This thread is about the Super Alnico HO speakers, so I was thinking my experience with these fit here:
I would like to thank the community to make me aware of an excellent audio system and for all the related information I was able to read. Maybe my journey can be of interest for others. For me it is not easy to test and to listen to all the equipment prior making a decision, so I rely on forum's discussion and reviews.
Since 2011 I have a system consisting of KefQ900 speakers and a Cyrus pre- and power amplifier. 2015 I updated my front end to an Aries w/ special power supply and the Chord 2Qute Dac. Over the years the soundstage and SQ improved by using better USB cable (Wireworld), power chords, and the firmware upgrades for my beloved Auralic Aries. I remember initially the soundstage was small between the speakers and became better and better. However, I always had some harshness and ringing at higher frequencies (it became better with the all the step by step improvements). I could hardly enjoy piano music. It didn't sound natural and the ringing didn't sound right….sometimes I blamed it on my ears (note: I am about 50)
End of last year I started to search how to upgrade my system. Mainly I was looking for new speakers (note: this should be my major final upgrade). Read about single driver speaker from Voxativ, Trenner & Friedl, Heco, Zu, DeVore ……., and via audiocircle I discovered Omega. The concept - single driver, no cross over, and high sensitivity, and local (I am in Georgia) - made sense to me and after talking to Louis, I ordered Super Alnico HO speakers with “R” component in February. Based on community’s information and Dave’s (Zenwave Audio) recommendation, we use as internal wires the SMSG 20 gauge wires. As speaker wires, I ordered from Dave SL17 speaker cables (note:here there might be a possible upgrade to the SMSG 20 speaker cables).
Then I had to wait for about 3 months to get the speakers. In the meantime I received the speaker cables from Zenwave. I was surprised, that these worked so well with my original system, despite being only 17 gauge (there was no reduction in bass compared to the Straight Wire Symphony speaker cable I used,when listening e.g., to Rebecca Pigeon " Spanish Harlem" or "Let’s get stoned" from Carmen Gomes (Sound Liaison). I go the impression, that the gauge of loudspeaker cable might not be so important, at least not for my original system.
Still waiting for the speaker, I read about the ZOTL amplifiers and how people are happy to combine the omega speakers with these type of amplifiers (note: I was thinking, that the harshness I hear, might come from a combination of the KEFQ900 and my Cyrus components) . Talked to Louis and Mark (LTA) and based on their recommendations, I ordered the ZOTL10. The Zotl10 arrived 2 weeks later and I used it directly with my KEFQ900 without pre-amp (the DAC went directly to the ZOTL10). I was surprised again how well 10W were driving the KEFQ900 speakers, which required 15W-200W. I noticed a general improvement with the new amplifier and the Zenwave speaker cable. Now all these new components had time to burn-in.
Then Louis's speakers arrived in May. Beautifully finished (2 tone; front: "Real BirdsEye Maple” all other 5 sides in "Real Walnut”). Now after 3 month listening I can not be happier with my decision (note: I also added the Micro Zotl 2.0 to my system):
1) The soundstage is incredible (very wide). The speakers are there, but the sound comes out between speakers (note: I have the impression that the “location" of instruments are changed to the better, e.g. the piano in “From the Age of Swing - Dick Hyman - song: "Topsy” is more upfront and not anymore so far back on the stage)
2) The sound is very clear (I had a 30year old person listening to the system and a 60 year old trained piano player; both used the term clear and enjoyed listening with closed eyes; both of them are not audiophiles)
3) A piano sounds like a piano; voices are incredible; every solo instrument (guitar, cello, trumpets, ..) sounds realistic; drums sounds impressive (e.g. Eddie Graham Trio: S’Wonderful Jazz; Pedrito Martínez and his Rumba de la Isla); I now can listen to solo piano music, which I couldn't do with my former system.
4) It is fun to locate "on the stage between the speakers" the different instruments of chamber orchestras, small jazz bands, and even at a big orchestra (Mahler 5th; BIS Records; 2017 Minnesota Orchestra; 96k/24 download)
5) Something about the bass; I think the bass is realistic (note; I had more bass with KEFQ900, but I think this is not realistic); My wife and I go to concerts and recently during our visit to Europe we had a concert in Vienna (Golden Hall in the Musikverein; one of the top 10 music halls….I believe). We listened to Schubert's Unfinished (D759) and also to Bruckner's #4; the double bass, when we listened at two location row 9 and 16 (before and after intermission:-)) was nearly identical to a good recorded pieces in my new system; I am not missing anything here)
6) The speakers are beautifully made!
7) I read a lot of spouse's approval on the websites
My wife was very skeptical about the upgrade; her favorite pieces is Mozart the clarinet concert K622 (Wolfgang Meyer; Mozart: Clarinet Concerto; Oboe Concerto; Concerto for Flute & Harp; Das Alte Werk) … and she noticed the significant SQ improvements; again "very clear" comes up; she also “enjoys” the boxes: beautiful speakers, ZOTL10, micro ZOTL2.
P.S. The Super Alnico HO speakers can be run with voices using the micro Zotl2, but for music which requires some lower frequencies the ZOTL10 is needed (2017 Silent Light (ECM) - Dominic Miller - Song "Water" sounds “complete’ with the ZOTL10)
Over the last 3 month I noticed, that I read less about possible improvements & upgrades and I just enjoy listening to music……mission accomplished! I am sure other combinations of speaker, speaker cable, and amplifier might result in similar results. However, I am very happy, that with audiocircle’s help, and discussion with Louis's, Mark's, and Dave's help, I was able to put a system together, which such remarkable value and fun. I am very thankful to Louis (Owner of Omegaspeaker) who steered me to right direction!