new review of the bastanis prometheus speakers up on 6moons

gary · « **on:** 11 May 2006, 01:21 am »

Steve Marsh just posted a very positive review of the Prometheus speakers on 6moons.

These two paragraphs pretty much sum it up...

Quote

A friend of mine at my gym has been complaining about the lack of dynamics in his system (B&W, Rotel, Lexicon, Velodyne, MIT) and asking my advice. I've been trying to get him out of his mainstream audio brand mentality. Here was my chance. I invited him to come over and listen to the Bastanis and then take an excursion to the local high-end salon another day. We bounced around between his system, mine and the dealer's. We listened to the new Wilson Duette powered by a McIntosh solid-state integrated amp, then the Duettes and Sophia 2s over a complete Ayre rig.

As we probably all do when coming home from listening to somebody else's system, I played the same CDs to take proper measure once back in my digs. In the interest of kindness to the nice folks at this audio salon, all I will say is that I think Dave Wilson better get back to work. The Sophias sounded colored by comparison and the level of information retrieved was about half that of the Bastanis. What with the Lady Day amps dialed in with my Baton speaker cables and Cardas Golden Cross interconnects, my friend came over to listen once again. When I played a CD he had heard many times before, he got very quiet and displayed an ashen look on his face. It was one of those rare moments when you see someone's entire audio paradigm come crashing down all around them.

After listening to the Prometheus all speakers in boxes just sound slow and muddy to me and it seems I'm not the only one. I'm glad the Bastanis are finally getting some much-deserved recognition.

Gary

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 May 2006, 01:49 am »

I heard these speakers at RMAF last year and enjoyed them. If my memory serves me well, their top of the line (can't remember the model - Apollo maybe?) was a noticeable step up, but pretty pricey (over $10k).

However, I wouldn't say that all box speakers sound slow and muddy in comparison - that is probably an exaggeration. Especially since the bass is from a box and wasn't fully integrated with the midrange and highs as well as it should be.

George

ajzepp · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 May 2006, 02:12 am »

You know, the whole idea of getting away from mainstream audio manufacturers was some of the best advice that I ever got. I'm glad to see the 6Moons guy embracing that approach. There are some amazing products out there if you look hard enough.

SET Man · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 May 2006, 01:38 am »

Hi,

I had a chance to listen to them at the recent VTV show 2006. The pair were fitted with the dipole tweeters.

I got to play couples of songs from my 2 CDs. I must say to me they sound surprisingly good. Very open... reminded me of Magnepan of which I used to have in my system... acturally I still have them, but with the dynamic, and detailed sound of my single driver based on Fostex of which I currently use. And those tweeters are very good I wish I could get a pair of those tweeters.

But! well, the only thing that I found very distracting is the bass. Yes, some you here already mentioned about this. It was great listeing to the great mid that those driver have, than the bass note come in and I found myself looking at the bass cabs! Good bass though but is just doesn't seem to be seamless with the rest on top. This is more problematic with acoustic bass intruments than with my modern trip-hop music with electronic bass it bother me less.

Overall I must say it was pretty good. To me you could get the best of both world... open dipole sound like Magnepan with the hi-ef dynamic and almost single driver sound.

Take care,
Buddy

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 May 2006, 01:50 am »

I'm not too fond of the looks of those, but I've heard pretty good things about them.

Michael

windwaves · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 May 2006, 03:16 am »

Quote from: ajzepp

You know, the whole idea of getting away from mainstream audio manufacturers was some of the best advice that I ever got. I'm glad to see the 6Moons guy embracing that approach. There are some amazing products out there if you look hard enough.

yes, who would doubt it .. but the key is, as you say, "...if you look hard enough". How hard ? how much time does it take ? I am still hoping it is possible with reasonable hard work.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 May 2006, 03:19 am »

Quote from: windwaves

Quote from: ajzepp
You know, the whole idea of getting away from mainstream audio manufacturers was some of the best advice that I ever got. I'm glad to see the 6Moons guy embracing that approach. There are some amazing products out there if you look hard enough.

yes, who would doubt it .. but the key is, as you say, "...if you look hard enough". How hard ? how much time does it take ? I am still hoping it is possible with reasonable hard work.

It is possible, but you have to really know your sonic priorities IMO. If your sonic priorites are "everything," then good luck.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 May 2006, 03:47 am »

Quote from: gary

After listening to the Prometheus all speakers in boxes just sound slow and muddy to me and it seems I'm not the only one.

I'm sure the Prometheus are very good speakers, and I'm glad you're happy with them. But you've obviously not heard a properly set up pair of the *right* box speakers to have arrived at that conclusion.

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 May 2006, 03:19 pm »

High efficiency drivers are also very dynamic.

Automotive analogy: A small car with a small engine (like a Lotus) can out handle and accelerate a larger car with a big engine (like a Corvette). Whether you prefer the feel of the small nimble car versus a larger more muscular car is a matter of individual taste.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 May 2006, 04:06 pm »

Quote from: JLM

High efficiency drivers are also very dynamic.

Automotive analogy: A small car with a small engine (like a Lotus) can out handle and accelerate a larger car with a big engine (like a Corvette). Whether you prefer the feel of the small nimble car versus a larger more muscular car is a matter of individual taste.

There is at least one path that leads to the best of both IMO, but you know where I'm going, don't you.