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The_Lhc said:
Indeed, good point. Warmth and colour should come from the music, not added indiscriminantly by the speakers.
the record spot said:
It was meant as a joke, perhaps I should've included a smiley. I have some usb speakers in the kitchen, cost about 80 quid - they're not 'hifi' but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy listening to music on them. Not sure what the rest of your post means but I stand by what I said, the only opinion that counts is the op's, and to have a valid opinion he needs to listen to them.
Breakthrough. I have a similar story to rgill90.
I bought 9.1s (pre 9Ts) as a 2nd system whilst my main system was in storage. I liked the 9.1s straight away and ending up selling my main system on eBay. As for curing upgraditis, not really, as I bought a sub for the 9s and now have ADM40s.
The ADM40s have currently cured upgraditis as there's nothing lacking to my ears, plus of course, there is no upgrade path.
I've told this story before and when I explained that the ADMs replaced a far more expensive system, a few people felt it necessary to prove that the only possible reason I could have for preferring the ADMs was that I didn't know how to choose, listen or buy hi-fi!
Clearly, ADM9s aren't for everyone, but I'd suggest enough people like them to make them worth the effort to hear.
I bought 9.1s (pre 9Ts) as a 2nd system whilst my main system was in storage. I liked the 9.1s straight away and ending up selling my main system on eBay. As for curing upgraditis, not really, as I bought a sub for the 9s and now have ADM40s.
The ADM40s have currently cured upgraditis as there's nothing lacking to my ears, plus of course, there is no upgrade path.
I've told this story before and when I explained that the ADMs replaced a far more expensive system, a few people felt it necessary to prove that the only possible reason I could have for preferring the ADMs was that I didn't know how to choose, listen or buy hi-fi!
Clearly, ADM9s aren't for everyone, but I'd suggest enough people like them to make them worth the effort to hear.
SimonDB said:
2nd hand computer equipment is no guide to 2nd hand audio equipment. Computers have improved a lot in the last 5, 10, 20, 30 years. Hi-fi equipment has gone backwards in some areas in the last 30 years.
Just looked at the Bartletts site. Not sure if they have the latest Red Spot models.
The 9.1T which is the previous model is £1k.
They also have one of the last AVI Neutron 2.1 sets for £1100 which might be worth listening to.
I have a 20 year old pair of Nu Neutrons which sound amazing but need a Subwoofer.
The 9.1T which is the previous model is £1k.
They also have one of the last AVI Neutron 2.1 sets for £1100 which might be worth listening to.
I have a 20 year old pair of Nu Neutrons which sound amazing but need a Subwoofer.
I'm going to listen tomorrow and will report back. What do you folks think of the argument that active speakers are more suited to movie soundtracks and games, rather than high quality music listening? That is the opinion of the audiophile friend I have been consulting (who listens to vinyl only and whose set-up, with lots of valves and things, looks like something from a Heath Robinson print).
I'd give my opinion on that but it would just look like EDITED EDITED EDITED EDITED EDITED EDITED. 🙂
Basically you're audiophile friend would be better served sitting on it, rather than speaking through it.
Basically you're audiophile friend would be better served sitting on it, rather than speaking through it.
SimonDB said:
This is about taste.
People who love valves (especially with Vinyl) generally don't like Solid State, and especially not Class D amps and Active speakers. You need to hear for yourself the difference between Class A, AB, D, Hi-bred and Valves....you will find yourself naturally falling into one camp or the other.
SimonDB said:
He's talking out his backside, or at best massively uninformed. Go listen to some Genelecs, or some Mackies. You'll soon find out how good these actives are at doing music.
Cno, I didn't realise class D amps and active speakers had any sort of relationship. People who like valves can't like actives? A new one on me...
steve_1979
Well-known member
- Jul 14, 2010
- 231
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the record spot said:
+1
I agree that your audiophile friend doesn't know what he's talking about. Go and have a listen to some Genelec monitors if you want to know what good sound quality and high clarity is all about. They sound exceedingly good with both music and movies.
Craig M. said:
Sorry Craig, I obviously didn't make myself clear....by using the word "generally", I meant " a lot of the time" rather than "all of the time". The valve sound is the antithesis of the active one, so if you like one, you often don't get on with the other (imo).
