Boy have I been busy. But I wanted to get a blip off about a listening session I had with KeithR and his AvantGarde Solos
I also took along my new VMPS 626Rs to use as a Reference (although not broken in yet)
I should start with Keiths Space. I would guess it at about 10x10 or 12x12ish but much of it is rather open to the rest of his condo.
The only solid wall is on the left side, with the right side and rear being completely open to the next space. So as the dimensions might seem rather small, it is not a room as much as a listening space, that is open to the rest of the house.
The Solos are set up at what appears to be 7-8 feet apart and probably 7-8 feet to the listening position.
They appeard to be close to 1.5 - 2 feet off the front wall.
They have a very interesting and futuristic look about them. If you haven't seen them, look here.
http://www.avantgarde-usa.com/solo.htmlI set my 626Rs outside the solos and toed them in "on axis" to the listening position.
Keith's gear was between the speakers against the wall And great gear it was. Although I didn't make note of the models, Most was Cary. Maybe Keith can add the exact models and other gear.
It is my understanding that the Solos List for around $8000+ which puts them in "High End" territory price wise.
With this price is also included an on board power amp so this is not as steep as it first appears.
And how did they sound? GREAT!!!
I will try to compare them to the 626R but remember there is a significant price difference (although, I would put the 626R up against most speakers up to or in some cases over $5000)
SoundStage:
The Point Source/Horn was very good here and the soundstage was open, and seemed accurate. Since the 626Rs were sitting "outside" the Solos and toed in accuratley, they too were able to develop a similarly wide stage in this room.
Depth:
The Solos were excellent in the depth dept. One cut I use to establish this ability is "Tin Pan Alley" by SRV. You know when you can hear the drum behind the guitar, that the speakers have the juice and the these did an exceptional job. Since I used the 626 as a reference, it easily matched the 626Rs depth, which is no easy task.
Height:
Now this one was a little strange (not in a bad way, but just differnt) Because the midrange and tweeter of the 626 were higher, the images were drawn slightly higher. I had noticed this with the RM40s whe I switched from the Legacy Sig IIIs. The image is like you are looking up slightly to a stage, where the Solos, the top of the image floated just above the tops of the speakers.
Center Fill:
This is the best Center fill I have heard from a "point source" high dispersion speaker. Generally high dispersion speakers have a little "fuzzyier" edges or haze around the center images. The Solo did not and it was as clear and as distinct to me as the 626 which (in the exact sweet spot is razor sharp)
I might add that early on in the session, I freaked a bit when even after a perfect convergence, the 626Rs had no center flill and lock.
I finally realized that the left wall (which was not treated) was causing enough early reflection (the 626R was rather close to it) and drawing the image to the left. After moving ever so slightly to the right, it snapped into focus and Voila....the Sonic Hologram.
Imaging:
Ditto to the imaging in general. The edges were clear and distinct. No small feat for a High Disp./Point SOurce.
Blackness/ Space:
I can't say I made any mental notes regarding this quality, but if my memory serves me correctly it was very good. Again, I generally find that High Dispersion speakers have a glaze or haze around sounds supended in air, but it seemed that the Solos had plenty of space and blackness.
Dynamics:
Hey, these are HORNS! While we weren't able to blow the doors down, it was quite evident that the Solos had plenty of clean power and effortlessly handled transient edges and dynamic changes.
While my 626Rs certainly are no slouches, (and they were stil a little tight) they probably couldn't have kept up if we had cranked it too much further.
Bass:
The Solos were very adequate in the low end. I felt the bass was clean and Low. Impact was good and no flab at all. While the 626s have shown me that they can "play" below 35Hz, the Solos have gobs of torque to probaly 30 and probably lower. You could hear that they sounded deeper.
Mids and Highs:
The Solos are very "smooth" and balanced through the mids and highs. They are not "HORNY"!!!! at all. What ever you think a horn is supposed to sound like, These DO NOT!!
Probably the most impressive single performance feature about the Solos was their ability to produce "female" voice. It was so impressive that i ask Keith to "rip" me a CD of the female singer we were listening to. She was great. The 626 was close, but didn't match the silkiness. Now I hope that is due to not being broken in and when Keith gets that CD to me, I will "tune" the speaker to do the same thing I heard.
Detail and Resolution:
Well if VMPS Ribbons have a strength, it is detail and resolution. And to be frank, once again I was very surpised to hear a "horn" with these qualities.
I can't state that the very upper level detail was there, but from what I heard, I found it as complete as any dynamic non-ribbon speaker.
So all in all Keith has one incredible system and the Solos are very impressive speakers, and I don't hand out compliments lightly.
I want to thank Keith for taking the time to let me "take a listen" and invite him add any comments or impressions he might have had.
PS Keith, sorry this took so long and is such a "quicky review" but I have been swamped.
