Winter Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 Any Avalon owners around. Thinking of getting a pair.
oceangreen17 Posted October 24, 2013 Posted October 24, 2013 Hi Winter, I have set of smaller and older Avalon Avatar speakers - These were the last Avalon speakers designed by Charles Hansen before Neil Patel took over Avalon Acoustics. Charles is now CEO of Ayre Acoustics. The Avatars are a small 2-way floorstander. They have classic Avalon aesthetics [a distinctive faceted cabinet design] and the Avalon house sound. The fit and finish of Avalon speakers tends to be high quality furniture grade. They use expensive drivers, cross over components, and heavy cabinet materials in their construction. They are usually expensive as a result. I would recommend second-hand examples! However, owners tend to keep them for a while. The factory is really good at support and seems to know the basic history of every speaker they have made - (Date of manufacture/ shipping destination/parts et). I found this quite refreshing as opposed to many other manufacturers - (Coincident Speaker Technology are good as well). In my experience Avalon speakers require lots of power. Most are around 85-89 db and 4-6 ohms. They really respond well to good quality, high current amps. They also require careful positioning. Once set up they are fabulous - For example, the Avatars have probably one of the most refined mid-bass presentations of any speaker I have heard - detailed, balanced and very smooth. Remember these examples I have are older, entry level, smaller Avalon speakers but they do sound quite similar to current larger models I had heard - just slightly less detailed and with less bass and HF extension. Definitely worth an audition if you can find someone in Melbourne
maximus Posted October 24, 2013 Posted October 24, 2013 Hello Winter, I heard the Avalon IDEA a new model and cheapest Avalon sell with a Bladelius Thor. These speakers just dissapear imaging like crazy. Clean highs, very detailed and smooth presentation, almost effortless. A smallish floorstander that quickly gets to the heart of music, but extremely expensive at 10k. The Avalons and Proac D40r's are my favourite 10kish floorstanders. cheers Frank.
Winter Posted November 12, 2013 Author Posted November 12, 2013 Got a mint pair if the avalon radian S.E
oceangreen17 Posted November 12, 2013 Posted November 12, 2013 Hi Winter, That's exciting news. I bet you will be staying up late this week! I haven't ever heard the Radians but they were reviewed very well. From the responses on this thread it would appear that Avalon speakers are pretty rare here in Oz? Are they are more Avalon owners out there? Enjoy the new babies
b.d Posted November 12, 2013 Posted November 12, 2013 This appeared in my inbox this week, if you havent seen it http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/avalon-idea-loudspeaker/?utm_campaign=Hi-Fi%2B+Weekly+Emails&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email-180
Winter Posted November 12, 2013 Author Posted November 12, 2013 (edited) Yes. Very nice built. Would love to buy a new pair of avalons but the price is high. The radians seems to be a good start to the avalon speakers. 120 high 30 wide 52 deep an apox 80kgs each Edited November 12, 2013 by Winter
oceangreen17 Posted November 13, 2013 Posted November 13, 2013 Interesting review b.d - Thanks for posting the link I think if one is patient enough, there are incredible bargains to had in secondhand high-end speakers. Winter, I don't really think the newer Avalon model range would be a lot better than your Radian S.E's They were a pretty well respected model in their day Cheers Steve
Willco Posted November 13, 2013 Posted November 13, 2013 (edited) Yes I've owned Avalon Eclipse and Ascent IIs-they will always be one of my fav and recommended brands with the Radians also excellent--OC17 is correct some of the current versions are not the same as the Hansen Designed ones. Incidentally I sold my II's to Audio Connection ages ago--wonder where the old girls ended up--hope they are in a good space! --anyone seen a pair in Grey Nextel finish in house? Willco Edited November 13, 2013 by Willco
Winter Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 One is for sure.They love power. The more the better. Last night I hook them up with a pair of emotiva xpa-1's they just kept singing louder and louder. I'm in the hunt for a good SS power amp. (A bit to the warm side) as the radians have beryllium tweeters.