It is also my opinion that (as a generalization) the very clean, detailed and ultra neutral sound of Class D, is closer to that of Active speakers, and thus further away from the emotive sound Valves.
Once again, this is just my opinion having heard a variety of Valve, Class D and Active speakers; as well as knowing the opinion of quite a few Valve aficionados.
Gang, there's surely no need to bookend your comments with "in my opinion". It's taken as read. Music is a profoundly emotional experience, so it's always going to be subjective. With that in mind, I'm not sure that these ideas of "musical objectivity", "clarity" or "romantic interpretation" and the like really mean very much.
SB
SB
SimonDB said:
You are right (IMO 😉 ), but one gets pulled up very quickly if one doesn't...and even sometimes when one does! :shifty:
You are right about peoples' interpretation of what they hear. Your best hope is to listen carefully to your friend's system, and then compare that to some Class D or Active speakers.
CnoEvil said:
You should listen to some more actives Cno, they really don't all sound alike. In fact some of them sound very different.
As I'm sure valve amps do. 😉
I have spent a few months with the Red Spot versions, and a Naim / Harbeth system.
At first, the AVI were exciting, detailed, impressive. They still are, and are excellent VFM.
But, over time I have come to realise that the Naim system is far, far more enjoyable to listen to. Tonal accuracy is way ahead, bass is deeper and tuneful, upper frequencies are more airy and overall the Naim is just sounding more real. Build quality is key too, the naim and harbeth are beautifully made, whilst the AVI posses some buzzy connections and cheap cabinets and fittings.
The AVIs do have some amazing imaging qualities though, and it must be hard to beat them with a passive system at a similar price. But, I find it hard to believe they beat a well matched passive system at 2k or more.
Perhaps surprising to many, I don't find the AVIs bass light actually; so it shows that room interactions are key, as in the demo I could hardly hear the bass. The AVI are doing an excellent job as a second system with the iMac. Highly recommended!
At first, the AVI were exciting, detailed, impressive. They still are, and are excellent VFM.
But, over time I have come to realise that the Naim system is far, far more enjoyable to listen to. Tonal accuracy is way ahead, bass is deeper and tuneful, upper frequencies are more airy and overall the Naim is just sounding more real. Build quality is key too, the naim and harbeth are beautifully made, whilst the AVI posses some buzzy connections and cheap cabinets and fittings.
The AVIs do have some amazing imaging qualities though, and it must be hard to beat them with a passive system at a similar price. But, I find it hard to believe they beat a well matched passive system at 2k or more.
Perhaps surprising to many, I don't find the AVIs bass light actually; so it shows that room interactions are key, as in the demo I could hardly hear the bass. The AVI are doing an excellent job as a second system with the iMac. Highly recommended!
audiokid said:
As a matter of interest, what do you use as a reference point when assessing this? This seems quite a strong statement to make.
So how did your audition go ? Share with us :bounce: Did you listen ADM9RS ? or even with ScanSpeak tweeters?
I used to have and upgrade a high end separates system (well respected 5* stuff according to all the hifi mags, running into several £1000s) but changed to the ADM9.1s a couple of years back, but only because my living room looked like a hifi shop and the missus was fed up with all the boxes.
Just my opinion of course, but sound quality at least as good if not better and the room is so clutter free now. And yes, I no longer tweak and tinker ... just listen to lots of music. But like others say, just have a listen yourself at Bartletts and then decide. I do run a small sub with them but mostly when watching movies.
Just my opinion of course, but sound quality at least as good if not better and the room is so clutter free now. And yes, I no longer tweak and tinker ... just listen to lots of music. But like others say, just have a listen yourself at Bartletts and then decide. I do run a small sub with them but mostly when watching movies.
Re tonal accuracy, I listen to many types of music and have tried this on both systems.
The AVI are very good at defining each element in a track, and have great clarity and separation which is sometimes hard to find in an average passive system. However, when listening to these individual elements (a piano note, a string, a voice) I find the AVI don't have the same realism with reproducing individual sounds. Pianos sound unusually high, strings don't quite have enough bite, voices sound a little filtered etc. However, the AVIs are very clever in pulling everything together in a dynamic, entertaining sound that is versatile in all genres. I have to accept that Naim and Harbeth isn't great for rock, for example.
