Green Mountain Audio - "Europa" Speakers

lonewolfny42 · « **on:** 5 Jan 2004, 11:00 pm »

Looking around the many different audio websites , this companies name seems to pop up very frequently in different discussions. Did a search , and located their website > http://www.greenmountainaudio.com/ . Seems like some very interesting speakers , marble construction and all. I wonder if any members have heard or had an experience with them ? Thanks !!

el-cee · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Jan 2004, 12:22 am »

Have a pair of Roy's little gems. For a small monitor, they produce a full, well balanced sound with deep, taught bass - they're rated -3db at 50Hz. I use them in a hybrid system with a pair of VMPS smaller subs and a Marchand XM44 2-way active x-over driven by Blue Circle amp/preamp, and Sony DVP S7000/Nixon TubeDac. Although the Morel and Aurisound drivers in the Europas are on the low end of the spectrum, Roy has worked wonders with the crossover (they do not come bi-wired). The Europas are clear, coherent, and neutral with good detail. They throw a soundscape that is both wide and deep, and they image as true to scale as a small pair of monitors has any right to. In these areas, I found them superior in my system to Gershman Acoustics Avant Garde (full range), Reynaud Twin Mk. II's, and Swans M1's. The closest I've heard a two-way come to the Europas in terms of their strengths is the original Meadowlark Shearwaters and the original Green Mountain Continuum .5's. I'm not sure if the Europas are better than Roy's now vintage Continuum .5's, which they've replaced, though some say so. The .5's were more aesthetically pleasing than the Europas, since their cabinets used solid hardwoods as part of the design. Roy has perfected the faux marble process from which the Europa cabinet is cast, which has enabled him to market the Europas for less than 1/2 the price of the .5's. Despite the relatively inert cabinet, the Europas do have some cabinet resonance, but in now way does it smear the sound, to my ear. At under a grand, they're well worth seeking out an audition, IMO.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Jan 2004, 12:49 am »

el-cee , Thanks for you reply. Good information ! Since the Europa's weight 43 lbs. each, do you have them on any special speaker stand ?

el-cee · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Jan 2004, 02:17 am »

At first, I set the Europas up on some steel stands that I had a local machine shop cobble up for me - these were lead shot/sand filled and weighed 65 lbs. each. I did not want to set the Europas up on top of the subs, as Brian Cheney had suggested, because of cabinet vibration (in the subs, of course).
Because of space constraints, I could not set the subs up to flank the Europas, but rather had the Europas/stands sitting just inside of and in front of the subs. VMPS subs, especially with the Megawoofers, are known for speed, but in this position, they sounded slow, no matter how I tuned the passive radiator, and despite replacing the VMPS speaker batting with Black Hole. After experimenting with some home brewed isolation shelves loosely based on Symposium Svelte shelves, I came up with a workable solution. I now have the Europas sitting on a combination of home brewed Rollerblocks, coupled to home brewed Svelte shelves, which sit directly on top of the VMPS subs. In this configuration, LF output from the subs is more time-aligned with the Europas, which are noted for their time-alignment.

JackD · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Jan 2004, 09:51 pm »

Lonewolf

I have owned a pair of Europa's since August and have alternated them between my main and bedroom system. They currently give a three times the cost pair of Reynaud Trentes an even run for the money in either system. They have easily bested a pair of Twin MkII's, Soliloquy 5.0's, Michaura 55's, Boston Acoustic CR-8's, Platinum 808's and several others that I can't remember at the moment. I have used them on the Part's Express sand filled stands(Osiris copies 70lbs filled) and a pair of Tyler Acoustics Model 1 bearded stands. They are clean, clear, dynamic, articulate and above all else musical. They are a true bargain at their price or even double it. I use them in the secondary system full range with an ACI Quake( predecessor to the Force) sealed sub and in the main system high-passed at 80hz to a pair of Vandersteen 2W's. They through a huge soundstage in all directions and are worth auditioning for anyone looking for a high quality monitor, but especially for those with subs already in place. To me they are like my vintage Snell Type A's and ADS L-810's, a speaker you hold on to as a classic.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 07:48 am »