oceangreen17 Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 Hi Wilco - I saw a set of Ascents IIs advertised on the Audio Connection website around the time when they were still located in Leichhardt. Maybe 2006 or 2007? They may have been your old ones - I remember because there are so few Avalon speakers advertised Cheers Steve
Willco Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 Yoh OG17, Hmmm I think they are the same ones they still have-they are Cherry --looks like on the site anyway--mine were purchased long before that--Mid nineties. Great Speaker--hardly bettered I feel. Willco
oceangreen17 Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 Yoh OG17, Hmmm I think they are the same ones they still have-they are Cherry --looks like on the site anyway--mine were purchased long before that--Mid nineties. Great Speaker--hardly bettered I feel. Willco Wow! I think you might be right - I didn't realize they still had Avalon speakers advertised. Been a few years since I looked at their website! Wilco, what amp would you recommend for Winter's Radians? My little Avatars needed around 400 watts to really sound relaxed and open - In recent times I have moved in another direction to tubes and Zu's speakers Steve
gypr1961 Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 I heard a pair, not sure which model at the hi-end show over in the UK. DCS were using them to showoff there puccini stack, dont know what the amps were except they were valves and each the size of a small fridge. It wasnt the best sound I heard at the show but what did impress was their ability to completely disappear, not heard a box speaker do that before.
Willco Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 (edited) Wilco, what amp would you recommend for Winter's Radians? My little Avatars needed around 400 watts to really sound relaxed and open - In recent times I have moved in another direction to tubes and Zu's speakers Steve Well they like good clean Power-obviously--I ran mine with Cello Performance II's-also Pass Alephs--the latter too restrained though--- in the real world of Oz availability I'd definitely look at Vitus and Rowlands have great synergy with Avalons like wise Ayre and Gryphon--the Speakers are voiced somewhat warmish( except for the unfortunate Diamond Dog in the old Eidelon!) so an amp with clean upper registers can be a bonus. Tubes -well only BIG ones need apply unfortunately ( NOT VTLs too soggy) Jadis, Ylipyson -would be fine but expensive. My take to consider would be the ones I've mentioned above--sheesh hard to find "budget" ones to fill the bill though--ummm stab ----- Mike L' s 500w Arions --I've heard these-excellent ,compact and priced OK plus the Parasound Monos are worth a go as well Good Listening Willco Edited November 14, 2013 by Willco
Winter Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 The emotiva xpa-1's do a good job as back up amps for now.
maximus Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 Hi Winter, I think Ethan and Tomma have pre/pow Bladelius gear for sale. They deliver a neutral/warmish presentation with loads of current and great slam. I'm driving mine with some Marten duke mk2's with unbelievable realism. I've never been happier and there's only 30hrs on em. You can also pay a visit to ClassA Audio in Blackburn. Great used amps at reasonable prices from Pass, rowland, M/F, accuphase etc etc. It's probably the only joint where u can audition a vast array of very good gear in one place. "You just gotta put up with Kevin". cheers Frank.
Winter Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 Hi frank. I know Kevin from class a audio. But thinks his prices are a bit high. And most of the gear is 220v Imported from Asia.
oceangreen17 Posted November 15, 2013 Posted November 15, 2013 The emotiva xpa-1's do a good job as back up amps for now. Great value and powerful amps Did you get a chance to try that very impressive amp you had for sale recently with these new speakers?
oceangreen17 Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Ah, yes! Been away from this thread for a while! Edited November 19, 2013 by oceangreen17
Winter Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) Sure did. But not the best match. As the tact is a bit bright in the top. And with 150 watt 8 ohms it's lack a bit of power. The avalons need a lot of power to preform well. I'll say min 250 SS watts. Forget valve. Had a audio reseach vs110 home.didnt work. Edited November 20, 2013 by Winter
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