Choice: Avantgarde Duo Omega or JBL K2 s9800



Am now able to get both of these speakers at abt the same price albeit both in demo condition.

Am now using a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig2 and Harbeth M30 and really wanting to try the other end of the spectrum. Heard the Quad ESL which may not be the ones for me where now decide to go the way of the horns.

A/B audition is not possible where i am attracted to JBL K2 s9800 primarily becos its (correct me if i m wrong) a mix of HORN and monitor (best of both worlds?) and also being the 2nd highest in teh line of JBL. Wld tis not make a more sound/safe investment? Same time not really sure of its dynamics as compared to the avantgarde ....

i want to stay with my BAT pre/power (vk32/vk55) ....

any comments welcomed!!!
art80342

Showing 4 responses by triode

Never heard the JBLs, though at "only" 93 dB they'd not be an option for me and my 18 wpc amps. I'm sure that they are wonderful speakers.

Properly set up and amplified Duo Omegas do not have "slow" or "poorly integrated" bass, and at 108 dB sensitivity open up the possibility of low-power tube amps, which to my ears are the best of all worlds. To each his own.
One thing I forgot to mention above, for what it's worth to the OP...at one time (and it may still be the case), a couple of the 3 principals in BAT reportedly had Avantgardes in their home systems. So even with higher-powered BAT amps, there may be a synergy.
Atmasphere, I have no doubt that your K2 observations are accurate. But the ability to place them close to the wall is not a point of differentiation; AGs have sealed subs with the ability to adjust level and crossover point, and phase is easily reversed. Very flexible and adaptable.
Atmasphere, again, not a point of differentiation. However, I must admit that although I find the AGs image well in my setup near the wall, that sonic parameter is about 27,592nd on my list of sonic priorities.