JackD , Thanks for the info. Sounds like a speaker I'd like to check out. I'm working on putting together a second system, much smaller that what I have now.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Jan 2004, 04:18 pm »

The Green Mountain Europa's have arrived , and these speakers are heavy ( black marble - David Letterman take note, they won't float )

. I'll have to let them defrost for a bit, its 10 degrees out with the snow storm coming to an end. On Tuesday, I received the Von Schweikert VR-1 speakers. So I've got some new toys to play with. Can't wait to see how the two compare.

mattybumpkin · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Jan 2004, 05:32 pm »

It should be interesting comparing. Note the Europa's take around 300 hours to break in. I spoke with Roy yesterday, what a nice guy. I had asked him some info on where to crossover a sub. He then went through everything about the speakers, manual, setup, break-in, everything.

Regards,

"M"

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Jan 2004, 07:19 pm »

Quote from: mattybumpkin

It should be interesting comparing. Note the Europa's take around 300 hours to break in. I spoke with Roy yesterday, what a nice guy. I had asked him some info on where to crossover a sub. He then went through everything about the speakers, manual, setup, break-in, everything.

Regards,

"M"

Matt, Already broken in, I'm the second buyer. Same with the VR-1's , 3 months on them. They will both start even. Now if my Ridge cables show up soon, I can really give them a work out !

Buy the way, at what point did Roy say to crossover ? Thanks !!

JackD · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Jan 2004, 11:20 pm »

Wolf

Be very interested to hear what you think about the two as I am unfamiliar at all with the VR house sound. Just remember looks are not the Europa's strong point.

As for the sub crossover. In the main system where they are back again, displacing the Reynaud Trentes they are high-passed and crossed at 65hz as that is the lowest filter I have from Vandersteen and the WX-2 variable crossover box really is inferior sounding. This is the same point I crossed the Trentes, the Offrandes, and the 3A Sigs. When run full range in the other system they the sub is set at 50-55hz depending on where you place the sub. This is within the realm that Roy recommends. Also dependent on how accurate the dial is on the sub. Some have found them to be off by anywhere from 10-25hz even on subs like the REL. Just have to listen for mid-range bloat.

JackD

JackD · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Jan 2004, 11:32 pm »

Wolf

What kind of gear are you planning to run the winner with. I found that much to Roy's suprise, the Europa's love tubes, and depending on the room size not a lot of it in terms of power specs.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Jan 2004, 11:50 pm »

Quote from: JackD

Just remember looks are not the Europa's strong point.

Well Jack , they don't look bad, I like them. They look like the little brother of my main speakers , the Mirage M-3's.

http://www.miragespeakers.com/PDFs/classic_manuals/M/M3/M3brochure.pdf . The marble cabinet is really something , heavy !! They sound excellent, I have no sub. I may not need it...still listening...but I like what I'm hearing !!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 12:02 am »

Quote from: JackD

Wolf

What kind of gear are you planning to run the winner with. I found that much to Roy's suprise, the Europa's love tubes, and depending on the room size not a lot of it in terms of power specs.

Jack , Now I have the Europa's running with Krell KSA-100 mkII amp , Minimax preamp, stock Art/Dio , Phillips CD-80 cdp. I also have a pair of Scott Nixon Mono amps, my Audio Research SP-9 mkII , a stock MSB Data Link dac w/ P1000 PS, and TT and cassette (yep, still have my NAK. ), awaiting a Bolder Smart Dio and the Ridge cables, all coming soon. Got some Bybees and some Z sleeves, and some time to check all this out.

Fathom7 · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 12:48 am »

Wolf:

I too am interested in hearing your hearing. I auditiioned them a bit ago (similar system not in-home) and the lone differential that I found was the little issue of the sweet-spot being very narrow. Not pinpoint but you won't be moving around the room a lot to get the best effect. I wound up with a great deal on a near-mint pair of newest edition JMR Trentes complete with the magic stands. Yessssss I paid more than I would have for Europas and some form of ATLAS like stands to hold them but not so much more that the cost difference wasn't worth it.

