I really like the Avanti IIIs. Beautiful, musical speakers that play all kinds of music well. They need thoughtful positioning (what speakers don't?) and you need quality eletcronics in front of them to hear what they are capable of.
They could be your last pair of speakers.
Last time I heard a pair they were being powered by Herron VTSP1a-166 tubed preamp and M150 ss mono amps fed by top-of-the-line digital and TT - the sound was absolutely killer. At the time, the Herron preamp/amps would set you back around 10k. You can buy both that same pre *and* the amps for under 5k at A-gon now.
The Avantis were not light in the bass or mids to my ears. I thought the bass was very good - tuneful and accurate, if not the very lowest I've heard, but still very satisfying on rock, double bass and full range orchestral. The mid-range was wonderful - resolving without being hyped or etched - the speakers' transparency lets you hear very far into the soundfield rendering good recording very natural and "alive". Powered by the Herrons, the Avanti's palpabiility and immediacy was startlingly realistic. The speakers disappeared, the soundstage was wide and deep and the images were 3D.
Audio Physic is a fine, highly regarded European company. As you could tell from your audition at the dealer's, the AP designers/engineers have very good ears for producing musically satisfying speakers.
If you give them good equipment - the Avantis will sing.
They could be your last pair of speakers.
Last time I heard a pair they were being powered by Herron VTSP1a-166 tubed preamp and M150 ss mono amps fed by top-of-the-line digital and TT - the sound was absolutely killer. At the time, the Herron preamp/amps would set you back around 10k. You can buy both that same pre *and* the amps for under 5k at A-gon now.
The Avantis were not light in the bass or mids to my ears. I thought the bass was very good - tuneful and accurate, if not the very lowest I've heard, but still very satisfying on rock, double bass and full range orchestral. The mid-range was wonderful - resolving without being hyped or etched - the speakers' transparency lets you hear very far into the soundfield rendering good recording very natural and "alive". Powered by the Herrons, the Avanti's palpabiility and immediacy was startlingly realistic. The speakers disappeared, the soundstage was wide and deep and the images were 3D.
Audio Physic is a fine, highly regarded European company. As you could tell from your audition at the dealer's, the AP designers/engineers have very good ears for producing musically satisfying speakers.
If you give them good equipment - the Avantis will sing.