Anthony Gallo Reference 3

Horizons · « **Reply #20 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 06:25 pm »

Quote from: john1970

I agree with a previous post the stands are absolutely necessary and at $500 not cheap! I auditioned the Gallo Ref 3 without the stands and I found it necessary to sit on the floor to hear optimal treble. In summary:

Strengths:
1) nice dynamic mids
2) excellent treble with wide dispersion
3) tight bass due to the use of a SEALED enclosure. (Gallo acoustics deserves a lot of credit for not using a more efficient and less accurate port design).

Weakness:
1) Without the stands the tweeter is 31" f ...

All good points. I really wanted the Gallos to replace my 1.6QRs since they are smaller and easier to place in my room. However, they don't come close in soundstage height/size and overall resolution compared to the Maggies.

Gallo should redesign this speaker and raise it at least 12 inches and keep the price the same or less - then they might have a Maggie killer.

The Zard · « **Reply #21 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 08:07 pm »

Well, it is not that the Gallo Ref 3 set out to be or is a Maggie killer someone else thought that up. The stands (Bright Star) are necessary, the addition of a sub pre amp might be desireable particularly in an HT system but there is plenty of bass (for me) in a Two Ch setup.

We are talking about two outstanding speaker systems either of which offer value for money at reasonable pricing. Your preference makes the choice between the two or off to something else.

KKM · « **Reply #22 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 11:15 pm »

There are much cheaper alternatives than the Bright Star stands, it just needs to be elevated a little more depending on your seating position. Check out some of the Auralex stuff esp. the MoPAds for $35/ 2pr:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-AUR-MOPAD--m-11_65_130--d-2.html

Those that do audition the Ref3, make sure the speakers are either on their points or elevated somehow off the floor. Some dealers don't bother putting the points on because of moving the speakers around. Without feet on their base they sound terrible, could be because the woofer is so close to the base that it vibrates the whole speaker when not isolated.

carusoracer · « **Reply #23 on:** 10 Mar 2006, 02:13 pm »

Quote from: KKM

There are much cheaper alternatives than the Bright Star stands, it just needs to be elevated a little more depending on your seating position. Check out some of the Auralex stuff esp. the MoPAds for $35/ 2pr:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-AUR-MOPAD--m-11_65_130--d-2.html

Those that do audition the Ref3, make sure the speakers are either on their points or elevated somehow off the floor. Some dealers don't bother putting the points on because of moving the speakers around. Without feet on th ...

Interesting concept. Do you have a pair under your ref 3's? I see the dimensions from their site for LxW but it does not list height...Can you tell me your A/B experience and what is the measured height?
I have heard alot about the Brightstar stands but they are quite pricey.

RichE · « **Reply #24 on:** 10 Mar 2006, 02:25 pm »

Hi Guys -

If you want a cheap and very effective way to see how much difference stands can make, go to home depot and spend about $3 for 2 cement blocks (8 x 8 x 16). They are perfect size for the gallo's. In my room they made an enormous difference.

Regards,
Rich

john1970 · « **Reply #25 on:** 11 Mar 2006, 12:48 am »

To all,

I agree that there are less expensive stands to buy, but none look as nice as the IsoRock G3 Stands. However, you could definitely build yourself some and save a lot of money. It is a joke that a third party can sell a pair of stands for $500! Clearly, Gallo should add the stands themselves with only a modest or no increase in price.

Just my $0.02,

John

KKM · « **Reply #26 on:** 11 Mar 2006, 06:56 am »

Carusoracer,
Sorry, I have not use the pads, so can't comment right now, will probably order some in the near future.

Folsom · « **Reply #27 on:** 12 Mar 2006, 01:07 am »

I was just listening to them... To be honest they did not sound as good as I was expecting them too.

It might of had to do with a few things.... CD player with its own volume control, then to a tube amplifier.... Not a dedicated room, and no floor stands. Johnny Cash must have been sitting on the ground.

Regardless they sound to have some potential, but I was missing detail.... Again this may of been a low synergy collection.

The Zard · « **Reply #28 on:** 12 Mar 2006, 03:45 pm »

Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:48 am Interesting Ideas

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To all,

(I agree that there are less expensive stands to buy, but none look as nice as the IsoRock G3 Stands. However, you could definitely build yourself some and save a lot of money. It is a joke that a third party can sell a pair of stands for $500! Clearly, Gallo should add the stands themselves with only a modest or no increase in price.)

Well, I don't think so. Point is the Bright Star Ref 3 Stands were engineered specifically for the Gallo's to address what might be an issue for some listeners. The stands are not applicable to other speakers. Most manufactures "build" a product at a specific price point to gain what they feel is the sweet spot of a market they want to achieve. Tradeoffs and compromises are part of that process. The buyer, (listener)must make their own decision.

To make a stand alone dedidcated after market product for a new speaker is a questionable ecomomic decision. I'm personally glad they did but I seriously doubt it is a big money maker.[/b]

john1970 · « **Reply #29 on:** 12 Mar 2006, 04:18 pm »

I'm sure the stands are not a big money maker; maybe that is why they sell them @ $500 a pair becuase so few a sold (economy of scales).

carusoracer · « **Reply #30 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 01:03 pm »

Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles.

I was just listening to them... To be honest they did not sound as good as I was expecting them too.

It might of had to do with a few things.... CD player with its own volume control, then to a tube amplifier.... Not a dedicated room, and no floor stands. Johnny Cash must have been sitting on the ground.

Regardless they sound to have some potential, but I was missing detail.... Again this may of been a low synergy collection.

Sorry your listening experience was not the best. What type of tube Amp was used? I have found that these speakers really respond to current/not so much power although needed. I hope you get to listen again in another environment. They are very revealing. If not,Good Luck with your search

Folsom · « **Reply #31 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 03:27 pm »

Oh I think the speakers should be and are nice, just the way they were setup sucked.

I am not sure what the tube amp was... I was presesd on time, so I was not paying to much attention. I know I need to write down what I listen too.

8thnerve · « **Reply #32 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 03:35 pm »

I don't think the stands are at all necessary, and I personally wouldn't use them if they were included. In my opinion, image height is an acoustics problem. Yes, large speakers muscle the soundstage up with sheer size, but with proper acoustics, small speakers can throw an image 8 feet tall with ease.

rstewart · « **Reply #33 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 10:19 pm »

I agree with 8thnerve. I have the Reference 3.1s and have no problem
with image height using only the spikes.