Hello Michael,
Thanks for your reply. I really think it’s commendable when the owner/president/designer of a company follows-up with customers as it shows respect and accountability (and is excellent PR!).
Wanted to let you know that the Solo’s arrived Friday afternoon, after I had sent you the note.
I had a chance to listen a little bit over the weekend and very much enjoyed what I heard. As you’d mentioned (and I read about), the low end is really nice…full, tight, fast, and a lot deeper than one would expect. But there’s something about how open and flowing it is that’s so surprising…effortless. And they rise up dynamically when called for, like real music. Another element I didn’t expect...and clearly have missed on some other brands. Hmm.
The highs seem clean, but a little reticent, which is OK with me. I’ve got tinnitus in one ear (although my actual hearing is fine), so I don’t get along with ‘bright or forward’ speakers. The Solo’s balance suit me.
Lastly, voices are incredible. Again, maybe this is to be expected in this type of single driver design, but they were totally ‘in the room’ and fully present, natural, and with no shout. Listening to Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’ was amazing. After years of owning very good mini monitors that excel on voices, imaging, and tonality, I wasn’t expecting to be as seduced as I was…very nice.
Anyhow Michael, the Solo’s could become the best $$$ I’ve spent on speakers ever, as I bought them as demo’s at a reduced price, and the dealer covered the shipping…lucky me. Can’t wait to listen more.
At this point in time, I’d guess that most people don’t know much about Alta Audio, and/or the Solo’s, but they should. Other than being a little ‘deep’ in their design, which might make positioning awkward in some set ups (as they ideally they need some space to breathe), they seem to be an amazing and highly capable small speaker. With further marketing and demo's you should be able to sell a boat load of them!
Thanks again for your design sense, passion, good ears, and follow-up Michael. You have created a wonderful line of musically pleasing speakers, and a ‘Gem’ with the Solo’s. I hope you have all the success with Alta that you deserve!
Sincerely, Rob
PS. Maybe I’ll be able to shake your hand at a Toronto stereo show one of these days.
Postscript: I've been listening to the Solo's for about a month now, and I'm swept away every time I fire them up. I actually look forward to the next session as soon as I turn the stereo off...which is usually late that night.
The bass system is truly amazing, with tightness, definition, weight, and depth that completely surpasses anything I've heard anywhere near this size. Well done. If you like quality bass response, and have a small to medium space, try these out...you'll be blown away. The so called 'power range' is well represented with the Solo's, and you soon realize how it's not on many small-medium monitors.
And the inner detail really sneaks up on you, the coherence and transparency...you start to hear details and definition that were not clear or obvious before. You'll hear right through to the source in the mid range, but again, nothing is highlighted or etched, just there with clean resolution. Tonal colors really come through, and everything sounds natural.
Lastly, the more I listen, the more I realize that the high's are absolutely present and accounted for, which blows me away for a single speaker design: cymbals shine with shimmer and decay, bells ring, room sound is delineated, etc. Very sweet, especially if you're looking for a speaker that doesn't sound forward, just fully natural.
Highly recommended,
R