Acoustic Zen Crescendos- Any Owners Out There?


I recently heard the AZ Crescendos at a dealer and loved their sound. I ordered them soon after that, and they are supposed to ship next week.
I read a lot about people hearing them at CES, RMAF, etc., and loving the sound. But I usually don't see anyone posting on how they sound at home...
Any owners care to share their experience?
As I said, mine are just about on their way, and I'm really looking forward to delivery.
BTW, I am replacing Monitor Audio GS 60's with the Crescendos. What was your prior speaker?
Thanks for any thoughts.
james_edward

Showing 4 responses by james_edward

Well then...
It seems that I am one of a select few that have gone and ordered the Crescendos, and will have to take great care in reporting on their sound...
To be continued next week- delivery is scheduled for Tuesday.
I am most definitely not experiencing one note bass. In fact, the bass of the Crescendos seems more articulate than my previous speakers, Monitor Audio GS 60's.
I am hesitant to post any type of full review just yet for several reasons. The speakers are too new, an I'm no Harry Pearson.
Here are a few comparisons with some speakers I've demo'd in my house recently:
ZU Audio Definitions- the treble is much better integrated in the Crescendos. The Definitions had certain high frequencies that would just leap out at you. They also did not image as well as the Crescendos. The guys at Zu suspected an amp mismatch, and I have no reason to dispute this. Bass was not as articulate as either the GS 60's or the Crescendos.
Reference 3a Grand Veena- This speaker sounded very good overall, but would harden up at any volume over 95db. I would expect this in a small stand mounted speaker, but this was a 50" floorstander. The Crescendo does not sound quite as open, but does high volume much better. Bass in the Crescendo is also fuller, and to my ears just as articulate.
Monitor Audio GS60- This is a great speaker. I have spent 3 years looking to better them. What I don't care for in them is a lean tonal balance. What I love about them is their very open sound and a tremendous ability to play loudly with no strain.
Take these comparisons for what they are- I don't have a perfect room, nor perfect ears. I am not necessarily going for absolute neutrality, but a sound that is pleasing to me.
Lastly, these thoughts are based on 3 day old speakers, hardly broken in. The amplifier used is the LSA Signature integrated.
I will post further thoughts as they break in.
Jeff,
My tastes run the gamut- in some semblance of 'airtime':

Rock / pop 40%
Blues 30%
50's / 60's Jazz 20%
World/Ethnic/Anything goes 10%

What I EMPHATICALLY don't listen to are so-called audiophile recordings.

I still own them, and I'm about to get rid of the boxes- they're staying.
Their tonal balance is on the warm, forgiving side, which is what I have been looking for. Prior to the Crescendos, I had a small parade of speakers that were too analytical for my tastes- Grand Veena, Zu Definition Mk2, and the Monitor Audio GS60.
I don't care for a lean tonal balance, and the heap of detail that comes with it usually becomes annoying after a short period of time. The Crescendos are a 'listen for hours on end' speaker, not the least bit fatiguing.
I have a couple of thousand CD's, and would rather have a system that does not bring out the flaws in every recording.
When I first had them, the Crescendos sounded a bit closed in vs the MA GS60's, but they seem to have opened up somewhat in the past 11 months. I still would not say that they are as open some other speakers I've heard, but again, my personal preference is for a full-bodied sound.

A HUGE caveat to my impressions is that I have tilted my components and wires toward fullness. The LSA amplifier is probably not considered analytical, nor would the Bryston BCD-1 player. I also am using KCI gold Silkworm+ IC's.
What I'm trying to say is don't let my warm sound assessment be a negative in considering this speaker. It is truly a contender, and for me it's a keeper.