ACI Panorama vs GR research Diluceo

Tweaker · « **on:** 1 Mar 2005, 04:21 pm »

Hi everyone.
I'm new to this forum as far as postings but have used it as a reference for good advice and product information on and off for some time now.
What I would like to know is if anyone has ever had a chance to hear or compare both the ACI Panorama and the GR Research Diluceo and if so what did you prefer about the sound of one over the other.
Thanks!

budyog · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 04:56 pm »

Hi Tweaker and welcome,

I have not heard any GR Research products but in my opinion after reading their web site about the Diluceo your question maybe should be to compare the ACI Sapphire's to the GR Research Diluceo!

I have owned a pair of Sapphire IIIs, (not the new XLs) and they blew me away for many years, but the Panorama's are in my opinion the "big leagues". The Panorama is a very outstanding full range speaker. Like a floor standing speaker but still needing a stand. Remember, this is a 3 way speaker with a super crossover and drivers and built like a tank. You cannot feel any resonance of the cabinet when being played at rock concert volume. I do have a subwoofer just because I believe with range of the production of music these days, you just can't get that low Hz out of small drivers.

Again, I have not heard any GR Research products and in no way want to tarnish them or there products. This is just my 2 cents.

Tweaker · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 06:40 pm »

Thanks for the reply,
You may be right about the Sapphire probably being a more reasonable comparison. Guess I was looking at both companies top of the line "bookshelf" speakers" and even though the GR Research is much less expensive it seems so many speakers get the "it competes with speakers many times it's cost" label attached I thought it might be a fair comparison as the Diluceo seems to fit into the category of an overachiever. Another speaker I would like to hear about is the Selah Tanzanite. By the way, what sub are you using as I also have my eyes on the ACI Force.
Thanks, again.

budyog · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 06:59 pm »

After many years of dealing with ACI starting long ago with the G3 (I Think) kit and always being impressed with them and their company, I had NO reservations and bought the ACI "Maestro". I had a Velodyne ULD-18 for many years which finally gave out (with the ACI Sapphire IIIs) and the cost to repair/replace the woofer was outrageous, so I was able to apply the money to a Velodyne HGS-15X which to me was not as good for music as the old ULD-18. So I sold it and without hesitation bought the "Maestro". It does all I want a sub to do but more of it in a smaller cabinet and way better than the Velodyne's. That is my ACI story!

Tweaker · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 09:08 pm »

And a good story it is. Panoramas and Meastro. That,I expect, is one heck of a system.

budyog · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 09:24 pm »

It is better than I ever dreamed I would ever own thinking back to 1971 and my first old hand-me-down tube receiver and turntable removed from an old counsel system the size of a couch that I put in homemade wood boxes to several Dynaco's (which I should have kept some of them) to Harmon Kardon Citation 1,2, 16 etc; to many home built speakers to ACI kit's and the rest you already know. It is a fun ride.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 09:41 pm »

Hello.... As an owner of the Diluceos, I think you should certainly give them a listen. Definitely try a broken-in pair, perhaps in the form of a demo if Danny can arrange it, or if you can find a local pair. They have a very refined, airy, detailed, and fast sound, with almost no glare or funk. They will bring out the worst in a second-rate amplifier though, as all good speakers tend to do.

To counter what budyog said,
Although I haven't heard the ACI's, judging by the description of the Panorama on ACI's website, I bet the Diluceos could give them a good run for their money. I'd be more willing to put the Criterion in the class of the Sapphire. Of course, this is just speculation and they are both known to be great speakers. A demo would be much-advised!

