[Broadway90]

I have been enjoying my Super 3 XRS's for a couple of years now. My preference is to run them without a subwoofer, relatively close to the back wall, toed in to cross in front of the listening position. Driven by Welborne 300 mono blocks. These replaced my Reference 3a DeCapo's. The 3 XRS's image much better and have a higher resolution than my DeCapo's. Yet the DeCapo's had a better bottom end and more organic midrange.

What can be expected from upgrading to the larger drivered Super Alnico XRS? Anyone been down this path?

Thanks,
Andy

[Canada Rob]

Hi Andy,

Welcome to the Omega AudioCircle.  You have a nice amplifier.  The Alnico based speakers (XRS & Monitor) are in a completely different league than the RS5 based 3 series.  To my ears there is just no comparison.  The Alnicos have a flatter frequency response, are smoother, have a more organic midrange, and dig deeper into a recording without having an artificially prominent top end.  My Alnico Monitors have some of the best bass I've heard and are run with a Decware Super Zen in a 13' x 17' x 8'H room and I have all the bass I crave.....without sub.

[Broadway90]

Morning Rob,

Thanks for the quick reply. Its nice to have my anticipated improvements confirmed. I have a similar sized room 11x17x8'.

Speakers on the short wall as you can see. Presumably the Alnico's would work in approximately the same place. Coincidentally I was also flirting with replacing the Welbournes with a Super Zen - but perhaps I need to slow down and focus - sounds like the Alnico's might be a sensible move.

Cheers
Andy

[DBC]

My guess is that most don't realize how large the Alnico Monitors actually are until seen in person. The Alnico Monitors provide Bass Output (Quantity) that I have not heard from other Monitors with Bass Definition & Accuracy I've not heard from the various Tower Speakers I've owned. Seems that the Alnico Monitor's larger than most cabinet dimensions has a lot to do with this? I've had my Alnico Monitors for a year now and have had no desire to move to the XRS.

I've read others comparing the Monitor to the XRS describing an increase in Bass Output with the XRS but at the same time some loss in Bass Definition & Accuracy. Personally I opt for the Bass Definition & Accuracy of the Monitor and use a Sub if I have a desire for a bit more low end output.

Nice listening set-up.

[Ultralight]

Ah.....but if one has the RS5 based speaker WITH a fast subwoofer, then perhaps the equation may change to at least a level playing field and some may prefer the lower bass extension...?   of course, subs are additional pieces.

[jorgen]

Morning Rob,

Thanks for the quick reply. Its nice to have my anticipated improvements confirmed. I have a similar sized room 11x17x8'.

Speakers on the short wall as you can see. Presumably the Alnico's would work in approximately the same place. Coincidentally I was also flirting with replacing the Welbournes with a Super Zen - but perhaps I need to slow down and focus - sounds like the Alnico's might be a sensible move.

Cheers
Andy

Very proper listening room and a proper collection of records. Was just wondering about your flirt with a new amp. I read up on the Welbourne you have. What are hoping to achieve. Don't misunderstand, I have Decware myself and a plan of getting another, but thought the amps you already have should be very good?

I haven't heard the 3 xrs, but a pair of alnico monitors should have you covered. I chose to get mine in a smaller cabinet, my room is 4x4 meters and didn't want speakers to be too dominant in the room

[Broadway90]

I am very happy with my amps but the internet buzz on the Decware Zen amp is very intriguing. Perhaps it would just be a sideways move - but this is another topic.

I guess that the issue here is what can I expect in going from the Super 3XRS to the Super Alnico XRS or perhaps the monitor version. I would not like to give up the speed, transparency, and imaging I presently enjoy, but would hope to gain a richer out mid range and better low end. It may be that the virtues of the 3 XRS lie in their driver size and that going larger may sacrifice what I would hope to preserve.

Thanks to all who have offered opinions.

[RDavidson]

There is always some compromise.
It boils down to this : Are you willing to give up a little bit of speed and top end sparkle, for a more balanced sound overall? I used to have the 3xrs which I LOVED, but will have a pair of custom, smaller Alnico monitors soon.
Note I will be using them with a sub, so the cabinet volume/full extension of the standard Alnico Monitors and XRS are not necessary to me. I expect them to have virtually all the positive attributes of the 3xrs plus better midbass....at the least.

[EzraS]

Your custom monitors are interesting. I have been mulling over a purchase of Omega speakers for far too long. i am interested in a pair of Alnicos but the dimensions of the standard monitors seem too much for my living room.Could you indicate the dimensions of the speakers Louis is building for you. Are they a standard cabinet or a one off custom job? Thanks.

[RDavidson]

It'd probably be best to ask Louis about this as I'm not 100% sure what the final measurements ended up being.
He's working on them now, and last I heard he was going to build 2 sets. One for me and one for the Omega store. This kind of tells me that he may be considering making these Alnico "mini's?" part of the regular line, if the response / demand for them is great. For the most part, I've been hands-off and letting the master work.

[dukecv]

Hey all, not as seasoned as most here. However, I have a pair of super 7's and I will say I was actually surprised at the amount of low end they produce. It's definitely not overpowering, yet it's just the right amount.  All I know is, if I would've known about these speakers long ago I never would've bought anything else. Driving them with an Audio Refinement and a Schiit DAC. Not exactly your setup but still a part of the larger driver family. My cabinet foot print is 11"x14-1/4".