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ADS L Series 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Comparision

pjrey

pjrey

Member
I sat down tonight and compare 4 sets of ADS 2-ways. All have had the electrolytic capacitors upgraded to polypropylene. I used a Luxman R-115 and also Rebuilt Nad 1020 + Dayton APA150 combo for comparison. So midfi but decent sounding gear—stuff I'd actually use for a secondary system.

My primary system is Bryston powered ADS L1290/2s. I've also owned L1590s, L910s, L710s, and the fantastically underappreciated L730s. So, I'm definitely a fan of the ADS sound.

Here are so brief thoughts (favorite to least favorite):

L470/2 - most balanced and cleanest mids. also best imaging. lacking in deep bass but that may be desirable for bedrooms / apartments. jazz horns sound fantastic. these remain among my favorite all-time bookshelf speakers.

L520 - very pleasant. perhaps a tad more open than the L470/2s but not quite as focused. dramatically fuller bass than the L470/2—too much so for me at times. treble is a bit more pronounced but not harsh. enjoyable overall, especially for rock.

L200 - mids and highs more closely resemble the L470/2s than the L520s. the most relaxed of the bunch—a little too much for my taste. definitely less focused that the L470/2s. anemic bass, but you can't expect miracles.

L400 - these are the compact version. given their somewhat iconic status, I had high expectations for these, but apart from having fuller bass than the L200s, they pale in comparison in every way. treble is often harsh. details are sloppy in busy recordings. extremely bright. extremely forward (though not quite as much as, say, EPIs). While listening I just yearned to switch back to whatever speaker I was currently comparing. maybe I have a bad batch :(
 
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I think the L470 and L520 a fine little speakers.
One could probably build a system around them if they were supplemented with three subwoofers, ala Geddes Distributed Bass style.
 
I recently upgraded the crossovers in some early L400’s, the larger ones. I have them running off of an Arcam Alpha 3 integrated and sound outstanding to me. Plenty of lowend for a bookshelf speaker, rather surprising actually, seems to be an excellent combination. I had some L470’s which were fine but not nearly as nice sounding as the larger L400’s to me.
 
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Nice test pjrey. All having been recapped is great.
How did you have them situated? Room size etc?
 
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Goggle1824 said:
Eh? I only see top & bott, pics, no left, no right. :(
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The pictures are only to show relative size difference between the older and newer L400 cabinets, the right picture being the newer model. It’s about 2/3 the size of the older model. The stacked speakers are the left channel of my 2 channel vintage system. The speaker on the bottom is an original L400 with the 7” woofer. The top one is an abnormality in that it has had its 7” woofers replaced with 6”ers mounted off center on specially machined plates to mount in the original 7” holes. This has astounded even the ADS experts here on AK. Obviously the bass response of the 6” woofers is not quite the same as the 7s. I‘ve had no reason to remove the grilles from the newer speakers and won’t unless I have to to replace something.
 
I think my L470/2 are the only speakers my wife has ever made an unprompted favorable comment on (I think she worries I'll take anything positive said as enabling my habit). A small NAD receiver with the Bass EQ turned on is a very smooth and complimentary combo.
 
msskks said:
I think my L470/2 are the only speakers my wife has ever made an unprompted favorable comment on (I think she worries I'll take anything positive said as enabling my habit). A small NAD receiver with the Bass EQ turned on is a very smooth and complimentary combo.
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Your wife comment had me rolling. Thanks, I needed that.
 
Yodathedog said:
View attachment 1209380


The pictures are only to show relative size difference between the older and newer L400 cabinets, the right picture being the newer model. It’s about 2/3 the size of the older model. The stacked speakers are the left channel of my 2 channel vintage system. The speaker on the bottom is an original L400 with the 7” woofer. The top one is an abnormality in that it has had its 7” woofers replaced with 6”ers mounted off center on specially machined plates to mount in the original 7” holes. This has astounded even the ADS experts here on AK. Obviously the bass response of the 6” woofers is not quite the same as the 7s. I‘ve had no reason to remove the grilles from the newer speakers and won’t unless I have to to replace something.
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What is the part number on the replacement 6" woofer?
 
My small late model L400 are remarkable. They are totally satisfying on their own but when paired with a sub, WOW!
Better than my mid model L400, which are fantastic!
Then I also have a set of L7e. They make me melt into my seat and never want to get up. A truly great little speaker.
 
Jopalok said:
My small late model L400 are remarkable. They are totally satisfying on their own but when paired with a sub, WOW!
Better than my mid model L400, which are fantastic!
Then I also have a set of L7e. They make me melt into my seat and never want to get up. A truly great little speaker.
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I also have a pair of L7es. I got them at an estate sale without grilles. Perfect condition otherwise. Weird grilles. Thank god the tweeter dome isn't sticky or they'd be covered in dust. I A/B'd them against my original L400s and the top end fell a bit flat for me. Bottom end was about the same, but I'm a top end kinda guy, so they went in the closet and were replaced by the Frankensteined L400s.
 
I love my L520s that I've had since new. Right now I run them stacked with another pair for a really full sound, but turn off one pair sometimes for a more precise sound.
 
Jopalok said:
My small late model L400 are remarkable. They are totally satisfying on their own but when paired with a sub, WOW!
Better than my mid model L400, which are fantastic!
Then I also have a set of L7e. They make me melt into my seat and never want to get up. A truly great little speaker.
Click to expand...

I'll stand corrected but if memory serves me Hoang Tran had a youtube video of a pair of L400's playing an Amy Winehouse number a year or so ago. He made the same claim that when paired with a sub the speakers come to life (I paraphrase). Not sure why he took the vid down, but it was at least decent enough to highlight the nuance of the L400. I have the L400 (small late model) and they stay with me tell I leave this earthly plane. I have them hooked up to an S.M.S.L Q5 pro amp to the computer with a Logitech Sub. Can't remember a negative review I ever agreed with. That said, I have no issue what so ever of any negative review either as what leaves that speaker and reaches my ear is the only thing that counts.
 
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