ADS L1290, any good?

[Mc_Man]

I have a chance to pickup a set of ADS L1290's and was wondering if anyone had an any impression? What's their strengths / weaknesses? I would be pushing them with Mac components.

 

[MarkAnderson]

Seriously?

Never heard 'em myself, but from what I've read around here, they should be fantastic...

 

[ka7niq]

I have a chance to pickup a set of ADS L1290's and was wondering if anyone had an any impression? What's their strengths / weaknesses? I would be pushing them with Mac components.

Any GOOD ?
Of course they are good, designed by Mike Kelly who does Aerial Acoustics today.

They are smooth, and musical.

Imaging is so so, can be made better with tube amp/

Bass is tight and defined, surrounds are rubber.

Watch out for blown tweeters, ain't none to be had easily!

Same with midrange domes, although you might have a better chance offinding them.

The tweeter is special, magnet is Samarium Cobalt,, 22, 000 Gauss!

Highs are sweet and smooth.

The ADS 1290 is an excellent speaker.

My advice, if the price is right, jump on it.

 

[Duffinator]

They have a good reputation and are very well built. You can find more info from the links in my signature. I have the L1090's and like them a lot. If they are in nice shape $500 or below is a good price.

 

[Mc_Man]

Would they match up nicely with a McIntosh MC7270 and C33? I currently drive a pair of JBL 4311 monitors with them. Having never heard any ADS how will the sound compare?

 

[Mc_Man]

Anyone?

 

[Duffinator]

Would they match up nicely with a McIntosh MC7270 and C33? I currently drive a pair of JBL 4311 monitors with them. Having never heard any ADS how will the sound compare?

I do not know how they will match up with a Mac but they sound nice with my Sansui AU-919. The 1290's probably sound quite a bit different from the 4311's. West Coast sound vs. sort of East Coast sound. Go listenen to the 1290's and see if you like them. There's a pretty strong market for ADS speakers so if you buy them and don't like them you should be able to resell them and recoup your investment. Especially if they have the original boxes in good shape. That makes it much easier to ship.

 

[thedelihaus]

Having heard JBL Century L100s and owning JBL L-46s (for now), and owning ADS L1230s and L630s and L570 IIs, my opinion of the ADS are more natural sounding and overall a more coherent and smooth sound, with the JBLs being an "exited" speaker with more "macho" bass and a more "produced" sound.

I've really enjoyed my L-46s, and find them to be a great speaker, but honestly prefer the ADS L570 IIs to them, I'll be letting the L-46s finally go. And after spending time with the enjoyable and very fun L100s, I chose not to buy 'em, opting for the large ADS like the L630s and L1230s, which some may argue are "duller" sounding, some may even say "lifeless", when compared to the JBLs.

I find the large ADS to be natural and honest, which some would translate as dull and lifeless, but a serious listen to the music, and you'll see "dull and lifeless" is not the correct terminology.

 

[Clmrt]

My L810's kill my recollection of my 4312A's, so if the 1290 is more refined than the 810, and the 4312 is better than a 4311, it should be an even greater mismatch.

Nothing is permanent, it seems, but 1290's represent a very good speaker to a majority of AK'ers.

 

[ybaolywa]

There is a pair of ADS L1290/2 available locally. Wow, I am really tempted. IIRC, I've never heard a pair of any ADS speakers. Very good condition I am told, but may have a problem with the grills (???). Anyway, I saw the pics here and I am impressed. I love my Advents (East Coast sound). HHHmmmmmmmmmm:scratch2:

 

[kfa888]

Imaging is so so, can be made better with tube amp

Huh? Can you explain that one to me? :scratch2:

 

[tarior]

Huh? Can you explain that one to me? :scratch2:

C'mon, everybody knows that tubes are an upgrade from solid state.

 

[A/D/Slover]

1290

I believe i have the 1290...or are they the 1290/2....Towers with 2 8?S...And they do sound very nice...as do most or all of ADS....But yet it is all preference i curruntly run them with my Onkyo M 504.......I enjoy all my ADS

 

[thedelihaus]

There is a pair of ADS L1290/2 available locally. Wow, I am really tempted. IIRC, I've never heard a pair of any ADS speakers. Very good condition I am told, but may have a problem with the grills (???). Anyway, I saw the pics here and I am impressed. I love my Advents (East Coast sound). HHHmmmmmmmmmm:scratch2:

I own Advents.

My ADS L630s and L1230s trounce them, in my opinion.

If the price is good, don't sweat the grills- you don't listen to the grills anyhoo.