I don't have any agenda here, as I own and enjoy both systems. What I did find (and see earlier threads) is that when I bought the AVI I found them to be equally matched and possibly preferable to the Naim, but living with them over time I have realised that the AVI are initially very impressive (and still are for the money) but I have matured in my own taste for music and find I get much more long term satisfaction that I return to again and again with the Naim. I can see why AVI do so well in the showroom and initially outshine a passive system but I wouldn't have them as my main system. But, I maintain, they cannot be beat for the money.
The other day I tried the AVI back in the lounge on the same stands as the Naim system. I played a few tracks, finishing on some nick drake. The AVI were very good, and hard to fault. But, placing the Harbeth back on the stands and popping the same Nick drake track on that I had just played, it opened up and I remember just falling back in the chair. It sounded amazing, and I find it hard to forget the emotional connection I had with the music at that moment.
I have never heard the AVI with a sub, nor with the new tweeters so perhaps that will take them up a notch. I wouldn't mind a 'plus model' with better drivers, better quality cabinet as I believe it's a great product idea and like the simplicity. I know Ashley is trying to keep the costs down for the mainstream market, but an upgraded version would sell, and it would sit between the 9 and the 40.
Ps, I cannot understand why they are now only available in gloss black or white. I love real veneers, and this new direction is a big shame for me. Gloss finishes are impractical and are limited with decor suitability. I like the small size of the 9s though.
Like I said, I don't have an agenda here, and really like the AVI but it's a shame to hear people have spent sums like 7k on a system and not been as happy with it as with the AVI. Just shows how important room interaction is, and system synergy.
The AVI are very good at defining each element in a track, and have great clarity and separation which is sometimes hard to find in an average passive system. However, when listening to these individual elements (a piano note, a string, a voice) I find the AVI don't have the same realism with reproducing individual sounds. Pianos sound unusually high, strings don't quite have enough bite, voices sound a little filtered etc. However, the AVIs are very clever in pulling everything together in a dynamic, entertaining sound that is versatile in all genres. I have to accept that Naim and Harbeth isn't great for rock, for example.
I don't have any agenda here, as I own and enjoy both systems. What I did find (and see earlier threads) is that when I bought the AVI I found them to be equally matched and possibly preferable to the Naim, but living with them over time I have realised that the AVI are initially very impressive (and still are for the money) but I have matured in my own taste for music and find I get much more long term satisfaction that I return to again and again with the Naim. I can see why AVI do so well in the showroom and initially outshine a passive system but I wouldn't have them as my main system. But, I maintain, they cannot be beat for the money.
The other day I tried the AVI back in the lounge on the same stands as the Naim system. I played a few tracks, finishing on some nick drake. The AVI were very good, and hard to fault. But, placing the Harbeth back on the stands and popping the same Nick drake track on that I had just played, it opened up and I remember just falling back in the chair. It sounded amazing, and I find it hard to forget the emotional connection I had with the music at that moment.
I have never heard the AVI with a sub, nor with the new tweeters so perhaps that will take them up a notch. I wouldn't mind a 'plus model' with better drivers, better quality cabinet as I believe it's a great product idea and like the simplicity. I know Ashley is trying to keep the costs down for the mainstream market, but an upgraded version would sell, and it would sit between the 9 and the 40.
Ps, I cannot understand why they are now only available in gloss black or white. I love real veneers, and this new direction is a big shame for me. Gloss finishes are impractical and are limited with decor suitability. I like the small size of the 9s though.
Like I said, I don't have an agenda here, and really like the AVI but it's a shame to hear people have spent sums like 7k on a system and not been as happy with it as with the AVI. Just shows how important room interaction is, and system synergy.
CnoEvil said:
Top of range Meridian CD player, pre and power amps, B&W Nautilus speakers, Ariston turntable and Dynavector Karat pickup. Plus lots of other sources. Great sound but too much equipment so downsized to the ADMs. The great thing about the ADMs is the flexibility with digital and analogue inputs plus built in amps of course. Everything clutter free now and added bonus of fabulous sound. I have a BK XLS200 sub in matching gloss black which works well with them, especially with movies which tend to have a lot more bass energy. And they play louder than my old system without distorting, but that's at crazy levels.
To be honest, I could live with a high end passive system or the actives purely on sound, but the latter tick all the boxes for me.
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