Tweaker · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 10:22 pm »

jon_010101,
Thanks for the input. Although the Diluceos are a two way the driver compliment is, in surface area anyway, not to dissimillar two the Pano's. So it didn't seem a stretch to compare the two. I always had a fondness for giant killer gear. That piece of equipment that comes along and says "you know, I don't cost a whole lot but I can hold my own with the best of them." And you know, the Pano's fall into that category as well. I suspect that they will also more than hold their own against costlier systems. What I need to do is take a month off of work,(like that's a reality) order the three I'm interested in and see which one I like the best after the month is over. Be my luck I'll like them all,though,and I expect that would probably be the case.
I liked budyog's desription of his first system. Takes me back to 1973, just out of high school and woking at DEC in Maynard,Mass. The guys in the dept I worked in were all into audio and gave me some great advice on a great first system. It turns out I lived just down the street from H.H Scott and on Fridays they opened up to the public to buy sratch and dents,I guess you could say. So for $75.00 I ended up with a 25 watt receiver that was only missing the bottom cover. Seems an odd reason to ban an otherwise perfectly good piece of equipment to the defect room but the thing worked flawlessly. Then on my co-workers advice I purchase through the mail a pair of AR 7's for about another $75.00 or so and man did I ever have a great sounding little stereo! Kept me happy for years.
If it hasn't been done already that would be a good topic for another thread. Your first system.

What a fun hobby!

Tweaker · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Mar 2005, 07:40 pm »

jon_010101,
I have a question about the Diluceos. Do you find that with the ribbon tweater you're forced into a narrower sweet spot that might be otherwise with a dome? I like your description of the sound as I have always loved the sound of ribbons but am less inclined to put up with their idiosyncrisities than I used to be. So my search is for a box speaker that doesn't sound like a box speaker. Your description of the Diluceo could be that of a good ribbon speaker.
Thanks

jon_010101 · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Mar 2005, 09:38 pm »

Quote from: Tweaker

jon_010101,
Do you find that with the ribbon tweater you're forced into a narrower sweet spot that might be otherwise with a dome? ... Your description of the Diluceo could be that of a good ribbon speaker.
Thanks

The tweeters definitely are more directional than a standard dome. But, consider that the size of the ribbon is relatively small, not much larger than a dome tweeter, so it is not as bad as many large ribbons. Horizontally, they are not a problem. But in the vertical, you can tell when you are standing up vs. sitting. You lose a lot of the high end when listening at more than 45 deg above or below the tweeter. I think that as long as you are within 0-30 degrees, you are in the sweet spot. I miss the ability to enjoy music while walking around the room, but I don't think I could go back to a dome at this point. The G2 tweeter was a real eye-opener for me to see how uncolored a speaker can sound. Another bonus of the increased focus is that it cut down significantly on annoying room reflections. Imaging is fantastic, very 3D, very deep. But, if you want to be able to walk around the room and still get the full detail, you might be happier with a conventional design.

Tweaker · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Mar 2005, 12:25 am »

jon_010101,
Thanks for the input-very helpful. When I'm walking around the house I'm not critically listening so that would not be a problem. The thing I have been concerned with is the fact that at 6'1" I would get a much different tonal balance than my wife at 4'10". Sounds, though, based on your description that if I set up the speaker a little lower than my ear height my wife should hear what I hear.
Thanks again!

Lawler Bb · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Mar 2005, 06:43 am »

I am probably a little late into this thread, but I just wanted to echo what has been said about the Diluceos. I've had mine for about two weeks now and could not be happier. I previously used the B&W CDM1SE, which are great for the money, but are definitely a few steps down from the GRs. Neutrality, imaging, dynamics, and resolution are all much better with the Diluceo. I also appreciate the slightly more focused tweeter in cutting down on room reflections.

I have not heard the ACI speakers but surely recommend the Diluceo without reservation. They give amazing performance for a modest amount of money.

audiojerry · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Mar 2005, 07:00 am »

Hey Lawler, I see you are one of us CheeseHeads and are new to the Circle, judging by your number of posts. Welcome aboard!

I was the first lucky member to audition the Criterion when Danny offered the free audition tour, and man I really fell for that little baby. It was so impressive, and I believe Danny used the input from that tour to tweak them to be even better. Then that led to the Diluceo. I'd love to hear them someday, and maybe compare them to my Dynaudio Special 25's.

BTW, have you seen the post for a demo presentation by SAS Audio in a couple of weeks?
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=17176
You are welcome if interested.