Genesis 350 vs. Carver AL-III

try to audition the Genesis V or similar model speakers they would work in your current room. Or add a room for the bigger Genesis you wouldn't regret it I'm sure.

Hi Mejames

I will take your advice and try audition the Genesis V, I suppost I can find a G5 in San Francisco. However I love the sond of the ribbons, you can tell by I own the al-3 for almost 10 years, last night I put in [Andy Williams - The Moon River Collection HDCD 24bit/96KHz] in my Shanling player, close my eyes, turn off the light and it sonds like Andy Williams is standing and singing in front of me.

Me and my wife already plant to add a extention to the house since January, two floors, 400 sqft (25' x 16') each floor, two new bedrooms in the upper floor and a in-law in the first floor. I suppost I can somehow add a room big enough for the 350. I already send a email to Genesis for the min room size requirement for the 350 and hope everything will work-out.

May be the G5 will be more than sufficient or may be I am ways over my head?

Either the G350's, the Genesis V's the 500's or the 501's would work well in your room. I actually have put G 2's in a room with similar dimensions as well as G201's and they sound spectacular. I also have had the G 2.5's in a room that size which are a bit larger in width then the 350's. Genesis speakers can be set up to work in just about any room configuration. Of course the better the room the easier it is. Also in smaller rooms, as good as these speakers sound, a bigger room would make them sound even better. If you were to choose to go with the 350's or the 350se you would not be disappointed. Keep in mind, if you are using this room for home theater your viewing would be limited for guests. If you went with a new pair of 501's I know you would be better off then a used pair of 350's. It would be a better buy knowing that the technology in the new products are far superior then that of the old, and in my opinion sound much better. The new 501's in your room would knock your socks off. I know this, because I currently have a pair in my room. Dimensions L20' X W14' X H10'

I beg to partially disagree with Brutusab & agree with mejames, as follows:
*The Gen V (to a lesser extent, the 501), the 350 & 2 are better than the Carver (which was a very good spkr design for its time IMO)

Remember, G5's DIFFER from the other models in that the midrange is dynamic (2 drivers) whereas the others use a B&G ribbon -- the ribbon is easily available, BTW. The tweets were the same. So the sound is slightly different. Also, it's apparently not very difficult to upgrade a 350 to "SE"; just change the mid ribbon and, if so inclined, change the tweets as well.

*The 350 and, in extremis, the 2's *could* play in your room; you just have to measure the room modes, and tweak placement & the panel/subwoof parametres. HOWEVER, they will NOT give their best esp for large orchestral pieces. I've found they work best far-field (i.e. listening beyond the critical distance), and your present room isn't big enough.

*The Gen V are probably the limit; as they can easily deal with a much larger space, too, this may be a good solution for you.

Ultimately, you may think you're "over your head":) in considering the bigger models -- but the Gen V's are exquisite and, IMO, rival the 350 and, somewhat, the G2 -- BUT they are somewhat different, as noted above:
-the G5 (micro)dynamics are a bit enhanced, while the air around instruments is better with the ribbon series.
-the achievable spl is higher with the bigger models
-I would say that the G2 & G5 are better value -- if there is value @ these high prices...
Cheers

Gregm little information here the 350 upgrade to the 350 SE isn't just changing the ribbon midrange it also adds 9 additional ribbon tweeters on the front of each speaker and believe a additional rear tweeter or 2 is added it ends up with the same midrange/tweeter configuration as the 201's I'm sure the crossover has changes also for SE. otherwise I agree with your comments. Believe the latest 5 series would fit this particular system and room in question best definitely