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Anybody else heard the Avalon Acoustics Isis?

I spent a delightful afternoon on friday listening to the Avalon Acoustics Isis speakers. These retail for $62000.00, so I was expecting a high level of performance, but was still surprised at how wonderful these speakers were at creating the sound of real music.

Even though this was in a store environment with electronics that are not my favorite cup of sonic tea, current Mark Levinson gear, the Isis's offered the following:

1) I'm quite enamored of the type of soundstage and natural layering that planer dipolar speakers provide, my home reference are MG-20's, the Isis was one of the few box enclosure speakers that offered this type of illusion regarding space. They just did not disappear, but offered this very natural 3D imaging without making individual players sound like "cutouts" against a background, but layering in a very natural way that sounds more like live music.

2) Great macrodynamics and resolution without sounding etched or in your face, and this was with electronics that I personnally don't find to be very musical! I would want to hear these speakers with a great tube pre and SS amps like Pass Labs XA's.

3) The whole sonic presentation was seemless, again reminding me of what great planer speakers have to offer, with a quick and rock solid bottom end.

I have listened to Wilson's, Kharma's, B&W's, Magico's, Dali's reference speakers on other occasions, and I was not as impressed as I was yesterday. Am I trading my MG-20's for the Isis's, no but if you have a chance to hear them I think you find it a very enjoyable experience.
teajay

Showing 7 responses by branimir

branimir
236 posts
 
Isis is truly SOTA loudspeaker. I like it a lot. Interesting enough I found solid-state amps to be better match with Isis then most tube amps(for example ARC REF210 did not sound right on Isis). CAT that Strapper211 use are probably best push-pull tube amps on the market with excellent bass(and Isis IMHO likes some control down there). Amps for Isis? Think Hovland Stratos/HP200 combo or something from Gryphon or Vitus... Pass X.5 or XA.5 could work as well...

BTW, I auditioned two loudspeakers that are better then Isis(to my ears) but, they also cost more...
branimir
236 posts
 
Dev,

Wilson Alexandria X2 and Rockport Altair. X2(now in Series 2 version) is most impressive in dynamics and room-filling sound. Although I am not big fan of Wilson house sound X2 is IMHO one of the five worlds best speakers. Rockport Altair is another amazing speaker. More extended at bottom the Isis(and more accurate down there as well IMHO), with more dynamic ease and shadings. Its midrange is most natural to my ears of any speakers. Soundstage size is as well huge with more depth. Both of these speakers are more expensive then Isis. So, they should offer more IMO...
And I agree with you regarding room-filling issues of Isis. Still, I found it the best speakers that Avalon ever produced. Auditioning any of these speakers by yourself is an imperative! Dealer support is another very important thing as well. And all these speakers require room of decent size...
IMO personal(music taste and sound taste as well as exterior design look) preferance will be here a key factor in final choice. For example I admire your MBLs but, their sound is not my cup of tea...
Simply said all speakers mentioned above are more or less SOTA and potential costumer will be(I am pretty sure of that!) more then happy with any of them...
branimir
236 posts
 
Sirspeedy,

TAD Ref One? Sure, if you like very wide baffle loudspeakers... And shortcomings that such wide front baffle is bringing... I audition it in NY Stereophile show and although impressive, its voicing is not my cup of tea. Sweet spot is pretty narrow(look at toe-in in all TAD show presentation, they use more toe-in then Wilson) IMO.
TAD Ref One is indeed very impressive technical design but, musical and engagin?
branimir
236 posts
 
Dev,

Why is sound of MBLs not my cup of tea? Well, I audition them twice-both times at lenght. First was all MBL system and they sounded artificial to me. I have to say that I attend classic music concerts regulary and sorry to say but Piano on MBL sound different then in real life. On Isis for example piano to my ears sound more real then on MBLs. Same story is with Rockports-they sound much more real then MBLs. MBLs sound excellent but, their sound is pleasing illusion-not repeat of the real music. I know that I am sounding rude about MBLs but, this is MY taste. I for example like MBL electronics a lot but, not their speakers. I respect them, just I could not live with them.
branimir
236 posts
 
Dev,
I am not alone in my findings about MBLs... In fact very good friend of mine is Classical Music Piano Player(you probably heard about him but, I will keep his name for myself) and he told me that Bosendorfer on his own recording do not sound right on full MBL system(101, 9008, 6010D etc.). And this is his presonal system... He is now searching for something else after living with MBLs for over two years. Those two lenghty sessions were at his home and I agree fully with him. Interesting enough Rock music like Guns'n'roses sounded just right on this system...

Rockport Altair cost $89500(or $91500 in Titanium color) in US. Overpriced? Not IMHO. Just read Jeff Fritz review about them http://www.ultraaudio.com/twbas/twbas_20071001.htm It is very honest and accurate description of their sound IMO.

Back to Isis... You find Eidolon Diamond superior to Isis. Well, I disagree big time here. IMHO Isis is a much, much better speaker then Eidolon Diamond. Freedom of speach I guess... Long live the difference in our ears and opinions!
branimir
236 posts
 
Dev,
I understand you wrong regarding Isis vs Eidolon Diamond-sorry. I agree fully with you-all these speakers(Isis, MBL and Rockport) are world class without any doubt. I am sure that you are enjoying your MBLs-I respect them highly.

Sydsrig,
Yes, you are on something here regarding different presentation(prespective?) that MBLs are offering. Maybe I am just not used enough of this presentation? But, in all MBL system 101 sound occasionally too white in upper highs for my taste. I am more a dynamic speakers person I guess...
branimir
236 posts
 
Samuel33,
There is a dealer that have both Avalon and Rockport. Goodwins in Boston. Another dealer for Rokport is Ultimateaudiovideo in Chicago(they have both Arrakis and Altair).

I audition Altair with Boulder 2060/2010 and Wavestream V8(this amp was used in HK Show in August last year). Isis with Boulder 2060/2010, Krell Evolution One/Evolution Two and CAT JL2/SL1 Ultimate.

Regarding comparison them from auditive memory: Isn't this a usual audio reviewers habbit as well? I liked Altair more then Isis. But, I can live with both.

Regarding MBLs I fully agree with you.
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