Avalon's "Symbol": Good As "Other" $3500 Spks??

A long ignored thread but figured I should weigh in. I was a Symbol owner for a number of years, and they were absolutely perfect in my tiny apartment at the time. Saw the complaint about the treble but that may be the amp used, or related to break-in - I used an integrated Cayin A-88T tube amp with the stock KT-88s and NOS Tung Sol 6SN7s and it sounded fantastic. I've seen two different tweeter types used by Avalon on this speaker, and I had the gray toned version (not the shiny black ones), which were similar in design to those produced by Focal. As for bass, they are designed as a satellite speaker, and they are literally meant to be used with a sub in the original Avalon configuration/offering, so be sure to include one. I had a REL which sounded perfect. They are also meant to be broken in with approx. 150 hours of playing time, per the manual. All that said, when properly dialed in, this speaker/sub combination sounded incredible. Had no urge to upgrade for seven years thereafter. I'd buy them again.

Ended up with Green Mountain Europas. They sound most like actual music to me. (in an 11x12x9' room with hardwoods and a good bit of room treatments). They do need a small sub, though.

The highs aren't ultra-extended and the lower bass isn't perfect but, for 90% of what I can hear, they sound most like what actual voices and instruments sound like. That was my goal.... Goal realized...

-C

I auditioned them recently against some Quad 12L's and I felt the Quad's were much better in terms of midrange fluidity and overall musicality. The Quads gave up just a little in terms of soundstaging and imaging, but were far better at 1/3 the price.

FYI.. just another update... the VR1's are out... they do have a natural timbre but, not as accurate in the details as I'd like. Also, in my small room, they were a little glaring. I'm working very hard to treat the room...

I've recently bought Green Mountain Europa's.. so far, these are the best speakers I've heard for my tastes. They're neutral and full of detail... inner detail is stunning. I can hear the body of the guitar and the highs are not the least bit harsh... but, rich in detail.

They need a sub, which I have...

The Criterion's are still on their way... this will be the final 'shootout' to determine which speaker I'll keep.

-C

I replaced the Revel's with a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1's. Lots of detail, good punch and excellent midrange. I thought the M20's highs were a little harsh. The VR-1's have an equally forward sound but, with a more natural timbre.

I'll be demo'ing a pair of GR-Research Criterions as well. I've heard the Diluceo's and they are incredible.

I owned a pair for a short time. I felt they were way over priced. (bought demos) Avalon's other more expensive speakers are great and maybe worth the money but the symbols are not built to the same quality and the drivers they use in the symbols would never be considered in their other models. After about a month in my system I could not stand their thin & bright sound. I replaced with Tyler Acoustics Lynbrook Signatures and my system came alive. Alot of people believe that Avalon's are all over priced but their other models do sound outstanding. With the symbols you are paying more for their name and I would look at other brand in the $3500 range.

I have the Revel F30's but, I've moved to a smaller room so, I'm selling them. I have an ad for them here. My room is only 11x12'. The Revel's are too big for the room. However, when they were in a larger room, they provided great detail, transparency, and impact. These speakers are very convincing on most music. The only thing I think it misses on is acoustic guitar. It's not bad but, not as convincing as it recreates piano and all other instruments. That's my biggest nit-picking.

The bass on the Revel's is much more than just another octave... it's a detailed layer of bass that is seamlessly integrated with the rest of the sound. The bass, mids and highs are very detailed.

The Avalon's I heard which were about 7,k on sale at a dealer sounded more mellow, relaxed, etc. The Revel's are more forward and have greater impact but, do not image quite as well.

So, that's what I know.

The Symbols take quite some time to break in. Before they are broken in, they do not sound too pleasing and certainly not involving. And yes, they do not have a lot of bass. I have heard them with several different amps and CDPs. These make a big difference, properly matched the Symbols are excellent for their size and, to some degree, price. They make excellent HT speakers, though. I heard the Symbols used as front and rear channels augmented with the Avalon sub and center. Spooky. Very realistic. I personally would probably not buy them because I like more bass but if looks and small amount of space required matter more than the bottom-most octave, I'd go for it. I own a pair of Avalons Eidolons and I have every intention of keeping them for very long time.

I heard these the other day at a local dealer's recommendation. I had gone in asking about higher end Avalon speakers, something like the Arcus. The Symbol did not give me the sound I was expecting to hear. I had heard that Avalons are extremely good speakers, the kind you keep for the rest of your life. The only other Avalons the dealer had for demo were something like $34,000 so what's the point. The Symbol was good with spot-on imaging, but lacked the bottom end and wasn't terribly resolving. I'm looking for two channel and they weren't my cup of tea. However, for home theater or possibly surround sound they might be killer.