[BrianH]

Summer is pretty much over here in Arizona so I finished up my AV-3's.

I am retiring my B&W 601's and CC6 they have been fine speakers but these are quite obviously better to even a casual listener.

They sounded good from the first, even the wife likes that she can actually hear things on her TV shows that was never there before. Her words.
About 10 hours on them now and they are getting even better. As I understand it they are going continue to get better yet up to about the first 40 hours or so.

I ended up building 3 AV-3 S's. My little Velodyne sub blends just peachy set at 80. I do have the sub dead center in front and can never place a sound as coming from the sub which is what I wanted. These double for HT so I needed the flexibility in placement of the sealed ones. My goals for sound  is quite simply accurate reproduction of whatever sounds are supplied from a variety of sources.

I have a lot of different types of sound sources going to them from old mono music and 8 mm recordings, whatever satellite tv sends, a variety of Dolby/DTS/multichannel stuff and the latest in Blu-ray DVD 1.3A HDMI audio. I use a little Onkyo 605 av reciever. If a speaker can handle all that well then I will be happy, thats what I want from a speaker. Take everything I thow at it.

So mine came out every bit sounding as good as everyone said they would. I really can't imagine what would be better suited for my needs certainly its nothing I've ever heard in any kind of audio store. Thanks to the forum folks for the good info on them.

My usual "test" music  is the Soprano's soundtrack CD the variety I think is a good test matching my listening tastes.
Check out RL Burnside's track if you haven't heard it.  If you want to excersize bass try Massive Attack ... Angel.     I'd love to hear that one on Danny's  subwoofers, I bet theres a lot of detail there I haven't heard yet.

Thanks Danny !

[Danny Richie]

You are welcome and thanks for posting the feedback. 

[stevecuss]

I know what you mean about retiring your B&Ws....

Several months ago, I took my Father in Law to a B&W dealership as he had fallen in love with a $4000 Bose system and I couldn't in good conscience allow that 

So the joke was on me - I heard listening bliss at the B&W dealership and then went home to my (previously satisfying) Boston bookshelf speakers. 

Forever ruined for good tone, I went the DIY route and ended up building Danny's AV2s.  (I couldn't afford even the lower end B&Ws.) 

I absolutely love the AV2s and they cream the Bostons.  I've since added a sub, set at 60hz or so to cover the lower end and I'm truly in sonic heaven. 

so to bring the story to an end.  My in laws are now living with us for a few months while they shop for a house.  Dan has never set up his B&Ws since buying them so I invited him to set them up in place of my AV2s through some rotel separates.   

They sound nice.  He's very happy with them and I'm very happy for him as his prior system was a Wal Mart level system. 

But they don't hold a candle to my AV2s.  I'm missing them already - they are patiently sitting up stairs while we break in Dan's B&W 686s.

Meanwhile, my wife LOVES the size of Dan's B&Ws verses my AV2s.  I've tried to tell her that it could be worse....I could build OB9s, but so far the argument is not working.

So I'm considering building one of the Neo kits to keep my wife happy.  I'd have to sell the AV2s to fund the neos, but I'm reading really good things about the Neos and I'd end up with a smaller speaker.

I'm hooked for life on speaker kit building.  Its fun, inexpensive and the results are incredible.

I'm glad to hear you've retired the B&Ws and I'm not at all surprused. 

Steve

[MaxCast]

Steve,
I haven't heard any AV series speakers but I did audition the Neo2.  Great speakers with a sub.  The ribbon is smooth and the mids are great.  Well worth the $550 or so.