Good question. Bandwagon mentality me thinks. Tech types love to say the components are hard to work on. Well duh, a 2” tall receiver is going to be cramped compared to the 6” tall receiver everyone else was building. It’s like a computer tower vs a laptop. Everyone that’s heard of B&O will tell you the cartridges are expensive. What they seldom say is how great they sound. Probably because they never heard one. And so it goes, speakers found guilty by association or just unknown. I brought my B&O M70’s to an AK meet. I was driving them with a very pedestrian JVC receiver. Almost everyone said the same things about them - They loved the design, the matched rosewood veneer, the stands and the very detailed presentation. Go figure.Reviews review reviews.... Most people outside AK dont have the luxury to listen to dozens of different speaker from DIY to small batch speakers and all of the myraid of speaker makers that folded in the 70' & 80's. Why do folks gush over all lines of ADS but poo poo B&O speakers that utilize Seas & Philips & Vifa drivers. I have many many speakers that would take a big poo poo on most of the ADS lineup for less money as well. That said I still have a set of L710 and Braun powered speakers that I held onto because they were free
So many issues? The panels are virtually bulletproof. I've found Acoustats quite practical since 1977. Yes, they do require a bit more power than others. The 2+2s I ran for twenty some years did quite well with a Threshold Stasis and later with 500 watt VTL amps. Here's a view circa '03:I preferred Acoustat and Magnplanar at the time, but they had so many issues and required bigger amps that they weren't that practical.
I'd say listen to a pair first, before you say you'd like to own them. Having owned a pair of L810's, they are not for everybody. Like me, you may grow tired of them. The grass isn't always greener elsewhere.I've personally never had the pleasure to hear any model ADS speaker. I can say this though, it is number 1 on my list to hear and possibly own. Of course there are several other speakers out there that I want to hear but ADS intrigues me the most. From reading all the threads here on AK, from their looks and build quality, to the silk dome drivers (which I prefer with any speaker) I hope to come across a pair soon. As we all know though, they ain't cheap as I believe the rest of the world has caught on too , to how good they are. I really believe with all things considered it would be a brand of speakers I would really enjoy to listen to.
I have many many speakers that would take a big poo poo on most of the ADS lineup for less money as well.
WTF, how about something he could actually find*. But I guess that is a good list for those in target rich environments to put on the list of possibles. I've updated my list.soliliquy
urei monitors
synthesis
KSA
Philips with ribbon tweeters
etc....
May I suggest to start listening to the videos in the video thread. Obviously not as good as being there, but you'll get a pretty good idea of how the many systems and speakers sound, and some you may like.Even though I started this hobby a few years ago, I haven't taken the opportunity to sample many speakers, except for a few ADS models. Could you list a few other brand models to keep an eye out for?
soliliquy
urei monitors
synthesis
KSA
Philips with ribbon tweeters
etc....
May I suggest to start listening to the videos in the video thread. Obviously not as good as being there, but you'll get a pretty good idea of how the many systems and speakers sound, and some you may like.
Glenn
I suspect something is amiss. I found them to be among the most neutral sounding of the bunch.For some reason the 710s actually sound much more scooped in the mids and darker sounding.
Good point on the crossover overhaul. If I were to put one of those poly-pop cans in place of the one electrolytic in my 780's, my grandkids could enjoy them without ever having to open them up.my easy way of saying why I like my 1230's is they play everything WELL! they have a lower maintenance reputation for not needing a major crossover overhaul, mostly there is one electrolytic that needs to be swapped out with a new one (look up Mundorf caps for replacements) ADS made a decent crossover. make sure the box's are sealed too. and if needed there is Richard So to send your drivers to.