Kef ls50 or avi adm9rs or other?

[Dave_]

The 40s are, I gather, exempt from DSRs. The others, well, he has no choice far as I can see; regs is regs no?

But if regs is regs, the 40s maybe shouldn't be exempt. Manufacturing something after purchase doesn't necessarily translate to 'made to order'.

I made a similar point myself recently, it's just what I've been led to believe. Maybe they're being naughty, but I can't be the arbiter there.

I've always wondered how the 40s are considered special order, considering the drivers are bought in and manufacturing of cabs and electronics outsourced and then assembled/tested at AVI, just like the 9s.

 

[Alec]

Actually, some have been extremely strong with him and not been banned...

 

[The_Lhc]

I've got no issue with the products, I can't have, I've never heard them but all the descriptions of them make them sound like what I'd be looking for and the general philosophy behind active speakers makes a lot of sense.

...

Yeah that's going to work isn't it! You'd last one post and then be banned.

You shouldn't let what you think you know about AVI put you off. If you like the idea of the speaker, try heading over to the AVI forum.

What makes you think I haven't already?

If you don't like it, you don't have to stay.

I didn't and I didn't.

 

[WinterRacer]

If you like the idea of the speaker, try heading over to the AVI forum.

What makes you think I haven't already?

because you hadn't mentioned it

If you don't like it, you don't have to stay.

I didn't and I didn't.

It's not for everyone. As we know Ashley is strong in his views.

 

[kpaterno]

Apparantly, the mentioning of that one brand has been a trigger for many people to start giving comments about things that - forgive me - really don't interest me, and thus are irrelevant for this topic imo.

Can we get back on topic please, and could anyone (else) give some interesting (ideally non-biased) comparisons, findings, suggestions, facts or other?

Thanks

 

[WinterRacer]

Can we get back on topic please, and could anyone (else) give some interesting (ideally non-biased) comparisons, findings, suggestions, facts or other?

Thanks

I've experience of the ADMs (9.1s and 40s) and lots of passive speakers, but not the Kefs. I previously owned passive speakers that cost over £2500, an amp over £3500 and a DAC over £2K. This lot was replaced by ADM9.1s which, in my view, sounded much better. Now I'm used to active speakers, I wouldn't go back to passive speakers at any price.

I'd definitely recommend making the effort to hear the new ADM9s, they might be just what you're after.

(I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if this is repeating previous posts).

 

[kpaterno]

Thank you, winterRacer. I will definitely try to hear them. In any case, I don't buy without auditioning.

 

[WinterRacer]

You're welcome.

This sounds bad, but I bought the 9.1s on a bit of a whim as a 2nd system and didn't audition them. However, I'm so glad I did buy them and would now be happy to buy any of their products without hearing them first.

I understand your position on auditions, it's how I used to feel.

Sorry if I sound like a fanboi, I probably am!

 

[richardw42]

I auditioned the 40s and 9s at the same time,as its a lot to shell out.

I wouldn't bother auditioning in the future if I didn't live so close to AVI.

Ashleys Internet presence is quite controversial, but I can confirm he's a top bloke. He personally delivered and set up both sets I've bought and I know I just need to pick up the phone if I've got a problem. And that appears to be the norm rather than the exception.

 

[steve_1979]

Can we get back on topic please, and could anyone (else) give some interesting (ideally non-biased) comparisons, findings, suggestions, facts or other?

Thanks

Hi kpaterno 🙂

I don't blame you for not wanting to buy the ADMs without hearing them first as it's a lot of money to spend. Maybe you could ask on the AVI forum. I know that there are several owners there who are happy to let you demo their ADM9s at their homes. It could be worth asking if there's anyone there who lives near you.

 

[char_lotte]

I hear them regularily. They are ok. You can see the wadding inside. I don't like that.

Unfortunately not heard Kefs but I prefer my Spendors.

Public Enemy plays very well on them tho..

 

[richardw42]

From a personal POV.

I really don't like the majority of speakers grilles off that goes for my AVIs and pretty much every speaker I've owned.

Btw, I can't see the waddng on either of my pairs.

 

[the record spot]

Perhaps it's time the AVI digs and sarcasm went? I'm sure it'd make this forum a friendlier place to be - speaking as an owner of AVI products.

