[mav52]

Any one have any experience with Philharmonic 3 Audio Loudspeakers. The seem to offer good measurements to price, construction and excellent crossover work seems like a winner.  My music taste, classic rock, soft jazz, modern Classical, Bluegrass.  I would be driving these with either Quicksilver mid-mono Tubes, a Rogue Athena pre or a ATI 2002 amp feed from the Rogue pre, source OPPO-105

[avahifi]

The Philharmonic Three speakers by Dennis Murphy are outstanding speakers and outstanding values. Their major down side is that it is a rather long wait to get them due to delays Dennis has had with his cabinet maker.  I understand this should improve soon as Jim Salk will be making the cabinets for Dennis in the future.  They don't have the same exquisite fit and finish as Jim's speakers, but they are competitive in sound quality.  I heard and used them last summer at the Capital Audio Show where Dennis was using AVA electronics to drive them and decided they would make a nice addition to my sets of outstanding speakers used here in electronics evaluation (Salk HT3s and B&W 801s), and now my own Philharmonic Threes have arrived just two days ago and are breaking in. More about them later as I get used to them and have tested them on all of our electronics and source material (Denon Longhorn MC cartridge, CD, DSD, and even rather special FM radio).

Frank Van Alstine

[Phil A]

I'd concur with the above.  An outstanding value.  When I heard them at prior Capital Audiofests (including the last one as I've been to all), I am amazed at the price/performance.

[mav52]

Thanks Frank and Phil.  These are on my list for 2014.  Frank can't wait to hear your opinion after that breakin period you noted.

[Stercom]

I own an early pair of Philharmonic 3 speakers. Dennis didn't have any shipping boxes made for them yet so we each drove half-way and did the deal in the parking lot of a highway rest stop! He even put me in touch with Paul Kittinger regarding a question we had with the TL design, etc. Anyway, Dennis' service and communication was excellent. The RAAL tweeter and Revelator woofer are very high quality and are used in many successful designs. But I think its how Dennis seamlessly incorporated the Neo 8 planar midrange with the open-back enclosure that makes this speaker so musical. I added a good pair of spikes to the cabinets (he may include spikes now?). I own some rebuilt Dynaco tube amps  ST-70 (35 watts/ch) and MKIII monoblocks (60 watts/ch) which are very nice but the amp I much prefer on the Phil 3s is my TRL D225 solid state amp (225 watts/ch).  The additional power firmed up the bass and lower midrange a little. I'm not saying your Quicksilvers would be a bad match but I'm guessing your ATI would be the amp you end up using. I'm sure Frank will have an opinion on amps as well.    I would also recommend you get these speakers away from the walls of your room.  If you can get them well into the room they will throw a huge soundstage that's very focused and real. This is an outstanding speaker regardless of the price.

[edn4x4]

I was over at Frank's yesterday to pick up my Fet Valve CF and had a chance to have a listen to these speakers.  I have to admit I have never heard of them before, but I noticed them right away and asked Frank's assistant, Mary, if I could have a listen.  We wanted to start off with Santana Abraxas, but couldn't find the CD.  I spotted Aja so we  put that in.  I was pleasantly surprised by the musicality of these speakers.  I believe we were running the CD through a Fet Valve CF and a 600r and did they make enjoyable music together.  Then Frank came in the room and found an old copy of Abraxas on Vinyl.  He said he hadn't listened to it for 30 years.  Well we all sat there through the first three songs and I was astounded at the sound.  I don't have a TT so I am no expert, but the sound of his new phono stage in this setup was stunning.  The sound stage of the Philharmonic 3 were big, 3D and very musical.  The highs were sparkling like I have never heard before in a speaker.  Another big surprise was how low they go and seamlessly so - just wonderful sound.  I run maggie 1.7s so I was not prepared to hear the depth and height as I heard from this combination.  Then Frank put on some Christmas music from another album he hadn't listened to in thirty years.  Now this was Christmas music - big band.  The strings and horns really came to life - very 3D and had my foot tappin.... Anyway I had a very enjoyable afternoon at Franks.  I will have to stop over more often - maybe that's the reason I ordered a 400r afterwards...
So I want to thank Frank for such fun and to mention how much I really enjoy my new Fet Valve CF - it turned out to be exactly what I needed in my system.
Eric