I also want to read your take on the Ridge Street cables. It's the current weak link in my system and the audition reports I've read here have me saving pennies (thank goodness these are in the budget category) to replace everything with these guys. Do you plan on A/B'ing the cables with and without the Bybees? I've become a Bybee devotee (9 in place) but would have to get another pair if I move the Ridge Street goods in-line for one set.

Good listening.

drunkonjack · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 01:10 am »

I also bought a pair of Schweikerts vr1's . Have you had a chance too listen too them yet. I hav'ent gotten mine yet. Let us know your first impression of those vr 1's.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 01:22 am »

Fathom7, "What are you hearing?"....a very good minimonitor speaker! Totally surprised me! I had the VR-1's running for a few days, sounded very nice, and when I set up the Europa's this morning , they smoked'em !! Better detail in the highs, a sweet midrange, good bass for a 6 inch speaker.For my room, 12x12 ,they are a very good match.I did not find them to have a narrow sweet spot. Sounded great to me, and that's what counts. I'm still using my Zu cables. When the Ridge cables come in a few days(shipped out today), I'm hoping it will sound even better !

satfrat · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 05:25 am »

Uhhh Lonewolf, a correction if I may,,,, you BOUGHT the Bolder Bybee inlines w/silver bullets, remember?

But I want the Z-Sleeves back when your done playing. Sounds like your having fun, you wouldn't be hoping for this subzero weather to stick around so you'd have more "playin" time would ya?

Regards, Robin

JackD · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 01:33 pm »

Wolf;

I my 15x19x10 "decicated room" I have run the Europas with the 30wpc Music Reference RM-10, Quicksilver Mini-Monos, Belles 150A, Granite Audio KT-88 monoblocks 60wpc pentonde/30wpc Triode and the Kora Explorer hybrid integrated. The 25-30 wpc tube amps were more than enough in this setting. I alternate the Europas and the Trentes in and out of this system every couple of months. Not suprised since the Europas hold there own with the Trentes, that they smoked the VR-1's. As you probably know, Roy prefers and recommends the Audio Magic silver ribbon speaker cables as that is what is inside the speaker. As I couldn't find a used pair at a reasonable price to try, I went with a dealer demo pair of the Luminous Audio Synchresta silver cables and been more than pleased. They easily bested four more expensive and highly touted cables with the Europas. As a less expensive alternative Roy also likes the Analysis Plus Oval 9's as does Big B. I didn't care for the combo in my system though. As for the sub it won't take much. Something sealed and fast like the Rava SE should be more than enough to just fill in underneath. The ACI Quake which I tried and is the predecessor of the Force is a sealed enclosure with twin 8's.

JackD · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 01:35 pm »

Wolf:

I my 15x19x10 "decicated room" I have run the Europas with the 30wpc Music Reference RM-10, Quicksilver Mini-Monos, Belles 150A, Granite Audio KT-88 monoblocks 60wpc pentonde/30wpc Triode and the Kora Explorer hybrid integrated. The 25-30 wpc tube amps were more than enough in this setting. I alternate the Europas and the Trentes in and out of this system every couple of months. Not suprised since the Europas hold there own with the Trentes, that they smoked the VR-1's. As you probably know, Roy prefers and recommends the Audio Magic silver ribbon speaker cables as that is what is inside the speaker. As I couldn't find a used pair at a reasonable price to try, I went with a dealer demo pair of the Luminous Audio Synchresta silver cables and been more than pleased. They easily bested four more expensive and highly touted cables with the Europas. As a less expensive alternative Roy also likes the Analysis Plus Oval 9's as does Big B. I didn't care for the combo in my system though. As for the sub it won't take much. Something sealed and fast like the Rava SE should be more than enough to just fill in underneath. The ACI Quake which I tried and is the predecessor of the Force is a sealed enclosure with twin 8's.

nature boy · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Jan 2004, 08:18 pm »

Wolfy,

Congrats on your new speakers. The Green Mountain Europa's are really fine. Happy listening.

How do you like your MiniMax?

NB