No offence taken WR, but by exactly the same token, if some of the sniping around "audiophools" could be dropped, the snidy potshots at anyone spending more than £30 on a DVD player as a source, and the nonsense from Maxflinn who re-registers time and again on this forum (most recently as Brib7, or was it Barbie...) to do nothing but stir up a hornet's nest then run away back to nanny AVI forum and brag about his exploits. It makes that forum look bad as it appears as if it's behaviour which is approved, or smiled on.

I guess the frequent preaching on the back of some hefty Googling about what people "should" be doing when it comes to their audio or how they go about getting it. Well, you'll pardon my scepticism, but don't point out the mote in my eye when there's a timber floor's worth sticking out your own! 🙂

 

[The_Lhc]

No offence taken WR, but by exactly the same token, if some of the sniping around "audiophools" could be dropped, the snidy potshots at anyone spending more than £30 on a DVD player as a source, and the nonsense from Maxflinn who re-registers time and again on this forum (most recently as Brib7, or was it Barbie...)

No, he's been back since then.

to do nothing but stir up a hornet's nest then run away back to nanny AVI forum and brag about his exploits. It makes that forum look bad as it appears as if it's behaviour which is approved, or smiled on.

That's because it usually is smiled upon.

 

[richardw42]

I don't think it is

 

[atticus]

Welcome, kpaterno. I joined WHF myself in November 2011, seeking guidance on a system that was nearing 10k, but delivering increasingly small incremental improvements with each upgrade. My next 'due' upgrade would have cost in the region of 2k.

Joining the forum was a bit like my first day at school; lots of noise and shoving, some people were nice, some were clowns and some were bullies; and in the backgorund were towering, infinitely worldly seniors, dispensing wisdom, 'bon mots' and the occasional thick ear.

In brief, within a week I'd put my Cyrus/Tannoy setup on eBay and 'signed up' for the - as then unreleased - ADM40's. To say I've not looked back would be something of an understatement. The ADM40's knocked my former system into a cocked hat, with ease. I now spend my spare time listening to music again, rather than worrying about the kit I'm playing it on. My musical horizons have also become much broader as I now longer feel the need to play the old favourites over and over and over and over, as I'd done before (for their familiarity and coziness). I feel roughly the same as I did once I finished reading Allen Carr's EasyWay To Stop Smoking - relieved and as if I had had a revelation (I went from 30-a day to zero overnight with no withdrawal pangs and no regrets).

The only regret I have now is that I spent so much of my (very!) hard-earned money on pretty, but overpriced and technologically inferior kit.

 

[the record spot]

Oh yes, that's the other thing, apparently, you can't enjoy music on separates. Apparently you listen to "equipment" all the time. God knows, I've listened to a stack of actives over the years now, KRK, Genelec, Yamaha, Roland....ranging in price from £250 to about £2000. They do music differently, not better. It is becoming tiresome hearing this nonsense time and again. Rather suggests the posters have had the issues in the past than the majority of ordinary folk who just want to hear a few tunes on their stereo. Enough! :rant: :read: 😛oke:

 

[Frank Harvey]

As I've pointed out a few times since then atticus, your system wasn't particularly well balanced or well matched. I don't think I've seen anyone change to ADM's from a well balanced system yet - they're all mish-mashes.

 

[atticus]

Oh yes, that's the other thing, apparently, you can't enjoy music on separates. Apparently you listen to "equipment" all the time. God knows, I've listened to a stack of actives over the years now, KRK, Genelec, Yamaha, Roland....ranging in price from £250 to about £2000. They do music differently, not better. It is becoming tiresome hearing this nonsense time and again. Rather suggests the posters have had the issues in the past than the majority of ordinary folk who just want to hear a few tunes on their stereo. Enough! :rant: :read: 😛oke:

Relax, that was simply my own experience.

 

[WinterRacer]

As I've pointed out a few times since then atticus, your system wasn't particularly well balanced or well matched. I don't think I've seen anyone change to ADM's from a well balanced system yet - they're all mish-mashes.

Please list some of those mismatched systems and let us know what makes them poorly matched.

 

[the record spot]

Relax, that was simply my own experience.

You must've shared it round a bit then, as it's been repeated often enough Atticus old son...

