened to the two side by side, switching forwards and backwards. The AVI was used with the companies sub.

It's pretty simple really as they sound nothing like each other. AVI plus sub; accurate and more open. Bass is good with the AVI sub though it perhaps does'nt time as well as the speaker. That may have had something to do with the room/sub settings but I prefered them at a previous session at my place with my sub.

The 110A does'nt have the soundstage, realism or outright power on paper but it is more musical in a way, at least it was on that occasion. It has some bass bloom and warmth that carries on to the midrange, no matter what the EQ settings on the back are. Again, that was perhaps to an extend room dependant. Also, the treble unit neither has the extension nor the refinement of the AVI's though it can probably regarded as a good one in its own right. It's only because the AVI's excel in that respect to an extend that I have heard very few speakers that have such crystal clear, extended high frequencies with absolutely no harshness. The treble of the Focus 110A also seems to be slightly detached from the mids, something I noticed early on. Not a big problem but nevertheless obvious enough to be noticed.

I think it boils down to whether you like a warmer, slightly rythmically better or a more realistic, better projected one. I thought both are very good. Hope this helps.

 

[John Duncan]

Nice post, DM - liking the comparison between absolute clarity and the additional 'musicality' (however much that concept might be derided elsewhere) offered by a little bit of distortion, as I found with the Aktimates.

The higher frequencies of the PMCs are better though...

 

[Anonymous]

EDIT for typo

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