 

[atticus]

As I've pointed out a few times since then atticus, your system wasn't particularly well balanced or well matched. I don't think I've seen anyone change to ADM's from a well balanced system yet - they're all mish-mashes.

Noted, David. I did look into your suggestion that I upgrade the pre-amp and tried out a Pre QX xpd and, I think, a DAC, but this was what was coming out at over 2k. There was an improvement, but not 2k's worth, and certainly nowhere near that of the ADM40. Besides, while tinkering and chopping and changing may make for an exciting 'Journey of Discovery' for some people, I'd had enough of it myself. For thrills, kicks and to satisfy any urge to tinker, I am now seeking out the perfect pencil, which is just as time-consuming, but less expensive.

A good pencil sharpener is the Rapesco 64, by the way.

 

[marou]

The AVI debate is the gift that goes on giving for good reasons. For those like me with a level of expertise derived from too much time messing around with hifi but little or no scientific background the plausibility of claims for the superiority of active systems give rise to some unease - years of tinkering undermined in one fell swoop. If I hesitate it's because:

1. The AVI proponents are so abrasive perhaps because their confidence in the product is more fragile than they let on

2. This sector is really not taking off - for audio freaks it lacks upgradeability, for the one-off buyer it's butt-ugly, hard to source and not revolutionary enough

3. My own audition of ADM 9s was underwhelming - boxy and flat-sounding

 

[atticus]

As I've pointed out a few times since then atticus, your system wasn't particularly well balanced or well matched. I don't think I've seen anyone change to ADM's from a well balanced system yet - they're all mish-mashes.

Please list some of those mismatched systems and let us know what makes them poorly matched.

My mismatched system was as follows:

Cyrus CD8 SE; Cyrus Pre Vs2; x2 Cyrus Mono X; Tannoy DC8 standmounts; Genesis Silver Spiral cable and Atlas Equator interconnects; Partington Dreadnought stands, filled with lead shot and Atacama Atabites. All on a custom-made rack from Hi-Fi Racks (with pointy feet and coasters), on a large floor tile (for ease of dusting).

It was nice while it lasted but was getting a bit silly and slightly obsessive, with actual listening-to-music-sessions quite short and inevitably overshadowed by nagging doubts. It was when I got a HRT Music Streamer II to play the music off my Netbook and it sounded better that I gots to wondering.....

 

[Etymotic]

Well guys just to give you some clarity..pardon the pun...on the issue.

I am now the proud owner of a pair of AVI ADM9's with the Scanspeak tweeter upgrade which cost an extra £150.

Along with the addition of a Sonos connect and bridge for an outlay of just over £1500 I have a system that I guarantee will kick many a system costing twice,three times as much into the long grass.

They really are that good. I bought them on a hunch...un demoed. Thats what most people do who buy AVI's. But their reputation is staggering and their owners give glowing reviews of the product so I was not worried. And by the way I am using my cheapish Panasonic DVD player as CD transport and it sounds like it is streaming through a very expensive DAC...as I thought it might. My room is now less cluttered. I have two very elegant laquered black speakers on cheap stands (£60 Dynami ) with the minimum of cabling...a small Sonos box and my DVD player. I have enough inputs on the speakers to add a Dac or a dedicated subwoofer at a later date should I so desire,but to be quite honest I dont think I will need them.

The sound from the system is epic...crystaline holographic reproduction of what its presented with. but with enough personality to not be described as detached or too analytical. In a nut shell they are just about as good as anything I have heard at any price......

I have no agenda here...I am just a music lover who was prepared to try a different type of speaker design because I didnt want to shell out upwards of £3000 on a seperates/passive system before I knew what else is available out there

I cant imagine ANYBODY being dissapointed with the ADM's. If you are a real bass freak then buy the subwoofer too you would still only have an initial outlay of £2000!

However ,what bass the speakers generate on their own is nothing short of breataking for such a small cabinet. They are great all rounders but really come to life and sparkle with Jazz,acoustic and classical.....and the female voice. ..and they do not need hours of running in.

Plug em in and let um loose.....

To say the speakers are magical is a huge understatement. They are quite simply probably the best kept secret in the Hi Fi industry.

You owe it to yourselves to own these little wonders.

I rest my case..........